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	<title>Mandy McDermott, Author at CanalsOnline Magazine</title>
	<atom:link href="https://canalsonline.uk/author/mandy/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://canalsonline.uk</link>
	<description>The online magazine for the inland waterways</description>
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	<url>https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/logo-150x150.png</url>
	<title>Mandy McDermott, Author at CanalsOnline Magazine</title>
	<link>https://canalsonline.uk</link>
	<width>32</width>
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	<item>
		<title>what would UB40 do?</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/what-would-ub40-do?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=what-would-ub40-do</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:05:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=26697</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We had a snake on board which prompted this offering. We have no idea if we brought it with us from The South Oxford Canal but this was whilst we were travelling on the Soar when we had all that extreme heat. We are guessing that it came aboard for shade! Quite a shock to find it in the bathroom. Thankfully a very rare occurrence and only a grass snake...</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/what-would-ub40-do">what would UB40 do?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-26697"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-26697-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-26697-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-26697-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
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		><div class="sow-headline-container ">
							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						what would UB40 do?						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-26697-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-26697-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-26697-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I've a snake in mi bathroom<br />
What am I gonna do?<br />
I've a snake in mi bathroom<br />
What am I gonna do<br />
Evict that snake<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
I'm gonna evict that snake</p>
<p>I'm gonna pick up that snake<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
I'm gonna get my grabbers<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
I'm gonna grab that snake<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
With litter pickers</p>
<p>I'm going to carry that snake<br />
That's what I'm going do<br />
At arms length I am<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
Drop in the grasses I am<br />
That's what I'm gonna do</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-26697-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-26697-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="2" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base"
			
		>
<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-26698 size-full alignleft" title="snake on porta potty" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/grass-snake.jpg" alt="grass snake" width="470" height="321" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/grass-snake.jpg 470w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/grass-snake-300x205.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I'm gonna run like hell<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
Sprint to the boat I am<br />
That's what I'm gonna do<br />
And check mi bedding</p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/what-would-ub40-do">what would UB40 do?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>it&#8217;s a boater&#8217;s life for me</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/its-a-boaters-life-for-me?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=its-a-boaters-life-for-me</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:15:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=25386</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The difficulties of living on a canal boat in the winter are not surpassed by the benefits. No matter if you are running out of gas, water or logs, life is good</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/its-a-boaters-life-for-me">it’s a boater’s life for me</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-25386"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-25386-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-25386-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-25386-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-headline so-widget-sow-headline-default-8300b99d3609-25386"
			
		><div class="sow-headline-container ">
							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						it's a boater's life for me						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-25386-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-25386-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-25386-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base"
			
		>
<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p>The fuel gauge is in the red<br />
<span style="color: #000000;">and the leisure batteries are low</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">The elsan's brimming over</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">but my bladder still says go</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The day light's fading quickly</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">I'm on a countdown clock</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">My solar power's dipping</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">and there's something round my prop</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I've a dwindling kindling pile</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">And I'm getting low on coal</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">I've burnt all of the tow path talks</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">And used all of my toilet roll</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I double dip t bags</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">Have pot noodles for my tea</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">Though my gas is on the blink</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">And it's ever so draughty</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I'm living on the edge</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">At the end of my gang plank</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">I'm running out of water</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">and my cider's all been drank</span></p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-25386-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-25386-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="2" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-25441 alignleft" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/boat-in-winter-sun.jpg" alt="" width="470" height="321" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/boat-in-winter-sun.jpg 470w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/boat-in-winter-sun-300x205.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
You may think that it sounds rough</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">With no hot water on demand</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">And patchy phone reception</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">No proper WiFi nor broadband</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">But the benefits trump the hardships</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">I'm more happy and healthy</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">I wouldn't swop for mortar and brick</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">It's a boater's life for me</span></p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/its-a-boaters-life-for-me">it’s a boater’s life for me</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>a lady&#8217;s excuse me</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/a-ladys-excuse-me?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-ladys-excuse-me</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:59:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=24795</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In 'A lady's excuse me' Mandy McDermott bewails the fact that sharing life on a narrowboat means there's never enough room to pass each other without a squeeze.</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/a-ladys-excuse-me">a lady’s excuse me</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-24795"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-24795-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24795-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24795-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-headline so-widget-sow-headline-default-8300b99d3609-24795"
			
		><div class="sow-headline-container ">
							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						a lady's excuse me						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-24795-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24795-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24795-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
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		>
<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: left;">Excuse me please<br />
I want to get past<br />
You appear to be in my space<br />
S'cuse me please<br />
I need to get by<br />
Your bottom is in my face</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Excuse me please<br />
I want to stand there<br />
Your frame is in the way<br />
S'cuse me please<br />
Can you move over now?<br />
I haven't got all day</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Excuse me please<br />
Your blocking the light<br />
I can't see what I'm doing<br />
S'cuse me please<br />
Can you make way for me?<br />
I can't stand all this queuing</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-24795-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24795-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="2" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: left;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-24921 size-full alignleft" title="tin of sardines" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/fish.jpg" alt="can of sardines" width="321" height="470" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/fish.jpg 321w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/fish-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 321px) 100vw, 321px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Excuse me please<br />
I'm feeling trapped<br />
Can you take a step to the side?<br />
S'cuse me please<br />
Can you be somewhere else?<br />
This boat's not very wide</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-24795-1-2"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24795-1-2-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="3" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p>Excuse me please<br />
I'm struggling to breathe<br />
You're taking all my air<br />
S'cuse me please<br />
You're cramping my style<br />
Can you take yourself over there?</p>
<p>Excuse me please<br />
You make my head spin<br />
With all this 'do-Si-do'-ing<br />
S'cuse me please<br />
Can you please sit down<br />
And stop your to and fro-ing</p>
<p>Excuse me please<br />
I know it sounds harsh<br />
And it's not that I've stopped caring<br />
Perhaps Excuse yourself<br />
And buy your own boat<br />
I'm no good at this boat sharing</p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-24795-2"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24795-2-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24795-2-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="4" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-flat-66466acb9e12-24795"
			
		><div class="ow-button-base ow-button-align-center"
>
			<a
					href="https://canalsonline.uk/author/mandy"
					class="sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover" 	>
		<span>
							<div class="sow-icon-image" style="background-image: url(https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mandy-mcdermott-150x150.jpg)"></div>
				
			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
			</a>
	</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/a-ladys-excuse-me">a lady’s excuse me</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>egg on your face</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/egg-on-your-face?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=egg-on-your-face</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 08:09:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=24461</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In her poem 'Egg on your face', Mandy bemoans the plight of many boaters moored up to do a spot of cooking, when a speeding boat goes past and causes mayhem...</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/egg-on-your-face">egg on your face</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-24461"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-24461-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24461-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24461-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-headline so-widget-sow-headline-default-a31c842b98b3-24461"
			
		><div class="sow-headline-container ">
							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						egg on your face						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-24461-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24461-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24461-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base"
			
		>
<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: left;">We've had a disaster on board<br />
There's egg all over the floor<br />
The omelette pan took a dive<br />
When a boat went past full bore</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We thought our ropes secure<br />
And that we couldn't possibly move<br />
But said pan was on the middle ring<br />
And it didn't stay in the groove</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We've all got that ring on our hob<br />
That's really not fit for purpose<br />
Like trying to balance a saucer<br />
On the back of a moving tortoise</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It's a lot like living in a jelly<br />
Stuff slides and shifts about<br />
If someone goes past too fast<br />
Cupboards open and things fly out</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-24461-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24461-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="2" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-24462 size-full" title="balancing eggs" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/egg-on-your-face.jpg" alt="balancing eggs" width="321" height="470" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/egg-on-your-face.jpg 321w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/egg-on-your-face-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 321px) 100vw, 321px" /></p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-24461-2"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24461-2-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24461-2-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="3" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: left;">Now many shout at the boaters<br />
that seem like they are in a race<br />
And those that are not on tickover<br />
Risk getting my egg on their face</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-24461-2-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24461-2-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="4" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base"
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: left;">If you're a boater with the zoomies<br />
And behind you there is a wake<br />
Lay off the throttle at moored boats<br />
To reduce the chance of a culinary mishap.<br />
For heavens sake</p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-24461-3"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24461-3-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24461-3-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="5" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-flat-66466acb9e12-24461"
			
		><div class="ow-button-base ow-button-align-center"
>
			<a
					href="https://canalsonline.uk/author/mandy"
					class="sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover" 	>
		<span>
							<div class="sow-icon-image" style="background-image: url(https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mandy-mcdermott-150x150.jpg)"></div>
				
			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
			</a>
	</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/egg-on-your-face">egg on your face</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>boating attire</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/boating_attire?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=boating_attire</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:12:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=24294</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I don't stress how I dress&#x1f457;because I live on a boat<br />
But my favoured attire is peaked cap and waist coat &#x1f9e2;&#x1f9ba;<br />
with sturdy worn boots&#x1f462;&#x1f462;and a bright neckerchief &#x1f9e3;</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/boating_attire">boating attire</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-24294" class="panel-layout">
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							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						boating attire						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div>
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<p style="text-align: center;">I don&#8217;t stress how I dress<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f457.png" alt="👗" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br />
because I live on a boat</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But my favoured attire is<br />
peaked cap and waist coat <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f9e2.png" alt="🧢" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f9ba.png" alt="🦺" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">with sturdy worn boots<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f462.png" alt="👢" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f462.png" alt="👢" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br />
and a bright neckerchief <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f9e3.png" alt="🧣" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I sometimes let slip<br />
those garments underneath <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1fa72.png" alt="🩲" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It&#8217;s a shock for gongoozlers<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4f8.png" alt="📸" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br />
Who see more than they ought<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f631.png" alt="😱" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A bare bottomed boater<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f351.png" alt="🍑" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br />
Hanging out on their boat</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-24291" title="bare bottomed boater!" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bare-bottomed-boater-100x300.jpg" alt="bare bottomed boater" width="150" height="451" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bare-bottomed-boater-100x300.jpg 100w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bare-bottomed-boater-341x1024.jpg 341w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bare-bottomed-boater-511x1536.jpg 511w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bare-bottomed-boater.jpg 624w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></p>
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			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
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<style type="text/css" class="panels-style" data-panels-style-for-post="24294">@import url(https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/plugins/siteorigin-panels/css/front-flex.min.css); #pgc-24294-0-0 , #pgc-24294-2-0 { width:100%;width:calc(100% - ( 0 * 30px ) ) } #pg-24294-0 , #pg-24294-1 , #pl-24294 .so-panel { margin-bottom:30px } #pgc-24294-1-0 , #pgc-24294-1-1 { width:50%;width:calc(50% - ( 0.5 * 30px ) ) } #pl-24294 .so-panel:last-of-type { margin-bottom:0px } #pg-24294-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-24294-0.panel-no-style , #pg-24294-1.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-24294-1.panel-no-style , #pg-24294-2.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-24294-2.panel-no-style { -webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start } @media (max-width:780px){ #pg-24294-0.panel-no-style, #pg-24294-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-24294-0 , #pg-24294-1.panel-no-style, #pg-24294-1.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-24294-1 , #pg-24294-2.panel-no-style, #pg-24294-2.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-24294-2 { -webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column } #pg-24294-0 > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-24294-0 > .panel-row-style > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-24294-1 > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-24294-1 > .panel-row-style > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-24294-2 > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-24294-2 > .panel-row-style > .panel-grid-cell { width:100%;margin-right:0 } #pgc-24294-1-0 { margin-bottom:30px } #pl-24294 .panel-grid-cell { padding:0 } #pl-24294 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-empty { display:none } #pl-24294 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last { margin-bottom:0px }  } </style>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/boating_attire">boating attire</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>a rude awakening</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/a-rude-awakening?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-rude-awakening</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:40:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=24006</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I thought you were getting frisky, When you rolled on me in the night, But the mattress was on a slant, When our mooring ropes went tight.</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/a-rude-awakening">a rude awakening</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-24006"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-24006-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24006-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24006-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
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							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						a rude awakening						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-24006-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-24006-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24006-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: center;">
I thought you were getting frisky<br />
When you rolled on me in the night<br />
But the mattress was on a slant<br />
When our mooring ropes went tight</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We moonwalked down the boat<br />
Then tried our best to dress<br />
It's hard to put a leg in a pant<br />
Whilst you're leaning to the left</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Breakfast was quite a challenge<br />
Cooking on a tilted vessel<br />
What with our sausages rolling<br />
And a sliding boiling kettle</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The shower drain doesn't<br />
Nor does the kitchen sink<br />
We've gone all Brahms and Liszt<br />
But we haven't had a drink</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Our cupboard doors are wide open<br />
With all our wares on show<br />
We're sitting on the canal bed<br />
No longer in the flow</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-24006-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-24006-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="2" ><div
			
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	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-24017 size-full" title="narrowboat on a slant when water has been accidentally drained away" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/life-at-45-degrees-2.jpg" alt="moored boat at an angle" width="470" height="321" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/life-at-45-degrees-2.jpg 470w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/life-at-45-degrees-2-300x205.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We'll have to dance for rain<br />
For we really are quite stuck<br />
It's most discombobulating<br />
All this wallowing in the muck</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">So when you leave a lock<br />
Shut your gates and paddles tight<br />
And ladies won't get squashed<br />
By their husbands in the night</p>
</div>
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			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
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</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/a-rude-awakening">a rude awakening</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>what&#8217;s that smell?</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/whats-that-smell?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=whats-that-smell</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:58:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=23643</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Goodness me what's that smell?<br />
Where's it coming from ?<br />
We didn't have eggs for breakfast<br />
But something don't half pong...</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/whats-that-smell">what’s that smell?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-23643"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-23643-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23643-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23643-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
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		><div class="sow-headline-container ">
							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						what's that smell?						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-23643-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23643-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23643-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
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<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Goodness me what's that smell?<br />
Where's it coming from ?<br />
We didn't have eggs for breakfast<br />
But something don't half pong</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Is it coming from the bin?<br />
Or perhaps the toilet's full<br />
Or maybe it's the sink<br />
Is there water in the hull?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Have you looked inside the fridge?<br />
Or checked the washing basket?<br />
Do you think that it's electrical?<br />
Did we have the wood stove lit?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Is it something in the canal?<br />
Are the radiators too hot?<br />
Did we leave the pots last night?<br />
Have we got more fruit bowl rot?</p>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="pgc-23643-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23643-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="2" ><div
			
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	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-23644 size-full aligncenter" title="eggs with faces" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/whats-that-smell.jpg" alt="eggs with faces" width="470" height="321" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/whats-that-smell.jpg 470w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/whats-that-smell-300x205.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
Is there gunk in the shower trap?<br />
Are we passing a local hatchery ?<br />
No it's coming from the engine bay<br />
We've cooked another battery</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-23643-2"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23643-2-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23643-2-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="3" ><div
			
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					href="https://canalsonline.uk/author/mandy"
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			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
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</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/whats-that-smell">what’s that smell?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>it&#8217;s getting hot in here</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/its-getting-hot-in-here?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=its-getting-hot-in-here</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Jun 2024 08:20:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=23298</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In "It's getting hot in here" Mandy complains at the heat of a log fire whilst lamenting the fact that many boaters still have to have the fire lit in May</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/its-getting-hot-in-here">it’s getting hot in here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-23298"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-23298-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23298-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23298-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
			class="so-widget-sow-headline so-widget-sow-headline-default-8300b99d3609-23298"
			
		><div class="sow-headline-container ">
							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						it's getting hot in here						</h3>
						</div>
</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-23298-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23298-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23298-1-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
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		>
<div class="siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget">
	<p style="text-align: center;">It's getting hot in here<br />
Like sitting in a furnace<br />
We're both in our under gear<br />
Why did no one warn us?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We've gone one log too many<br />
It's 3000 f'fing degrees<br />
We've got everything wide open<br />
and we can barely breathe</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Our spuds are near cremated<br />
We fear we will combust<br />
Hotter than the earth's mantle<br />
Or Mount Vesu-vius</p>
</div>
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	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-23299 size-full" title="log fire blazing" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/burning-fire.jpg" alt="log fire blazing" width="470" height="321" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/burning-fire.jpg 470w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/burning-fire-300x205.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /></p>
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</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-23298-2"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23298-2-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23298-2-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="3" ><div
			
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	<p style="text-align: center;">We're worried about our firebricks<br />
Concerned our glass will crack<br />
Our temperature gauge on overdrive<br />
Our stove fan on full whack</p>
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</div></div></div><div id="pgc-23298-2-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23298-2-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="4" ><div
			
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	<p style="text-align: center;">You'll probably find us melted<br />
A pool where once we sat<br />
Mines the chair with pants and bra<br />
Not y-fronts and flat cap</p>
</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/its-getting-hot-in-here">it’s getting hot in here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>damp</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/damp?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=damp</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2024 10:44:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=23245</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In 'Damp', Mandy McDermott laments the problem that most boaters face in wet and muddy conditions - boater's feet.</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/damp">damp</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-23245"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-23245-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23245-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23245-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
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							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						damp						</h3>
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</div></div></div></div><div id="pg-23245-1"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-23245-1-0"  class="panel-grid-cell panel-grid-cell-empty" ></div><div id="pgc-23245-1-1"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-23245-1-1-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="1" ><div
			
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	<p>I've got boater's feet<br />
And I think I know why<br />
Mostly kept in moist conditions<br />
Now they need to air dry</p>
<p>Flip flops are quite breezy<br />
But I don't like them in wet grass<br />
And sliders and boats don't mix<br />
You end up on your ass</p>
<p>Rubber boots are not conducive<br />
To keeping your digits dry<br />
And tights pulled up to kingdom come<br />
Just cause a rising tide</p>
<p>That sock and croc combo<br />
Encourages sweating beneath<br />
With athletes' foot and fungal toes<br />
What I need is two webbed feet</p>
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	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-23246 size-full" title="muddy boots" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/muddy-boots.jpg" alt="muddy boots in mud" width="321" height="470" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/muddy-boots.jpg 321w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/muddy-boots-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 321px) 100vw, 321px" /></p>
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		<span>
							<div class="sow-icon-image" style="background-image: url(https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mandy-mcdermott-150x150.jpg)"></div>
				
			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
			</a>
	</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/damp">damp</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>permission to come aboard part two</title>
		<link>https://canalsonline.uk/permission-to-come-aboard-part-two?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=permission-to-come-aboard-part-two</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandy McDermott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 03 Dec 2023 14:35:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://canalsonline.uk/?p=22450</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In 'Permission to come aboard part 2', Mandy McDermott the boating bard, points out ways in which a human visitor could become as equally unwelcome as a fly.</p>
The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/permission-to-come-aboard-part-two">permission to come aboard part two</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="pl-22450"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-22450-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-22450-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell" ><div id="panel-22450-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-headline panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" ><div
			
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							<h1 class="sow-headline">
						the boating bard						</h1>
												<h3 class="sow-sub-headline">
						permission to come aboard, part II						</h3>
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	<p>If you come to visit me<br />
Make sure you've had a wee<br />
And bring some semi skimmed milk<br />
If you want a cup of tea</p>
<p>I usually have some sugar<br />
And drinking vessels for one each<br />
Though they may be tannin stained<br />
Because I don't use any bleach</p>
<p>I prefer if you take your boots off<br />
And leave your hound at the door<br />
I don't want muddy pawprints<br />
All over my laminate floor</p>
<p>You will take me as you find me<br />
It's a little busy in here<br />
But I'll clear a walkway through<br />
And I'm sure we'll uncover a chair</p>
</div>
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	<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22453" src="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/permission-to-come-aboard-muddy-boots.jpg" alt="wet and muddy boots" width="470" height="321" srcset="https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/permission-to-come-aboard-muddy-boots.jpg 470w, https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/permission-to-come-aboard-muddy-boots-300x205.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /></p>
<p>Please don't outstay your welcome<br />
I find conversation trying<br />
It's hard to wax lyrical<br />
Where my underwear is drying</p>
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							<div class="sow-icon-image" style="background-image: url(https://canalsonline.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mandy-mcdermott-150x150.jpg)"></div>
				
			read more by Mandy McDermott		</span>
			</a>
	</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>The post <a href="https://canalsonline.uk/permission-to-come-aboard-part-two">permission to come aboard part two</a> appeared first on <a href="https://canalsonline.uk">CanalsOnline Magazine</a>.]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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