Ahoy there!

As my previous post said, I have moved onto a canal boat. I have been on board a week so far and it has been very different, a lot of fun and - at times - extremely vexing.
Moving house is always a royal pain and the unpacking just as much - you can't find anything and you come home each evenig from work to a whole evening's work of wandering around finding that the place where the thing from box A needs to go is cluttered with boxes B and C and things in box B and C need to go where boxes E and F are stacked up, so on and so forth. Imagine that in a space 58x7ft. Chaos.
The boat was also really cold the first week. It had been empty a month, so the cold & damp had claimed squatters rights. Plus the wood/coal burner was missing a pane of glass and I couldn't get the new one in place due to a bolt which had become fused to the bolt I needed to take off first. And the timer on the electric heater failed the first two mornings (human error).
The whole idea of renting this boat was to test a long-held romantic notion of life on the water and see if I might buy my own one day, but by Friday night I hated it and thought I had made a massive mistake (as predicted by many friends and acquaintances in recent months).
But, Dad's lovely friends Alex & Gavin visited on Saturday and fixed the burner (Alex) and taught me to make a good fire (Gavin). I have spent the rest of the weekend as snug as a bug in a...boat - and unpacking. There will be more challenges - today I clambered down the side of the boat to fill up the water tank and tomorrow the fuel boat arrives so I need to make sure I don't miss the ;ast delivery of gas & coal until after Christmas - but right now I am back in romantic boat loving mode.
I'm moored just behind Kings Cross, so pop in if you're in the area xxx

For these two photos I am standing in the middle of the boat where the bathroom is. Above is the front of the boat, where my bed is. There is a window/door above the bed to get out to the very front of the boat.
Below is looking over the back of the sofa into the kitchen and the 'front' door where I come in and out. Behind the front door is the engine room and steps out to the wharf. You can see my cat Sasha on the kitchen floor.

This last picture was taken by Mr Alex 'Hero' Galli just after he fixed the burner. You can see how happy I was.

Comments
Apologies, 07939 then the rest. Fooled by my own anti phone bot cleverness
Posted by: Ruth | December 10, 2012 at 11:37 PM

They should! It's the only thing that's going to sort out my housing crisis, and demand already outstrips supply on moorings in the same way it does on houses in London. I'm zero seven one three nine 522355 xxx
Posted by: Ruth | December 10, 2012 at 11:36 PM

FANTASTIC!!! Maybe they'll start building new canals to sort out the housing crisis. Next time I'm up in London I'll phone to see if I'm invited. What's your phone number? xx David
Posted by: David | December 10, 2012 at 04:57 PM

It turns out I do have a postal address! I'll email it to you xxx
Posted by: Ruth | December 10, 2012 at 02:01 PM

I had no idea that you were moving into a canal boat! You are adventurous ! No wonder you didn't want the wing armchair !Hooray for Gavin and Alex fixing the heating! I daresay that you haven't a POSTAL address..... Lol Granny and Grandpa.
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | December 10, 2012 at 01:00 PM

Wow! It looks very cosy and I hope it proves a great success and everything you hope for. I've arranged to collec the armchair and little table from Carolyn, so that is in hand. Tom

Posted by: Tom the older | December 10, 2012 at 10:24 AM

German Scrabble

We always knew that they have long words in German and I suffered from it yesterday when I played German Scrabble (which Mum gave me) with my Gerald.

I started the game with RING which soon got extended to RINGEN (to ring), Then Gerald came in with the killer and stuck VERB on the front and got the triple word. It was worth 60. It wasn't over. Then he added the D at the other end, then and E and I got in an N giving VERBRINGENDEN by the end of the game. It was a gold mine.

And here's Gerald in his moment of triumph.

If you want to know, VERBRINGEN means to spend (time), so VERBRINGENDEN is the plural of the present participle. It could possibly be used like this:
Meine langen verbringenden Gäste waren charmanten.
My long staying guests were charming.

Comments
It sounds as though you walked into a trap, even if the longstandingguestswerelovely% Tom
Posted by: Tom the older | December 07, 2012 at 12:56 PM

I am most impressed by your command of German ! Completely self taught lol Mum
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | December 01, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Grandpa's armchair from Buckingham Street

I'm moving out of my flat and have to get rid of a lot of belongings to be able to fit into the new place, including Grandpa's chair from the Buckingham Street flat.

Before I give it away to a stranger, I wondered if any Keelings were interested in it. It needs recovering (I always meant to). There is also a table that goes quite well with the chair. Pictures below.

Also wardrobe, chest of drawers, double bed, bedside tables and shelves. If anyone needs such things xxx Ruth

Comments
Hi Granny/Kate/All
Sorry for not letting you know sooner, but Uncle Tom was quick off the mark with a text about the chair, so it will soon be in Somerset I think.
Bedside tables have gone I'm afraid Kate xx
R
Posted by: Ruth | December 03, 2012 at 07:42 PM

Hi Granny/Kate/All
Sorry for not letting you know sooner, but Uncle Tom was quick off the mark with a text about the chair, so it will soon be in Somerset I think.
Bedside tables have gone I'm afraid Kate xx
R
Posted by: Ruth | December 03, 2012 at 07:40 PM

Oo what's the bedside table like? Also if you ever want to pass on a chair like this again I would happily give it a willing home!
Hope you're well otherwise and good luck with the move! xx
Posted by: Kate | December 02, 2012 at 12:33 AM

Grandpa and I would like the armchair if no one else wants it. We would send it straight to the uphosterer in St. Leonard's. Who made you the pretty little stool wfich is beneath the chair? Lol Granny
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | November 25, 2012 at 02:49 PM

Christmas Cards & German Bureaucracy

Christmas cards

Send a different kind of Christmas card this year and impress the people you forgot to talk to in 2012. I found a great website for it and the quality of the prints is second to none. CLICK HERE.

German Bureaucracy

Germans have the reputation for being efficient. Don't you believe it. Here are three examples.

1) When you live somewhere you have to register with the local authority. It's a law. I had to queue for two hours in the Rathaus to sign a form which took two minutes.

2) I have still not regularised my National Insurance benefits. I have been trying for three years. The responsible office in Bonn takes four months to answer a letter. HMRC are a model of efficiency by comparison.

3) When I moved into my flat I had major renovations and spent thousands of Euros repairing rotten beams between my flat and my neighbours below. The block management saw the work at the time and agreed to pay the money back to me. That was two years ago. I got the money yesterday.

!!!!!!!! HAPPY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!

Comment
Lovely photos Alexander xxx

Posted by: David | November 25, 2012 at 07:13 PM

JVP x 2

A night out with Van's sidekick, oops that'll be Phsychic

A Classy Night of Comedy and Song

Letters Home on Europeana 1914-1918

I found a website that is collecting pictures, letters, postcards, souvenirs and other items from 1914-1918 relating to World War One. It's at www.europeana1914-1918.eu/en. I have put Captain Arthur Gibbs' letters home. (He was Granny's Dad.) It's in a pdf file, which is also here, in case you want it. If you search europeana for 'Gibbs' you can also find it.

Van gets involved with the first theatre to open in central London in 30 years

Van is supplying comedy acts for the newly opened St James' Theatre.

To buy tickets go to: http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/frisky-mannish-marcel-lucont/

Comments
Great news! I was afraid that you were following the Keeling trend of being ill, and that is why we hadn't heard from you.
Love from and admiring Jenny.
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | September 10, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Congrats

Posted by: George | September 10, 2012 at 10:38 AM

Rabbits?

1957 Hurst

Uncles Brian, Johnny, Herbert. Dad
Aunts Biddy, Robby (Johnny's 1st wife), Cally. Mum
Cousins Patrick, Sarah. Trevor, Granny, Robert, Grandpa, George
and various dogs.

 1969 Hurst

2011 Hurlingham

Standing: Emma, Tom, Nico & Christa Seitz, Ursula, Siobhan, Edward, Isssie, Ruth, Arthur, Carolyn, Polly, Zac, Paul, Jasper, Van, Alice, Jacquie, Jo, David, Camilla, Poppy, Kate, Tom, Harry, Archie, Trevor, Lizzie, Ted
Chairs: Simon, Trevor, Granny, Grandpa, Rob, George, Jim 
Bums on Grass: Jakob & Emma Seitz, Imogen, Eila, Flora, Jude 

Comment
Great pictures George, or should I say maaaarrvellous for the first two with Grandpa? We have just got back from Madrid where we were staying in a friend's house for a fortnight. All of us had a great time. Temperatures in the high thirties everyday. Tom

Posted by: Tom the older | August 30, 2012 at 12:06 PM

Calling all boy & girl racers

Hello Dear Cousins Aged 11 to 16

Do any of you want to have a race around Silverstone race track?

I have a voucher, which has to be used by September 19. Let me know and I'll send it your way.

Here are the details of what you get http://www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/driving-days/First-Drive-Super-Choice-Voucher1/

Let me know asap. If no one is interested I'll put it on facebook xxx Ruth

Comments
I think Jude would be too young, as you have to be 11+. No Keelings could take up the offer, but I think a friend's son is going to take advantage.
Posted by: ruth | August 15, 2012 at 02:33 PM

Did anyone take up your offer? Was Jude told about it? Granny.
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | August 10, 2012 at 11:10 AM

You don't HAVE to be over 16, but they said I'd be pretty bored by it (it was erroneously bought for my birthday). I suppose you could be over 16 & not know how to drive & still enjoy it x
Posted by: Ruth | August 04, 2012 at 01:01 PM

Now that's a good reason to be young again!
Posted by: David | August 04, 2012 at 10:42 AM

Grandpa and I think that Uncle Johnny used to race at Goodwood and maybe at Silverstone. Granny
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | August 04, 2012 at 10:39 AM

Does it have to be under 16? Seems a bit ageist...
H

Posted by: Harry | August 04, 2012 at 03:37 AM

In need of a car

Hi everyone - I'm just writing on the off chance that someone has a car to spare between (roughly) August 12 and August 20. I'm hoping to go on holiday around the UK and am slightly stumbling at the cost of hiring a car...

If anyone is interested in lending me a car, I can assure them that I am an extremely competent driver - I've been driving for 7 years and have never had to make an insurance claim nor had any points on my licence.

I'm planning to drive to the Isle of Wight, Bristol, the Lake District and Sheffield and would return the car professionally cleaned and with a full tank of petrol. 

Lemme know - and love to you all

xxxx

Comment
Poppy, we might be able to help, subject to working out a few details.....Tom & Siobhan
Posted by: Tom the older | August 01, 2012 at 11:29 AM

Van conquers the Solent

Van swam the Solent. Incoming tankers were dodged, the crossing was made safely and that all those kind people that sponsored her, will not be getting a refund, but Maggies, the Samaritans and Bodiam church are very grateful for their generosity. Thank you!

Comments
FANTASTIC
Posted by: David | July 30, 2012 at 11:48 AM

Is this really Van in the water? Or a spoof like the opening of the Olympics? Whatever, she is MARVELLOUS. Mum/Jen
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | July 30, 2012 at 10:41 AM

It's not cricket

Sunday the 22nd was a beautiful sunny day for the cricket match which never was. The pitch is still water sodden. As Captain Paul said, "This means the Keelings retain the title for another year." So we had a lovely lunch courtesy of Grandpa and Granny at the Brick Wall hotel followed by swimming sports. 

Quote of the lunch came from Harry, "It's rather nice not playing cricket. It means I can drink as much as I want at lunchtime." Present at lunch: Granny and Grandpa, George, Carrie, Ruth, Simon, Harry, girlfriend Harriet, Archie, Eila, Tom the older, Edward, Imo, Paul, Van, Jasper, cousin John and his sons Jack, Felix, Luke and a distant cousin James Petri.

Van, Jasper, Paul, Luke, Jack, Felix, Edward

Granny, Ruth, Grandpa, Harry, Harriet, Archie, James, Tom, John, Carrie's legs

 That's probably Tom going through the ring.

 And photos from Tom

Comments
Thanks for catching the red arrows! I would have forgotten allmabout them. Mum

Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | July 26, 2012 at 08:27 AM

Does Granny mean Dad waffles about nothing a lot? ; )
And it is definitely Uncle Tom in the picture, in the middle of one of many perfectly executed hoop dives. Champ
Posted by: Ruth | July 26, 2012 at 10:10 AM

Brilliant ! George does it again with a good commentary on a non event Mum
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | July 24, 2012 at 01:20 PM

This Sunday's Match

Today I met with the opposition's High Command; we discussed the options, examined feasibility studies, read through detailed reports commissioned by C.O.B.R.A., but could not come to a consensus of opinion.  Then someone looked out the window and announced that it was still raining.  It is clear that, unless a sirocco blows from midnight tonight right through to 2.30 on Sunday, our best hope would be to hold a re-enactment of the Somme. So, our decision made, it is now my sad duty to relay to you all that there will be no match this Sunday.  In fact there will be no match this year and the earliest we will get the chance to retain the cup will be 2013.

Mum & Dad are keen that the lunch should still go on.  Tom K has offered to shoulder the responsibility of coordinating the numbers.  Can everyone let him know, either way, if you are planning to come.  You can email him on tomkeeling1@aol.com or he will be at Jacobs from Thursday 19th at lunch time.

(not the pitch by the way)

Comment
Trust the Village to brush up on their Jet stream manipulation tech just to prevent another smashing. Shame shame!!!

Posted by: Harry | July 20, 2012 at 12:43 AM

7 Days to go

Having made contact with the Sedlescombe High Command today, there has to be reasonable cause for doubt about next week's crucial fixture.  We have agreed to discuss the matter again next week before Wednesday, at which time I will update you all.  There was one telling statistic came out of the conversation and that was that they have yet to play a match on the ground this year!  I went round to Jacobs today and decided to take a small detour and review the pitch for myself (see below)......

It's clearly not looking that healthy!!  Infact the football goals they have up all around the square look altogether more suitable for the conditions.  It is quite clear that they require unrelenting, Saharan like sunshine from now 'til then, but I will update later this week, so watch this space.  Currently, and amazingly considering the Noah like weather we are having, the match is still on.

Cricket match lunch venue

Everyone,

I was chatting with Dad last night and it became obvious that it would suit Mum and him if they did not need to cope with lunch before the cricket match. Therefore I spoke to Paul about this and he suggested we arrange an alternative venue and offered his house or finding a pub. Paul then spoke to Dad and they agreed that the Brickwall Hotel would be a good option and Dad generously offered to stand everyone lunch.

I spoke to the Brickwall this morning and they are available, so I have made a booking subject to confirming numbers with them.

Please can everyone who wants to have lunch before the cricket match let me know by Thursday this week and I will let the hotel know what the numbers will be. Either reply on the blog or send me an email on tomkeeling1@aol.com

Many thanks, Tom

Comment
Well done Tom! I'll let you know our numbers asap xP

Posted by: Paul & Van | June 19, 2012 at 09:17 AM

Van to swim the Solent

I'm fundraising for Maggie's Centres, Samaritans Of Isle Of Wight and St Giles Church, Bodiam.

Please help me make a difference by making a donation to my Virgin Money Giving page.

To find out more about what I'm doing and why, please visit http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/VanessaKeeling where you can also sponsor me online.

Don't forget to tick the box to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation if you're a UK tax payer. Virgin Money Giving will pass this on in full to charity, making your donation go even further.

Thanks for your support,
Van

8 brothers (and 2 sisters)

We happily announce that yesterday LOLA gave birth to 10 puppies over five hours from nine in the morning. Even Mum didn't try that. They don't have names yet, but eight are boys and two are girls. When she had pups a couple of years ago she was quite shocked by the experience, that was quite evident in her behaviour and demeanour, but yesterday she emerged pretty and unscathed, keen to leave the blighters alone for a bit while she went out to play with a ball and murder a bone. Here they are:

Comments
haha "even mum didn't try that!" love it
Posted by: Archie | June 02, 2012 at 09:37 AM

WOW! that is amazing - think she needs more than a bone after all that - enjoy! lots of love Van xxx

Posted by: Van | May 31, 2012 at 07:05 PM

Hip hip hooray

Dad / Grandpa arrived home at 11.30 this morning after his hip replacement on Friday. Here he is, getting out of the car, from where he made a beeline for his cigars.

And here he is puffing away.

Comments
hurrah!! bring on 'keeling skiing 2012/13'.
Posted by: Archie | June 02, 2012 at 09:54 AM

Dad looks ten years younger. David
Posted by: David | May 08, 2012 at 11:31 AM

Good on George! Mum.

Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | May 08, 2012 at 10:58 AM

JV Night - Henning Wehn at the 606 in Lots Road

Comments
He's really funny! Try him up on iPlayer. See you there? David & Camilla

Posted by: David | April 25, 2012 at 12:08 PM

A Call to Arms (again!)

The Keelings v's Sedlescombe - Sunday 22nd July 2012

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long weeks of practice and of fitness training. You ask, what is our strategy? I will say: It is to play total cricket, by bowling, batting and fielding, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage cricket war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our strategy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the Keeling name, no survival for all that the Buddha has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that Keeling kind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among the men of Sedlescombe. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength”.

Put your names forward bravely (and quickly!), after our great victory last year you must all be gagging to join the team - see our celebrations from last year below:

Been trying to load a photo - dead funny one too - but been defeated by the technology!

Comments
After a gap of some 34 years I am due to attend the annual Keeling cricket match in July, though this time, wisely from everyone's point of view, as merely a supporter, not a team member. I have Tom to thank for my invitation and I expect nothing less than a fine, easy, Keeling victory. My recollection of playing in about 1978 was that I acted as runner to my father. Sadly this was an unsuccessful duo as I managed to run him out; he was not best pleased. I much look forward to the day and seeing many Keeling cousins, some perhaps for the first time!
Posted by: James Petri | May 06, 2012 at 01:33 AM

I am to old and weak of eye and limb to join you on the battlefield. Let fitter men do that and let me be John Maynard Keynes - the scoreboard operator - to Paul's Churchill.
Posted by: George | March 26, 2012 at 04:55 PM

sorry I can't help! Mum

Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | March 26, 2012 at 11:42 AM