ahoy, sailors

hi everyone,

it's been a while since i've had a chance to write anything, deep into the work project now (dont ask, it's tedious) and have been very busy. Last time I wrote i was at jane's place where i was housesitting with that dreadful cat vyvian, which i think as i said at the time it actually the house i've moved into in amsterdam. BUT... jane's sister and her friend have been here on holiday so i dont actually officially move in till next week sometime. confusing? yes, it is. i am a bit displaced but am used to it by now.

the good news is i kind of got another job on a boat: not a job, exactly, but free accommodation in exchange for a bit of help here and there in the evenings. the boat is a large canal boat called the christina, and last week and this week I have been motoring around the top of holland (this week we are going south). it's amazing... the people we take on these trips are usually cyclists (20 or so), and we drop them off in the morning at a place and then they cycle and we motor up through the canals or the sea to meet them at the next point. it's great for work because i get to sit in the cabin or sun and get my work done with the most incredible views all around me. i have seen the 'real' holland this way, when we stop in the afernoon i normally cycle or walk into town and take a look around, find the public library and email off my work stuff, have got into a nice little routine with it. then at about 5 i go back and help guus, the boat's cook, prepare dinner. he is a great cook and i am learning some delicious dutch recipes. unlike most chefs he is really even tempered and doesnt get cross when i drop things or make a mistake (not like me to be clumsy, i hear you say, haha).

the ship's captain is called toon (tone) and he is a big old hippy, quite eccentric like all good captains and prone to moments of stress but they never last long. all three of us are cancerians (not to be a stinking hippy myself) and we three have a nice little dynamic going on. i think they like having a woman's touch on the boat.

so, that's me for now... will leave you with a few photos i took from a place called antwerp. im really very sorry i havent had a chance to reply to the emails you are sending me, but i really love getting them and will write back personally when i get back to jane's next week.

very, very happy birthday wishes to my mum Judy who is turning 60 this week. i will be thinking of you and hope you have a fantastic party next week!

all my lovin... sending to YOU
xxo