Showing posts with label Houseboats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Houseboats. Show all posts

Monday 15 August 2016

The Basin


Since running around like a daft one trying to fix the lock, fixed now thanks for asking and by me yet it actually works, so there is something, I have been trying to sleep it off.  My slight migraine appears when I am overtired so instead of joining the museum staff for a get together I lie here asleep writing this. 


Luckily it means I can reveal the last few shots, what's that?...oh!
Anyway I noticed these two barges had foreign names, 'Volharding' and 'Dieu la Voulu.'  The latter means, as you will know, 'God Wanted,' so that tells us something about them.  'Volharding' is a Dutch sailing barge no longer trading as she once did but instead instructs the 'disadvantaged' re the coast, the waterways and life on such vessels.  Two decent craft put to good use for differing reasons but not allowed to rot away as rusting hulks.  'Dieu la Voulu' is set up for living on board and that sounds a decent way of life to me.  Sailing barges are turned into homes, many still equipped with motors to allow them to cross the channel if required or move along the coats to a more favourable berth.


This however might suit you and I better!
A line of such craft are stabled in the Basin, however I get the impression some of them do not move far from here at any time.  At one time I fancied being rich and having such an escape from the world.  Spending your time messing about in a gentle movement of water, sun above, a decent view around, an escape from the world.  Of course when they are lined up like this there is not much escape as either folks live here full time or they also are escaping the world and will annoy you just as they did back home!  Bah!  Still, once I am rich...


Sadly there are no more pics from this tiring day out.  Stop that giggling at the back!  No more to annoy you people of little taste.  However, I could get on the bus and go back again on Wednesday...

What's that....?




                                                                                   oh!



Saturday 11 September 2010

Saturday






So we travel to Celtic Park in Glasgow to play Celtic. We have Celtic Fan Willie Collum as referee, and there are two highly debatable offside decisions, both to Celtic's advantage. Jovial Jim Jefferies indicates to the ref that he is none too happy that the linesman on this side has forgotten to go to 'Specsavers' and wishes him to do so straight away. Willie sends him to the stand for noticing the advantage wearing a Celtic strip gains an individual. While JJ has apoplexy in the stand the team struggles without one or two regular players, and eventually let in another goal at the end. Are we surprised at this turn of events? No. It is understandable that mistakes are made, however it is strange that they affect us more than they, isn't it!


   


While drowsily considering removing the army blankets early this morning the radio was blethering about people living and working on a canal 'up north.'  As I struggled, with both hands, to open the eyes I dreamed (or is it 'dreamt'?) of living in a boat on a quiet river, or on an inlet by the sea. While listening to the Glasgow Football Mafia rob us blind (Me biased? Never!) I trawled the net (geddit?) and allowed my mind to believe I could afford one. This beauty here is fabulous, and on board we find all we can desire. Well renovated, all mod cons, and lovely view of the inlet and the passing rich folks on their yachts. All I need is transport, £200,000 and I could while away the hours happily watching the world sail by. The hundred yards walk carrying everything, unless there is a high tide, could be a bother mind!  What a nice relaxing way to escape from the world for a few days on a regular basis. I may cry myself to sleep tonight!




Clegg, Osborne & Cameron


Talking of crying, I watched the Prime Ministers Question Time (PMQ's) from the house of Commons on Wednesday. Because of his father's serious illness David Cameron was not there and Nick Clegg took his place. Jack Straw opposed him, in the usual manner of the House. I was not only unimpressed by left feeling very sad indeed. Straw struggled to make his points, the sudden need to take over leaving him unprepared, and Clegg appeared confident and, to put it bluntly, haughty. Here was a man who had put aside his Liberal Democrat policies to join this coalition, a man who was content to say and do anything as long as he sat on the front bench on the government side. Cameron of course, like Clegg lost the election but happily used this man to take the position of Prime Minister, any sop would do as long as he got the job it appeared.


Adding to this was another 'Daily Mail' story, (Why do I read them?) informing us of George Osbourne, the Chancellor (The Finance Minister) demanding more cuts in welfare. Once again we find three rich men telling us how to suffer in an effort to 'balance the books.' The smug men in sharp suits cutting benefits from the 'workshy' when there is already three million unemployed and thousands being thrown out of work weekly is sickening! Of course some folks happily live on benefits, some taking home much more than they can earn, some of course, and I know of one, wonders how to afford new shoes as his are wearing out! 


There is an attitude of "I'm all right Jack" about these men which leaves me depressed. Even Thatcher, the heartless beast, had some idea what she was about, these three seem clueless. The reason of course is simple, she had some form of ideology - worship Mammon probably - these men only desire to be the ones in charge! That is the thing that disturbed me most about the house, there was no 'belief!' There is no longer 'Left' or 'Right,' there are no politicians who have an agenda to change the world. No Socialists, no Christians, no anti Europeans, nobody with any clout who believes in anything these days in the higher echelons of the parties. So they continue to live in their own parliamentary world, grumbling about their expenses, arrogantly pushing forward their non policies, disregarding any of the public who oppose them, even if they belong to the 'Daily Mail' world!


"Where there is no vision the people perish" it was said in a different context, but it rings true here also.  'Dave' and his smug friends will continue to cut the spending, meaningless men in the armed services, less policemen on the street, less workers in the civil service or local council, less money for projects big and small, more unemployment, potential for riots, and much distress. But not to worry, with no opposition bar the smug, well off, leaders of the Labour Party (A new leader will be chosen in a few weeks time and he also possesses a smug smile.) the boys will continue with their policies until we all fall over the cliff.


It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the gravy
Ain't it all a bleeding shame


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