How is it November already and everyone is talking about Christmas? I literally feel as if we were cruising in the sunshine and now we have stopped, winter has arrived overnight. ((It is November Peachy!)) I know but it’s very odd. ((Saying nothing)) After cruising for 7 months it seems very strange to settle back into life in one place. Which gives away for those who don’t know, that we made it back to Warwick and our winter mooring – hurrah.

Last week we cruised from 7am until just before dark most days. On the first day the canals opened we were number 34 in the queue of boats and only made it through two locks on the first day. It was a week of meeting lots of people who all helped each other out and proves how good the boating community is with only a couple we won’t mention. I had a close encounter with a mink at a lock. It scampered right up to me! I suppose they are not used to the locks being used as many of them have been closed since the end of August. Chris fell in the canal. The wind pushed us onto the opposite bank and we lost our chimney. Some of the pounds were empty of water and we had to refill them. It was an eventful week!

We made it back to Warwick on the Friday and they closed parts of the canals again on Sunday for the foreseeable future or until the reservoirs recover. As we are going into winter hopefully this will sort itself out by spring and when we need to cruise again.

Anyway, we are back and what now I hear you cry ((Cry? Everyone has fallen asleep!)) As we try to fit back into a routine I’ve been cracking on with my freelance work and have a plan for updating my website and running the writing workshop so that’s me busy organising all of those. Sales for Lost the Plot are going very well so I’m trying to keep up momentum by promoting on social media. If you’ve read and can leave a review that would be fab.

My thriller book is still out in the world and I have a 1-1 with book agent which is a paid session. I’ve sent over my cover letter, synopsis and three chapters of my book for review. This way I can find out what is and isn’t working before I submit to any more agents/publishers.

I’ve had an issue with Paypal just deciding to close my account after a couple of kind people bought me a coffee! It seems Paypal can just delete your account when they like and keep your money for 180 days so please be careful. I use Izettle to take payments for my books during events and my publisher pays me through paypal so it’s very annoying having to look for an alternative. Apparently I can just start a new paypal account ((oh so kind of the money grabbing corporate idiots!)) exactly Brackets but despite the faff for me, I’m not supporting a company who treats its customers like this. ((They will be quaking in their boots!)) They cancelled my account spouting some nonsense after I’d had to upload my passport and image to verify my account – sounds like paypal grabbing Digital ID to me. ((now it explains it!)) Anyway, my point is if you use Paypal do not leave any significant money in your account just in case!

I’ve started on my new witch story after a poll on Facebook and it seems zombies are out! This is very much just a story for me and you to enjoy ((You hope!)) and not to publish. I will add it to the end of the blog. Remember this hasn’t been edited. It’s from thought to page, like this blog ((Lord help us)) so don’t expect too much! ((It’s about a witch who lives on a narrowboat so not reflective of real life at all!))

That’s it for now. I have ten vlogs to edit which follows our journey back if anyone wants to subscribe and watch those. ((great sleep aid people)) Lost the Plot Youtube channel

Here is the story… I welcome any thought on what you think…. do you want to read more or not. ((I vote not))

Freya pulled the hatch shut and locked up her narrowboat. She glanced along the canal and smiled as the autumnal leaves floated daintily from the trees, the kaleidoscope of colours striking against the bright blue sky.

She stepped carefully off her boat, her wellies sinking into the already muddy towpath and she pondered on the juxtaposition of wearing a coat, thick jeans, a brightly coloured jumper her cousin had knitted and her Audrey Hepburn sunglasses slotted firmly in place on, some would say, her longer than it needed to be, nose. The glasses would soon be put into hibernation as the clocks changed that weekend and Summertime officially ended.

The chimney smoke twirled into the sky and promised a cosy afternoon under her blanket with a hot chocolate as she caught up on some life admin. Even Tarot readers needed to answer emails and she had a few days before she saw her next client. She wondered if the Tarot readers of the past would be shocked that she gave readings mostly over zoom.

‘Hi.’

Freya turned to see a couple walking their dogs, ‘Hi. Glorious morning.’ she called as she turned, wanting to enjoy the walk without distractions. It was lovely that people always wanted to stop and chat but she felt an overwhelming urge to go and visit the church she’d spotted on the canal map. One of the joys of this life was having the opportunity to visit and photographing churches which was one of her passions.

‘Do you live on the boat?’

Freya secured her camera strap over her head and put her keys and phone in her rucksack which already contained some water and a cloth.

‘Yes, just over a year now.’

As she spoke to the couple Freya was transported back to the day she had joined her friend who was having a midlife crisis and decided to buy a boat only to decide she didn’t like the idea of emptying the toilet. Freya, however had fallen in love with it and on a whim put down a deposit and bought the boat, much to her parents’ dismay at her constant rebellion to live an alternative life. Having not long escaped from a terrible relationship and the money from the house sale in the bank, it was just the change Freya was looking for and she’d thrived, even on the days she’d faced one challenge after another.

Finishing the conversation Freya said goodbye and started her journey to the church, her hand firmly secured on her precious camera. It had been the one thing she’d taken when she’d split up with Stuart. It had been her sister’s camera and only the fact that she’d lost her sister only a year ago stopped Stuart from arguing about her taking it. She would have let him have everything, she’d wanted a clean slate but her solicitor had made sure she walked away with the money she was owed.

Freya jumped as a duck flew so close she felt it’s wing glance her tussled main of auburn hair which she’d tried and failed to tame over the years. The duck called out its displeasure as if she’d been the one to get in its way.

‘Rude.’ Freya called after the departing duck as she walked past the swing bridge over the Oxford Canal and made her way along the gravelled tow path towards the bridge. Holding the camera close she navigated the wooden stile and jumped down into the muddy field which had been bone dry the other day.

Freya was surprised she had the fields to herself as normally there were dog walkers or ramblers a plenty in this area but there wasn’t a soul about. In the distance she could see the promised weather front incoming and she felt her stove fire calling to her.

‘Not yet.’ She mumbled under her breath.

She followed the path over a troll bridge and spun three times, something her friend, Ali always apologised for if they were together and anyone saw them. She would mouth, ‘it’s the tablets.’

Freya firmly believed that despite it being the daytime and the obvious reason that everyone knew trolls didn’t come out in the daytime, but if you turned three times then it would confuse the trolls and they wouldn’t be able to find you.

Safe from the trolls she was out of breath as she reached the top of the hill and took a moment to appreciate the enchanting forest as far as the eye could see and the large blue sky which judging by the dark clouds in the distance and the met office weather app was going to change very soon. Autumn was her favourite time of year, maybe because her birthday was smack in the middle of the month and made her very firmly in the Libra star sign. This month was always associated with parties and good times despite the impending lack of daylight hours.

Freya spun around at the sound of the wind…