Been feeling pretty overwhelmed today by the enormity of everything I need to do to sort out my flat and the boat, before I can move.
So this evening, I sat down and created lots of lists of things I need to sort out, with a timeline attached to it. So now I have it out of my head and I have a plan, I am feeling a bit more relaxed.
Whilst doing this, I came up with the idea of doing a sleepover, for a night or two on the boat in the next week or so. So that I can start to connect to the reality of it all. It still feels very abstract. Yesterday, just spending 10 minutes on the boat with Honey the Dog, allowed me to feel a bit more settled on it. So a couple of nights would be great!
It will also allow me to start planning a bit on the amount of space I have on the boat and start working out what can go where.
Writing that down, makes me feel excited of the adventure ahead, rather than overwhelmed over the enormity of everything I need to do before I can finally move in and rent my flat out.
With talk of a potential ‘Circuit Break’ coming into force in Scotland in the near future, to put a stop on the rising cases of Covid-19, it maybe a perfect time to be on the boat, rather than stuck in my flat. Although, from what I have read, this would not be a full lockdown like we had before, but I am sure what we will be restricted doing – maybe meeting others outside or restricted on our travel or maybe shutting pubs and restaurant…? Who knows!
I guess, for me, it’s the uncertainty of not knowing what is coming and when. Plus, how long it will last for, that’s what I find so unsettling. Hopefully governments have learnt from before on how hard it is not knowing how long it will go on for. When lockdown started, I thought it would all be over in a few months! Its so hard to plan ahead.
Face-Mask Corner
Please do share your Face-Masks here. Today I have turned to the internet and found an usual baseball cap face-mask.
It’s from Joom at only £5 – https://www.joom.com/en/products/5e96ff1c8b2c370101889028
Anyone got one? Would be interesting to see someone wearing it.
Readers Corner
Wow! I think today is the most Readers Corner comments ever, 19 comments!!!
So many Facebook comments from yesterdays (Day 195) blog! I announce I’ve bought a canal boat and everyone starts commenting…guess it beats boring lockdown 😉
It has been so lovely reading all the comments through the day and receiving so many good luck messages on my new home and adventure. Nice to know everyone is thinking of me 🙂
Adam
Adam posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Congratulations Jim 
hope all goes well – did you sell your flat?”.
Sounds like a great idea and very exciting change of scene is always needed every decade or so 
“
Thanks Adam, nope, I plan to rent my flat out.
Bill
Bill posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Good luck Jim – are you able to motor it along the canal?”
Yes, Bill can take it where I like 🙂
Bob
Bob posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“I am impressed by your adventurous spirit Jim Campbell. I have occasionally wondered about a houseboat myself. I hope that it is a great success. Love Bob”.
Thanks Bob! Covid and lockdown, gave me time to pause and think about my dreams.
Cathy
Cathy posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Wow congratulations 
“.
Thanks 🙂
Darren
Darren posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“That sounds great Jim. I’ve always dreamed of having wee floating barge. Can you undock it & travel? 
x”
x”Thanks Darren, yes, I will be taking it up to Ratho in Spring 2021, if not before 🙂
Drew
Drew posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Did not see this coming. Congratulations!”
Ha! Thanks 🙂
Elaine
Elaine posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Well done Jim ,and if your ever in the Falkirk part of the canal we can meet for coffee and i want or see your boat and not that’s not a euphemism 
x”
Ha – Thanks !
Graham
Graham posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Are you going to start using all these nautical terms now like bow, stern, port, starboard, deck,cabin, bulkhead,galley, heads? A whole new vocabulary for you Jim or maybe you already have.”.
Nope, don’t use the terms, but been learning them just to make sense of the survey 😉
Ian
Ian posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“All the best in your new floating home Jim. Are you able to sail in her up the canal or is she static?”.
Yes, although moored at the start of Union Canal, I can take it up the canal too 🙂
Jess
Jess posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Enjoy being a live-a-board! I enjoyed being on a boat for a year! Hope you have some Permian this Mooring?”.
Cheers Jess! Just sorting out mooring now 🙂
Kevin
Kevin posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Well done on buying your boat 
“
Cheers Kevin!
Linda
Linda posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Good luck in your new home Jim. X”.
Thanks, although not moving in until later in the month 🙂
Lisa
Lisa posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Congratulations on your new home and chapter of your life! X”.
Thanks Lisa 🙂
Lynne
Lynne posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Brilliant. Enjoy your new life on your boat. What an amazing adventure. Jealous! 
“.
🙂 x
Nuala
Nuala posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Fantastic news Jim, congratulations on your new adventure. Nx”.
Thanks Nuala 🙂
Ricky
Ricky posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“A boat…. that’s fantastic Jim “.
Cheers Ricky 🙂
Rose
Rose left a comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Wow Jim .. it really is all go! Reminds me of several years ago when my late husband and I moved off land from a pretty garden flat by the sea in Weston-super-Mare to a well fitted out 38′ x 7′ narrowboat we bought from Midlands area, got moved down to Bristol Harbour close to where we worked, and lived on for a few years. Twas a great experience … living back on land now though. Wishing you fun on your bon voyage Jim xx”.
Thanks Rose, I never realised you lived on narrowboat, mine is 40 ft, by 6ft 10, used to live in Nottinghamshire!
Thomas
Thomas left a comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Congratulations on becoming a houseboat owner!!”
Thanks 🙂
Yvonne
Yvonne left a comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 195) saying:
“Good luck xx”.
🙂
It Made Me Smile
This made me smile 🙂
Music Corner
Got a favourite song you want to share with everyone? Or maybe a Spotify Playlist you listen over and over? Then please share here!
I’ve been listening to yesterday’s playlist (Day 195) all day and loving it 🙂
As I come to the end of todays blog, I am feeling a bit more grounded and calm, compared to how I have been feeling for most of the day. I am also super tired, I didn’t sleep so well last night, worrying about everything that I needed to sort out. Hopefully tonight with a calmer mind, I will be able to sleep.
Has been lovely receiving so many messages from everyone wishing me good luck on my new home and adventure.
Today I didn’t get outside much, so not quite sure what the weather was like. Think it rained for some of it, but also quite warm?!
Thanks for your continuous support and reading this and all your comments.
Jim x