Get set. Go! We have a plan …………….

Can you believe this warm, sunny March weather?  We are about to leave the marina so it’s bound to change!!

There’s no pleasing some people!

When we come in off the cut in November/December time I’m sad to leave the freedom of the cut.  Now it comes to leave the marina, (and we’ve been in here longer than usual this year) I don’t feel sad – just anxious!  I’ve obviously become far too used to the comforts of the marina facilities – water on-tap, unlimited electricity, instant rubbish disposal and no worries about where to empty the loo tank!  Maisie likes ‘her’ fields and ‘her’ hill too!

We have had a productive week.  Both gunwales are now painted and looking respectable, the boat has been washed inside and out, some of the paintwork has been touched-up, a new water gauge has been fitted and some of the brass has been polished.  Only ‘some’ because (here comes the ‘reason’/excuse) we have run out of ‘shiny sinks’!  So what’s wrong with brasso?  We have plenty of that!  I will be in such trouble – I can hear the skipper now telling me to get out there and do it myself!!  Woman’s work!!

Anyway, we are off down the South Oxford for the next month or so.  The Watford flight has been closed for repairs this week and has only re-opened today so there might be a bit of a queue of boats waiting to go down.  Time to dust off my old lock gloves and trusted windlass.

Another cunning plan ……

Back in November we anticipated regular trips to Staines throughout 2011 checking up on two old ladies – one in a nursing home and the other being cared for in her own home.  Four months later, things are so different ……………    Anyway, as a result we taxed our old campervan for the whole year and organised an annual mooring for the boat.  So, we have decided to make the most of this situation and, for what will definitely be the last time, tour Scotland in our van.  What with the soaring cost of diesel and maintenance costs we feel we can no longer justify keeping her.  She is unique that’s for sure.  Whenever we go back to Staines we are spotted!  But, as from July she will be up for sale.  It will be a sad, sad day as we have had many very happy times travelling around in her both in the U.K. and on the continent.

D.I.Y. Rules ………………OK?

It has been really good to have a week back ‘home’ – albeit in the marina.  We have been really busy sorting things out and doing a bit of D.I.Y.  The boat is still afloat!  So ……………..

  

       New kitchen flooring (all of eight tiles!) has been laid.                                                           

 

 

 

                                                                     The kitchen towel rail has been painted …………

 

       New nets have been put up at the front doors and ‘pretty bits’ and roman blinds made to replace the old    kitchen curtains.

                       

 

Where there were no shelves ……………………..

               

We’ve also started to have a serious tidy up and sort out but that will now have to be resumed when we return because we have to go back to Staines to pick up the pieces there.

Lots of boats are now moving around the system and we can’t wait to join them.  Still have to address that petulant, unreliable water heater!

Megan is in Singapore and says it is the most amazing place.

To Float or not to Float …………

We have taken a week off.  We think we deserve it for good behaviour!  Anyone who has had to empty the abode of a deceased loved one will know what a soul destroying task it is!  Olive had SO much stuff.  She knew it too because when she was still in hospital before Christmas and saying that she wanted to go into a care home, she laughed and said she didn’t envy our task!

We have come back to our boat for a week’s sanity (we hope!) laden with things that we ‘can’t possibly get rid of'.  We need a bigger boat!  No we don’t.  We just need to have a thorough sort out ourselves and get rid of some of our own things.  This was on our winter list of ‘things to do’ anyway.  If we don’t, we are going to be sitting on the bottom!  The big task for the outside of the boat is to sort out the gunnels – they look a mess!

When we got back to the marina there were more cars in the car park than we have ever seen before.  Obviously lots of people have now come out of hibernation and are starting to attend to their boats ready for the cruising season.  We are not usually here at this time of year to witness this amount of enthusiasm and energy!  Within minutes of getting back on board the Eberspacher, which heats our water and the radiators, started to play up.  It has caused us problems from the moment we bought ‘Ellen’ and patience with it is now wearing very thin.  I think the time is fast approaching when we replace it.  Advice from other boaters would be very welcome.

Well, the sun is shining, all is quiet on the Midland front and …………. I have a lot to do!

Olive’s funeral

As funerals go,  and for her, I think I can confidently say that it was nigh on perfect.

             

In my humble opinion, the Parish of Laleham has fallen on it’s feet with it’s new vicar.                                Given the chance to get to know him better, Olive would have really liked him.

    

Lots still to do but we can now at least begin to get our own lives back on track.

On Your Marks ………..

We’re not at the ‘get set’ stage yet and definitely not ready to go but ………….. we are thinking about it and working towards it.

Historically the 1st March is when we leave our winter marina mooring, re-join the cut and start cruising around for the next nine months.  Sadly, that is not to be this year. Olive’s funeral is tomorrow. Such a lot has happened over the last few months and such a lot still needs to happen!  Despite this, I have decided to re-start our blog on this day as usual.  We need to go back to our boat quite soon to sort some things out there but, inevitably, we will be back and forth to Staines for some time yet.  We are really hoping to get out for a short cruise towards the end of March/April but we will have to wait and see.

Megan?  We spoke to her this morning.  The ship is at sea making it’s way to Bali having recently visited Komodo and it’s famous ‘dragons’.  She said that the scenery is absolutely stunning.  She is working incredibly hard and says she has ‘ups and downs’ – well, you would on the ocean wouldn’t you?!!

Anyway, “Pinch, punch, 1st of the month”………………..  Where did that saying come from and exactly what is it all about?

Happy St David’s Day to all those with Welsh blood in their veins.

Megan

Happier and more positive news to report!

She has been on board her posh cruise liner now for a whole week – it seems like a month to both us and her!  She is undergoing a very steep learning curve not only in terms of the work she has to do but also in terms of the environment and all the rules, regulations and protocol on board ship.  For the first time in her life there are occasions when she has to do what she is told without question and to keep her opinions to herself!!!!!   Those of you who know Meg will fully appreciate that’s not really her!  I’m sure she’ll get used to it!  It might take a little longer than getting used to having all her chores done for her by a personal attendant!  I spoke to her last when the ship was anchored (sure you don’t moor these things!) in Sidney Harbour with the Opera House on view through the porthole in her cabin.  What she had seen of Sidney she loved.  Amongst the crew there are 40 different nationalities.

So ……………. lots to learn, lots to adapt to but, on the whole, things seem to be working out well.

The uniforms?  Well! 

                                     

You don’t get these in ‘Next’ or ‘Monsoon’!

Back to us …………………

With everything that has happened over the last few months we feel that we need a safe base for the boat to enable us to deal with things without worrying about where she is.  So, we have organised a berth in Crick Marina for the foreseeable future.  We will definitely cruise when we can but it won’t be the extended cruises of previous years ……… for that we will have to wait.  I’m sure we will get back out onto the cut at some time during March or April.  Ken, Sandra – it’s about time you visited the Leicester Line.  xxoo

More sadness

What a terrible 3 months it has been for us in terms of losing significant people from our lives.  I last reported that John’s mum, Olive, was back at home after a long stay in hospital and was doing really well.  She was!  She was happy to be home and the care team we got in place were coming in three times a day and were looking after her really well.  Then, last Friday week, as she sat having a cup of tea with one of her best friends, she slumped forward and began to slur her words.  She was taken to hospital and ………….. she passed away four hours later.  It was the same day that Megan flew out to Australia to join “Silver Shadow”.

Olive was approaching 90 years of age.  Despite being paralysed in her right arm – this being due to the effects of earlier radiotherapy treatment – she remained positive, determined and cheerful ……………. at least on the outside.  She touched the hearts of many, many people and will be sadly missed.  We still can’t get to grips that this has actually happened.  It was sudden and untimely and so soon after the death of Elsie.  At least now she is in no more discomfort and suffering no more frustration and, as a devout Christian, she will be in Heaven re-united with those she has loved and lost.

Olive Winifred Allebone

29-06-1921 – 11-02-2011