What's your favourite possession and why? Or more than one item, if you like!

Small wooden mouse - was my grandmother's and is next to my bed to look after me.

That reminds me of mouse man the famous woodworker. I love mice and also rats. I used to feed fatballs to the rats when I lived on a boat, to watch the clever ways they reached them, but was told off by the boatyard owner. These are highly intelligent creatures so I can understand why you love your mouse.

Thank you, Jenni and Marianne.

My mouse has red garnet eyes and leather ears and tail. It is sweet.

My grandmother was very kind and we had lovely days having high tea together, feeding the ducks in the park and saying hello to the horses in the fields. I loved her so much. She died just before my fifth birthday.

I live a few miles from where the Mouseman worked (Kilburn, North Yorkshire) and the business is still going. 

I like real mice but I do prefer them to stay out of my house and shed. I live by arable fields so I have lots of mouse and vole visitors in the garden.

Would love to read more about when you lived on a boat, Marianne. That sounds exciting!

Don't let this put you off. The trick is to buy a sound vessel from a dealer, never from individuals.

Thanks, Marianne. I have tried a canal holiday and enjoyed the slow pace and being close to the water. I suspect the novelty would wear off if I tried living on the water, especially regarding interpersonal hassles and security (as you noted).

leveller61 said:

lived on a boat,

A houseboat is nice in many ways, the best is seeing otters and other wildlife at close range. It can also be expensive, and unpleasant things like emptying the toilet when it's cold or raining. Also, would you like getting covered in tar when you have to clean and paint the bottom every other year! There can be a lot of not so nice neighbours, because shortage of housing drives a lot of people onto the canals, not ones who love the river life.

Try a canal boat holiday. That gives you an idea but a comfortable version as they do the cleaning, emptying and servicing the engine. 

leveller61 said:

lived on a boat,

A houseboat is nice in many ways, the best is seeing otters and other wildlife at close range. It can also be expensive, and unpleasant things like emptying the toilet when it's cold or raining. Also, would you like getting covered in tar when you have to clean and paint the bottom every other year! There can be a lot of not so nice neighbours, because shortage of housing drives a lot of people onto the canals, not ones who love the river life.

Try a canal boat holiday. That gives you an idea but a comfortable version as they do the cleaning, emptying and servicing the engine. 

Don't let this put you off. The trick is to buy a sound vessel from a dealer, never from individuals.

Thanks, Marianne. I have tried a canal holiday and enjoyed the slow pace and being close to the water. I suspect the novelty would wear off if I tried living on the water, especially regarding interpersonal hassles and security (as you noted).