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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Four Years of Bliss

Jaq takes a break from work.
Having spent the last week or so sanding and repairing the paintwork on the boat, today is another rest day. When I say "another" let`s be clear about our painting project; it`s not work (that pre-retirement hobby) so no eight hours a day--five days a week. Our nomadic lifestyle dictates when we decide to work. Jaq however still teaches English writing part time on line for Washington State University so has a schedule to keep but still matches my time sanding and painting.

Yesterday was a rest day and we decided to cruise the boat a few miles in the sun then turn the boat and fill up with water, disposing the rubbish and having the other side of the boat against the towpath. Today Jaq is working and I was going to start sanding the port side.

Typical English summer and today it`s raining. It`s blogging weather so while the smell of home made chicken noodle soup simmers in the boat I looked through my pictures and this blog post was born.

Actually other than looking through my pictures the time of year has also helped form this post. Jaq flew in to the UK May 22nd 2011 for a three week holiday before we married on June 18th. The day before she arrived I gave up smoking so we have two four year anniversaries to celebrate.
So what do you buy your partner of four years? See the list of traditional and the modern equivalent HERE. It says fruit and flowers are traditional but we went modern. His and hers electric sanders-mouse size- as we live on a boat with little room for large appliances. Flowers and fruit will not get the boat sanded for painting.


 Looking back, here is a picture of the very first lock a jet lagged Jaq operated. It`s Iron Bridge lock in Cassiobury Park.
We had just set off the morning after she arrived and I had done the previous lock.



For Jaq`s third day of cruising she steered as we cruised. I had the confidence in her to step off at Red Lion lock Apsley and took this as she entered the next lock.

The last four years have past so fast and Jaq and I will just keep on enjoying life for many years to come.

 Jaq says,"It isn't every woman who is willing to spend her fourth wedding anniversary sanding a boat; her twenty-fourth, maybe! We are working on this project together and Les makes it all good fun. I feel a great sense of satisfaction after a day of hard graft working on our floating home. I had to wait 57 years, marry an Englishman and emigrate to Britain to get my own power tools!"

Lastly as I have freedom of the press.
Just thought I would add a picture of, in my opinion, the best loaf of bread Jaq has made to date.

Also the best Drunken Fruit Salad I have ever tasted.








25 comments:

Caroline and Martin said...

Aaaahh that's just such a lovely post, looks like you have the perfect match, Happy 4 year anniversary too you both. Caroline

Les Biggs said...

Caroline/Martin
Absolutely perfwick. Fun all the way.
Les

Tom and Jan said...

Les, It sounds like Jaq is in the mood for a pink concrete mixer. Xmas could be sorted!

Les Biggs said...

Tom
Jaq says the colour matters not but where do we keep it.
Les

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

And what would Jaq use a concrete mixer for? Making ballast perhaps?
I do like the look of the mouse sanders - I think we will need to find a pair of them too so I can get David on to maintenance tasks using toys ...
But most importantly happy anniversaries to you both, and may there be at least 20 more!!
Love and hugs, M&Dxox

Les Biggs said...

Hi M
I forgot to ask Tom. Perhaps he wants her to start a bakery and use the mixer for bulk bread dough.
Les

Les Biggs said...

PS. M.
Sanders 20 squids in Argos includes accessories.

Herbie Neil said...

Goodness! 4 years already. The time has flown by. You are both very lucky people. Many more of them.
Kath (nb Herbie)

Anonymous said...

Congrats, congrats, congrats, congrats. :-) Remember so well your marvelous wedding day here in the Palouse. May your days of ease stretch out before you. Karen

Carol said...

Congrats to you both. Life is certainly good! xxx

Shirley Collier said...

Congratulations on your 4th anniversary to both of you! I have so enjoyed keeping up with your adventures. Here's to many more years of cruising.

Unknown said...

Anniversaries,and too birthdays. Time for an excuse to celebrate.
Just had four friends here for tea, all riding motorcycles returning from a vintage vintage rally
to the west of my residence. They made comment they missed me riding with them knowing full well my motorcycle days are over. Illness does strange things; although driving a Honda Ridgeline pick up truck means I am still in the Honda camp. It was forty years ago the Honda Goldwing made its first appearance. And I managed to rack up some 350,000 kilometres on mine over thirty plus years from 1982 until i sold it in 2006. I iss the freedom; I don't miss the unobtainum problems for parts and service.

My friends did eat all of my most recent loaf of bread with raisins according to Jaq's recipe, another loaf to do for next week I guess.

As for the two love birds who've been through so much medically and otherwise in the last four years, hearty congratulations from Canada on this the first day of the
season called summer.

Les Biggs said...

Kath, Karen, Shirley, Carol
Thanks ladies it's been 4 wonderful years.
Les

Jennie said...

Belated Anniversary greetings. What a wonderful post - the bread looks amazing. We celebrate our 42nd Anniversary tomorrow and if all goes to plan we will be sailing down the Severn Estuary from Sharpness to Portishead. It won't be one we will forget! Here's to many more years together. Jennie and Chris

Les Biggs said...

Hi. Jennie
Thank you, so please you are able to do your summer cruise. Perhaps we might all meet up along the way, we will keep an eye on your itinerary.
Les

Les Biggs said...

Hi Bryce
My motor bike days started with a 197cc Francis Barnet and ended on a 350cc BSA. 50 years ago, where does the time go.
Parcel on way should be this week.
Les

locheriboll said...

Great post Les. So good to hear fun news. Congrats and love to you both
Sally

Charm said...

Hi, Jaq and Les--

First, congratulations on your anniversary. It's so amazing and magical that you two found one another from different parts of the globe.

Now, Jaq, I have to give you some sad news: Elson Floyd has died. He died Saturday. I know how much he meant to you, so I wanted to make sure you knew. The WSU website is full of the news. We are all very sad.

I retired at the end of January, and so have experienced my own version of bliss. I'm working hard to finish up the remodeling projects around my "diamond in the rough" home. Then I hope to begin traveling.

Love,

Charmaine

Les Biggs said...

Hi there Sally
Thank you. Watch out for the mail man.
Lesx
Hi to Joe

Les Biggs said...

Hi Charmaine
Very sad news. Jaq has been given the news by many others but thanks all the same.
Good luck refurbishing that wonderful penthouse.
Lesx

Lisa said...

Happy Anniversary both and OMG that is a fantastic loaf you have made there! Well done,
Lisa
NB What a Lark

Lisa said...

Happy Anniversary both and OMG that is a fantastic loaf you have made there! Well done,
Lisa
NB What a Lark

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you both! That last photo proves you are traditionalists after all - you gave fruit!!

Best wishes
Alistair

Les Biggs said...

Hi Lisa
Twice as nice thank you. To think I use to live on supermarket bread.
Lesx

Les Biggs said...

Alistair
It`s not just the fruit but the Drambuie that makes it nice.
Les

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs