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| Frozen in. |
A spluttering noise begins to escape from the tap, “has the water run out, Mummy?” my daughter asks. “No darling, we’re not on the boat today!”
No, we’re not on the boat, we’re staying with relatives in a house and thank god it’s not a house with central heating. As we snuggle down under our layers of blankets I am thankful for the similarity to our normal life.
Our normal life: where we can feel the elements and tell what the weather is doing just from the air and the look of the sky.
During cold snaps we often receive offers of a warm house because it is assumed that we are huddled aboard shivering and lusting after double-glazing and central heating. As kind as these offers are, these assumptions could not be further from the truth.
There is nothing quite like being aboard in winter with the fire raging and hot water bottles warming our sheets. I love the noises of nighttime as ice cracks delicately around our ears. I embrace the elation of opening my curtains to see water frozen over and the surrounding trees silent under the cover of snow.
Magic surrounds us in this season and there is a welcome rawness to life.
There is a connection with life.
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| Towpath walk |
I miss this when I am visiting relatives. I miss many things.
Suddenly the realisation of what I love about the narrowboat lifestyle hits me: it is the independence; the feeling that we are in a certain state of freedom, locked in with the essence of life.
We can move, breathe, escape, feel, control.
Yes, I think it is the sense of control that I have in this life... the knowledge that I am responsible for the water that flows through my taps.
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| Learning to drive! |
7 comments:
Ahh yes, the frost and snuggly warm confines of little homes close to the earth..and the water. We are 'frozen in' at the moment, but what elation in the thaw when we turn the tap and it actually works! We all whoop for joy and fill our little tin bath! We also get worried queries about our general warmth and well being, but how cosy and delicious it is in our little cabin, I feel really blessed!
I know Henrietta... it is lovely to feel 'close to the earth'. I think this is my continual goal in life - to simply feel closer and closer to nature. Would still love to know more about your cabin in the woods... like 'how'!!!!! Thank you for stopping by!
Wonderfully liberating, dear Alice. There is no better way than to live authentically and follow your heart's calling. Everytime I read your blog posts, I'm reminded of our choices on life's journey. Wishing you a blissful meander into springtime. xx
Hi, have put my contact details on my profile now..belatedly..as to how, we just kind of did!Well I could write a book actually...
Thank you Carol :-) and I am hoping that you yourself are still following your heart's calling... off to check that out now! Springtime... now there is a beautiful thought! x
Henrietta - I have emailed you. I want to read that book!!!! lol. You just kind of did... wow, I'm liking that idea ;-)
Ahhh yes, I remember those days, that feeling too. I never ever thought I could wish for the opposite; I loved being and feeling close to nature and in control of how we found water to drink and wash in, heat to warm ourselves and cook with, and being so close to nature to see and feel the subtle changes happening moment by moment, to feel the force of the rain and wind and cold - or sun...!
It just became too hard for us for a while and we got 'burnt'. We took on too much, were not prepared enough emotionally and physically for all the hardships with two tiny babies and a long commute for my husband.
I can now look forward to going back, and I dream again of that simpler life... somehow, even if for shorter periods. Where we are now I feel that anything is possible...
I would love to read your book too Henrietta!
Zoe - thank you for your lovely comment. Reading your words I KNOW you understand what I am trying to say :-) and I am sure that you will reach your right place eventually where everything you desire slots into place be it boat, camper or cabin! Anyway, I'm sure you are still in touch with nature in your new life xxx ps. Thank you for your lovely email - reply coming sooooon! x
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