"I live on a boat
because the canal is too wet."
Alice Thompson
FB London Boaters
15/11/2022
because the canal is too wet."
Alice Thompson
FB London Boaters
15/11/2022
Living on a boat, traversing big cities, small towns and distant rural parishes is a fact for me ... My boat is the centre of my universe
That centre is constant. The area is a persistent variable, but will contain the location where I can buy a pint of milk, the furthest place to which I am able to walk or bus. The village may change twice in a week or once a month if I find a cosy pitch or a just cause to tarry awhile. As soon as I up sticks that village vanishes. Where I exist in space and time to write or rest will be constant of course. It is the boat, my boat being the centre of my universe.
On completion of each move a new 'village' is established and defined around my latest mooring. I locate my artisan butcher, sourdough baker, candlestick-maker and acquaint myself with new neighbours floating or beached. A bus stop always features in the mix.
That centre is constant. The area is a persistent variable, but will contain the location where I can buy a pint of milk, the furthest place to which I am able to walk or bus. The village may change twice in a week or once a month if I find a cosy pitch or a just cause to tarry awhile. As soon as I up sticks that village vanishes. Where I exist in space and time to write or rest will be constant of course. It is the boat, my boat being the centre of my universe.
On completion of each move a new 'village' is established and defined around my latest mooring. I locate my artisan butcher, sourdough baker, candlestick-maker and acquaint myself with new neighbours floating or beached. A bus stop always features in the mix.
Where to get the milk?
Brasso? groceries?
A gas bottle?
Brasso? groceries?
A gas bottle?
All mod cons could be available
but I choose to have pumps stored away
so I can live off-grid and independent of
The New Normal,
The Old Normal,
Imagined Normal.
I have survived rishi sunak the tories and brexit
I have survived the past thirteen years
without freezing or even being especially cold.
The Big December Freeze of 2022
was survived off-grid with no shower
and no central heating
or running water
but also no frozen pipes
or cracked radiators.
LOADSAMONEY
Off-grid has gone serious.
But that was what led me to buy the boat
in the first place, wasn't it?
but I choose to have pumps stored away
so I can live off-grid and independent of
The New Normal,
The Old Normal,
Imagined Normal.
I have survived rishi sunak the tories and brexit
I have survived the past thirteen years
without freezing or even being especially cold.
The Big December Freeze of 2022
was survived off-grid with no shower
and no central heating
or running water
but also no frozen pipes
or cracked radiators.
LOADSAMONEY
Off-grid has gone serious.
But that was what led me to buy the boat
in the first place, wasn't it?
