Almost the end of June, one of those days that can't make its mind up, warm, cloudy, windy all at once. It is quiet on the river today just a couple of row boats and a few narrow boats, hardly any big plastic ones.  The kingfishers are taking advantage of quiet water and are zooming across the river flashing their turquoise and orange feathers, they fly so fast and low and stand so still and patiently when fishing, all or nothing birds kingfishers.   They disappear when there is a lot of traffic on the river, there must be a secret  place where they wait until one of them sounds the 'all clear'.

The signets are all present and correct, which is lovely.  Two of them have been abandoned by their parents but they seem to be doing OK, eating the willow leaves and keeping out of the way of Trevor, the big bad tempered Cob who beats everyone up.  Trevor is just plain mean.

Finn the dog met up with Ruby and Jess in the field today and they ran and played in and out of the river wearing themselves out....he is a tired happy puppy.

Watermelon and Feta salad for lunch today, maybe a Campari on the roof tonight if it doesn't pour with rain....but if it does, I think a large glass of red wine is called for whilst snuggled up in the warm, pj's on and an old film on the telly.

Happy days on the river.

I returned from a work trip last night to my houseboat, Le Bateau Maman.  My daughter has been boat and dog sitting so instead of coming back to a boat with an empty fridge and dead flowers I came home to homemade chicken soup and jam jars full of roses and sweet peas.   Daughters are very wonderful.  The puppy is happy too.
While I have been gone the peas on the roof garden have gone crazy so perhaps peas with feta and mint tonight, there are a few strawberries too, all a bit healthy but there is some Ben & Jerry's in the freezer to balance things up and then off to the shops tomorrow to replenish stocks.


My boat floats happily on the river Thames near London and one of the best things about boat living is the wildlife who I share the river with.   No sign of the signets yet this morning, there were three when I left last week, I hope at least one has made it.....

The river is running fast today and Wayne and Dwaine, the drakes who hang out together are paddling furiously just to get across the river.  The shy moorhen has taken refuge in the lee of my boat, she is a timid thing, daintily picking her way through the shallows.  No sign of the kingfisher, he has probably found a quiet pool somewhere.  Every time I see a flash of turquoise and orange it thrills me, they are the Versace of English birds, just a bit flashy but totally gorgeous.