5th April '11

We have done nothing today except go through the lock and moor in a slightly sheltered backwater adjacent to it. The wind was blowing first thing and hasn't let up since so we decided a quiet day doing some domestic chores was in order!

John is trying to sort out the satelite dome so that we can have TV - to be honest I have really enjoyed being without it, especially since we have been able to watch the essential programmes (The Boat that Guy Built and Dancing on Ice) on playback on the computer. However having spent rather a lot on the dome it is only sensible to use it! It is currently sounding like something from Close Encounters, but I'm sure all will be well eventually.

I have tidied through a bit and taken some photos of the inside of the boat so that you can get a better idea of how we actually live!

We took Paddy out for a walk to the nearest village of Aston which is apparently owned by the Rothschild family and had a drink at the (rather twee) pub. Paddy disgraced himself by rolling in something unpleasant and green so had to have a shower on our return!

We have only seen one small narrowboat go down and up the river today, with 7 people onboard - obviously a day trip and a narrowboat has just moored behind us here - otherwise the river is quiet.

This is John working the wheel to raise and lower the lock gate - hard work.

The Chequered Skipper on the green at Ashton - nice pint!

Paddy in disgrace after his shower!

The saloon or living area - note the crochet in the foreground - more of which later!

The dining area... this converts into the spare bed for those of you who are planning to come and visit (please do!)

The kitchen - note that there IS a door - some were worried about building photos and thought the bathroom was visible from the kitchen at all times!

The bathroom looking towards the bedroom - note there's a door at this end as well!

The bedroom - the crochet blanket is a work in progress - I've been doing little else since we started out on the boat and it is about 1/3 complete - it's meant to cover the whole of the folded bed. The lump on the left of the picture is the section of matress that fits at the end of the bed on the right and forms the bed - it's a bit short for John but he sleeps diagonally across every bed that we've ever slept in so no change is necessary except that now he has an excuse!

My office space! The steps lead up to the stern of the boat - there is a small second loo just out of shot to the left and the washing machine and tumble drier are this side of the desk.

Now you can picture the space where we are living! I love it!!!!

Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow - depends a bit on the weather - we have basic food so don't have to move to get near shops but we would like to be getting closer to Northampton if at all possible.