We’re free!!!!!!!!!

Yes the day has come for us to leave the marina although for a while this morning we didn't think it would happen. The water was frozen and it was sleeting but we waited and at 2pm we slipped our mooring, filled up with diesel paid our dues and left. Not far as we are now on the tow path outside. We are off to Welford in the week for blacking and as we have never been up this neck of the woods before it is an adventure…..

Yesterday as it was Ann’s birthday we went up the pub for a birthday meal making sure we got there early to ensure a table. As usual the food and company were excellent.

Feels strange to see boats going past on  one side and people on the other, you get so isolated in a marina with the view from the window just some other boats at least now we can see trees.

Our plans for the coming months are up in the air, what with the boat being on the market we don't want to venture too far from ABNB in the hope that some one will want to view which fingers crossed wont be too long a wait. So once we leave Welford where ever we go it will be a slow cruise taking in the scenery. It nice being a “proper” boater again.

Oh dear!!!!!

Yes we are still here just been vegetating in this awful cold weather.

On Monday we met up  with Ann and Keith killing two birds with one stone as Paul had his appointment at the doctors for his lung test. After spending a pleasant couple of hours in the company of our friends in our usual watering hole we walked along to the surgery. Just as we got to the door Pauls phone rang and it was the receptionist cancelling Pauls appointment nothing like leaving it a bit late……..

We walked into the surgery for an explanation and was told the appointment had been booked with the wrong person and they were sorry that they hadn't rung earlier but they had been very busy. Now the woman telling all this was the same one who had booked the appointment  in the first place says it all really, this is total incompetence. After a few words explaining that we wouldn't be in the area much longer she told us to ring in the morning to make another appointment with the RIGHT person (why couldn't she do that?) Any way, while we were waiting for the bus the RIGHT person rang us and Paul was given a time of 5pm the following day.

So Tuesday Paul set off on his own back into Rugby for his Spirometry test. Upshot is Paul has the lungs of an 80 year old and was told that he has Emphysema, the very nice nurse went through the scan and the report with Paul saying that although he is a smoker the lung damage has  possibly been caused through the various toxic gasses he had worked with in the past and of course the damage is irreversible. he was given another course of antibiotics and told to keep using his inhalers. So now we know that the decision we have made is the right one.

Guess where we went today? That's right back to Wetherspoons to meet up with Ann and Keith braving the biting wind and snow flurry's. With the weather looking grim for the next few days I don't think we will be venturing out for a while.

Oh yes, Paul loves me so much he has given me his stinking cold….. What can I say.

What more snow!!!!!!

This morning while Paul was on Skype to his brother in Perth the rain changed to SNOW and it came down quite hard.

After about an hour it eased off and now every thing is very wet. Ho Hum its only March after all, soon be Easter…………

Passed!!!!

Yesterday Nigel came to do our BSS and I am glad to say that the boat passed with flying colours. Nigel was well impressed with the boat and couldn't believe the battery set up that Paul has done. His comment as he was leaving was “ I wish all boats were as easy as this one.”

Only two more weeks and we will be leaving the marina. Paul has the docs yet again on Monday for a lung test and we both have to have blood tests before the end of the month so in one way being here has been beneficial as I don't think I could have coped with doctors and hospital if we were out on the cut.

First GP of the season this weekend so Paul will be glued to the tele for that, me? I will be baking it has been a while since I made a cake so tomorrow is the day.

Nice day out.

Yesterday saw Paul and I in Northampton meeting up with my son Jamie and his partner. They were there for the Bedlam weekender. We spent a very pleasant time with them was nice to go somewhere different.

During the week Paul was clearing out the lockers in the engine room getting rid of a load of rubbish and he came across this pulley which was the drive for the travel pack generator on our old Beta 43. Paul wasn't keen on just throwing it away as it may do someone a good turn. Should it be any use to anyone get in touch and IT IS FREE.

Pulley diameter 10 1/2 inches 6PK belt.

 

Turned in one piece alloy blank.

That's a relief….

Yesterday morning I was on the phone at 8am the first couple of times of trying I was told by a pre-recorded message “that due to the high volume of calls pleas call back later” which I did twice at 5 minute intervals. On the third attempt I was told I was number 26 in the queue, so I waited, listening to endless messages and music until after 20 minutes of hanging on I got through and was able to make an appointment for 3.20 in the afternoon. As Paul had dentist at 11.20 it meant a bit of a wait between appointments.

The 10.40 bus  arrived at 11am so I had to rung the dentist and tell them we would be a bit late and luckily the bus pulled in at 11.20. After the dentist came the hanging round bit, we had a spot of lunch then sat on a seat for a while like a couple of reprobate's. As the wind had a bit of a bite to it we decided to go to the doctors early as you never know Paul may be seen. Well we were so early the self booking in screen said we didn't have an appointment so we had to ask the receptionist to do it for us then we sat in the waiting room until our allotted time of course that came and went by which time Paul was decidedly agitated and was threatening to walk out, at 3.45 he got called in and 10 minutes later came out with a big smile on his face and a handful of prescriptions. The prognosis is good, he has a small nodule on his lung which is nothing to worry about downside is his lungs have industrial damage from his job and he is going to have to live with shortness of breath and a tendency to catch bronchitis. As he has a rotten cough at the moment he is now on antibiotics and has been given a strong inhaler to use. To say that he was over the moon with the result would be an understatement.

So now we have to concentrate on getting the boat sold.

Its now official…..

Piston Broke is now on the market check out ABNB’s web site. Pauls results are back at the doctors but trying to get an appointment is like pulling hens teeth. Earliest one offered is three weeks time unless you ring on the day which I did at 8.30 this morning with no joy as all the appointments were taken. I will have to persevere only positive is that if there had been a problem I am sure the doctor would have rung.

Thank you Ann Keith Del and Al for a lovely birthday bash on Wednesday and all your support during this stressful time.