Not doing the beans.

Once again the annual trek to do the broad beans has involved staring at the mass and rejoicing. They are not ripe.  We even came a week later to show willing, but still they are not ripe.    Unfortunately I got my weekends confused, so not only are the beans not ripe, but I am missing one of my favourite boating events of the year - Braunston!  One of our team is gallivanting around London, but the other has made it and is busying around post-script hand in for her course.  It is great to catch up and hear about life in the city.

without beans to menace I had a go at trimming the hedges -

The strawberry crop is HUGE so we are busy working our way through pans and pans of strawberries. When my hands stop vibrating I will freeze some and make sorbet (that's when I work out how long it will keep) with the others.  Until then they can sit in my fizz 

Pottering about in the van

This weekend see's me on the shake down whatsit of 'The Van'.  I won't be the first (or last) person to be inspired by a play, let alone Alan Bennett, but when I saw 'The Lady in the Van' I was inspired.  That, combined with taking tea in Graham's van and the great Hymer introduction, I was hooked. Some say 'Lady' has a long way to go, but there is no doubt I have the van nailed.  It's a white panel van called Patch.  We are going to go everywhere together (expect when I am going everywhere together with two, or no, wheels). Boots has taken to dining in the front cabin while I admire the view and google for strong wall magnets. I was going to build cupboards, but I think I will just magnet everything to the wall.
So, here we have the view.....

Or not...I can't work out how to do it....such is the fresh air!

Castle Mill Stream, Oxford

I have been hearing flitterings here and there about the boats mooring along the castle mill stream.  The Oxford Times wrote about it about a year ago here.  It has caused quite a stir and seems to have got quite a few people ranting for various reasons.

Whatever the politics are…. this morning I was there and I love it!

do like the eclectic mixture of boats and the way people are finding a way to float. 
As I haven’t heard very much positive about it I expect I will be shot for liking it, but there we are. I do!

What a long time ago!

I was busy trying to find a picture of my boat at Shepperton Weir for an article I am writing and have failed miserably. Instead I have found pictures of me and a bunch of Canalworld Forum people in a pub.
I was rather pleased with this balancing act.