The boat 'MISS BAUDET' is a garden, party venue, writers' retreat and HQ for serious meetings with my publisher David

Thursday 30 January 2014

Special Things

Tonight, dear blog-readers, I thought I would pick out one of the important Special Things that adorn the cabin of my Boat For My Potplants, and offer an explanation of how it came to be there.

Imagine the scene...I am 21 years old, and I am cycling across America on my own. I discover that one of my favourite musicians (James Taylor) will be performing in Indianapolis a few days' ride from where I was (Reno, Nevada).

I set off in the direction of the concert, and arrived at the city two days before the concert was scheduled for. I asked the waitress of a local pizza bar about where I could purchase a ticket to see JT.

At the adjoining table sat a family who overheard my English accent, and they invited me use their phone at their home to make further enquiries about the concert.

They became my life-long friends - Jackie and Larry Dellinger, along with their two children Amanda and Kevin.

Years later they sent me a wood-carving for Christmas, and that is now hanging proudly inside the cabin.

After 33 years, I am hoping to visit them again later this year. My fingers are crossed.

Tune in next time folks for another story of my Special Things aboard my Boat For My Potplants.


Wednesday 29 January 2014

Back Seat

Sitting In The Back Seat Of My Car
Dear Blog-Readers
It is now nearly the end of January, and for the past few weeks my blog has had to take a bit of a back-seat. There have been so many things going on in my little world that I haven't had the time or energy to devote to writing about my Boat For My Potplants or Tallulah The T-Reg, or indeed anything else.

I almost stopped.

However, I did manage to muster up some small amount of devotion to Alfonso The Fiat. I got the wheels painted the same colour as the body, and even though I say so myself, I think they look pretty cool.

Yesterday, to give myself a break from all the chaos and confusion in the backyard, I spent a glorious few hours on the boat.

It needed a good old tidy up, some repair jobs here and there, and of course planted a few pansies. I became hungry, and discovered to my delight a tin of Tesco Chicken Jalfrezi lurking at the back of the cupboard.

Well, I have to tell you, ladies and gennelmen, it was the best curry I've had in many a year. And all for under a pound, you know!