We are ready

After what seemed like a very long weekend of hard work Naughty-Cal is finally ready for her trip to the Norfolk Broads. 

She is serviced, cleaned, scrubbed and fettled, full of fuel and raring to go. We did find the time for a short cruise though. 

Stressed!

I am going to need a holiday to get over the planning for this holiday.  Whoever said boating was relaxing was a born liar.

So far this week I have been busy in my spare time, (what a laugh that is what spare time?) planning:

• ·         Tide times
• ·         Routes and waypoints
• ·         Passage planning
• ·         Boltholes
• ·         Bridge clearances and times to navigate bridges due to tide heights
• ·         Fuel stops

All of this on top of trying to get the boat ready for her next big adventure and gathering a multitude of spare parts and replacement fixtures and fittings that need installing prior to us leaving next Friday evening. We only have one weekend left, it isn’t enough!

The list of jobs for this weekend so far includes:

• ·         Change engine oil and filter
• ·         Change supercharger oil
• ·         Change trim ram fluid
• ·         Wash engine and engine bay
• ·         Replace anchor winch deck switches
• ·         Replace various broken or worn catches in the cabin and cockpit
• ·         Wash upholstery
• ·         Wash cabin and cockpit carpets
• ·         Clean cockpit upholstery
• ·         Wash boat from top to bottom
• ·         Clean canopies
• ·         Refuel
• ·         Fill water tank
• ·         Change gas bottle
• ·         Clean out anchor locker and check anchor fastenings
• ·         Declutter cabin cupboards (anything not needed is getting removed to shed weight)
• ·         Take home all bedding, curtains and shower curtain for washing

Why do we always leave things to the last minute?

New Bits

So yesterday we went to our local camping shop, Go Outdoors, to exchange a gas bottle for the boat. Whilst we were there we of course had the mandatory browse around the store gathering items we didn't know we needed. 

So we came out armed with, a 3 way adaptor for the shore power, a refill for the gas bottle, a dinner set for some friends and a stainless steel folding BBQ. 

We have been wanting a BBQ for Naughty-Cal for a while now and this seems to fit the bill as it folds up quite small into a neat carry bag so won't take up much space. It also seems to have a decent sized cooking area. 

So we have an excuse to BBQ this weekend now. As if we needed one! 

How Strange

We have owned and looked after an orange tree grown from a pip for the last twelve years. 

It's a grumpy sod and took dislike when we moved house almost dying in the process. It has since been a shadow of its former self always looking a bit crabby and not amused. 

However for reasons unknown it has decided that this year will be the first year it will flower. 

We don't hold out any hope for fruit but it is nice to see some flowers after twelve years of care. 

Sunny Monday

It's another sunny day in Lincolnshire but sadly we have to head back to Sheffield and work today. Only another five days until we are back though. 

Sunny Sunday mornings

Don't you just love a lazy sunny Sunday morning? 

In the Garden

As the sun is shining we will take the opportunity tonight to finish off tidying up the gardens at home.

Last week we attacked the hedges and lawns in the front garden and tidies up a few borders and pots as well as the herb garden. The fruit trees were also treated to a quick trim to keep them from getting too unruly.

Tonight it is the turn of the back garden. The hedges need a good trim and the lawn is ready for a good cut. We also need to thin out the plant pots. Some of the potted plants too a dislike to the cold last winter and have not recovered so it will be as good a time as any to compost the plants and reduce the number of pots on the decking. Next week we can then buy some new plants and shrubs to replace the deceased.

It will be nice to see both gardens finally tidies up and looking much better. The rubbish weather over the last couple of summers has seen us lose interest in the gardens and they have become a little neglected. This year we have made a big push to get them sorted and the front garden is already looking much better and loved again.

Hopefully the same can soon be said for the back garden!