Canal Boat — January 2018

canalboat.co.uk Canal Boat January 2018 21

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ME & MY BOATS

WIN

£100

Thames, Mia’s birthplace. That’s a whole
story in itself, but I am proud to say that
her actual birth certificate says
Caversham Lock, River Thames, Kings
Meadow, Reading.
I love the canal and the rivers for
different reasons. The canal is tranquil,
cosy, peaceful and the art of engineering,
while the river is freedom, natural, wild
and full of more diverse craft.
I always get impatient when we are
about to cruise, as Richard does all his
checks, then stands back with a
cigarette before taking up the gang
plank. But as soon as I hear the vibration
and sound of the engine starting, the
excitement comes.
Even after ten years of boating, I am
still not bored of it and doubt I ever will
be. The seasons and nature are
constantly changing and making it
interesting, and the people of course.
As soon as the summer holidays
started, we headed for the Thames, but
taking our time cruising down the
Kennet & Avon, we catch up with old
friends on the way and stay in some of
our favourite spots. We get excited about
cruising because it’s a mixture of seeing
old friends, making new ones, and
having some quality family time alone in
remote places.
We stop at Woolhampton for a few
days, Mia, our seven-year-old loves it
here, also my friend Steve just got his

first boat Namaste and I’m dying to see

it. He greets us by doing the road bridge

for us, and providing us with tea and

cake. His boat is great and I take him

presents, a bottle of Ecover washing up

liquid, a bamboo toothbrush and a

seasoned log for his burner. Since living

on a boat it has made me very

environmentally aware and I am now an

activist because of this.

The Mikron Theatre are performing at

the Rowbarge and some friends from the

local Green Party are meeting there too,

so we decide to go there for a meal and

have a brilliant night.

We take a few more days heading to

Reading, pick a massive bowl of

blackberries (seems early) on the way

and make a crumble and some jam. Next

stop is Burghfield to meet up with our

friends Darren and Katie on Emily. It’s

chucking it down when we arrive which

leaves us with no option but to go to the

Cunning Man for a meal. Which I have to

say was excellent.

I bottle up my elderflower wine and I’m

“Living on a boat has made

me environmentally aware

and I’m now an activist”

Sarah, Mia and Richard

Mia takes the tiller