Like A Circle In A Spiral, Everything Has Changed

Do you like or dislike Change? Could you really manage going back in time?
As a teen, I often lived on my stepfather's boat. I never considered it spartan or difficult, yet it was. Then I was on a film set for narrow boats, and it was one of the best experiences ever: cold, frosty mornings, watery sunrises, no hot water, and a log stove.
Although I chose a boat to live on recently on the waterways, because of airport restrictions, I was only allowed 10 lbs of hand baggage, barely a change of clothes.
From a hot climate to a chilly UK, I was, of course, somewhat unprepared. At least I got my summer duck down through security to sleep fairly warmly.
I met a guy on the towpath one morning, and he took me to a shopping centre to buy a warm raincoat. I was walking miles to shops from my boat.
Things really must have changed as I asked him where to buy a hot water bottle.
‘I will go and buy you one in the cafe over there!’.
Language has obviously changed; it’s a rubber bottle you pour hot water into to keep warm at night, not a drink. How I laughed.
The next day, he turned up at my boat with an orange hot water bottle as a present. LOL
Well, I don’t have an electric kettle yet, for my all-electric boat, but I do have an orange hot water bottle, but no kettle to boil water. Central heating, not yet switched on, and a tv, same not yet working. It’s an adventure, just like my teens.
I had to borrow a knife and fork from the boatyard; they are not allowed through airports; toothpaste was also highly suspicious and tested in the airport. LOL. Everything is considered dangerous these days, even soap.
Cities which were once exciting are full of people who don't make eye contact and have no time to stop for anything, full of the homeless, all nationals of their countries, sleeping in the streets.

Most towns in the country I left had beautiful historic buildings being trashed to make a new kind of little boxes twenty two stories high, some with no windows in some rooms…That isn’t exactly progress.
I’m passing pretty thatched cottages, rolling hills, sheep and cows, small pubs and cafes.
Although I am originally from a capital city, I was utterly bewildered by shopping centres and large shops. Everything is done by phone here, including appointments.
Some changes are for the better, many are a challenge.

Pete Seeger - Little Boxes

There are still endless wars, and now huge influxes of people crossing borders from countries where wars took place who are being asked to join our armies???
The sixties were full of hope for peace, now the countries that were warring are crossing borders. Will they adapt?
Many nationals are now buying boats to escape cities. There is some degree of freedom on a boat; if you do not like the place, move on. Maybe some are living in vans?
Travel is not so free. Airports are hell, IMO.
Many small businesses have closed. Many are stretched financially.
Being on a boat is a challenge and lots of exercise. But people still say hi and chat, even help each other. I’ve met a few new people in the boating community.

Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now

Noel Harrison - The Windmills Of Your Mind

The theme is ‘Change’ within your life. Do you enjoy change?
Are many changes for the better or worse? Does negative change to positive? What is your conclusion?
Post images, gifs, and music, chat with friends, enjoy, and base all comments on respect.
No religion or politics, please.

Lian and Kieran

Bridges Are Important, So Let’s Build Bridges Of Friendship

Many musicians have been inspired by bridges, artists too.
As I am on a canal and crossing a small bridge about five times a day to go to my boat, I find the waterways and the life style an inspiration, also the people I’m meeting. I feel I’ve come home.

Wherever I go, there is always a symbolic bridge, be it the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, or the Suspension bridge linking Europe and Asia in Istanbul straddling two continents.

I feel LFE is also a bridge of friendship between different peoples in different countries. We all have different cultures and find a common thread with music and conversation, ideas and thoughts…its fun.

Pink - Bridge Of Light

The Pogues - Misty Morning Albert bridge

Garth Brooks - Burning Bridges

Meadow Mountain - The Bridge

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Inspire with a bridge you know, with a gif, meme, song, piece of music or movie, even a painting.
Remember, no politics or religion, chat with friends and enjoy.

Lian and Kieran.

‘Tis The Gypsy In My Soul

I've always loved boats. Many of you know that I once made a movie about narrow boats on the Grand Union Canal in the UK some years ago. That was a crisp frosty January and February. The morning sunrises, skies and iced landscapes are still clear in my mind.
The canals are beautiful and peaceful, a world of their own.

Rod Stewart - I am Sailing

At the beginning of last week, I was travelling. I went to buy a boat, and eventually, I will sell my house and move country again.

This is the interior of my millroom where I live at the moment.

I will be a bit sad to leave this room but things have not been the same here since Covid.
Businesses are closing down, streets are still deserted. My friends no longer go out, so life changed here and it's time to move on.

A few weeks ago, I saw a boat and loved the interior. It was unusual and colorful. It was, however, sold, but I wasn’t informed, so I set off to see the boat.
When I arrived at my destination, I found that the boat was again on the market as the buyer could not raise the money.
The boat is 58 ft. It is fairly open plan, with a galley, a saloon, with an oven, fridge, and hob, a double bedroom, a dressing room, and a utility room with a washer and dryer.

There are four solar panels and the boat is all electric, and I will have a tv at the end of the bed. The engine may perplex me for a while. but I like the idea of rocking to sleep on the water, watching wildlife, and being able to travel waterways. Also I will put my stamp on the furnishings as I love white linens rather than patterned.

Roger Whittaker - The Last Farewell

Fats Domino - Red Sails In The Sunset

Davy Graham - Seven Gypsies

So, our theme is moving on, change and travel.
Post memes, music, gifs, trailers and chat to your friends here. Enjoy.
See ya soon, but I have to sort out a few things concerning the move.

Lian and Kieran

That’s What Friends Are For

A friend in need is a friend indeed!
Those are the times of your life when you find out who your real friends are, the ones who don’t want to know you for what they can get out of you but because they genuinely like you and want to help you for no other reward than friendship.

Not for me, the thousands of fake friends on Facebook and the like.
Quality is definitely better than quantity, and true friends are worth their weight in gold!

Dionne Warwick - That's What Friends Are For

Personally, I have found it much easier to talk to a friend about something that is bothering me than a family member so many times.

And also our feathered, finned or four-legged friends.
No one listens as they do!

And online friends are just as important. I have met so many great people all around the globe and am proud to call them friends.
Things certainly move quicker with social media, Disqus and email etc than it did back in the old pen friend days.

LFE is such a lovely friendly place, presided over by our own wonderful Lian, who makes friends wherever she goes!

So let’s celebrate everything about friendship with memes, gifs, music, etc, as well as our usual friendly chat. Please, no politics or religion here.
Most of all, enjoy!

Lian and Kieran