The best laid plans............?

Saturday 27th December.

What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men?
The plan was to spend a few days over Christmas with Beth. Unfortunately when we spoke on the phone Wednesday morning it became obvious she was not well as she had come home from work and was feeling pretty lousy, was running a high temperature, and with a hacking cough. So, as my immune system is pretty non existent, it seemed a bit risky for me to spend time in that environment. The bug had gone through her daughters family a couple of weeks earlier so it was obviously just looking for a new 'host' to adopt. So anyway I stayed home on Bracken. I could have contacted  G and J or Jenny and I'm sure I would have been very welcome at their festivities but I decided to spend Christmas day at home.
First job was to hit Morrisons supermarket for some Christmas grub and generally get myself organised.
I was already well stocked up with coal and wood blocks so there was no question that I would be warm enough, and trust me, I was!

Christmas morning was bright and clear so after showering and poking the fire into life it was on with the Christmas Jumper!

Courtesy of Graham and Jaq as I'm a great fan of the Despicable films.

I got my neighbour to take the pic, great innit! I sent it to most of the family and they all thought it was great.

I enjoyed my day, ate loads of food and even renewed my taste for Glenfiddich scotch, After my chemo and radio treatment I didn't enjoy the taste so stopped having any 'tipples' however I'm pleased to report the taste buds seem to have recovered and I am SOOOOO glad I kept a couple of bottles in the cupboard, 'just in case'.  I had a lovely day, didnt need to go anywhere and chilled out with plenty to eat and lots of texts to various members of the family. And of course I had total control of the TV remote!

 I tell you what , I slept like a log that night!

Yesterday, (boxing day) started off quiet tho frosty. Jenny popped in when she heard I was at home and in the evening I picked her and Charlotte up and we went to G and J for a Turkey curry dinner which was delicious.

 It was snowing on the way there so driving conditions were a bit iffy but it seemed to thaw during the evening, and we thought it would disappear..... until we came to leave! There was still quite a bit laying but we made it back ok.

Kinda pretty aint it?

Insulation seems to be doing its job as only the snow round the chimney has melted.

Paul and I filled the water tanks on both boats today, the white boat is his so filling both boats together makes sense.

I'll write more later.

Bfn.

Best wishes to all, it's nearly Christmas!

Tuesday 23rd December.

Hello people, as so often nowadays I am beginning with an apology for not having written for a while.

Although I wouldn't say I'm always busy, I do find enough things to do to fill my days. There are always the regular maintenance jobs, like cleaning the fire out, emptying the ash can, laying and lighting the fire each day. Whilst it has been so mild of late, I've been letting the fire go out during the evening and then relighting it in the morning otherwise it gets so warm and stuffy. As it is I have the sliding hatch open all evening to let the fresh air in/ warm air out.

Another job is to empty the toilet cassette, this I usually do every 3 or 4 days so its not too heavy to carry. I don't do solids in the boat toilet, as I'm not too far away from the Marina toilet and shower block.

Once a week I fill the water tank, I've not yet run out of water, and I find filling it at about 7 day intervals means it doesn't take too long. In fact it takes longer to run the hoses out and connect them up than it does to fill the tank. This is because during the winter months the marina turns off the supply to each individual mooring to stop them from freezing up and they leave one tap at the end of the pontoon 'live' as it has a heater in it. Unfortunately Bracken is at the OTHER end of the pontoon and so far away it takes a 200 foot extension hose to reach it which has to be reeled up afterwards! heavy!! Fortunately though, the guy whose boat is almost next door to Bracken gives me a hand and we do both boats at the same time which is soooo much easier! During the summer of course its a doddle as the tap is only 3 feet away from Brackens stern.

I read a lot, its a great way of losing time, and I can get totally lost in a good book, sometimes its the rumbling of my stomach that reminds me I've almost missed a meal time. 

I had a visitor last week from Kent. Margaret, (first wife and mother of my sons)  was visiting her relatives who live near Graham and Jaq and popped in to see me and deliver some Christmas goodies from friends and family in Kent. Lovely to see her again and to catch up with family news.

Yesterday evening I popped in to see Jenny, and this evening I'm going over to G and J's as I won't see them over Christmas as I'm going up to spend a few days with Beth.

This year has seen some life changing situations develop for me, starting with buying Bracken, then being diagnosed with cancer and being forced to retire due to ill health, going through Chemo and Radio treatment only to find that it didn't kill the cancer, moving onto Bracken full time, and so to the seriously invasive surgery to remove the tumour along with surrounding arteries, muscle and  tissue etc . Hopefully next year will be different. I've always thought 'The Man Upstairs' has a strange sense of humour, hopefully he'll smile on people like Les Biggs, and me, and soooo many other people in similar situations and give us a good cruising year in 2015.

A very Happy Christmas to everybody out there, and a HEALTHY New Year!!

bfn

Dave

 

Time ticks by, life is good.

Saturday eve. 7th Dec.

Hello people, sorry its been a while since my last post. Just living from day to day seems to take up my time, and these dark days and afternoons seem to cut down the amount of usable time each day to the point where you think wow is it that time already? I'd better start thinking about what to do for my dinner! When actually it's only around 4pm but it feels much later, and it's not that long ago I was having lunch!

So, what have I been up to that may interest my regular readers? Its funny really when family ask me what have I been doing with my time I always answer "not a lot" and yet I always feel like I've been busy.

I must confess I was away last weekend as my friend Beth invited me to visit her and stay a couple of days at her place. So off I went and had a very nice relaxing weekend being waited on, enjoying nice hot, long showers, and sleeping in a lovely soft full size (single) bed. In short I was thoroughly spoiled! We ate out Sunday at a carvery, (great no washing up) and spent the evenings watching DVD 's Now that's my idea of convalescence! 

Sleeping in a comfy bed brought home to me the shortcomings of my bunk on Bracken. Not so much the width as my bunk isn't much narrower than a normal three foot single bed, but certainly I've been very aware that the foam on my bunk doesn't give much support. Well that has now been rectified with a new four inch thick foam mattress with a one inch memory foam topper and a padded topper on top of it all! It's made all the difference and I don't now climb out every morning with my back aching !

Keeping a check on my gas usage, I'm finding a bottle of propane gas is lasting me approx 4 weeks. I'm not sure how that compares with other live aboards  but considering that my fridge is gas powered, my hot water is gas heated and my cooker is domestic sized  I didn't think that was too bad. I have started turning the pilot out on the water heater overnight to see if it saves any gas. Electricity useage, on the other hand is virtually non existent. I have a microwave, a TV, two table lamps, phone and laptop chargers and a 12 volt trickle charger on the leisure battery and i bet I've not put much more than £20 on the meter since I started!

As for Diesel for the engine, well I tend to run the engine weekly for a half hour or so to move the boat around the marina or to the fuel/gas pontoon and to put some charge in the starter battery but except when Beth and I had a run down the canal back in early October I've not really been far enough to use any fuel. So, so far living costs are fairly low.

I am now burning coal on the fire as well as the usual wooden blocks that Graham finds for me, so that will be an additional expense i'll have to consider.... At present when friends and family say what would you like for Christmas my reply is always "a bag of coal please"!

looking due south, Brackens stern just visible.

We've certainly had some frosty mornings of late, but with crisp, clear blue skies and glorious sunshine as well there's been some stunning views.

Looking north.

close up of frost on my car roof! 

I continue to gain my strength and manage the daily chores, slowly is the way forward, a little at a time and not taking on more than I can manage. I feel very contented with life at the moment, and consider I am so fortunate to be living the life I have, where I am and how I am. Life feels good to me, and if I could find where the smiley's are kept I'd publish a BIG one!!

bfn.

catch up time

Thursday 27th November.

Hello people, doesnt time fly sometimes. 

Well winter is definitely just around the corner. This was the view from the back deck earlier this week,

and not particularly early in the day either, around 9 am ish I think.

The sun came out later and the frost gradually disappeared, but it was certainly a 'fresh start' to the day.

Its been a while since I last posted and I've had a few communications from friends asking how i'm doing so this is to bring people up to date.

I could tell you that I've been so busy that I've not had time to write, but to be honest my idea of being busy is more like pottering about and taking things slowly.

Healthwise, I'm improving all the time, my wounds are healing nicely, the swelling in my neck and throat has diminished considerably which also means the lower jaw is much more moveable therefore eating is less of a trial. I don't tire so quickly now, whereas before any physical exertion would leave me gasping for breath and flaked out in the armchair, now I have considerably more stamina, so much so I've been over to G and J's house a couple of times drilling the wall in the garage for shelf brackets. (Did I tell you they finally moved)?

Ok so after drilling each hole I had to have a sit down, but to me that's real progress.

Also, I am now capable of pretty much all the day to day maintenance tasks involved in living on Bracken. Things like topping up the water tank, emptying the loo cassette, emptying the ash can from the fire, filling the coal boxes front and rear, sucking out the rainwater from the engine bilge, these are all jobs that need to be carried out on a regular basis and all involve a certain amount of physical exertion. 

Well, I am able to deal with all this now although I must admit I struggled with changing the gas bottle the other week! Lifting the empty one out of the gas locker wasn't too bad, putting it in the back of the car and taking it to the compound was fine too. However, humping the full replacement from the car and into the gas locker did leave me flaked out in the armchair!! Next time I'll do the sensible thing and take the boat to the gas and NOT the other way round!

I am fascinated by spiders webs.

As next doors boat is out of marina for a while, an alternative view of Bracken.

Time for some lunch, so I'll publish this now and write more later.

A visitor and a visitor!

It's Saturday and its raining, just for a change, ha! So I thought I'd take the opportunity to bring the blog up to date.

I've had a brilliant week.

On Monday after I'd topped up the water tank, Jenny arrived and  after we'd had a coffee she drove us over to Tamworth for some retail therapy. Now I have to say normally I don't 'do' shopping, but this just entailed going to one store, collecting something she'd reserved on line, loading it into the car and moving on to the next stop. I don't mind that kind of shopping.  (I cant say what it was we collected cos the intended recipient of said item might read this).

Next stop was Halfords in Lichfield. 

The other evening one of the overhead lights in Bracken had blown a bulb so I was looking for a replacement. The blown bulb was a 12 volt 15 watt normal incandescent bulb, well Halfords don't stock that rating so I looked on-line and after some research decided to replace with some LED bulbs from a company called Bedazzled  Click here  Not cheap but definitely an upgrade for 'Bracken'. I bought two to replace the saloon wall lights at a cost of £13 each and they work a treat. Also I was impressed with the fast next 

day delivery. 

Old incandescent bulb.

.....and the light from it.

New LED bulb....

....and the light from it

After our shopping trip Jenny and I went for lunch at a place called 'The hedgehog'.
It's a Bed and Breakfast with a restaurant and does good food at a reasonable price. Just outside Lichfield town centre it has a nice warm atmosphere and pleasant staff. Click here .
After lunch it was back to Bracken for coffee and a chat.

Tuesday 4th November.

Beth drove down to visit and spend the day with me! 

The last time I saw her was when I was in hospital and she did a 100 mile detour in her journey just to come see me so it was great to spend time with her on Bracken and to catch up on her news. Also she said how well I was looking compared to the last time she saw me.

It was just a flying visit as she had work the next day, but enough time to go round to the Hedgehog for lunch and a nice long afternoon chat before she left to return home.

Thursday 6th November.

My second visitor of the week, and a first time on board Bracken was my youngest son Simon.

He drove up from Gillingham in Kent on a flying visit just to see me!

The last time I saw him was when he joined me, John, Dee and Phil for lunch at the Tudor Rose carvery in Kent back in September so it was great to see him again. He came on his own as it was to be a quick overnight visit returning to Kent on Friday as Emma (my daughter-in-law) was looking after the kids and was due to work the weekend.

He arrived around 5.30 Thursday eve so we went down to the Fradley Frier for fish and chips and then over to Graham and Jaqs for a chat and a catch up for the evening.

Friday morning Simon wandered down to the shower block after which I cooked breakfast and then we pottered around on Bracken, cleaning out and relighting the fire and topping up the water tank in between showers (the rain variety) and then popped down to the garden centre where Jenny works to say hi as its quite some time since Simon saw his Auntie Jenny!

Lunchtime seemed like a good excuse to adjourn to the Hedgehog for something to eat after which it was round to Morrisons  for a few supplies and then back to Bracken.
We spent the afternoon chilling out and chatting and watching some tv until the time came for Si to leave for home. He left around 9 ish in the evening and texted me when he got home to Gillingham around 11.45 so at well under 3 hours he made very good time.
"Excellent seeing you son, and spending time with you, even if only for 24 hours. Hope next time I'll see Emma and the girls-  Neve` and Erin".

A trip out before my visitors went home.

Thursday 30th October.

My visitors were due to go back to Kent so we thought we'd have one more trip out before they left. After they'd checked out of the Travelodge on the A38 they made their way over to me and I drove us down to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. http://www.thenma.org.uk/ lots of information on this link, and  will take you to their website. The NMA is 150 acres of landscaped gardens and memorials to all the men and women who have lost their lives through active service. The centrepiece of the gardens is 'The Wall' where the names of those that lost their lives are inscribed in stone.

I've included a few photos, but they are just a drop in the ocean, if ever you get chance, do go and spend a day there, its a most moving experience.

'The Wall',  if you make your way to the top, inside the enclosure you find.........

Not only this ......

But this sculpture........

and this sculpture.

hundreds of memorials in the grounds.

When you get closer you realise the Marine
is dragging the pack up the hill.....

Lifesize and beautiful sculptures.

After paying our respects in the Arboretum we made our way to the mucky duck (white swan) at Fradley for some lunch, then back to the boat for coffee and a snooze before Bev and Darren left to make their way back to Kent.

It was an exhausting few days for me, but so so good to see them both. "Thank you for coming to see me you pair, and I hope next time you come I will feel up to taking you for a cruise along the cut"

 

Visitors and out and about.

On Monday eve I had some very welcome visitors from Kent.

As the schools are on a break, Darren and Bev drove up to see me for a few days. You may remember Bev and Darren helped tremendously when I was vacating my bungalow prior to moving onto Bracken so it was really great to see them again. As they didn't arrive till around 5.30 Jenny invited us all to her house for dinner. They're staying at a Travelodge off the A38 which is only a 15 minute drive from the Marina so yesterday they drove over to me and we went into Lichfield and round the town. Darren lifted my electric buggy out of the boot of the Polo and assembled it for me as its a bit heavy for me to lift yet, then we were off and mobile. 

As a boy, I grew up in Lichfield so although the city has grown since then, there are numerous places I remember 'as a lad' so to speak.

As a visitor, a look round the cathedral is a must, lots of information on this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichfield_Cathedral

 Bev and Darren are centre of picture.

view down central nave

After Breakfast (for them), lunch, (for me) we had a look round the cathedral and the town and the local park where we met up with Jenny, Jemma, (my neice) and Jemma's two lads, all out for a stroll, after which we popped over to Jaq's as it was her day off and had a quick coffee and natter.

By now I was pretty shattered so we came back to the boat, and I chilled out for a while whilst Bev and Darren went off to do their own thing. they came back later in the evening for a coffee and chat but didn't stay long as it was obvious I wasn't going to be able to stay awake long!

A grand day.

Today, (Wednesday) I think they've gone shopping somewhere so I've had a lay in, done some washing and brought the blog up to date. This afternoon we're going to pop in on Jenny at the garden centre where she works and then this evening its a chippie night at Graham and Jaq's, busy busy!

bfn people.

Each day, a little stronger.

Sunday 26th Oct.

Greetings people, although it's only been 5 days since coming out of hospital, I am feeling so much better. 

For the first few days I was feeling extremely delicate, tired, sore and uncomfortable however I sat or laid down. Gradually though, as the swelling went down, and the soreness abated, (especially the pressure sore at the base of my spine), I started to feel more 'human'.

In hospital, I was told that I was on the operating table for 9 hours! So no wonder I had a pressure sore, and no wonder it takes a few days to feel 'human after being on anaesthetic for so long. Just wish I could lose the sore throat, but give it time.

Friday I had a review with the consultant surgeon who did the work on me, and also had the stitches and staples out, (ouch! ouch! that stings)! Jenny drove me over to Derby hospital as I didn't think I was ready for the Madhouse of the A38 dual carriageway yet. 

Mr Laughan was pleased with my progress, and also the lab results from the tumour he'd removed. The phrase he used was, 'Cautiously optimistic that he'd removed it all' ........ Time will tell.

I had a better nights sleep Friday night, and woke up Saturday with more energy and a bit more 'get up and go' so I started a few little jobs. After showering, (gently) breakfast, rake the fire out and relight, I decided to top the water tank up.Taking my time, its an easy job anyway as the tap is on the pontoon adjacent to the stern of Bracken so its an easy job to run the hose the length of the roof and into the filler in the well deck.

It took a while to fill the tank so I must have been getting low. I know the capacity is around 100 litres.

Next job to empty the elsan whilst it was only about one third full so not too heavy to lift, I chucked the cassette in the car and drove it round to the emptying point.

Feeling somewhat knackered after all this activity, I sat for a while and chilled before making my way over Morrisons at Lichfield as the cupboards were looking kind of bare. Just some essential supplies to tide me over the next few days.

Shopping done, I popped over to Grahams house as i'd not seen him for a few days. They are up to their ears in  preparations for  house moving, hence my not seeing them for a while. I didn't stay long as I'm about as much use as a chocolate fire poker!

Back on Bracken, I spent the rest of the day/eve relaxing, reading, and generally doing very little.

I did feel I'd accomplished a lot that day and hope I continue to improve.

I 'll leave you with a picture of Sam and Peter who went to a Halloween party last night.

Scary or what!!

And a cute one of Jenny and Grand kids (hers)

Bfn people

Sore, stiff, tired, but so happy to be back home on Bracken.

Its Wednesday 22nd Oct.

I know it is because my laptop says so!

Actually if I didn't have the date and day on screen I wouldn't have a clue!

I came out of Derby hospital yesterday, during torrential rain and gale force winds. Full marks to my little sister for braving the elements and driving up and down the A38 to fetch me home, her knuckles gleaming white as she clung on to the steering wheel of her little roller-skate which was being buffeted around by other traffic.

It is sooo good to be back home.

Surgery went well I'm told, the tumour, along with neck muscle, flesh, and the right jugular vein was removed which left quite a cavity. So they took a piece of chest muscle, flesh and skin from the right breast area to make a flap to close off the cavity. This has resulted in my right nipple going south an inch or so but hey it could have been worse. They could have moved the flesh AND the nipple up to my neck!

I have a number of stitches and staples holding me together and a number of nerves have been damaged/removed so parts of my face and neck are numb, this may or may not improve in time. Also the nerve that runs across the shoulder that controls how far you can lift your arm up is also gone. How much mobility I'll be left with in the right arm remains to be seen, but at the moment its pretty good We'll see.

I suppose the 64,000 dollar question is Did they get it all out ??? The answer being - don't know yet.

Time will tell, The next few weeks will be spent recovering, so I may not write the blog as often, I tire easily, and any physical effort leaves me knackered, so its a case of slowly and easy does it till my strength returns.

My family and friends have been incredibly supportive to me with messages, running errands and visiting even whilst up to their ears in their own lives, ie working, house moving, matrimonial problems etc etc and one friend even went to the point of a hundred mile detour in their journey to visit me in Hospital. I count myself very lucky. And also thank you to the readers of this blog who have expressed concern and interest in my well-being and have contacted me by various means. 

I'll write more when i feel up to it.

Bfn.

Busy weekend, a good deed, and some very welcome visitors.

Monday 13th October.

What a lovely weekend I've just had!

Saturday started much as normal, filling water tank, cleaning out fire, stocking up on logs etc.

It was very damp and foggy in the marina first thing so I lit the fire to warm the boat through.

Lately I've been letting the fire go out overnight as its quite warm in the bedroom with a small oil filled radiator on for a couple of hours. (one advantage of being in a marina and connected to the 240 volt mains).

Beth, a very dear friend from years gone by, came to visit me for the weekend. She moved to the Midlands some years ago so it was lovely to meet and catch up on our respective family news. 

After the proverbial cuppa we popped down to the farm shop for some bread and also popped in to say hi to Jenny as the garden centre is in the same area.

On returning to Bracken the mist had cleared and the sun was trying to put in an appearance so we decided to have a mini voyage down the canal for the afternoon. 

Turning left out of the marina along the Trent and Mersey there are 9 miles before you reach the first lock at Colwich should you wish to go that far.

As we had arranged to go to G & Js for a takeaway in the evening we only went as far as the winding hole (turning point) at Handsacre, a distance of approx 2 miles where we winded, and then moored up at a nice spot for some lunch and a coffee/tea. and a chat.

As we approached this property I was thinking this would be perfect for John and Dee, 'cos i could moor up at the bottom of their garden............

.....and there's room for their mini!

Whilst having lunch several boats passed us, some slowly and some not so slowly, Thank you to those that did slow down, its suprising just how much difference it makes to the way the boat sits in the water when moored.

Continuing on the return journey back to the marina we came across a narrowboat  well and truly stuck in the shallows. With the bows pointing out into the centre of the canal the stern was well and truly stuck in the mud .There was just room to squeeze past his pointed end (bows) so as we crept past, the man passed us his bow rope and we very gently took the strain. and pulled him free. So that was our good deed for the day! As soon as he was free we chucked his rope clear and with a wave we continued on our way.

Saturday evening we went to Graham and Jaqs where Jenny joined us for a chinese takeaway and we all ate too much, but a good night was had by all.

Beth stayed overnight at G and J's, while I returned to the boat. 

Bracken is not really geared up for overnight visitors yet, maybe when I get a new loo 'cos at present there is only a portapotti, which may be adequate for just me, but not really adequate for guests.

Sunday morning I picked Beth up and as G & J had plans we drove to Bromley Hayes for breakfast.

This is a garden centre with a restaurant and although not the cheapest around they serve a good sized Full English, after which we had a wander round and I was fascinated by the spiders webs, - nearly as good as the ones on Bracken!

Bromley Hayes.

Bracken.

They also have a 'bits and pieces' area at Bromley Hayes which is basically a second hand shop full of bygone treasures, (junk), that I never get tired of looking at.. (probably because its all from my 'era')

Beth left around 2 pm and text me around 4 to say she was home ok. It was great spending time catching up and putting the world to rights (as you do) and I look forward to our next get together :)

My next visitors arrived this morning. John, (oh great one) Dee, and Phil popped in to say hi before heading back to Kent.

They'd been up for the weekend visiting their eldest son Steve who lives in the Midlands, (in fact John, Phil and Steve did pop in to see me on Friday, but I foregot to take any pics)

As always, great to see you all.

This will be my last post for a week or so. 

I go into Derby hospital tomorrow for Surgery on Wednesday so Ive really no idea when ill be able to blog again. Big thanks to those people who have sent their wishes, and I hope it wont be long before 'normal service will be resumed' 

Happy cruising!!

update and more rain.

Tuesday 7th October.

More rain this morning! Just for a change, haha.

I saw 'the man' yesterday afternoon. 'The Man' being Mr Laugharne, of Derby Hospital  Maxillofacial dept. He's the surgeon who is going to attempt to remove as much as possible  of the tumour that is growing on the right side of my neck. The Radio and Chemo treatment I had earlier this year seems to have nailed the Primary cancer in the tonsil area, but not the secondary tumour on the right side of my neck. Therefore surgery is the next step. This will entail also removing a quantity of skin, flesh, muscle and would you believe, the jugular vein !! I always thought the jugular vein was pretty essential, but it seems that as you have two, one each side, you can function ok with only one. I'll take his word for it! 

I'm due to see the anaesthetist team next Tuesday so they can decide which type of anaesthetic to use as previous medical conditions complicate matters. ( personally speaking,  anything other than a lump hammer is fine with me)! Naturally there will be some re-constructive surgery afterwards to fill in the missing bits, so they may well 'borrow' some skin/flesh/muscle etc. from 'other 'areas in order to maintain my youthful good looks. I've been told to expect a stay in hospital for 5 to 7 days. So, fingers crossed things things are starting to happen. There is obviously a lot more to this, but I've tried to just give you the summary of what's happening

Had a lovely stew at Jenny's last night when we got back from the hospital, very tasty indeed. Then, after watching Emerdale I spent all evening on the phone talking to friends and family who are all being very supportive.

Bye for now.

Gardening, an Indian takeaway and movie night.

Monday morning, 6th October.

View out of back window across stern deck. Tiller arm is turned 90 deg.

Its raining! it's chucking it down! It's also blowing a gale out there! I know this because I ventured out this morning to the shower block.

Although its quite sheltered in the marina the wind is certainly moving the boat around on the mooring. Not an unpleasant movement, but enough to remind you that you are most definitely afloat!

Aboard 'Bracken' I am comfortably warm and dry. I lit the fire this morning after i'd had some breakfast, and washed out a few 'smalls' in the sink before hanging them to dry on the rail over the fire. (i'll spare you the photos of my 'smalls'). 

So it's quite warm and cozy in here and i'm attempting to bring the blog up to date before my meeting with my consultant oncologist later today.

I did some gardening last week, by visiting my sister at the Garden center where she works I was able to buy some grit, compost, and plants to fill my first tub. 

Looks nice I think and draws the eye away from the scabby roof!

Saturday evening was spent at Jenny's where we enjoyed an Indian takeaway, (very yummy) before watching one of my favourite dvd's - Despicable Me 2. Thats only the 4th time i've watched it!

Yesterday morning, (Sunday) I popped down to Graham and Jaq's and we treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast at a cafe on the A5 just outside Cannock. Super!

I spent the afternoon and evening just chilling out and reading in front of the wood burner aboard Bracken. Very lazy day for me :-) 

  

A catch up and pottering about.

Friday 26th September.

Gosh almost a week gone by since my last post! I'm still adjusting to the retired lifestyle and feel I should be doing something, anything, so at least at the end of the day I can say "well at least i've accomplished something".

Medical stuff first I suppose, as I have friends and relatives who have an 'interest' so to speak.

I saw the new GP Tuesday and was disapointed to find he has not yet received my notes and scans etc, therefore hadn't a clue about my condition. However, he phoned me later in the day with an appointment for Thursday, (yesterday) to see the ENT dept at the local hospital. (thats Ear, Nose, and Throat).

Nice doctor, had a good feel round my neck and then shoved the camera up my nose and down the back of my throat to have a good look at the site of the first cancer. Not pleasant but I have to say he was a lot more gentle than the last doctor it was done by!

To cut a long story short, I am now waiting to be summoned to Derby oncology dept for what will be more scans and tests prior to surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. 

Enough of that for now anyway, this is a boating blog! Innit!!

Jobs done this week? Well, I've aquired the first of 4 planting troughs planned for the roof.

 I thought it would be nice to paint them in 'Bracken' style livery so here is my first attempt

First red round the outside.

Then green inner panel.

Just the beading to do in white. Hopefully the quality of my paintwork will improve by the time I get to number 4 tub. By then of course I should be proficient enough to do the roof!

Another job, inside, whilst dodging a shower of rain has been to wire and fit a 12 volt socket to plug the TV, or phone charger into when not on shore power.

For instance when I pluck up courage to venture out of the marina into the big bad outside world!

Actualy I did go for a cruise round the marina last saturday. I first moved the boat onto the fuel pontoon to put some diesel in the tank and to also change a gas bottle, so I thought whilst the engine is running I'd have a little cruise round the basins. Well its good practise for me at handling Bracken alone, and of course it puts some charge into the batteries, and saves having the battery charger hooked up to the shore power, and of course its good fun!

Talking of starting the engine- another job this week has been to fit a push button switch in the engine bay so's I can start the engine with the blow lamp in one hand and press the newly fitted starter switch with the other hand. Simples! 

All I did was run a new live wire from the starter battery, through the new push button switch to the starter solenoid. This way I don't need 8 feet long arms to put the blowlamp to the air intake whilst turning the ignition key! Works a treat!

Looks a bit heath robinson at present, it'll look better when the switch is mounted on a plate. The wire is only energising the solenoid so is not carrying a large load and the button is only pressed for a few seconds whilst the engine fires up. Wonderful thing blowlamps!

Well that's about it for now, speak later.