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Thursday, September 11, 2014

How do you fill your days?


Some good news today came with a phone call giving a surgery date. My final appearance on my NHS tour will be October 8th. My first knockout, anesthetically speaking, appearance was October 16th 2013 and my final tour date will once again be at Watford after which we will get back to....well you know what retired boaters do all day.

That brings up the question that`s been asked a few times "how do you fill your days"?
Most mornings over breakfast Jaq will go on line and check the news both sides of the pond. This takes us half way through the morning, we are not early risers as our day ends usually with conversation or a read at about 1am. Sometimes something in the news will generate some interesting conversation and this leads to our first coffee of the day. Cruising is not usually a daily thing and when it occurs a long day will be about 5 hours but is normally three. Mooring up for 3 days is not uncommon but neither is cruising three days running. Take it as it comes, no fixed plans just some idea of a destination.

Well a lunchtime walk to the village pub gives Jaq a chance to experience her first Ploughman`s lunch.

She has the roast beef and cheese with the standard crusty bread,salad and pickle, nice extra touch are the grapes. Jaq had heard of a ploughmans when back in the states and was keen to try it along with a pear cider.



Another time consumer is gathering wood. This time it`s Oak that once cut needs to be split and stacked on the roof.
Bananagrams is our latest game. The captain has beaten the Admiral 3 times so far.

These have to be picked
to produce this. It all takes time.




The sun sets on the bridge that will be the starting point of another two hours of my day. On this occasion our once a week newspaper that also includes Jaq`s favourite TV mag means a walk across several fields to a lane that leads into a small village some 2/3 miles away. Back in the days of living on land it would be a two minute walk with not so much as a glimpse of open spaces.








Then quite unexpectedly blog readers, Arthur and Jennifer on Nb Dabchick moor up for a cup of tea and home made fudge.
Then time is taken up seeking out and photographing places like this. It will be in a future blog. All I can say is it`s not what it was.

So the day takes many forms but nothing in anyway like a working life that so many of you experience daily. The only thing I can say to cheer you up each working day is that retirement is fun and I hope you all stay healthy to enjoy many years not working. I feel like i`ve been given an extension and savour every day with a wonderful partner.

10 comments:

antinady said...

Thanks for that lovely insightful blog matey. Wish I could say I was jealous - oh that's right - I am!!! Glad we had our retirement already just hope we make it to the real thing.

Wishing you all the best for the upcoming op.

Catch up soon
Xxx

Jennie said...

That crumble looks wonderful and I love Bananagrams! Perfect life and we are both so pleased that you have a date for surgery Les. We are going to miss this life when we return home towards the end of the month.

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Les,
I love being your partner. We have the best time together! I love your sharp, inquisitive mind (and all your other bits too!) And I can still say thank you for being the man I didn't think existed, and gong the distance--literally--to meet me and bring me home to you.
I love you,
JaqXX

Les Biggs said...

Hi Tina
I feel sure one day you will once again retire. You made a good decision a few years back.
Lesxx

Les Biggs said...

Hi Jennie
Returning home after a great adventure is not so bad. So many memories and best of all it`s been here 200+ years so you can be assured it will be here your next visit.
Lesx

Les Biggs said...

Hi Jaq
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lesxx

Ann nb Oakfield said...

Ah the joy of boating is very special when everyday is usually different.
If you don't like your neighbours or it is too noisy you can just move on along.
Loads of exciting places to go exploring wherever you moor up and you meet all kinds of people every day.
Being in the countryside and experiencing nature and the seasons close at hand, perfick!
Even more special if you do all this with the one you love, eh?
All the best for the 8th Les.

life afloat on nb tickety boo said...

Lovely post, it just makes me all the more excited to retire and travel the waterways meeting all you lovely people! The day can't come quick enough. In the meantime I will still enjoy my boat while working' and I will never forget how lucky I am to have her!x

Les Biggs said...

Hello Ann
i don`t think a lot of folk realise how quiet or busy places along the cut can be. Most have only experienced gongoozling at places like Braunston and don`t appreciate the canals go through some pretty quiet countryside.
Les

Les Biggs said...

Hi Debbie
It`s a big system out there so make sure when you get the chance to explore it.
May your working life pass quickly and retirement last a long and happy time.
Lesx

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs