Great Weekend!!!

You would have thought from the title that we actually managed to get out on the boat, but no (sigh) just worked. But it was very productive.

We are going away to Bristol Regatta first weekend in August. If anyone is around, please come and say hi, then our holidays for the next 3 weekends (bliss). So getting things ready.

You would have thought that the cupboards on the boat had been vented, but no. We (royal we, husband really done the job) Fitted 11 vents in all. Hopefully this will stop the cupboards welding shut, or refusing to open.

Made two Cushions for the top of the two storage cum dining chairs. Actually 2 Argos wooden laundry boxes, with new bottoms and castors. We can now sit in comfort when we eat - daughter was OK she had a proper stool.

The booster aerial arrived for the Vodaphone USB modem - While we are away have to complete some work for a few clients which entails emails etc. Set this up and tested it. The signal has improved so hopefully it will not take as long.

For the purist amongst you stop reading, the next bit will rub you the wrong way. I know in the past the working boats only had a very small stove, and I really admire the way they brought up families, but I am unable to cope at the moment, and can not afford to install and rearrange the kitchen to cope with a new oven.

I only have a very small Vanette stove on the boat. 2 rings, dolls house grill, and a microwave size oven. So cooking can be a challenge!!. After trying to get a microwave to work with a non pure sine wave inverter and getting no where, I have finally managed to compile extra equipment that will work, but this took an awful lot of testing, but I now have the use of:-

a) Bread Machine - I do love the smell of bread, but trying to cook in the above cooker means the oven becomes the bread tin. (Had two at home - Why? - no answer!!)

b) A Toaster for said bread (Bargain £3.49 at Argos)

c) A Sandwich Toaster - Cann't do cheese on toast with the dolls house grill - grill pan finds it difficult to hold even 1 piece of bread (Again bargain at Argos £4.89)

d) Steamer - I can now cook veg, potatoes and use a kettle all at the same time. (Again sat at home unused)

This may seem a bit OTT, but at home I have the use of 7 rings, 2 ovens, and a large grill. And boy do I use them all.

Another plus this weekend - set up Sat TV in 4 minutes!! - Daughter very happy.

Oh well back to work now, will try and get back down to the boat during the week.

Sometimes it feels a bit like a military campaign trying to get everything in the right place at the right time. But the end result will be more than worth it.