Thursday 23 June 2011

Outdoor Living

I have always been the sort of person who enjoys her home comforts, such as central heating, two showers a day, wash load every day, tumble drier, all my kitchen 'stuff' around me, etc etc.  I know that Pete was a bit worried that I would not like the reality of living on Carpe Diem and having to adapt to a 'rougher' style of living.  Well, the good news is that, not only was he wrong, but I absolutely love it!  There has been some having to adapt.  We do have hot and cold running water on the boat and a shower, but using that means that the water tank has to be filled more often.  Luckily, I have a shower room almost next to my office at work, so I just go in early and use that.  No one else does, so it is like having my own private bathroom.  There is also a washing machine and tumble drier at work that I can use.  I seem to have gone from clothes washing every day to two loads a week, but I am still wearing clean clothes and smelling sweet so I don't quite know how that has worked out! 
With only two rings and an oven and no freezer, I am cooking more simply and using fresh products.  Living on the boat is very much about 'outside living' and going to bed with the sun and waking up with the sun (with all the fresh air, sleep is definitely not a problem!).  Other exercise comes from walking the dog, it is really motivational when you just have to get off the boat to be on the sea wall.  With all that and working up at the allotment whenever possible, I am a lot more healthy than I was a year ago and definitely more relaxed and contented. Life is also a lot more sociable, so many people pop in for a cup of tea that I am thinking about taking out shares in Yorkshire Tea.   All in all, life is good at the moment and long may it continue.
A bbq on the boat with friends (the eagle-eyed amongst you may realise that is not Tollesbury but Dunkirk, but you get the idea!)

5 comments:

  1. Fran, it sounds wonderful. There was a time when I wanted nothing more than to live on a live-aboard. I couldn't do it now. Probably couldn't GET aboard, never mind live there, but I still love the idea.
    And how wonderful to have a shower and laundry facilities at work to round out your new lifestyle in comfort.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. Fran, I missed this post before, but am so glad you are enjoying life on board so much. I envy you your allotment and semi rural existence, I must say! xxx

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  3. We've had fun staying on our new 30' Bayliner. Unlike our other smaller boats it does have hot water and a microwave and electric burners (no oven). Of course, it only works if you have shore power. Compared to our 24' Bayliner it seems quite spacious. - Margy

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  4. Kay - you always amaze me with the amount you get about and your world travels. You are living a travelling life anyway, just in a bit more comfort!
    Val - There are times when I miss the theatre, cinema, shops etc being on the doorstep and the buzz of the city, but these days I get my 'fix' by jumping on a train and heading up to London!
    Margy - I am glad you are enjoying your new boat. One thing about power is that it gets you there quicker and unlike the wind stays in one direction!

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  5. That looks like so much fun! Haven't been around for awhile so I need to catch up on your adventures. I will agree that we all have way more stuff than we really need...amazing what you can do without if you have to.

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