Wednesday 27 April 2016

TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK: This morning Elwood rediscovered his love of nesting in the dirty washing!

Wednesday is washday in this household (or should I say 'boathold' - although to my mind the 'hold' is the rather smelly bit under the floorboards - but I digress!) Washday means a trip to the laundrette since we have no washing machine on board. So dirty clothes, sheets and towels are packed into capacious Clas Ohlson bags and off we go. This morning, as is my wont, I threw the towels and tea towels from the forward shower room and galley up the steps into the saloon in preparation for packing into said bags, and went to strip the bed in the aft cabin. In the meantime the mad hound found this pile of towels and decided to rake them out into a nest, carefully positioned right at the top of the forward steps. Anyone who thinks cats have cornered the market in finding the most awkward and inconvenient places to sleep should spend some time with a determined dog.


What, no pillow? How's a dog supposed to sleep?



















Seeing Bonzo there reminded me of his previous love of dirty clothes nesting, so I went to find an old photo I remembered. Gosh, I had forgotten how cute he was (for about 2 weeks!) he is still lovely, but you definitely can't call him cute now - he'd never forgive you!


Caught red handed...err...red pawed?

Friday 15 April 2016


Late, great author, Terry Pratchett, likens inspiration to random particles sleeting through space leaving searing, white hot trails across any brain they pass through. I don't often have such 'eureka' moments - I tend to get a slow burn rather than a flash of inspiration. But there is no denying that the strangest things can prompt a new idea. I try to keep my camera handy (not having a camera on my antiquated phone!) but the most important thing is to keep your brain handy.  See what's around you, interesting patterns, shapes and colours crop up in the most unexpected places.

Love the way the paint has weathered to just leave a flash of bright green

Over a barrel - great crackle effect


Sunday 10 April 2016

 A Frosty morning this week, hopefully the last for this year, Brrrrrr.
Amazingly long ice crystals


Interesting Pattern