Catching up with the jobs

The weather has been much better today, though we just got caught by a seriously heavy shower this afternoon. The sun's early appearance encouraged us to get on with things; firstly, I updated tomorrow's Ocado order, and by the time that was done, the Trading Post had opened. We backed Sanity Again out of the yard, and took on 93 litres of diesel at 40% propulsion.

On Sanity, it was rare for us to declare over 30%, but this boat's energy use is so much more efficient, we burn less diesel, but more of it actually propelling the boat. Back in the yard, some bits and bobs of wood were cut up neatly, and just before lunch I made a start on the damp stains with the oxalic acid.

It's not been quite as effective as I hoped. I applied it straight onto the varnished wood, a strategy that's worked before, but the quantity of varnish applied during the build has obviously gone up. The black areas have been reduced, but to do the job properly, I think they'll have to be rubbed down, oxalated and revarnished.

None of the areas are hugely obvious, let me say, it's more a matter of pride to try and keep the boat in pristine condition, that's all.

In the meantime, Sheila had run another washload, and dried the previous lot on the whirligig. As the weather was starting to look threatening, she took the stuff in; the last load is very nearly dry, it'll just need some final airing off on hangers around the boat.

She's very pleased, as this means that we are right up to date with the laundry, having fallen behind rather during the merrymaking last weekend.

We were just setting off for a walk when we found that Stephen and Jayne, with son Thomas, had called in, passing though on Dolce Far Niente's shakedown cruise. Actually, we caught them guzzling ice cream from the Trading Post; Andy is really going to miss them when Dolce finally leaves to head for her winter moorings in Mercia Marina.

Sheila and I then did the best walk we've had for a while, up into Lyme Park, around to the south and down to bridge 16 on the canal, and so back home. It was on this last stretch that the heavens opened and we sheltered under Bridge 15 near the yard for a bit.

Back on board, we've had a cup of tea, and Sheila is just looking at a query about porthole doilies as I type. I'm going to put a beef curry on to cook, and then get a shower.

It's been a good day.