Power is obviously the first issue. In the marina I am attached to a landline which means I have mains electricity. Here, I am wholly reliant on my batteries. I have 5 batteries plus a starter one which is a lot for a 50 foot boat. The advantage is that I have power for longer, the downside is that it takes longer to charge them back up. On a journey that's not an issue as they charge while I'm travelling, but here I need to remember to run the engine once or perhaps twice a day. I filled up with water before leaving the marina so that should last me a week and anyway, there is a water point in Alrewas. I shopped as well and so food won't be an issue.
Obviously I still have to work, so tomorrow Bonny and I are going to commute for the first time. I think it will take us just under an hour to walk it - we will see. We will need to return at the end of the week as next week we will need the car. Bonny has a vet's appointment and I have been asked to go in to Radio Derby to give an interview about my change in life!
But at present, life is all about living free. Bonny has the run of the towpath. She knows not to go out of sight of the boat and is becoming relaxed about the lack of restrictions; today for the first time she chose to come back on board for a nap, rather than me having to lock her in to force her to rest. I love it here. I am answerable to nobody and the full responsibility for living, keeping warm and safe is mine alone. There are no fences, no rules (except for the time I can remain here) and no visible road, although the A38 is still rumbling along in the background.
Here are some pictures taken near our mooring (if you look very closely you can just see Bonny running along the towpath):
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