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.