We've done it... finally got the house on the market... and tomorrow is our first inspection.
We're very pleased with the agent's photos and property description. Now we just need the right buyer!
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Saturday 28 May 2011
Recipe - Mexicana Chicken
This is a really quick and easy one is from Symply Too Good To Be True, Book 3. The picture in the book shows the chicken served in a shaped tortilla made from a tortilla baked (10 mins in 180 degree oven) pressed into a dessert bowl. We don't bother with making these, we either have it in a wrap with salad or served on a bed of shredded lettuce. Can be served with sour cream and/or avocado.
Serves 6 if we serve in a wrap with salad.
Serves 4 if served on salad only.
Serves 6 if we serve in a wrap with salad.
Serves 4 if served on salad only.
Ingredients
· Cooking spray
· 500g skinless chicken breast, diced
· 1 tsp crushed garlic
· 1 cup sliced onion
· 1 cup sliced red or green capsicum
· 2 tsp ground cumin seeds
· 2 tsp paprika
· 2 tsp dried oregano
· ¼ tsp chilli powder (or to taste)
· 2 tsp chicken stock powder
· 415g can chopped tomatoes
· 450g can refried beans
Method
· In a large saucepan, or high sided frypan, coated with cooking spray sauté the chicken and garlic for about 4 minutes
· Add onion and capsicum and cook a further 2 minutes
· Add cumin, paprika, oregano, chilli powder, stock powder and combine well, stir for a minute or so
· Add the tomatoes and refried beans and bring to the boil
· Simmer for 1 minute then serve
Friday 27 May 2011
All dressed up and nowhere to go
We've been extremely busy getting the house in shape to sell.... what a couple of weeks it's been. Yesterday the photographer came, and the house plan sketcher and today we met with the real estate agent. The house has been cleaned and polished and dusted and swept. It's like a girl all dressed up with nowhere to go!
We are all set to be listed on the internet on Monday. At last!!
I'd rather be selling in Spring but Autumn is still a lovely time of year. I stopped the car to take this photo on my way home from Melbourne on Tuesday.
We are all set to be listed on the internet on Monday. At last!!
I'd rather be selling in Spring but Autumn is still a lovely time of year. I stopped the car to take this photo on my way home from Melbourne on Tuesday.
Monday 23 May 2011
Nicholson's or Pearson's
There appears to be two main players in the canal guide game. When we did our hire in 2007 we bought both guides for the Grand Union Canal - Nicholson and Pearson. The Nicholson guide seemed to be more comprehensive and had much more detailed maps of the towns and their streets. The descriptions and explanations were great. But, we found the little Pearson book easier to read the map at a glance. It's larger and the icons for services etc were larger too. We especially noticed this as the weather was very sunny and with the booklet perched on the roof the larger map was easier to look at than the smaller print on the Nicholson.
I'm itching to order more of them so we can read about all the different places but there may well be updates by the time we get there and we'd rather have the most recent when the time comes to go cruising. So I guess we'll just have to keep looking at the ones we have. Hmmm.. might be worth a look on Ebay. Maybe someone is selling off their old editions.
We'd love to know your opinions on these guides. Which do you prefer and why?
I'm itching to order more of them so we can read about all the different places but there may well be updates by the time we get there and we'd rather have the most recent when the time comes to go cruising. So I guess we'll just have to keep looking at the ones we have. Hmmm.. might be worth a look on Ebay. Maybe someone is selling off their old editions.
We'd love to know your opinions on these guides. Which do you prefer and why?
Sunday 22 May 2011
Planning a visit to America
My friend Tammy and I are excitedly planning a holiday to the US in October. Tammy has not been overseas so it's especially exciting for her. Mick isn't keen to visit America so we're having a girls' holiday.
We're spending a couple of days in LA (I'm not a city person but I've been there once already and Tammy should see it once too!), then to Virginia for a few days. Since starting my long term patchwork quilt project I've wanted to go the USA and see the original quilt that the idea came from. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it! It's at Scotchtown in Richmond, Virginia. Click here to see it Then we'll head to Kentucky to visit a friend of mine and to also go to Paducah to see the antique and quilt stores. Our last stop will be Pennsylvania for a week. More quilts!
It has really perked me up to have something to look forward to, and with my long service leave money paying for it, I don't have to save for the trip either!
We're spending a couple of days in LA (I'm not a city person but I've been there once already and Tammy should see it once too!), then to Virginia for a few days. Since starting my long term patchwork quilt project I've wanted to go the USA and see the original quilt that the idea came from. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it! It's at Scotchtown in Richmond, Virginia. Click here to see it Then we'll head to Kentucky to visit a friend of mine and to also go to Paducah to see the antique and quilt stores. Our last stop will be Pennsylvania for a week. More quilts!
It has really perked me up to have something to look forward to, and with my long service leave money paying for it, I don't have to save for the trip either!
Saturday 21 May 2011
Pick of the week - S.K.I.
We really like the look of this boat! Click here for Swanley Brokerage's PDF : http://www.swanleybrokerage.com/boats/ski.pdf
Positives : sounds like a well maintained and cared for boat, lots of built in storage
Negatives : don't like the name, there's no washing machine and electrics would need upgrading
Guide Price: £49,950
Name: Ski
Built: 2002
Length : 55’6’’
Beam : 6’10’’
Builder: Stenson Marine
Built in late 2002
Steel : 10/6/4/4
Engine : Barrus Shire 4cyl (Fitted Nov 2009)
Gearbox : PRM 150
Water tank : 700 ltr
Diesel tank : 210 ltr
Water : Calorifier (New Aug 2008)
240v Immersion heater
Electrics : 12v Throughout, 240v Sockets throughout
Shoreline connection
Heating : Solid fuel stove
Makuni central heating
Bathroom : Pump-out toilet, shower, stainless steel basin, two heated towel rails (one 240v) and storage.
Galley : Shoreline fridge (Fitted new Aug 2009)
Berth : Fixed double, Converting dinette
Batteries / Alternator :
4 x Domestic batteries (Fitted new Nov 2009)
1 x Starter Battery (Fitted new Feb 2011)
1 x 160amp 12v alternator
1 x 3.5kv 240 alternator
Forward cratch & cover
Anodes replaced : April 2008
Engine last serviced : Feb 2011
Hull shot blasted and three coats of Coeflex blacking applied April 2008
BW License : 30/11/2011
Boat Safety Scheme Certificate : 06/01/2015
Swanley's description :
Presented to such a high standard by the vendor (and original owner) that it is representative of a much younger craft. A programme of continuous improving, replacing and upgrading has ensured that S.K.I. is comparable to many newer boats currently on offer. This 55ft 6in semi trad was built by Midland Canal Centre to their Sapphire specification on a Stenson shell and is now fitted with a Barrus Shire 45E engine which has recorded 1139 hrs and a PRM 150 gearbox with Aquaflex coupling. An upgraded propeller was fitted recently here at Swanley. From the 3ft stern, steel doors give access to the 4ft helmsman’s cockpit area, protected by a tonneau cover and fitted with bench seat and lockable storage chest. Offset rear doors lead, via three steps down with adjacent control panel/storage under and shelved unit/drawers below, to the portholed 8ft aft bedroom with fixed double, Houdini hatch, 2ft 9in wardrobe, overbed/underbed storage, radio/Cd and radiator in attractive wood cabinet. Forward to the portside, off corridor, portholed 6ft bathroom featuring a fully tiled shower enclosure with glass door and adjacent shelves/cupboard, two chrome heated towel radiators, stainless steel basin with chrome tap in large corner vanity unit and pump out toilet. Forward to the portside, 8ft U-shaped galley with Houdini hatch and side doors/hatch/steps opposite, useful under gunwale larder cupboard and slim shelf unit. Equipment includes a dark red Caprice 2020 oven/grill/hob, Shoreline RR47W fridge, stainless steel sink unit/drainer/chrome monobloc tap set into the cream speckle worktop with usual cupboards below. High level cabinets provide further storage. Forward to the 6ft raised Pullman dinette with large window, converting to another double, providing even more storage and radiator opposite set into an under gunwale wood cabinet. Forward to the 10ft lounge with large windows, radiator with shelf to compliment the Aarrow multi fuel stove in the portside corner and TV/radio unit opposite. Two recliner armchairs provide the comfort while the eight drawer/bookcase unit and magazine rack provides even more storage. Two central storage steps lead, via, hardwood glazed stable style doors to the 4ft foredeck, with steel all round storage lockers providing additional seating. The glazed cratch panel and cratch board are protected by a cratch cover with zipped access. The whole interior is fitted out to a high standard of finish using beech panels with contrasting cherry trims, with solid oak flooring throughout and carpet fitted over the top in the saloon and bedroom. All of the windows, including portholes, are fitted with neat Ocean air blackout roller blinds. Central heating is provided by a Mikuni diesel and is complimented by a 240v immersion heater for hot water and two 240v panel heaters to keep the chill off when the boat is not in use. The 240v supply is provided by an engine mounted, 3.5kva 240v alternator in addition to a shoreline connection. Navigation lights are fitted and the extensive inventory includes a demountable digital TV aerial.
Positives : sounds like a well maintained and cared for boat, lots of built in storage
Negatives : don't like the name, there's no washing machine and electrics would need upgrading
Guide Price: £49,950
Name: Ski
Built: 2002
Length : 55’6’’
Beam : 6’10’’
Builder: Stenson Marine
Built in late 2002
Steel : 10/6/4/4
Engine : Barrus Shire 4cyl (Fitted Nov 2009)
Gearbox : PRM 150
Water tank : 700 ltr
Diesel tank : 210 ltr
Water : Calorifier (New Aug 2008)
240v Immersion heater
Electrics : 12v Throughout, 240v Sockets throughout
Shoreline connection
Heating : Solid fuel stove
Makuni central heating
Bathroom : Pump-out toilet, shower, stainless steel basin, two heated towel rails (one 240v) and storage.
Galley : Shoreline fridge (Fitted new Aug 2009)
Berth : Fixed double, Converting dinette
Batteries / Alternator :
4 x Domestic batteries (Fitted new Nov 2009)
1 x Starter Battery (Fitted new Feb 2011)
1 x 160amp 12v alternator
1 x 3.5kv 240 alternator
Forward cratch & cover
Anodes replaced : April 2008
Engine last serviced : Feb 2011
Hull shot blasted and three coats of Coeflex blacking applied April 2008
BW License : 30/11/2011
Boat Safety Scheme Certificate : 06/01/2015
Swanley's description :
Presented to such a high standard by the vendor (and original owner) that it is representative of a much younger craft. A programme of continuous improving, replacing and upgrading has ensured that S.K.I. is comparable to many newer boats currently on offer. This 55ft 6in semi trad was built by Midland Canal Centre to their Sapphire specification on a Stenson shell and is now fitted with a Barrus Shire 45E engine which has recorded 1139 hrs and a PRM 150 gearbox with Aquaflex coupling. An upgraded propeller was fitted recently here at Swanley. From the 3ft stern, steel doors give access to the 4ft helmsman’s cockpit area, protected by a tonneau cover and fitted with bench seat and lockable storage chest. Offset rear doors lead, via three steps down with adjacent control panel/storage under and shelved unit/drawers below, to the portholed 8ft aft bedroom with fixed double, Houdini hatch, 2ft 9in wardrobe, overbed/underbed storage, radio/Cd and radiator in attractive wood cabinet. Forward to the portside, off corridor, portholed 6ft bathroom featuring a fully tiled shower enclosure with glass door and adjacent shelves/cupboard, two chrome heated towel radiators, stainless steel basin with chrome tap in large corner vanity unit and pump out toilet. Forward to the portside, 8ft U-shaped galley with Houdini hatch and side doors/hatch/steps opposite, useful under gunwale larder cupboard and slim shelf unit. Equipment includes a dark red Caprice 2020 oven/grill/hob, Shoreline RR47W fridge, stainless steel sink unit/drainer/chrome monobloc tap set into the cream speckle worktop with usual cupboards below. High level cabinets provide further storage. Forward to the 6ft raised Pullman dinette with large window, converting to another double, providing even more storage and radiator opposite set into an under gunwale wood cabinet. Forward to the 10ft lounge with large windows, radiator with shelf to compliment the Aarrow multi fuel stove in the portside corner and TV/radio unit opposite. Two recliner armchairs provide the comfort while the eight drawer/bookcase unit and magazine rack provides even more storage. Two central storage steps lead, via, hardwood glazed stable style doors to the 4ft foredeck, with steel all round storage lockers providing additional seating. The glazed cratch panel and cratch board are protected by a cratch cover with zipped access. The whole interior is fitted out to a high standard of finish using beech panels with contrasting cherry trims, with solid oak flooring throughout and carpet fitted over the top in the saloon and bedroom. All of the windows, including portholes, are fitted with neat Ocean air blackout roller blinds. Central heating is provided by a Mikuni diesel and is complimented by a 240v immersion heater for hot water and two 240v panel heaters to keep the chill off when the boat is not in use. The 240v supply is provided by an engine mounted, 3.5kva 240v alternator in addition to a shoreline connection. Navigation lights are fitted and the extensive inventory includes a demountable digital TV aerial.
We like these roll up covers over a "window" in the cratch cover. |
Thursday 19 May 2011
Getting back on track
It has been a rather difficult 6 months for me with the increasing stress of work over Christmas and beyond and then making the decision to leave my long time job. I didn't expect to feel so flat after finishing up at work. There was the relief of it being over with and to be out of the stressful environment but after the first week I felt a little down. I had lots to do with packing up our stuff in preparation for selling our house and moving. But... I had no motivation and no routine. I was used to going to work and having people need me to answer their questions and solve their problems and explain how to do things. Then nothing. I was at home packing boxes all day. It was challenging.
The next few weeks went on in the same way. I had lunch with the girls from the office most weeks. With them still being miserable at work it probably didn't help. Another one of the accountants has since left too and a third is also pretty unhappy there.
In the last couple of weeks I've started doing a little work again. I didn't want to jump back into a permanent job. With the house selling project, and planning for a holiday to the USA in October with a friend of mine (thanks to my long service leave money), some casual or part time work is more suitable for now. I have 2 separate small jobs for a few hours a week each. Just what I needed. I think getting back to doing some work has been a good thing and I'm feeling more positive (travel planning is a sure fire way to perk me up too!). I'm finally getting back on track.
We're no less busy at home. I've finished with sorting out a few rooms but have a couple with a fair bit of packing and cleaning to go. I have emptied, cleaned and tidied cupboards, and pared down the volume in each room. Mick's busy outside - painting the weatherboards, sealing the front verandah, and a few other little maintenance jobs. We're on a tight schedule to get the house on the market by the end of the month in fact we only have 2 weekends left. We have a long weekend on 11-13 June so we're hoping to catch the tourists who might be tempted by a country escape. Will we make it?!
The next few weeks went on in the same way. I had lunch with the girls from the office most weeks. With them still being miserable at work it probably didn't help. Another one of the accountants has since left too and a third is also pretty unhappy there.
In the last couple of weeks I've started doing a little work again. I didn't want to jump back into a permanent job. With the house selling project, and planning for a holiday to the USA in October with a friend of mine (thanks to my long service leave money), some casual or part time work is more suitable for now. I have 2 separate small jobs for a few hours a week each. Just what I needed. I think getting back to doing some work has been a good thing and I'm feeling more positive (travel planning is a sure fire way to perk me up too!). I'm finally getting back on track.
We're no less busy at home. I've finished with sorting out a few rooms but have a couple with a fair bit of packing and cleaning to go. I have emptied, cleaned and tidied cupboards, and pared down the volume in each room. Mick's busy outside - painting the weatherboards, sealing the front verandah, and a few other little maintenance jobs. We're on a tight schedule to get the house on the market by the end of the month in fact we only have 2 weekends left. We have a long weekend on 11-13 June so we're hoping to catch the tourists who might be tempted by a country escape. Will we make it?!
Sunday 15 May 2011
Pick of the week - Northern Soul
This boat is for sale with Virginia Currer : nb Northern Soul
I wonder if she's nb Northern Pride's sister! The details state the boat has a "full" sine wave inverter, is that the same as pure sine wave? There is no mention of engine service or blacking dates and it's difficult to see what condition the paintwork is in.
Positives : neutral colour scheme, good size cross bed, it has an office!
Negatives : block foam insulation instead of spray foam, sacrificing a dinette for the office space
White china ‘butler’ style sink unit with brass effect antique style mixer taps.
I wonder if she's nb Northern Pride's sister! The details state the boat has a "full" sine wave inverter, is that the same as pure sine wave? There is no mention of engine service or blacking dates and it's difficult to see what condition the paintwork is in.
Positives : neutral colour scheme, good size cross bed, it has an office!
Negatives : block foam insulation instead of spray foam, sacrificing a dinette for the office space
nb NORTHERN SOUL £43,000
Builder: Peerless Boats
Type: Traditional Stern
Fitted: Braidbar Boats & Macclesfield Canal Centre
Year: 2003/4
Length: 57ft (17.4m)
History
The vessel is being sold by the first owner who purchased in 2003 as a shell and then project managed the completion in 2004. Steelwork by Peerless Boats, interior fit part by Braidbar and part by Macclesfield Canal Centre and paintwork by Andy Russell.
Hull & Exterior.
Exterior: Black bitumen painted hull to rubbing band. Matt black from rubbing band through side decks, with non slip finish to side decks. Cabin sides in dark green with cream coachline.
Windows: Anodised aluminium top hopper opening, 4 to port and two to starboard with additional fixed brass trimmed portholes aft. Two pairs of opening side doors to starboard.
Forward well: Gas locker containing 2 x 13kg gas bottles. Varnished timber glazed cratch board with overall cover in green PVC, zip up side entry panels. Self draining steel well deck with stainless steel water tank below.
Roof: Integral steel handrails. 5 brass mushroom vents. Houdini style opening hatch. Motorised satellite dish.
Mechanical & Electrical.
Engine: Beta 43 with twin alternators, hospital silencer and Crowther propeller
Gearbox: PRM Delta hydraulic
Weed hatch: Quick release
Stern gland greaser: Remote
Bilge pump: 12v
Batteries: 12v
Domestic: 3
240v: Yes
Inverter: Stirling 3000w full sine wave
Instrument panel: Comprises Beta unit with key start, oil pressure gauge, engine temperature gauge, voltmeter, tachometer with engine hour meter reading 1564 hours, and usual warning lights
Interior.
Lining - floor to gunwale: Mid blue carpeting
Lining - gunwale to ceiling: Solid oak satin varnished tongue with matching trim
Lining - ceiling: Ditto
Bulkheads: Matt varnished oak faced panelling
Curtains: Beige lined on brass rails
Flooring: Timber laminate throughout, except bathroom which has grey tile effect vinyl
Lighting: Inset 12v halogen
Cabin heating Eberspacher diesel fired and Morso sold fuel stove with back boiler.
Insulation: Proprietory block foam
Water heating Calorifier from engine, Eberspacher and 240v immersion heater
Cabin 1: Engine room.
Fully lined and the engine enclosed. Servis ‘Easy Logic’ washer drier.
Cabin 2: Double Cabin.
Double berth is crossways with 5ft wide custom made interior sprung split mattresses.
Over the head of the bed are high level cupboard units with reading lights below.
Either side are high level cupboards with half height hanging and storage below.
Cabin 3: Bathroom.
Full width comprising glass enclosed corner shower with thermostatic mixer.
Thetford cassette electric flush toilet.
Cabin 4: Study.
To port is an ‘L’ shaped section of varnished timber worktop with cupboard below.
Opening side doors opposite.
Cabin 5: Galley.
‘L’ shaped to port.
Below work surface is a Lec 240v refrigerator. White china ‘butler’ style sink unit with brass effect antique style mixer taps.
Opening side doors to starboard.
Cabin 6: Saloon.
2 black rocking armchairs and matching foot stools.
Morso solid fuel stove is mounted on a tiled timber trimmed hearth.
Saturday 14 May 2011
Recipe - Tuna Bake
We've had a long standing favourite recipe for a Tuna Bake that used pantry items. It was our backup plan.
Recently we tried this one from Symply Too Good To Be True (book 4, page 25) and it's the new favourite!
Here is our version. Serves 6.
Ingredients
Recently we tried this one from Symply Too Good To Be True (book 4, page 25) and it's the new favourite!
Here is our version. Serves 6.
Ingredients
· 1 ½ cups dried macaroni pasta (or any other shape)
· 2 x 425g cans tuna in spring water
· Cooking spray
· 1 tsp crushed garlic (in jar)
· 2 cups sliced mushrooms
· ½ cups sliced shallots or onion
· 1 cup frozen corn kernels
· 310g tin creamed corn
· 2 tsp chicken stock powder
· 2 x 30g sachets 4 Cheese Sauce (Continental)
· 1 ½ cups boiling water
· ½ cup low fat grated tasty cheese
Method· Preheat oven to 180 degrees
· Cook pasta and drain
· Drain tuna and break up with a fork
· Coat a large non-stick fry pan with cooking spray and sauté onion, garlic and mushrooms for a couple of minutes
· Add tuna, corn kernels, creamed corn and stock powder, combine well
· In a small bowl, dissolve the 4 Cheese Sauce sachets with the boiling water
· Add the cheese sauce the pan and fold together
· Finally, add the pasta and mix
· Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle grated cheese on top
· Bake for 30 minutes
Narrowboat beds
We enjoy watching English "house" programs like Escape to the Country. It is fascinating to see the difference in housing between what we are used to here in Australia and the stunning historic houses in England. A few things amaze us and we see them again and again. It highlights the differences to what we are used to having grown up in Australia (or in Mick's case, New Zealand).
Firstly, we often see stair cases that are so steep, narrow, winding, and without handrails. Even in a newly built house the rules seem to be a bit less strict than what we have. I guess when you are used to living with those old stair cases they don't seem dangerous and having new ones similar is no big deal.
Secondly, and to the point of this post, are the bedrooms and more particularly the beds. We often think how crazy it is when houses are built here with such enormous bedrooms. How much space do you need in a room where you're going to sleep?! Even in a house where the bedrooms would be considered small, they are often larger than what we see on English real estate programs or if we browse property for sale in the UK. You would need to look hard to find an Aussie house that has a bedroom of less than 3m x 3m. Yet we often see them on floorplans on UK property websites that are maybe 2.6 or 2.8 metres or even less. It's those lovely old houses.... the bedrooms are often fitted around existing structures, walls etc.
Following on from the size of the bedrooms is that it seems to not be an issue in the UK if a double bed is against a wall on one side. It is something you would rarely see in Australia, except perhaps in a child's bedroom. Also, I think most people here would choose a queen size bed rather than a double, because the bedrooms are well big enough to fit them.
We think this is the reason why a cross bed is something we'd really like to have on our narrowboat, yet there aren't a lot of them out there. It isn't the fact of having to climb across to get into bed, it's more that I'm a fresh air freak and don't much fancy sleeping wedged between Mick and a wall. And... I know it would be me that would have to sleep on that side! Neither of us are tall, so the length of the bed across a narrowboat would be no issue for us and I know this is something that others have a problem with (this includes you Ray).
We are aware that it may not always be a simple thing to turn an inline bed into a cross bed (it might depend on what is beneath the bed) so maybe I'll have to get used to sleeping against the wall!
I stumbled across this website that sells bedding for 4ft beds for narrowboats. What a great idea.
http://www.narrowboatbedding.com/
And for memory foam mattresses (which I've heard are excellent).
http://www.sleepdetox.co.uk/categories/Memory_Foam_Mattress/
Firstly, we often see stair cases that are so steep, narrow, winding, and without handrails. Even in a newly built house the rules seem to be a bit less strict than what we have. I guess when you are used to living with those old stair cases they don't seem dangerous and having new ones similar is no big deal.
Secondly, and to the point of this post, are the bedrooms and more particularly the beds. We often think how crazy it is when houses are built here with such enormous bedrooms. How much space do you need in a room where you're going to sleep?! Even in a house where the bedrooms would be considered small, they are often larger than what we see on English real estate programs or if we browse property for sale in the UK. You would need to look hard to find an Aussie house that has a bedroom of less than 3m x 3m. Yet we often see them on floorplans on UK property websites that are maybe 2.6 or 2.8 metres or even less. It's those lovely old houses.... the bedrooms are often fitted around existing structures, walls etc.
Following on from the size of the bedrooms is that it seems to not be an issue in the UK if a double bed is against a wall on one side. It is something you would rarely see in Australia, except perhaps in a child's bedroom. Also, I think most people here would choose a queen size bed rather than a double, because the bedrooms are well big enough to fit them.
We think this is the reason why a cross bed is something we'd really like to have on our narrowboat, yet there aren't a lot of them out there. It isn't the fact of having to climb across to get into bed, it's more that I'm a fresh air freak and don't much fancy sleeping wedged between Mick and a wall. And... I know it would be me that would have to sleep on that side! Neither of us are tall, so the length of the bed across a narrowboat would be no issue for us and I know this is something that others have a problem with (this includes you Ray).
We are aware that it may not always be a simple thing to turn an inline bed into a cross bed (it might depend on what is beneath the bed) so maybe I'll have to get used to sleeping against the wall!
I stumbled across this website that sells bedding for 4ft beds for narrowboats. What a great idea.
http://www.narrowboatbedding.com/
And for memory foam mattresses (which I've heard are excellent).
http://www.sleepdetox.co.uk/categories/Memory_Foam_Mattress/
Tuesday 10 May 2011
More businesses on narrowboats
Here are a few more businesses run from narrowboats.
These guys make vinyl boat names, decorations etc :
Vinyl Cut Graphics
And for lighting on narrowboats :
12 volt lighting
How could I not have thought of this one before :
Waterways Routes
These guys make vinyl boat names, decorations etc :
Vinyl Cut Graphics
And for lighting on narrowboats :
12 volt lighting
How could I not have thought of this one before :
Waterways Routes
Sunday 8 May 2011
Recipe - Thai Fish Cakes
Symply Too Good To Be True - book 2, page 25
Serves 4
Ingredients
Serves 4
Ingredients
· 500g boneless fish fillets
· 3 tbsp cornflour
· 2 tsp fish sauce
· 2 egg whites
· ½ cup coriander leaves
· ½ cup shallots, chopped
· 1 cup dried breadcrumbs
· 4 tsp red curry paste
· 2 tsp sweet chilli sauce
· Plain flour to coat
· Cooking spray
· Extra sweet chilli sauce for serving
Method· Place fish pieces in food processor and process until well mashed
· Add all other ingredients and process until well combined
· Roll into 12 cakes
· Coat lightly in flour
· Heat a non-stick pan and spray with cooking spray
· Fry fish cakes on both sides until cooked through
· Serve with extra sweet chilli sauce
Saturday 7 May 2011
When will it end!
Oh my goodness... the packing! We were so thrilled to part company with a huge quantity of "stuff" when we had our garage sale but why then do I still have so many boxes to pack!! This isn't even the packing up the things we use all the time, I'm only packing up the extras.
The aim right now is to get the house on the market for sale. I'm trying to be objective about how much is ok to leave out on display in the circumstances. I've emptied out cupboards and sorted and packed and put things back in cupboards. Mick's been outside industriously repainting the weatherboards. We're aiming for the end of the month.
The aim right now is to get the house on the market for sale. I'm trying to be objective about how much is ok to leave out on display in the circumstances. I've emptied out cupboards and sorted and packed and put things back in cupboards. Mick's been outside industriously repainting the weatherboards. We're aiming for the end of the month.
My Country
Since I was a young child I've loved this poem. It's such a true vision of Australia and following our many years or drought and now the recent floods, it's most appropriate. We hanker now for the lush green English countryside but I'm sure there will come a time that we feel homesick. This will remind me of home.
"My Country" by Dorothea Mackellar
"My Country" by Dorothea Mackellar
The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!
A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us,
We see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold -
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.
An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand -
Though earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!
A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us,
We see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold -
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.
An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand -
Though earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.
Friday 6 May 2011
Memories of Avebury
I see today that Derek and Dot have made a visit to Avebury stone circle. It reminds me of a rather funny visit I had there in 2003.
I hadn't actually heard of Avebury but had always dreamt of visiting Stonehenge. I was in Germany for a couple of weeks staying with my dear friend Claudia, before going to England and happened to mention that I wanted to see Stonehenge. She said "you know you can't touch the stones?". I didn't. I was disappointed. Not that I have any particular reason but I'd read about Stonehenge as a child and always imagined touching a stone that had been put there by humans so long ago. I got on the internet and looked for bus trips and was delighted to find one that had after hours access at Stonehenge. And... we could go inside the roped off area and touch the stones. I booked straight away.
The only problem was that the tour was only one afternoon/evening a week - on Wednesdays. I had a week in London, arriving on a Wednesday and leaving on a Wednesday. It meant that I could only go on that tour on the day I arrived. It was a daunting task as I was by myself and it was my first visit to England. Getting through the airport, then the train to Paddington, a taxi to the hotel, check in, dump my luggage, rush down the road to the tube station, train to hotel where bus pick up was. I arrived with just 15 minutes to spare. Phew!
The guide was a friendly chap and chatted to the 20 or so passengers as we went. We would stop at Avebury and West Kennet Long Barrow before going to Stonehenge and arriving there after the last visitors had left. He told us about the history and possible reasons for the building of the stone circles. He spoke of the magnetic fields and then began asking where each person was from. Most of the passengers were American and I was the only person from the Southern Hemisphere. He seemed to find that rather amusing and began telling us that I was to the be the subject of an experiment using divining rods. We would all walk across a certain spot at Avebury, holding the divining rods. Every person on the bus would find that the rods turned a certain way as they crossed that spot but I, being from the south would find they turned the opposite way. Everybody giggled and snickered. Me too. How silly.
We arrived at Avebury amid much anticipation and all the other's in the group glancing my way. The guide went first and walked along holding the rods. Sure enough, they began to cross over each other. The next person found they crossed at the same spot. And so it continued about 20 times. It was interesting but we all knew I'd have the same thing happen, wouldn't I?! The guide had saved me til last. I took the rods from him and began to walk the same path as all those before me. When I reached the spot the rods began to waver and sure enough they crossed over. But they didn't stop there! They kept turning until they were pointing back at me! I stopped in my tracks. "Again, again!" I heard. I walked away and back around. Sure enough it happened again. For everyone else the rods just crossed neatly over each other... for me the turned all the way around and pointed back towards me. Bizarre! I must have done that little walk 10, 12, 15 times. Others wanted to try in between, just to prove that it wasn't a trick.
Eventually we tired of the fun and went off exploring but back on the bus the chatter soon turned to the strange phenomenon. So it appears if you live South your body absorbs the opposite magnetic energy to those that live in the North. I wonder if you migrate how long it takes for it to change, if it ever does!
I hadn't actually heard of Avebury but had always dreamt of visiting Stonehenge. I was in Germany for a couple of weeks staying with my dear friend Claudia, before going to England and happened to mention that I wanted to see Stonehenge. She said "you know you can't touch the stones?". I didn't. I was disappointed. Not that I have any particular reason but I'd read about Stonehenge as a child and always imagined touching a stone that had been put there by humans so long ago. I got on the internet and looked for bus trips and was delighted to find one that had after hours access at Stonehenge. And... we could go inside the roped off area and touch the stones. I booked straight away.
The only problem was that the tour was only one afternoon/evening a week - on Wednesdays. I had a week in London, arriving on a Wednesday and leaving on a Wednesday. It meant that I could only go on that tour on the day I arrived. It was a daunting task as I was by myself and it was my first visit to England. Getting through the airport, then the train to Paddington, a taxi to the hotel, check in, dump my luggage, rush down the road to the tube station, train to hotel where bus pick up was. I arrived with just 15 minutes to spare. Phew!
The guide was a friendly chap and chatted to the 20 or so passengers as we went. We would stop at Avebury and West Kennet Long Barrow before going to Stonehenge and arriving there after the last visitors had left. He told us about the history and possible reasons for the building of the stone circles. He spoke of the magnetic fields and then began asking where each person was from. Most of the passengers were American and I was the only person from the Southern Hemisphere. He seemed to find that rather amusing and began telling us that I was to the be the subject of an experiment using divining rods. We would all walk across a certain spot at Avebury, holding the divining rods. Every person on the bus would find that the rods turned a certain way as they crossed that spot but I, being from the south would find they turned the opposite way. Everybody giggled and snickered. Me too. How silly.
We arrived at Avebury amid much anticipation and all the other's in the group glancing my way. The guide went first and walked along holding the rods. Sure enough, they began to cross over each other. The next person found they crossed at the same spot. And so it continued about 20 times. It was interesting but we all knew I'd have the same thing happen, wouldn't I?! The guide had saved me til last. I took the rods from him and began to walk the same path as all those before me. When I reached the spot the rods began to waver and sure enough they crossed over. But they didn't stop there! They kept turning until they were pointing back at me! I stopped in my tracks. "Again, again!" I heard. I walked away and back around. Sure enough it happened again. For everyone else the rods just crossed neatly over each other... for me the turned all the way around and pointed back towards me. Bizarre! I must have done that little walk 10, 12, 15 times. Others wanted to try in between, just to prove that it wasn't a trick.
Eventually we tired of the fun and went off exploring but back on the bus the chatter soon turned to the strange phenomenon. So it appears if you live South your body absorbs the opposite magnetic energy to those that live in the North. I wonder if you migrate how long it takes for it to change, if it ever does!
Thursday 5 May 2011
Recipe - Chicken and Spinach Lasagne
Another recipe from Symply Too Good To Be True (STGTBT). We usually make this the same week that we make another of our favourites - Green Veg Lasagne - because you only need half a packet of fresh lasagne for each of the recipes.
CHICKEN AND SPINACH LASAGNE
This makes us 2 large serves and 2 smaller serves so two meals for the two of us.
INGREDIENTS
· 250g packet frozen spinach (defrosted)
· 250g tub low fat cottage cheese
· 600g skinless chicken breast
· 1 cup diced onion
· 1 tsp crushed garlic (in jar)
· 1 tbsp light margarine
· 2 tbsp plain flour
· 2 cups skim milk
· 4 sachets Cream of Chicken cup a soup
· 1/4 tsp tarragon (we grow it and use a good bunch of fresh)
· 1/2 packet of fresh lasagne sheets (you need 4 layers)
· 1/2 cup low fat grated cheese
METHOD
· Preheat the oven to 180°C.
· Heat a high sided fry pan (or a large saucepan) to medium.
· Squeeze excess liquid from spinach and place in a bowl.
· Saute chicken, onion and garlic until nearly cooked, set aside.
· Blend cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth (mash well with potato masher on a narrowboat!).
· Add cottage cheese to the spinach and mix well.
· In a separate small saucepan, melt the margarine, add the flour and stir well.
· Slowly add the milk to the pan and use a whisk to mix in and avoid lumps.
· Add the dry soup mix and tarragon.
· When boiled, add this to the pan of chicken.
· Spray a 30cm x 30cm deep dish and lay a single layer of lasagne sheets on the bottom.
· Spread half the chicken mixture over the lasagne sheets.
· Top with a layer of lasagne sheets.
· Spread the spinach/cottage cheese mixture over this layer of lasagne sheets.
· Top with a layer of lasagne sheets.
· Spoon the other half of the chicken mixture over.
· Sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
· Cover with a aluminium foil (spray the under side with cooking spray so it doesn't stick) and bake in the oven for around 40 minutes, then remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until the top has browned.
Pick of the week - Wren
Positives : like the exterior colour, lower priced
Negatives : an awful lot of blue, not a lot of fitted cupboards, not so keen on the galley cupboard doors
Boat Type | Semi-Traditional Style Narrowboat |
When Manufactured | 2004 |
Length | 57 |
Hull Manufacturer | Stenson Boat builders |
Plating Specification | 10/6/4 |
Flat, V-Hull or Keeled | Flat |
Fitted out by | Stenson Boat Builders |
Cabin Height | 6ft5 |
Number Of Berths | Four |
Fixed Berths | Two, Fixed Double |
Engine Make | Yanmar Shire 0540 |
No. Of Cylinders | 4 |
Keel, Water or Air Cooled | Keel |
Gearbox Make | PRM 150 |
Diesel Tank Capacity | 40 Gallons |
Source of Hot Water | Mikuni |
Central Heating | Mikuni |
Solid Fuel Stove | Valor |
Water Tank Capacity | 120 Gallons |
Material used | Stainless Steel |
12 Volt Lighting | Yes |
240 Volt Landline | Yes |
Batteries | 2 Domestic and 1 Starter |
Type Of Toilet | Thetford Cassette |
Separate Shower Fitted | Yes |
Vanity Basin Fitted | Yes |
Make & Model Of Cooker | Country Classic Caprice |
Make & Model Of Fridge | Shoreline |
Gas, 12 volt or 240 volt | 12 Volt |
Insulation Used | Spray Foam |
Types Of Wood Used | Oak |
Window Types | Drop Back |
Materials Used | Gold Anodised |
Exterior Doors | Steel |
Side Hatches | Yes |
Front & Back Covers | Yes |
Boat Safety Certificate | 2012 |
Last Hull Blacking | 2007 |
Anodes | 2007 |
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