Getting There

Pete has been working really hard again and the wheelhouse is really coming along nicely.  As you can see, he has put the framework in for the windows, boarded the sides in and started to put the roof beams on.  It won't be long now until we have a proper roof.  I did suggest another storey that we could use for bed and breakfast, but I won't tell you Pete's reply, just to say it wasn't polite!!!!  Hope you all had a good weekend and enjoyed the lovely weather.  I planted broadbeans, spinach and strawberries and tended all my lovely little seedlings.  I am pleased to report that all that I have sown so far seems to be thriving okay and we may well be able to eat this summer!

Courgette Lasagne

I made this courgette lasagne last night and it was simply delicicious, even Pete went back for seconds.  Luckily there is still enough for me for lunch today.  As always I used what I had in the fridge, so quark and cheddar instead of the cheese the recipe says, and a tin of tomatoes with a tablespoon of walnut pesto instead of a ready made pasta sauce.  However, reading the comments, you can use pretty much anything you like.  I am about to go on leave from work for 11 days and I really cannot wait.  I will spend some time at the allotment and some walking and playing with Alfie.  One of the discovered joys of living on the boat is how simple life becomes.  You cannot 'just do a bit of ironing' or some other chore, housework takes all of ten minutes.  After that I am free to do whatever I like, I have even caught up on some reading.  Have a good Easter weekend and hopefully you too can enjoy some simple and relaxing living.

The Beginnings of a Wheelhouse

Look what Pete has been up to!  In the last couple of days he has worked his socks off and we now have the real beginnings of a wheelhouse.  It looks extra good because we can really see the barge taking shape now.  Some people (who shall remain nameless!) have been very rude and called it the poop deck or veranda, but they will be eating their words by the end of the weekend.  Isn't this weather glorious, a proper bonus.  Shame my husband forces me to go out to work to earn a living, while he spends the day in the sunshine!

Mother's Day

I do love my boys!  Here is my Mother's Day present from Rob and Stu, two tonnes of best quality topsoil.  It was just what I needed for my raised beds and I am really pleased with it.  My allotment is down the back end of the allotment site and you cannot get a truck down to it.  So the boys, Rob's boss and workmate barrowed it down to the allotment, filled two beds that were ready and piled up the rest all ready and waiting for me.  There cannot be too many mum's who can boast that they got mud for Mother's Day!!

So here are the two beds that were lined out with cardboard and newspaper, half filled with manure and then topped up with my new topsoil.  I planted peas in the back bed (you cannot really see the pea sticks) and put the french bean supports in while the ground was soft enough to push them into the ground (just like the book said!). I will work on the other bed this coming weekend. As I type, Pete is busily making me some more raised beds, so this coming weekend I will be really really busy.

On Sunday the boys and their partners, Pete and I and Mum and Dad all went to a local Chinese buffet, where you can eat as much as you like.  Philip also got me some wonderful skincare bits from Neal's Yard as he knows that I love it.  So I was truly spoilt rotten.  But what made the day special was having all my family around me, enjoying a meal and chewing the cud.  I know that my Mum feels the same.  I hope you all had a great Mother's Day too.