Looks Like Windows!

From a distance it looks like Pete has cut the windows out, but don't be fooled, he has just blacked them in so that he can paint round them!  It did give us an idea of what it will look like with the windows in and we have decided that we need another one (to the left of the bottom picture) as otherwise it will look odd.

Pete had a great birthday.  He was adamant that he didn't want a surprise party, so we just had dinner with a few close friends and it was a lovely evening.  Yesterday he went out sailing for the first time this year with Chris and Wendy, (see, I do let him have the day off occasionally, as long as he doesn't get too used to it!) and came back a happy man.  Back to work now Churchie!!

Look Who's 60 - But You Wouldn't Know It!

He might have got his bus pass now, but he couldn't resist a paddle in an exceptionally high tide.  The water went over his wellies and had to be poured out.  Did I laugh  at the twit.....of course I did!!!!

Pete has been a life long Arsenal supporter, so my boys treated him to a day at the Emirates ( including going round to Highbury to kiss the sacred ground!).  Luckily the Arsenal won 3-1, so they all came home happy with sore throats from shouting and singing.

He spends a lot more time these days having a quick kip!  (We were at a great party, but you wouldn't think it!)

He might think that dirty laundry lives on the floor, watches old black and white war films on tv at every opportunity, talks rubbish when he's had a drink, be known as 'One for the Road Pete' and can never, ever see the mess that he's made.  But he's my Pete.  My world changed for the better when I met him.  We have been through good times and bad.  He puts up with my hormonal mood swings, often cooks me dinner,  buys me chocolate,  gives me a cuddle when I need one and is always there for me.  He will always help anyone if he can and is generous to a fault.  He is working very, very hard to make my dream come true and I don't think I tell him often enough how much I appreciate it.  In fact Pete, I don't think I tell you often enough how much I love you and that you are my best friend.  Have a great birthday and rest assured I think you are as sexy and as gorgeous as the day I met you, 15 years ago!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE

Dried Mushroom Curry

I have just cooked this .....

The recipe came from Lisa's Kitchen Blog  It is absolutely delicious and very quick and easy.  I didn't actually have any dried mushrooms, so I used fresh but it still tasted amazing.  Thanks Lisa x

Fibreglassing and Storing Produce

Ib asked what we have been up to on the barge.  Well, Pete has been taking advantage of the sunshine to fibreglass all the wood.  He has been out there day after day, putting on mesh, giving it a coat of resin, grinding it, more resin and more grinding (excuse me if I haven't got that the right way round, any technical questions I will pass on to Pete).

Hopefully he is almost there, so far he has thrown away three pairs of jeans and several tee-shirts that have become rigid with the resin, he is fast running out of old clothes and anymore and he will be going out naked!   But he assures me that we are going to be completely watertight by winter.  I hope so, because look what I am using the wheelhouse for.......

.....storing squashes, garlic, haricot beans and hazelnuts and lots more to come yet.  Have a good weekend everyone x

Saving Water

We have to be very careful with water.  Not for financial reasons, as our water costs are included in our mooring fees.  Not for 'green' reasons either (although I would like to spout off about saving the world!)  but because of this.........

We have to move the fridge, take up the floor and run a hose from a tap, across the barge and down the hatch!  To be honest it is a pain in the neck and something to be done only when we have too.  When we don't have quite so much work to do, we will fix the water cap on deck, that at the moment steadfastly refuses to move!

Alfie

People quite often ask how Alfie is on the boat.  Well, he always runs aboard ahead of us, he takes over our bunks whenever possible, he guards it with a verocity that belies his size and most of all he loves that we are there with him.  Does this look like an unhappy, uncomfortable dog?...........

Mind you, it's not the most dignified way to sleep!!!!!

Tutak Goes North

You will recall our friend Billy who set off up the East Coast of England, went right round Scotland and came back down the East Coast.  Well, he has put together a blog of his voyage and since he so blatantly advertised it in the comments of my last post, I thought I better have a look!  Even though he is a friend so I have to say nice things about it, it really is worth a visit.  His journey is told in a sometimes dramatic, sometimes comical/ironic and very interesting narrative and is accompanied by some wonderful pictures.  It shows  pictures of Britain that you wouldn't find in a guide book, the sort of things that gives Britain its unique character.  Go take a look by clicking here.

This is the Harbour Master's Office in Brightlingsea, just up the road to us.

Some caves up the coast, picture taken from the sea.

The most northern point of Great Britain.

Enjoy!

Post post note : He has now put some great posts on there about France and Holland x

Smack Race

What a glorious day we have had, the temperature hit 81 degrees, which is just ridiculous for this time of the year.  But I am not complaining,  I have had a lovely day out on the river as part of the committee boat for the club's annual smack race.  Here are a few photos from the day :

How many people can you get in a dinghy (yes they did make it to their smack safely!)

Here are some of the girls from the committee boat - we were plastering sun cream on like there was no tomorrow - first time this year!  The wine hadn't appeared yet, well it was only ten o'clock!

Sorry about the quality of the picture, but here are some smacks all hustling for the lead.

Just a couple of smacks, they are just magnificent when they have all their sails up.

And there is always the free beer and wine on the hard as an added bonus!