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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Friday 3 April 2020

Self isolation day 1

14 days of inactivity, what to do...what to do. I know keep a diary! So this is mainly for our family and friends but if you would like to join me on my daily ramblings I welcome you and also any comments to keep our spirits up. Be warned though, it may be a tad boring!

Not much in the way of an exercise track but better than nothing. At least the swan will keep me occupied.
 2nd April

Jet lag, Groan... this from the web site https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/jet-lag/symptoms-causes/syc-20374027  a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones. Your body has its own internal clock or circadian rhythms, that signals your body when to stay awake and when to sleep

4.30am both awake and wondering if it was still too early to make a cup of tea. Both agree it is never too early for that! Blooming freezing but one of us had to get up. Ian drew the short straw! The light switched on and diesel heater fired up. Tea made and both grab our Samsung Galaxy tablets, Ian on the Sudoku and me playing Solitaire. 2nd cup of tea wanted but no more water in the kettle (still need to empty tank after treating with dilute bleach) so slippers on, back cabin door open and in the freezing semi-light walk to the outside tap to fill the kettle.

6 am decided to get up, by now we were starving! Two bowls of porridge later and a slice of toast each all went down a treat. The stove was also lit! By now it was light so taps opened and water tank drained. To hurry the drain I also turned on the shower tap and then walked away. That was a very silly move because I forgot to run the pump which emptied the tray. The inevitable happened...a flooded bathroom! Many towels later and eventually all mopped up. Very pleased to see the water was also now clear.

The morning was filled with washing and sorting out the clothes in the cases. Shame the wheel broke on the original case. The new case ($40) got a lot of second looks. Quite hideous were the words my brother used! "Maybe" we laughed "But easily recognisable on the carousel at the airport!"


One of the original cases.,
No one else had a case like this!
 11am and our stomachs were telling us food was required. An early lunch of soup and tuna sandwich.

The afternoon was a bit of a blur, the brain through lack of sleep was more fuddled than normal,  I believe we both fell asleep in front of the TV but not sure. All I remember was thinking about what dinner would consist of.

8pm and we joined in the clapping for the NHS, teachers, carers, cleaners, supermarket workers and delivery drivers. An amazing job they do looking after our welfare. The first clap last Thursday for the NHS was shown on Australian TV and to say I was moved was an understatement. Determined then to show our support tonight.

21.00 and although we were desperate to stay awake, bed called and we obeyed!


10 comments:

Jo Lodge said...

Hi to you both.

Self-isolating will be fine. You will have done every boat job known to man. Cleaned the boat to within and inch of its life and played every online game there is and all of this will be done without murdering each other :-).

Joking apart. You will come through it and still be healthy all being well. Then you will be able to enjoy the sunshine from the outside of FS.

Love and hugs Jo xxxx

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Your right Jo, Once this jet lag wears off there are plenty of jobs to keep us going. Not got the energy or inclination at the moment to even attempt any. Xxx

Barbara said...

I’m so pleased you got back! You made me smile as we did exactly the same with the jet lag I have to say though the nod in front of the telly was nice even though neither of us would admit to it. Stay safe the pair of you and I’m looking forward to reading you isolation blog. We have to move for services etc as we are cc but still feel bad when we have to move. xxx

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Won't you still have to stay in place after the 14 days because of lockdown?

We are on lockdown here for about 3 more weeks, at least.

One of the things we love about going straight to the boat from LHR is that we can handle jetlag easily by just getting up and doing things as and when we are awake - a 3am cuppa and blogpost and brekkie is fine ... And we find it takes us a week to get into the new time zone. We sleep when we feel like it and get up when we are awake.

It must feel lovely to be home - there is something primal about the need to be where you feel safe in these situations. Our son is on our boat now at North Kilworth and I think part of his sense of comfort being there is that it is the closest he can get to feeling like he is in NZ because it's ours and redolent of us.

And blogging now is excellent, Irene - an outlet for you and an entertainment for us. I've got back into posting too - after a shock break...

Big hugs, M&D xxoo

John said...

Hi you two.
So pleased to read you made it back to the UK and your boat. I know sitting in the comfort of our boat 17000Ks away to say to you in the midst of your jet lag that it will pass doesnt help how you feel right now but it will:):)
We look like we will be on the boat here in Sydney until at least the end of June as the Police Commissioner in NSW has called for a complete shut down of borders for 90 days and the Prime Minister is talking about 6 months so we will see.The boat is almost polished and waxed from Fly-bridge to waterline so when that is finished and my back has recovered on to varnishing the galley then into the engine room for some cleaning!! We are awaiting a visit from Maritime or the police as there has been a declaration that being on your boat to go fishing is considered passive exercise but our situation has yet to be tested:)We will see.
keep well
Love J&D

Nev Wells said...

It’s amazing how many jobs you will find, sadly we can’t visit Percy but the cottage is getting all the jobs done I promised it...., for me being retired, apart from not being able to ride my motorbike and seeing a few more people walking in the lane life goes on. Enjoy the forced rest, ready to leap into the summer when it’s easing off.... take care Nev & Rachel

Mike Todd said...

Welcome back - you must be relieved. By the time you have completed your two weeks you will realise that the restrictions for many of us are much the same . . . and we cannot even access our boats. At least we have an amenity field alongside our estate so that a short daily walk is still withing the guidelines. The Friday shop for the week is rapidly becoming something to plan for and look forward to for several days ahead! Trivialities quickly become major milestones during the day. Just think, three weeks ago I had no expectations of using Zoom but we have now been to a virtual birthday party for a grand daughter!

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thank you to Barbara, Marilyn, John, Nev and MIke for all the lovely welcome back messages. So nice to think we have been missed.

We are beginning to realise the number of jobs we put on hold or 'saved for a rainy day.' At least this isolation malarky will make the 'round tuit' get done!

Mike, we had no idea what this Zoom was all about. This is the second time it has been mentioned and we think it is something to do with conference calls. If it is what a lovely way to talk to all the family. Ian is going to look into it.

Once again thank you to all. Xxx

Dave Ward said...

Glad you made it. I'm surprised you suffered jet lag though - In my 2 trips to 'Oz and back I always found it much worse going (via Asia) than the return journey the same way! On my first trip in '84 I distinctly remember being woken by the phone ringing in a hotel room in Melbourne - I had completely "zonked out" after arriving, and had no idea what time it was when Mother called from home, being concerned from my lack of contact. On the return, which arrived at LHR around 7am, I was fine, but my parents were not - having got up at some unearthly hour to drive down there. Within a short time on the road home, I took over from Dad and he promptly fell asleep beside me...

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Ah but Dave, the day of travel and we awoke at 7am. The flight wasn't until 10 pm so that's already 15 hours awake. Then a 15 hour flight of which we both managed about 3 hours sleep. 3 hours wait in Doha before boarding the flight to London, a further 7 hours. Neither of us slept on this leg. Arrival was 2.30 pm and we finally went to bed at 9pm. So the maths are that we had been awake for 43 hours 30 minutes!

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