Let The Work Commence

It’s another weekend and it will be another busy one. We have a whole host of jobs to be cracking on with and as we won’t be at the boat next weekend we have double the work to be going at.

My first job of the weekend will be finishing off the spring clean and declutter of the cabin. Last weekend I tackled the galley and bedroom so this weekend it is the turn of the shower room and the saloon. The shower room shouldn’t take too long it was polished late on last year. It should just need a wipe around and hose down as we keep this room relatively clean and tidy but the saloon is a much bigger prospect. The wardrobe is full of junk that needs sorting and sifting through and the three storage lockers all need emptying, dejunking and cleaning out before making a start on vacuuming the carpets and upholstery. The curtains and shower curtain also need to be to be taken home and washed so that they are fresh and clean for the start of the summer cruising season. With this little lot finished the cabin should be ready for the off and will only need a weekly wipe around and vacuum to keep it looking at its best. This six monthly spring clean helps to keep the amount of unwanted junk and clutter at bay and also helps to shed some unnecessary weight which we have no need to cart around all year.

Whilst I am down below cleaning, Liam has a multitude of jobs to be tackling in the cockpit. Firstly this week he has taken the transom gate to work and retapped the threads on the hinge. This will be ready for refitting and should hopefully improve the opening and closing action of the gate. Another job ticked off the list. With the weather not looking great for cruising it might be a good chance to start mocking up the outboard bracket and trying out a few ideas. This has been a thorn in our side for nearly twelve months now, we need to get it sorted before April. We also have a flush fitting water resistant 240V socket to install in the cockpit. This needs a large hole cutting in the GRP bodywork so will need to be right the first time around. We still have not worked out the route for the cabling just yet so this job may wait for another weekend.

At some point during the weekend we need to have a trip to Torksey caravans to pick up a fold flat water hose and a 25m long shore power cable. These are items that we feel would benefit us during the summer months when we are out and about and should hopefully make for a much tidier clutter free boat (See post of 19.01.12 for further detail). Whilst in Torksey we normally call in at the Torksey Tea Rooms for a cup of coffee and a natter with Zan, the owner. We will also call in on the lockie to see what gossip he has for us and to quiz him on the new “improved” tide table that no one can figure out; we have a few questions about the timings of our Easter excursion which we are currently struggling to decipher.

With this little lot finished we should hopefully have some time to sit back and relax. With blustery winds forecast for the weekend, cruising looks likely to be out of the question but that needn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves in the marina. We have some lovely homemade meals planned for the weekend, so good food is definitely on the cards as I’m sure will be a good dose of Budweiser. It should be a productive yet enjoyable weekend if all goes to plan.