I was mesmerised by this streaming pink light across the canals as I woke up this morning. So I grabbed my mobile for a quick snap to ensure that I wasn't dreaming.
A swift change of colours brought me back to earth, reminding me of how changeable light is in the winter, and it inspired me to crack on for the day's cruise.
My fingers suffered the cold the most, but I was desperate for some freshness. So I huddled in an extra layer of clothing and sat in the bow of the boat for the most picturesque views.
I was enlivened by the Antarctic air, but I remained valiant and transformed my bow into a floating office with this makeshift desk. This seating was advantageous for me to toss food to the ducks and swans as they paddled alongside the boat.
Winter cruising is a vibe in itself.
The days are moody and perfect for tuning into my emotions and the sensations within my body.
It makes sense in many ways for me to make the most of the daylight hours by retiring earlier at night and waking up with the sun. This way, the natural energy I receive from the sun reduces the amount of energy I need to function, which is good since I'm a lot less active during these colder months.
Animals instinctively do this thing, huh?
Yeah, apart from their natural coats, some of the wildlife hibernate and become dormant at certain times, and it makes them all more interesting and reminds me how much we can improve our lives by observing animals.
Some horses were wrapped in blankets by their owners, and they looked posh in the fields, but these along the canals were stoic in their natural state.
My mind calms whenever I see the shadows and reflections in the water, and I find myself going deeper inward to process stirring emotions.
However, I was filled with gratitude for life's special moments and even the dull moments that spirited from being in the open.
The natural misty formations made the moments feel magical. Our visibility cruising was not affected, and it simply added a positive element to my cruising experience.
Still, the days are short; we're happy that this route goes for long stretches without any locks, except for a shallow one and a swing bridge, which were both easily handled without the delays of typical locks.
I had a short jibber-jabber with a couple who were walking their dogs. They have a week's timeshare on a narrowboat during the winter, and they appreciate the novelty of boat life and the snugness of it compared to their regular house.
I took a moment to process all the little things about my alternative lifestyle on the canals as a continuous cruiser.
We passed several canalside moorings along this stretch, and hubby is always courteous by slowing down when passing moored boats. Something that irritates the shit out of me is when boaters ignorantly cruise at normal speed. As I cruised by boats, the sightings of light billowing smoke from chimneys made it tempting to stay inside the boat, but after spending a week stationary, the freshness and changing views were more appealing.
There was a steady flow of boaters along the canals today and many fishermen tossing rods too. I'm not sure how successful fishermen are at this time of the year, but I admire their dedication to fishing in this weather.
I guess some people might think that's the same for us cruising during the winter, right? We get asked that question frequently, and honestly, there are bounteous reasons.
However, the most significant of them all is us taking the time to do the things we want to do while we're able, and I'm happy to have this platform to document these precious moments.
I'm looking forward to the weekend and until then, sending positive energies from across the canals.:)
All the photos were taken by me.