LJM

No, I am in Southampton. A friend in Banbury just sent me a photo the CRT notice.

Please see attached notice from the Canal and River Trust.....

What a lovely word!

If you purchase small potatos, like New Jersey, they can be stored in a dark cupboard, and will last a couple of weeks. Prior to them growing eyes, or going bad, you can boil them, and refrigerat them, giving them a further few more days of usage. I totally understand re supermarket plastic packaging. I will take them out of the plastic packaging once I've purchased them, and bring them to the boat loose..... You choice of ingredients sounds tasty. I also use herbs and spices and not jars of sauce!

Good idea to make an initial base meal, and separate into containers..... add different ingredients for the following three days. A boater recently gifted me a tray of greyhound cabbage. I'm now taking cuttings once a week as part of a meal.....

🌻💐🌷✔️😉😃 🌻💐🌷😉😃

Thank you for your questions: During my adult life I worked 15 years in a predominantly male environment (building site & warehouse), followed by 20 years working in a predominantly female environment (house-husband [wife/4x school children] & care assistant). It became evident that I get along and have better friendships with females. This might be purely down to the work, my age etc..... but I enjoy female company far more than male company.

MrsM, that's a brilliant idea 💡 👏. It would be cool to have a website/app of this nature....

Thank you for your question. Tooley's Boatyard own a narrowboat of wooden hull construction. It is moored by their boatyard, and has an automated pump to assist with keeping it afloat. When I spoke to them in May 2022, they said that their plan was to restore the boat. Prior to me becoming a boater/getting familiar with things, there was a sunken boat that someone was evidently living on at the time of the sinking..... I believe that the occupant and dog were saved. The boat has been removed.

That's all quite startling. Yes, having a timeline/return date to stick to while boating can make the journey rather stressful....

That all sounds quite unpleasant. Each individuals situation is unique, but in my mind one needs to be happy with oneself, and not in need of anyone to fill a void from a recent divorce/separation. It just puts too much pressure on you and the other person. Get yourself to a happy content place prior to exploring possibilities. Not sure if seeking periodical companionship amounts to the same thing as loneliness. Individuals who have many friends/family in their lives can still be lonely, unfortunately!

Thank you for your good luck wishes.... I follow your point re daytime cruising being fine. Totally agree..... there is so much to see and take in, and the occasional walker and fellow boaters to have a brief chat to while boating. The evening allows for plenty of time to relax and reflect upon the day. Again agreed, it would also be lovely to chat with a companion too. Perhaps I'll meet a female boater who would like to travel together, onboard our own boats, who'd also enjoy some companionship.... or a female who'd like to join me on my narrowboat for holiday excursions. I have met several female boaters in passing..... so thought to ask the question.

That does seem a bit of a compromise. I guess it is relevant to each individuals/couples circumstances.... I've sold my vehicle and bricks & mortar, so pretty free!

Cropredy & Banbury are busy. That might be due to the recent low water levels in Banbury, Lock 29 - 30. I'm new to boating (April 2022), but am surprised how quiet it is on the canal network in terms of the amount of boats. Perhaps this is just to do the areas that I've visited thus far.... North Kilworth to Banbury. Lower Heyford to Warwick. Warwick to Cropredy. Every marina looks completely full though. Perhaps the price of diesel is a factor 🤔

Hello. Male narrowboat owner living onboard full-time seeks female boating companion for excursions of up to four weeks travel at a time. Excursion times of year and routes to be discussed. No experience necessary, although you must be someone who is content with living a simplistic lifestyle, away from all mod cons and social media. Please message with any questions, and when you can start. Lincoln

An interesting point of view, as a serious suggestion.... If your responses equal in gallons of water to refill the canal network, then we'll be floating our boats nicely!