DOWN but NOT OUT! - Episode 73

[@marty5237]

Your family photos are such a blessing!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

I ADORE the vintage drawers your found, perfect! And what precious memories. I love technology when used for things like converting old slides to digital images

[@FloatingOurBoat]

So funny that you should comment on them. They have been in a lock up for two years, but we just brought them back to the boat for Rich's art materials and they look great!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Such a coincidence! I love vintage finds, especially things that are useful too!@@FloatingOurBoat

[@Handidude]

Old slides remind me I have 1000's of them from my Grandparents that I need to scan into the computer. Thanks for the reminder.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

One of those winter jobs I think, but so interesting

[@ianwebb2235]

Brilliant! Great old photographs Rich! Things work out people,,,,,, and lets be honest, they have for you 2. As always, thank you.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You are quite right.

[@sianwarwick633]

A beautiful venue, Todmorden County Hall. Thanks for mentioning it. I've just seen the other half of your vid. ❤. The pictures say it all.

[@davidcoffelt7364]

Lovely pictures of your family and the boat!

[@dougzirkle5951]

Bless you both as you try to cut the ties that bind you to the land, and resume your new life on board. As a teen listening to the Moody Blues, zoning out to life’s troubles, little did I know that 45 years later I’d be watching a narrowboat vlog with my two favorite skippers and find out one has a familiar tie to the Moody’s. Serendipity is alive and well.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you x

[@saltspringrailway3683]

We moved to Canada and had to leave our house unsold 6000 miles away from our new rented abode. We had to wait 9 months then on one day 2 separate prospective owners put in bids and fought it out racing each other for the prize. Hang in there.

[@BarneyLeith]

OMG, I'm so sorry that your buyer pulled out of the contract! That really must be desperately stressful. I hope you find another buyer very soon. I love your connection to the Moody Blues, Richard! And love the 1970s slides of your family and "Threshold". Thank you so much for sharing these. I really enjoy your vlogs!

[@myhillslife27]

Lovely blast from the past Rich

[@Lynnefromlyn]

Love the connection to the Moodies! We are ever so slightly( ahem) older than the pair of you and the Moodies were a great favourite...both before we met each other and since. So sorry about the cottage..when I catch u with the rest of your vlogs I dare say things will have righted themselves! 🥰

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Lyn. I hope this isn't a spoiler, but it all works out well in the end. We did love that cottage and it is a shame we had to sell it, but things change and you have to move forward

[@penelopeshaffer5143]

Loved your shorter haircut, Fran. Looks like the same haircut when you first started boating. Also loved the blonde you used to have. I am hoping your house sells quickly and your worries are gone. I enjoy your channel!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you, but those haircuts used to cost so much and hair colours are just chemicals going into the water system. We are a bit more thoughtful about the way we live now we are on a boat and live more naturally

[@Lynette21122431]

Magnificent trip you've had down Memory Lane as well, Rich! Those slides rock! No wonder you've been itching to return to the cut. And look who was with you those days on Constanze! Fran, the finder of a quirky art supply cabinet which looks to be thrilled with her new home, in service of your creativity.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We still have lots of slides to work our way through and transfer onto the computer. A winters day job I think

[@marty5237]

YES! This is epic!! The Moody Blues and YOU!!🎉 Wonderful depiction. Great job!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Glad you like it!

[@nigelgregory7308]

Just found this, so don't know if it'll come back to you, this is my home, my back yard is the countryside, now the canal, above summit lock. , has a pub,and was a lock keeper, above to the east are two reservoirs that the canal company owned, Hollingworth lake was built with a pumping station to supply summit, in its day this was engineering engineering guinius, today very few see it because they have cars, not legs. Sorry if went on a bit ❤❤

[@g.h.t.6881]

You've heard the term "It's Grim Up North ". Another thing we have so much water we've never been very good at looking after it. You know saving for a sunny day. Lovely to see the dogs, what are there names. Selling, buying and moving, the stress of it. Wishing you all the best and thanks for posting, cheers.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

The dogs are Archie, the sprocker spaniel and Jess , the little black terrier. Thank you for watching and for your comment

[@ripvanwincle2258]

Whenever something bad happens to me i always think well at least i didn't lose an arm or a leg.Kind of puts things into perspective.Don't let the sneak trying their luck with the house get you down.You've still got the house and you've still got the boat.It's Christmas and you've both got your health.Good luck for the future.Kind regards.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

You are right. Sometimes the emotions just get the better of me, but we know how lucky we are and are fine now we're back on the boat. X

[@dawndietz4654]

Oh I loved the pictures of you and your Mom and Dad Rich❤️

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

Love the pic of your Mum. Memories are so important.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

So right x

[@FoxesAfloat]

Big hugs to you both. Hated seeing you upset ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We are fine now. Back to cruising and smiling. Being on land always knocks us for six xx

[@jrgenfriborg3508]

Nice video. Hope the sale of the house did go well. And your fame: Lovely story.

[@caroledrury1411]

Loved the pics!

[@jillipepper5353]

Did you add the stems to the Dandelions as well? Our garden will be a bright yellow in a few weeks with lovely big flowers and bees. Once they are gone to seed our whole big lawn turns into wild strawberry flowers and once the tiny berries pop it smells amazing. 😋

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Your lawn sounds amazing, just as ours would be if we had one. I did cut most of the stalk off, but the green sepals were left on the flowers

[@gennypleau189]

Fran, just wanted to thank you for sharing your bread recipe. I think the glug of oil did it! I really didn’t think it would rise but surprise(!) all nice and bubbly. Have recently started watching you on you tube and followed all your adventures. Take heart, you’ll be fine. Being together is the greatest gift. Good thoughts coming from New England.

[@downhilltwofour0082]

I hope the place sells quickly. Great pictures at the end too! Thanks for sharing..

[@mdmcalor]

So far have binge watched up to this episode. You are such a lovely couple. Hope all turns out well with your cottage. Quite touching at the end. So fortunate to relive wonderful memories via your slides. Moody Blues connection, how cool! I Know Your Out There Somewhere... Peace

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you so much, glad you are enjoying the videos xx

[@malcolmpritchard4882]

Wow great pics and memory’s and the house will sell just a little blip 👍😉

[@ChrisJames1973]

Look at you two going to classical music concerts 😳. So she was worried about floods but those floods wouldn’t worry her if you dropped the price. Tells you a lot that does 🙄

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That says it all! X

[@theveryfirst]

Fran. The word you were looking for was, liberating.

[@hugorune766]

Yes, it is hard to find honourable people in UK today, I wish you all the best.

[@jamesayers5182]

Rich, I love the fact that you are a Moody Blues fan, they are one of the best groups to come out of the 1960's. I only have 4 of their albums at the moment, but I keep going to charity shops and markets trying to find the ones that I don't have. My best find from a charity shop is the Seventh Sojourn album an import from Israel. Stay safe and well Rich and Fran, safe boating.

[@AndyJarman]

Those photos ... makes you appreciate our wholes lives are flickerings only our loved ones share.

[@simoncooper8272]

Stick in there! I've been struggling to get moving on with my house too, I've been convinced everything will turn out alright EVENTUALLY!👍👍👍

[@FloatingOurBoat]

All worked out well for us eventually. I hope it does for you too

[@lizjones8984]

One of the first bands I was into Richard! the Moody Blues! We still have that album too.😊👍. Love the pics of the younger you too. Love your vlogs!

[@davidneil1452]

Dont look on it as a problem keep moving forward follow the dream , we mowed to france 15 years ago and never looked back we had loads of set backs but got our dream in the end, good luck

[@colh5910]

Hi guys. So sorry to hear the bad news. I'm sure many of us have been there but you will overcome in the end. You just have to be patient and keep your eye on the future goals as that's what's important. Don't focus on negativity. Good luck and keep smiling. Regards Colin

[@nigelmcdonnell1442]

Bless ya🎉

[@suethomson6013]

So sorry you have had this disappointment, but sometimes things happen for a reason. You have each other and your lovely homely boat. Keep smiling. Look forward to your next vlog. Despite the sad content this was a lovely video.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you

[@OurDaysOut]

The shot of the train moving around the town, looked like a model. Lovely

[@areguapiri]

Agreed. An impressive view.

[@andyrbush]

That was a really nice vlog even with the bad news. Bad news happens though.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Tell me about it

[@livinglifeinthenorth8512]

So sorry it fell through. Keep your smile on....things will turn around.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We have a new buyer so fingers crossed x

[@rogerbrown5558]

I just want to say thank you for sharing that part of your life with us. I can see winter is lurking while it's getting pretty warm here.

[@steveohagan9442]

Hay guys sit down get a big glass of wine and relax . good things come to good people . AND YOU TWO ARE FANTASTIC all will work out fine .

[@lawrencedevaney3951]

You have each other, the boat and the dogs. Life is full of ups and downs but things usually work out for the best. If you end up on the Peak Forest canal near Disley or New Mills I can show you some great pubs that would cheer you up.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We have been there already. Loved that area x

[@lynnbigner570]

Yep. Buying and selling houses is the pits. Has taken us three years to get our mess sorted. Enjoy your lovely little boat. It is your hearts' home.

[@lucillecash3046]

I like that slide scanner thingie, I could do with one of those. Glad you got through your awful time with your buyers pulling out of the deal. Onwards with life on the cut.

[@Freedaaa]

Best, best, very best wishes ... !!!

[@billward7953]

So sorry to hear the news about your house sale, keep your chin up , as and lovely old lady used to tell me on the Norfolk Broads “ Good times coming” 👍

[@ladygardener100]

Been there, done that, if someone can mess up their job, they will. Including Solicitors, surveyors, and estate agents.

[@janeingram7331]

One of my favorite songs "Nights in white salin" Oh, does that bring back memories.

[@sherlockholmes6632]

"There's no honour left?" sadly something only a few understand. Chin Up.

[@caroldave4037]

Hi folks ...typical !!!your hoose would be ok !!!but cheaper if "I use theres a bit of flooding excuse in your area.." atb.. folks

[@pcoldlight5631]

Just posted then read ur reply. Almost exactly the same. Good luck Sherlock.

[@carolehayden8566]

Your rooftop garden is EVERSO! How wonderful! 😸. Love the pups.

[@andywheal6477]

Hope your luck improves and the house gets sorted soon. Excuse the pun but i'm in the same boat. It was nice to talk to you in Marsden Fran, shame Rich was busy at the time, hope you enjoy your winter moorings on the Rochdale.

[@iancox6673]

Breathe in, breathe out and move on...and hope for speedy sale....love your vlogs ...real life!

[@helendurfee8926]

As always, your videography is great! You faced this challenge with grace & moved on to the pleasures you share. Just continue taking care of each other 😊.

[@lisapercywolf3392]

Sincerely sorry about the house sale falling through - thankfully you have each other and can see it through to the end together. The area you're boating in now is so lovely, the landscape and history just keeps getting better. We have nothing so steeped in history here as you have in Great Britain, and I'm admittedly envious about that. How I would love to see these places someday, but, for now, I continue to be grateful that you're sharing them with us. Be safe.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Lisa. I am surprised at how different things feel up north. The sense of history to these old mining and mill towns and villages us so strong and so interesting. I'm glad we can share it with you. Thank you for watching x

[@negativelybuoyant5835]

I'm so gutted for you guy's 😖 I hope you can find the buyer quickly or rented, keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 for you both!!! I love the old pictures of Rich and his family 🧡 what a beautiful memories xxx

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Jo. Hope things are working out a bit better for you. We will be fine and we know the house will sell eventually.

[@WinnieLuthienThye]

11.16 ... I miss scenic UK so much. I even miss the wet autumn day like this one!!

[@WinnieLuthienThye]

ha! Fran really bought that vintage drawer unit!! Glad you did. I love it! and I love all those old slides ... how nostalgic and really kinda romantic.

[@debbyteisen842]

Thank you for your latest news and childhood photos Richard. With your cottage not selling, my mum recently sold her house after living there since the seventies. It was an emotional time for us all, but a relief knowing mum was free to live at the Retirement village she had chosen. Then the guy who had signed up pulled out! But within a few days another person contracted mum's house, she had to drop a few thousand, but we are glad the house sale is going ahead. I'm going to pray and believe the same for you both. At least the good neighbours are keeping an eye on your cottage. God bless you both and wishing you a Merry Christmas.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

I'm sure it will all work out well. Fortunately we have the best neighbours in the world looking out for us.

[@barriepayne6200]

Nice to go back and remember

[@Lynette21122431]

Learning the story of your family narrowboat's name took right back to 1970. My Google search of "kansas city missouri moody blues concert 1970s" set me straight as to the date AND the set list. Wow, no wonder that I felt transported from my top row seat in KCMO's Municipal Auditorium! December 5, one week before my 23rd birthday, no boyfriend at the moment but that state of affairs never has and never will keep me away from live music which I adore and consider essential for my mental health, all our mental health, truth be told. Once again, thank you for reminding me how small the world actually is and how connected we all are. We only need to look up and realize it to experience those two facts of life. Back to the vlog now--I stopped at 12:45 to go down Memory Lane!

[@northof-62]

You are a very brave couple. Cheers from Norway.

[@karenpeterson5780]

I love the Moody Blues! How fun to see those pictures. Thanks, and praying for a buyer for your home.

[@SheplerStudios]

What a great vlog! Sorry about all the headaches on selling the house. What a creative story about your parent’s boat. Looking forward to more of your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@ade9685]

Oh bless you both how traumatic! Great vlogs. So still binge watching at work and loving your journey. Episode 47 to here watched since last Tuesday 👍

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Wow that's a lot of episodes in s short time. The world needs more jobs like yours😂 Thank you for joining us x

[@ade9685]

@@FloatingOurBoat well maybe, maybe not. Only because I’m working from home! Have been for 7 of the last 12 months laptop in front of me, a phone rest to the side with you two going! My paperwork to the left of that. So I scan across the screen a lot but I’m not watching every bit but listening to it all. Getting quite close to up to date now not sure on the episode number as unless you caption it on screen I can’t see it in the Playlist option I’m using which is great BTW. You can’t comment or like there either which Google ought to sort. As if you follow your main video page KZbin doesn’t throw them up in order as you no doubt know. Funny it skipped your C***D episodes! On the main auto play page one minute I was watching you both stocking up on the Macc next Rich is going shopping mentioning getting over “you know what” and Fran no longer self isolating. I thought eh! Went back into the playlist there those episodes were! Glad you got back to health Rich and started getting longer walks in by late summer last year. Enjoying your vlogs immensely keep um coming. Cheers Ade in Somerset.

[@davidpearson243]

You had me welling up a bit Fran Things always work out for the best in the end

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Sorry, emotions just get the better if us sometimes don't they. We are back enjoying life now x

[@ChrisTopher-nr1vb]

I loved walking on hills above Todmorden Last went up Stoodley Pike a Napoleonic War Memorial in Sep 2019

[@photobrit5660]

Sorry to hear the bad news guys! just shows the measure of the person! Great connection to the Moody Blues, Rich.Hang in there guys and keep cruising....🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@jamesmandas639]

Beautiful. What great family memories!

[@stuartking3639]

Had to play knights in white satin after you said about your lineage, what a blast from the past...woop woop, made my day. Stu.

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Great vlog... loved all the classic photos at the end of the vlog must have brought back some precious memories for you on your first stint on the boats..

[@PaulBaird]

I’ve finally sold my house after 6 months and a lot of stress. Just put down my deposit on a sailaway.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

That's great news x

[@adenursey1063]

Hi Fran & Rich we have just finished watching your channel from episode 1 and are now up to date. Really enjoyed your story so far and have been taking loads of notes for when we start our own narrowboat adventure in spring 2020. We think the drone footage is great and are amazed at the stability of the pictures from such a small unit. Val finds that she has so many things in common with Fran (even including the Raynaud's) and she hopes that our paths will cross at some point in the future. Congratulations on your recent marriage and we are sure that the right buyer for your cottage will come along soon. Keep up the great work, happy cranking and cruising. Stay safe Val and Ade

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Val and Ade. Thank you for watching our videos and commenting. Hopefully you have learnt a lot from our mistakes and will be better prepared than we were when you start your own journey. Im sure you will have a great time learning how to do things your own way anyway. Good luck and look out for us next year. xx

[@joann5157]

So sorry for this bump in the road so soon after your nuptials. I hope another buyer comes forward........SOON. I always enjoy your videos. Will keep you in my prayers for another buyer!!!

[@lisadodd7510]

Love your videos! Trying to catch up as fast as we can. This video was sad when you were crying Fran😢 Watching every day and love the beauty of your travels!

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Lisa. This was a difficult time, but we got through it x

[@cherryclark2572]

So sorry to hear about the seller pulling out. Every seller's nightmare! But trust that all will be well, and don't worry about what you cannot control. 🤗

[@kanders7391]

We also left our home 5 years ago. We sold a town house and left to rent a small place & wait a short few months for a cheaper manufactured home to be built on a bigger piece of land on a mountain. And the pandemic happened right after we sold and the manufacturer shut down. And the contractor had no laborers. So we were homeless, couch surfing with relatives for 2 1/2 years in California lockdown. With our furniture in storage and they raised the rates on us twice because we couldn’t take our stuff out. Then when the manufacturer started back up, there was the supply chain shortages and every home cost over twice as much. And so did concrete. We ended up not saving any money at all with the move to a “cheaper” type of house. Oh yes, and to add insult to injury, because we could not get in a new house within 1 year, during a pandemic, the State counted our seed money from the sale of the old house that we needed for building the new house as an income and taxed a chunk of it out of us for still having it by the next April. While keeping our manufacturer & contractor in lockdown.

[@jamespovey6898]

Love the blast from the past 😀

[@stevehoare6378]

Hi you two....really sorry that the house sale stumbled.....but you know what....there are lots of folks out there looking to buy a house and there will be a new buyer sooner than you can say “The Moody Blues”...! Keep smiling....Rich you haven’t changed a bit from the handsome chap in the photos...!! Take care both and keep on enjoying life...Steve and Sue....🍷🍷

[@grahamfrise1445]

Having stayed at your cottage earlier this year, I know it will sell. I am glad you cheered up on returning to the boat. I think Fran and Rich and the canal are meant to be together. What you have just been through is just a blip. Bye the way Rich, your later claim to fame started in episode 1 on youtube, and Frans. Relax and enjoy.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Grahame. Hopefully we will now find a buyer who loves the house as much as we do and who is not just worried about money. We will not be bullied. X

[@AdrianJeens]

What an emotional time you are having, I do feel for you both, I wish you all the luck in the world to sell your house so you can fully enjoy the pleasures of narrowboat life, all the best from another narrowboater.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thank you Adrian x

[@pcoldlight5631]

I absolutely agree with you re honour . Chin up it will work out .

[@thejerseylady1]

Oh so sorry. Sending all good thoughts your way. We had that happen to us and so had to let the place we were buying go too. That was 7 years ago and we still have not found another one like the one we had to let go. Hope all works out for you guys. Gloria

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Oh no. We feel for you. Hopefully we won't have to wait that long x

[@howardeastman311]

Loved the ending Rich.......and Fran yes that chest of drawers looks like it was made for that corner x

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Hi Howard. it is perfect and we love it. I can however hear my dad turning in his grave and saying "you paid how much? it should be in the tool shed" Ha ha!

[@bartsblog7705]

Absolutely fabulous vlog you guys - Fran my heart went out to you - both of you of course but you two will be just fine 🥰 love you two 😘😘😘

[@FloatingOurBoat]

loves ya back. We're all smiles again now x

[@hughcarson6837]

Keep smiling, good thing will happen to good people like yourself, great vlog

[@nigelhook3437]

Our boat was full of boxes for the first 6 months..and that was after we thought we had got rid of all our house stuff. All worth it though, and youll have more friends than ever

[@christinehammell6365]

Love your slides...….and the Moody Blues. I used to put the album covers up on my bedroom walls. ( - :

[@merryannmac8096]

Interesting video. God never shuts a window without opening up a door. There was a reason the buyer backed out...you'll see how that turns out soon. So good to see you again, and meet your Mom and Dad and family, Rich. Thanks for sharing. Merry Ann from Minnesota

[@philhaiselden4205]

Wow that's amazing about your uncle Mike.. I've been a fan of his music and the MB's since the sixties and there is a striking likeness especially in your early photos. "On the threshold of a dream" Phil

[@FloatingOurBoat]

Thanks Phil. They were inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame last year- just a measure of how big they still are.

[@yellownev]

There is one thing pulling out at the 11th hour fearing questionable flood risk ( that should have been dismissed on the searches ?) but is shows the character of the person looking for money off .... so no real worry about flood just trying their luck. As you say some people have really questionable ethics.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

The flood searches we're clear. She just wanted money off and we don't play those games.

[@aarongranger]

Is there ‘earnest money’ in UK home sale contracts? In most home sales in the US, there would have been several thousands of dollars placed up front that would have been yours if the buyer backed out (and would have been applied at closing if they had gone through). It’s there just to stop such silliness as you had to endure. Best wishes!

[@spencerwilton5831]

Aaron Granger A deposit is payable upon exchange of contracts, which will be forfeited unless the buyer completes the purchase which can happen almost immediately or by mutual agreement at any date in the future. Before exchange of contracts either side can withdraw without penalty- this allows buyers to back out if a problem is discovered.

[@stanburnett4215]

Love the slides and the Moody Blues

[@hugorune766]

Oh, spot on... so nice to see you are Moody Blues fans... but I did not know of the Threshold label, thanks for that info, I thought you were going to mention "On the threshold of a dream" album.

[@ALifeFullofMeaning]

I’m so sorry to hear your buyer pulled out. I hope you find a new buyer soon, the cottage is lovely.

[@christinehammell6365]

Really felt your pain there. Such a lovely wee house too. Happy days ahead xx

[@robertgilhooley6926]

Been There! Good luck patients it will all come good lovely people.👍😉

[@sylviapage8572]

That video was really emotional and at the end when Rich showed the slides from his childhood it brought a tear to my eye! I really love that music from your early introduction and coupled with those photos was too much for me. My musical claim to fame is I’m related to the great Bob Marley and my son wrote the software for the Spotify playlists, he’s now Director of Technology Development for Warner Music Europe. Clearly takes after his father! The experience you had with your house sale is so common. When we sold our house in Rye something similar happened to us and I was so stressed we accepted the lower offer, my husband would have put the house back on the market but I just couldn’t face it. I really admire you for holding out and I know that buyer will regret their decision because your cottage is beautiful. You’ll get another offer soon so please don’t worry about it. When you replied to my last comment saying you wanted a flat in a small town but we’re open to suggestions I thought, they’ll be cruising until they can no longer manage on the canal so they’ll need to think about public transport and be close to hospitals! Then I thought, flats close to hospitals usually rent well! Then I had a good chuckle 😁 Can I say it was a great video? It doesn’t feel right on this occasion but I do love your videos and the photography and editing on this episode was lovely. The Town Hall was unbelievable and I love a classical concert. I went to one in a Palace in Prague last week and loved it but I would rather have listened to it on a CD in a NB on the Rochdale canal! x

[@FloatingOurBoat]

We went to Prague a couple of years ago and visited the Palace. We absolutely loved it but unfortunately didn't get to see a concert. We now try to make the most of visiting places on our travels that we wouldn't have known about and this concert in the town hall was one of those wonderful little surprised. Now you have put Rich's famous last into the shade with your link to Bob Marley!! Who knew 😁

[@BoatingBiker]

So sorry to hear this. People eh? Chin up you two, the best is yet to come!! XX

[@janemarriott3389]

Wishing you all the best 😙

[@davidbutler4363]

Brilliant guys thanks 😁👍👏👏👏

[@onyva3256]

Not sure why it’s taken me so long to discover your channel as I subscribe to a couple of other narrowboaters but delighted that I have. Great to see that a small town hall can rustle up an orchestra and audience for an evening of Mahler and Stravinsky. England not gone to the dogs yet.... Chin up on the house sale - we’ve just been through something similar, awkward buyers are a nightmare, luckily our subsequent offer was from someone who’s been a delight and all went through quickly: hope you have the same experience.