đ Itâs Lianâs Birthday Bash đ
Tomorrow, 31st August, is Lianâs birthday, and sheâs 21 again!
And itâs time to show our good friend how much we love and appreciate her with the ultimate birthday bash.
So letâs cut the cake - gluten-free, of course!
And we canât have a party without some great party music!
Dig out those dancing shoes and hit that floor!
The Drifters - Come On Over To My Place
You canât beat a little twist, but just make sure you donât twist the wrong thing!
Sam Cooke - Twistin' The Night Away
Or maybe, jumping and shaking is more your thingâŠ
Let it all loose!
Harry Belafonte - Jump In The Line
This world has so much going on, and itâs nice to have an excuse to have some good old-fashioned fun and kick our heels up a little.
It is easy to lose sight of it sometimes, in all of the craziness, but we all have much to be thankful for - our families, friends, having a roof over our heads, food to eat, etc. - and not least, this little oasis of fun and friendliness. Where would we all be if we hadnât met Lian, who makes friends wherever she goes, whether that is human or the feathered, furred and four-legged variety?
The Blues Brothers - Everybody Needs Somebody
So this week, letâs celebrate all that is good in this world!
The theme is thankfulness, positivity, but most of all, showing Lian what a fantastic lady she is, today and every day with gifs, memes, songs, or positive quotes. Letâs make this a great party post!
Remember, no politics or religion, so chat with friends and enjoy!
Lian and Kieran.
Like A Circle In A Spiral, Everything Has Changed
ï»żDo 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.
âI will go and buy you one in the cafe over there!â.
Language has obviously changed; itâs 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 donât 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. Itâs 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 roomsâŠThat isnât exactly progress.
Iâm 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. Iâve 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 âChangeâ 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 Letâs Build Bridges Of Friendship
ï»żMany 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 Iâm meeting. I feel Iâve 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 thoughtsâŠits 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.
âTis 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 wasnât 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