A double edged sword

I'd like to say that it's good news that we haven't had any trouble from the kids recently, but the reason being is a very sad one indeed.

A young man, aged 20 was killed outside the pub around the corner the other night.  The canal has been cordoned off and the roads around us.  The pile of flowers tributed along with a bike, T-shirt, candles etc. are piling up around a lamp-post near the pub.  There is a sadness in the air and all the land across the way has been hacked down as the police look for the murder weapon, they even had a team of divers searching the canal yesterday.

We didn't know the man but apparently he'd just come out of prison and was having his first drink in the pub, there was a dispute between two gangs, he was stabbed to death with a broken golf club outside the pub, died not long after at the hospital, he had led the memorial service for another murder victim not long before, which just highlights how sad it is that this has to happen and keeps happening in this area. Not only does it affect the families and friends involved, but the whole neighbourhood suffers, even the wildlife!

I cannot understand the mentality behind it all, why kids these days have to be in gangs with knives and weapons and kill each other.  I guess now that I am having one of my own it makes me want to understand even more and try to do something to stop it.  I was actually meeting my 20 year old brother, who was coming up from Devon to stay with us for a week as the murder took place, I had to give him other directions because the road had just been cordoned off, I thought something had happened to him at first, it was a terrible feeling and a really great welcome for him - hey brother good to see you, welcome to London, murder city, watch your back!

Boat life

Living on a boat is quite an unusual way to live really. Most people are really excited when you tell them and have lots of questions, like, is it cold?
It started snowing last night and the ground was covered in a white crispy frost by the morning. It was breath-takingly beautiful and you could see your breath being taken away. Once you are up though and dressed in lots of colourful layers and running around gathering twigs and coal for the fire you soon warm up! Now it's deliciously toasty and is starting to feel like the cold nights are drawing in. Nearly all the leaves have fallen, a techni-coloured dreamcoat for the mooring birds to peck away at.
There's one particular duck that makes me laugh every morning. She has a really funny quack, just like she's laughing at something ridiculous. Everytime I try to record it though, she of course doesn't laugh, but maybe one day I'll capture it, it guarantees a giggle and always a response in unison from us boat-dwellers!
It's half-term at the moment so all the kids that usually just hang out on Friday and Saturday nights throwing stones, rocks, beer bottles, cans and not least huge amounts of raucous abuse are out in force. They really are the only downside to living here. It's not just us that are annoyed by them though, all local residents nearby seem to be lodging complaints, so soon enough they'll be moved on - hopefully before they break another window for that is a job and a half to fix on a boat!
I've made some swede, carrot and sweet potato mash, fried red onions, beetroot, garlic, ginger and leek and lightly grilled some tuna fish for supper, which is going to be enjoyed very soon...