we're in lockdown 3. Christmas got cancelled because we were only allowed one day with the family.  We had book a week in a cottage and Oxfordshire was showing high rates of covid, so we decided to cancel.  Long way to go for one day and into high risk area.  Then we all got shutdown!  Seems like we've been in lockdown since March.  Both of us are feeling a bit fed up now and fingers crossed we should get that vaccine soon.  In the meantime, I will try and carry on painting and Perry is, at this moment, cleaning the coooker - how desperate is that?  Take care.

 A few days ago, we did finally manage to get out of the marina!

Yep, we're in the Solent. 

Didn't do too well folding up the full enclosure, but we're working on it.

Happiness!  Actually Bertie is more comfortable on this new boat than he was on the other one, although perhaps it's not evident here.

Since then it's either rained or been too windy.  Today has been incredibly cold, so that was a non starter as well.  However, lockdown 2 has finished, but we will see what is in store for us all.  Things are still a bit limited, but there is light on the horizon.

We're still not out of lockdown 2, but at least we are now nearing the end.  We've finished with the electrician, but it has meant that Perry is left with the final sorting of the work.  Not a good situation.  We have finally managed to fill up with fuel, and had a fun session on the boat watching You-Tube and eating cake!

All being well we should manage to get out tomorrow for a little sail.  There should be sun and a light breeze.  

Still managing to do a sketch a day, but it's pretty rough.

Christmas looks as though it is on, but in a very limited way.  That's ok. I am sure we will manage to get through it.

 Still in lockdown, only 20 days left to go.  Electrician has caused  couple of problems on the boat, but Perry is working on it.  Bertie had an insect bite, or it could have been an allergy, anyway had to go to vet.

Not a happy dog as you can see.  Satellite dish came off yesterday, but we have to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't bite his leg again.  

Fortunately, wind has been unsettled so we probably wouldn't have been able to go out sailing anyway.

Sketching continuing, but no painting.  Bit difficult to get motivated.

 Well here we are in lockdown 2!  Went down to boat yesterday to fuel up, but the queue was enormous.  Gave up.  Only to discover that the fuel jetty is in fact open during this lcokdown.  It was a lovely day, and guess who forgot their camera!  As we are able to access our boats this time, I will try and remember to take some photos.  Painting has been non exstent, although I have managed to pick up my rough sketch book for the last seven days - well at least that's progress.

Fortunately we saw the family last wednesday, otherwise we would not have been able to see them until December.  

Take care everyone.

 Well finally last weekend we managed to actually sail the boat - and put up two sails.  It was just the right weather to check things out.  Shook out the first two reefs, and the sail looked good.  Lovely sunny day as well.

Lovely sailing into the Solent

Skipper getting more familiar with the unfamiliar wheel.

Enthusiasm as usual.  Tied up again, so he's happy.  Actually he does seem a little happier on this boat, more places to get comfortable although that is becoming difficult as his back legs weaken.

Still waiting for autopilot to be fitted - four weeks now. Apparently it should be completed today - let's hope so.

 I know, I'm late again updating things.  Well we have bought Bloto 4, a Hanse 315.  Very pleased with her.  However, she has wheel steering.  Oh my goodness, something new to learn.  The purchase was not a smooth as we would have liked, and unfortunately there were a few things that had to be sorted before we could move her over to East Cowes.  (Which cost quite a lot!).  We put the boat on our original mooring, but we had already decided to move her (or in fact, the previous boat) to East Cowes Marina for the winter months, because having lost so many months of sailing this year, we felt we would at least get some sailing in during the winter.  So we moved the boat, and are now happily moored up in the Marina.  We are awaiting the installation of an autopilot to make life easier when we are sailing.  We have been over to Bucklers Hard, where we met Daniel and Alice and had a lovely weekend, although it rained.  

Autopilot should be installed sometime this week, so hopefully we will be on the move.  Bertie appears to be more comfortable on this boat.

getting ready for the departure

on the mooring at Hamble Point Marina

new captain working with the wheel

now firmly tied up at East Cowes Marina

So we are now just waiting for that autopilot......  take care everyone