To Float or not to Float …………

We have taken a week off.  We think we deserve it for good behaviour!  Anyone who has had to empty the abode of a deceased loved one will know what a soul destroying task it is!  Olive had SO much stuff.  She knew it too because when she was still in hospital before Christmas and saying that she wanted to go into a care home, she laughed and said she didn’t envy our task!

We have come back to our boat for a week’s sanity (we hope!) laden with things that we ‘can’t possibly get rid of'.  We need a bigger boat!  No we don’t.  We just need to have a thorough sort out ourselves and get rid of some of our own things.  This was on our winter list of ‘things to do’ anyway.  If we don’t, we are going to be sitting on the bottom!  The big task for the outside of the boat is to sort out the gunnels – they look a mess!

When we got back to the marina there were more cars in the car park than we have ever seen before.  Obviously lots of people have now come out of hibernation and are starting to attend to their boats ready for the cruising season.  We are not usually here at this time of year to witness this amount of enthusiasm and energy!  Within minutes of getting back on board the Eberspacher, which heats our water and the radiators, started to play up.  It has caused us problems from the moment we bought ‘Ellen’ and patience with it is now wearing very thin.  I think the time is fast approaching when we replace it.  Advice from other boaters would be very welcome.

Well, the sun is shining, all is quiet on the Midland front and …………. I have a lot to do!

Olive’s funeral

As funerals go,  and for her, I think I can confidently say that it was nigh on perfect.

             

In my humble opinion, the Parish of Laleham has fallen on it’s feet with it’s new vicar.                                Given the chance to get to know him better, Olive would have really liked him.

    

Lots still to do but we can now at least begin to get our own lives back on track.

On Your Marks ………..

We’re not at the ‘get set’ stage yet and definitely not ready to go but ………….. we are thinking about it and working towards it.

Historically the 1st March is when we leave our winter marina mooring, re-join the cut and start cruising around for the next nine months.  Sadly, that is not to be this year. Olive’s funeral is tomorrow. Such a lot has happened over the last few months and such a lot still needs to happen!  Despite this, I have decided to re-start our blog on this day as usual.  We need to go back to our boat quite soon to sort some things out there but, inevitably, we will be back and forth to Staines for some time yet.  We are really hoping to get out for a short cruise towards the end of March/April but we will have to wait and see.

Megan?  We spoke to her this morning.  The ship is at sea making it’s way to Bali having recently visited Komodo and it’s famous ‘dragons’.  She said that the scenery is absolutely stunning.  She is working incredibly hard and says she has ‘ups and downs’ – well, you would on the ocean wouldn’t you?!!

Anyway, “Pinch, punch, 1st of the month”………………..  Where did that saying come from and exactly what is it all about?

Happy St David’s Day to all those with Welsh blood in their veins.

Megan

Happier and more positive news to report!

She has been on board her posh cruise liner now for a whole week – it seems like a month to both us and her!  She is undergoing a very steep learning curve not only in terms of the work she has to do but also in terms of the environment and all the rules, regulations and protocol on board ship.  For the first time in her life there are occasions when she has to do what she is told without question and to keep her opinions to herself!!!!!   Those of you who know Meg will fully appreciate that’s not really her!  I’m sure she’ll get used to it!  It might take a little longer than getting used to having all her chores done for her by a personal attendant!  I spoke to her last when the ship was anchored (sure you don’t moor these things!) in Sidney Harbour with the Opera House on view through the porthole in her cabin.  What she had seen of Sidney she loved.  Amongst the crew there are 40 different nationalities.

So ……………. lots to learn, lots to adapt to but, on the whole, things seem to be working out well.

The uniforms?  Well! 

                                     

You don’t get these in ‘Next’ or ‘Monsoon’!

Back to us …………………

With everything that has happened over the last few months we feel that we need a safe base for the boat to enable us to deal with things without worrying about where she is.  So, we have organised a berth in Crick Marina for the foreseeable future.  We will definitely cruise when we can but it won’t be the extended cruises of previous years ……… for that we will have to wait.  I’m sure we will get back out onto the cut at some time during March or April.  Ken, Sandra – it’s about time you visited the Leicester Line.  xxoo

More sadness

What a terrible 3 months it has been for us in terms of losing significant people from our lives.  I last reported that John’s mum, Olive, was back at home after a long stay in hospital and was doing really well.  She was!  She was happy to be home and the care team we got in place were coming in three times a day and were looking after her really well.  Then, last Friday week, as she sat having a cup of tea with one of her best friends, she slumped forward and began to slur her words.  She was taken to hospital and ………….. she passed away four hours later.  It was the same day that Megan flew out to Australia to join “Silver Shadow”.

Olive was approaching 90 years of age.  Despite being paralysed in her right arm – this being due to the effects of earlier radiotherapy treatment – she remained positive, determined and cheerful ……………. at least on the outside.  She touched the hearts of many, many people and will be sadly missed.  We still can’t get to grips that this has actually happened.  It was sudden and untimely and so soon after the death of Elsie.  At least now she is in no more discomfort and suffering no more frustration and, as a devout Christian, she will be in Heaven re-united with those she has loved and lost.

Olive Winifred Allebone

29-06-1921 – 11-02-2011

Living Afloat

What is it about us Allebones that makes us all want to live on the water?

John and I were really pleased with ourselves when we managed to purchase our narrow boat “Ellen” and couldn’t wait to become liveaboards and enjoy the freedom of the canals and rivers.

Ben, our son, had to go one better.  Having sold his narrow boat he now lives aboard a big old barge he got over from Holland and has totally refurbished it to a fantastic standard.

And now there’s Megan.  Trust her to out-stage us all!!  This is her vessel for at least the next 3 months!

She is called “Silver Shadow” and is part of the ‘Silver Sea’ fleet of 5 ships. It’s a luxurious 6* cruise liner and will shortly be travelling up the East coast of Australia and then across to Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan.  Subject to references and health checks Megan has been offered the position of H.R. Manager on board.  She will have 3 stripes on her all white uniform!  More than a few ‘hopefuls’ applied for this job!

She never fails to amaze me!  WHERE does she get all her self-confidence and courage from?  Certainly not from me!  What an opportunity!

http://www.silversea.com

 

Sad Time

A lot has happened in the last two months – just to update anyone who might be interested!
At the end of November we went back to Staines in order to make arrangements for the welfare of both our elderly mums.
My mum, Elsie, spent 4 weeks in hospital and then, just before Christmas we were told that we had to find a residential nursing home for her.  The home we organised felt like a 5* hotel to us and I thought that, at last, she would be looked after well.  Sadly it wasn’t to last.  After only a week, she passed away.  She was an incredibly tough lady and, despite our ups and downs, I will so miss her for the rest of my own life.  On the day she died there was a lunar eclipse – the first for 400 years and, as my brother said, what a fitting heavenly tribute to a grand old lady.  She was 98. 

Elsie May Blake nee Dyer

29th September 1912 – 21st December 2010

                                                       

     Aged 4 in 1916                                                   Aged 20 in 1932                                        Aged about 75 in 1987
John’s mum is back in her own home after spending 8 weeks in hospital.  At the moment she has carers attending to her needs throughout the day.  So far it seems to be working out …………….. fingers crossed.