Ho Ho Ho, the snow is here again!

Here at the Kite Experiment we have been getting to grips with living aboard in the harsh yet beautiful winter. When opening up the blinds in the kitchen this morning, we found a thick layer of ice on the inside of the window pane. And again we spend the night tending to the fire, sitting close to it's sunshine flames. It is quite amazing how sheltered from the elements we have been living in flats and houses. All the central heating you could dream of, baths full of hot water, enough space to swing the cat, warm, dry, carpeted... those were the days.


We seem to have gone back in time somewhat. Again we have an evening by candle light - the ignition to start the engine is on the blink and we think it's the cold, thus we cannot run the engine and charge the batteries for the indoor lighting. We have the occasional sponge bath - I am reminded of my time in India as a 17 year old and being handed a mug of hot water to wash with, somehow you just do. Leigh has acquired a ceramic hot water bottle, you know, the original before the rubbery ones came out, and we have set it in the bed to help dry out the dampness. As you can tell, fundamentals of basic survival and hygiene are at the forefront of every moment. You see boating is a somewhat like glorified camping.


And it is stunningly beautiful in all it's trials. As we watch the horses feed in the field opposite, listen to the cracking of the ice through the hull, the chirruping of the birds, feel the heat of the burner on our legs, the smell of paprika in the stew on top of the burner, the scent of candle's extinguished at night,


watch the snow flakes tumble down as we study the many birds who gather


to feed on the offerings of fat balls and sunflower seeds.


Today we had to collect water as we are again, still, frozen in. We have got down to about 20 liters over two days for the two of us and that often involves having secondary purposes for water. So today's task involved setting out into the cold with the water carrier and trolley...


taking the walk along the towpath towards the bridge...


and heading up and over this time to the car, we were visiting Leigh's mum so it made sense to fill 'er up from there.


From the bridge the view of the locks show exactly how frozen it all is even after a few days of warmer temperatures last week, it was not enough to thaw out the thick layer of ice on the canal. It looks more and more like we are staying put.


Delia has been out on the ice again, silly silly cat who will never learn! just to explore the wildlife and hassle the geese at the goose farm and then she climbed, in fear, to the top of a tree where she had a fight with a big white cat. In the darkness there were black and white balls of fluff scrambling around. Stupid cats. Don't worry though, they are fine and dandy. Now Delia Derbyshire has nudged my laptop out the way for some quality feline loving so that's it from us all today.