15 June 2012
I usually awaken around sunrise, to the sound of birds, mostly seagulls. The seagulls I wont mention here because they're stinky noisy enough for themselves but I do like birdsong, I find it relaxes me. I even have apps with, and recordings of birdsong. It depends on the weather too; if it's raining heavily, I get very little sleep. I'm encased in steel and iron, so raindrops become amplified as if falling onto a drum, added to the slip-slap water noises and heavy, persistent rocking.
As is now, I find my brain most responsive to any thoughts in play. I use this time to review Facebook, Opuss, emails and the like. If I write anything of any worth, it's likely to be composed just after dawn. As I'm obliged to maintain a tidy vessel by the Harbourmaster, I'm currently painting her topsides and decks. I check the weather and if it's going to remain dry, I'll plan to do some painting from say 06:00 to 09:00. If I don't do this, I could lose my mooring and then I would be up the Swanee without a paddle. If it's raining like it is today, I'll stay in bed a while, make plans and consider how best to save the world...
This leaves me time for washing, dressing, coffee and perhaps a slice of toast. I've never been good for breakfast and it's my partner I thank for the toast. She lives on land in the Cotswolds and insists on buttered toast every morning. I walk to work through Bristol City Centre, not far at all. During the week I generally work until 20:00; call centre customer service, dealing with the great British public. I try not to eat lunch as, since giving up smoking for nearly three years, my weight has increased and I'm sort of willing it back down again. My lunch break is generally about sweet black tea, making phone calls and an iPad experience on line.
I strongly dislike working weekends. This is when I prefer to visit my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter. Otherwise, to be with my partner who either stays aboard, or I drive to her house. When she stays aboard she brings Blossom, the most lovely chihuahua ever. Blossom likes to bury biscuits and other treats for me to find throughout the week. My granddaughter, when she visits, turns the place upside down and loves to feed the Swans. My daughter helped me with some deck sanding the other day and I also let her use the galley. Her partner is very tall and doesn't feel comfortable climbing the ladder to/from the harbour wall. Not many people do.
After work I may pop into Sainsbury's and then I'm back aboard to cook an evening meal. If I've had a difficult day, cooking helps me unwind. I've trained as a chef and so enjoy experimenting with food. For twenty years I've been cooking and hopefully improving Mexican Chicken, so I usually cook and eat this at least once a week. I can either chat with the lady of my dreams or my daughter, review t'internet, work on some writing or watch TV; a DVD even. Bed time for me is before midnight. I like my dreams, I'm sure they inspire me, even if I cannot remember them all.
And of course, there's so much more...
Copyright Ⓒ 2012 Christopher Patrick Kirk all rights reserved
My Routine (inspired by iPuss) • Opuss № I