... and also, less glamorously, of water points, solar checks, recycling centres, post restante and Elsans...

Spring is warming up, days are long, and we still don’t have a vase. Not that it matters!

We’re currently enjoying the delightful weather while comfortably ensconced in the very attractive village of Alrewas. Superb spot to moor, with some great pubs and an outstanding patisserie, The Green Door (100% recommend their cherry pie). Been here a week and will reluctantly need to move in a couple days, as we need to refill the water tank (such is boat life). But – there’s a water point just on the far edge of the village, with another choice mooring option just beyond, so hopefully we won’t have to go far. I want more of that cherry pie!

It’s been a meandering few weeks since we left the Ashby, with a long stopover just outside Tamworth while husband took a side trip to Wales for a performance opportunity (more on that in another post). Tamworth (the UK one) was the ancient capital of of the medieval kingdom of Mercia (as distinct from the Aussie Tamworth, somewhat-less-ancient capital of country music). I spent a week on the outskirts, moored up behind a giant retail park. Not perhaps the most scenic of our moorings, but convenient strolling distance from anything I’d need to sustain myself and Jemima (our feline queen of all she surveys). After the triumphant return of OH we headed onward through several other delightful spots – Atherstone, Polesworth, and across into Staffordshire to Hopwas and Fradley, before fetching up here at Alrewas.

As you might notice, sometimes we don’t travel very far at all!

Most of our navigation decisions centre around the ease with which we can 1. fill our water tank; 2. deal with our loo cassettes (i.e. where is the closest Elsan point); and 3. dispose of our rubbish. Other factors include proximity to a place to collect parcels, get coffee (and pie!) and a good pint. And don’t forget the all-important alignment to the sun’s position. Boat life may be run at a peaceful three miles an hour with a relaxed and varied vista, but it also requires an intentional mindfulness to really thrive. Until you rely extensively on solar power, you don’t really think about making sure you don’t moor too far underneath trees, seductively shady though they may seem on a warm sunny day.

I like to think of it as the WWW of the canals – knowing how to manage your water, your wattage, and your waste – and it’s been an interesting learning curve (indeed, rather challenging at times). So far, we haven’t run out of anything important… or else, we’ve managed without it til we find the nearest Tesco! Having our faithful Nelson to drive there also helps a great deal – so a nice stretch of armco with convenient parking nearby is premium. We’ve really hit the jackpot here – Nelson is parked in the lane right next to us, and the solar panels are soaking it up all day long.

Ah well, off to enjoy some more of that Staffordshire sunshine…