I think first heard the terms ‘pink’ jobs and ‘blue’ jobs on the day we moved onto our Perseverance back in 2917. The owner of the boat that was moored next to us at the time decided to ‘educate’ us newbies on how things worked in the Narrowboat world. I nearly puked over the side of the boat when he broadcasted his strong option on how boat jobs should be divided between the genders on a boat crew. I actually didn’t know how to respond so probably just rolled my eyes and groaned. I like to think that if I was in the same conversation today I’d be able to initiate an open conversation on why those terms are outdated and regressive and I’d hope the other person would be open to that discussion. With that in mind I’d be really grateful if you could please read this to the end with an open mind before you comment and I’d be happy to have that conversation here too.

The hard drive in question is called ‘They Dunno’, I’m aware that it’s a strange name for a hard drive, but this unusual personal naming convention started back in 2017 at the beginning of our narrowboat journey. Michael asked me what we should name our newly purchased drive, I of course replied “I don’t know” and so that first drive was hence forth know as ‘I Dunno’. In hindsight I am just grateful that George already had a very good name when he joined us on Perseverance else goodness knows what he would be know as now.

We’ve lived aboard our narrowboat for over 5 years now and I’ve been thinking about whether living on a boat has lived up to my expectations, both the positive and not so positive ones.

This weeks post ponders the reasons for choosing a life afloat

I often think about the aspirations so many of us are conditioned to have, especially women. The dream that was sold to me and my friends when I was in primary school, was the fairy tale happy ending. Find a prince and live happily every after, in other words find a husband and start a family.

I wrote this blog three years ago… its taken that long for me to be brave enough to publish it. Please be kind and considered in your responses.

Jo walked 96 miles over 6 days to complete the West Highland Way.