Things just took a turn for the worst

 

I've been coping with just one hearing aid for months. The right one stopped working during Lockdown 1. I wasn't happy to go into town to my audiologist and was told that house-calls are not allowed. Last week, the left one stopped working. I knew something had to be done, so asked a friend to take both hearing aids to my audiologist. She waited while he cleaned and examined them. They are both broken and need sending back to the manufacturer for repairs. The good news is that they are still under guarantee - just.

Then the news broke that we are entering Total Lockdown until mid-February, at least. I think I hit rock bottom on hearing this. Without hearing aids, there would be no Facetime sessions, no phone calls, no Uke Group, no TV without subtitles, no radio or audible books without earphones. More worryingly, there will be no day trips in the van.

I've had to dig deep into my experience, but I think I have a way through. Twenty five years on a boat taught me that life is a journey. You can cope with what life throws at you if you adapt to the circumstances. Planning and preparation for all eventualities was the key to a successful cruise. For the unexpected, teamwork helped.

My years spent knitting, and latterly weaving and learning to play the ukulele, have taught me that we are more like works-in-progress than finished objects. As we proceed along the journey, we make mistakes, encounter difficulties, experience joy and misery. We are changed and moulded by them all. I have long believed that life's journey is a river. Heraclitus wrote No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man - a reminder of the notion that change is the only constant in this universe.

Which takes us nicely from the knitting metaphor back to the boating one, Accepting change is a big part of my coping mechanism. I suffered greatly at the loss of the boat, even before Eamonn died. When it was finally sold, I knew I would have to replace it with something else. Boating has taught me so much and provided so many wonderful experiences, I couldn't bear the thought of continuing the journey alone without some help. 

I spent yesterday making the inside of the van more comfortable and cheerful. The fridge door had some serious scratch and damage marks, so I covered each one with a sticker to remind me of all the good things I have had and continue to have in my life.

I bought myself a present for use on camping trips. It arrived today. 

I'm very fond of non-alcoholic cocktails and regularly make a non-alcoholic Hugo in a large wine glass. I used to have 4 such glasses but, after a few  breakages and accidents, I am down to one. The one I ordered for Christmas is a Gin Bowl - it holds 50cl which should be enough to rehydrate me on hot days. 

Engraved: Solo cruising aboard Levant II.

There is more work to be done on the van before I can head off for adventures. The most pressing is the improvement to the rear door to prevent incursions of rain. I'm really keen to try out the Skadu as a self-supporting driveaway awning. I can do this on the front garden. 

There are two long poles which attach to the rear of the Skadu to take it to just over van height. The existing shell-shape becomes the roof. Then there are side panels which attach to the roof via velcro to make a 3-sided tent. The 4th side is open to allow for access to the rear door. When the van drives away, a 4th side panel can be attached once the second set of long poles are in place.

I have plenty to keep me busy until regulations on travel are eased, both with the van and in the house and garden. The logistics of packing the van with everything I need for a few days is quite complicated. I'm used to kitting out a 13.7m x 2.1m narrowboat with a full-sized cooker, a wardrobe, a hip bath/shower, lots of storage space (including a larder), and covered outdoor space. Shrink that to a 4.7m x 1.7m van and you can see the problem. There is also the lack of bathing (which can probably be met by a solar shower bag during fine weather) and the lack of a 'wet room') which can be met by the Skadu. 

I miss the social contact I once enjoyed. Keep everything crossed that the hearing aids are repaired soon. Despite the disadvantages of reduced space and facilities, I am really looking forward to continuing the journey, with Alf.