Weather has been bitterly cold, but Perry's hand is gradually healing. Not managed to go sailing, but it won't be long now.  Went to a Chinese New Year party Saturday. Fun.  Sunday decided to finally eat the crab which we had bought before Christmas (it was in the freezer!).  However, didn't know what to do, so following the instructions from a You Tube video managed to successfully dismember the crustation

here's the little beauty

before

and after

Very tasty.  Off to mainland on Thursday to see Daniel then back on Saturday for the Commodore's dining in supper.

I know, I know, I know..... three weeks in and only just got roound to doing the blog! Well it's been very very cold, and now on top of that fog and ice!  I've also discovered I am a total whimp!  I went on my course for the practical part of Day Skipper, only to discover that I felt sea sick on the Sigma 38 we were on and that I really suffered with the cold.  So I abandonded.  However the sailing school very generously offered my a second hit at it, and tomorrow, prepared with new leather wellies and seasickness stuff, I will be down at Cowes Yacht Haven having another go! I took Perry to hospital this morning to finally have the operation on his hand.  Three delays so far, so perhaps they will finally get on with it.  No messages so far, so it must be progressing.  I will definitely update blog next week (!).

Christmas is over and we are now in the New Year.  Perry has had a cough and cold for the last fortnight, so it has been a bit limited here.  Bertie and I have been out for a few walks, but we did manage a couple of outings to get a bit further from East Cowes.  One of them was Freshwater

Thatched Church.  Been here before, it is very lovely.  We did go to Fort Victoria as well, but the cafe wasn't open, even though we had managed a decent walk and felt we deserved a cup of tea and cake! After Freshwater village, we went round the corner to look at the sea.  It was just before sunset and there were still people and dogs on the beach.  Perfect.

Looking West into the sunset.

Freshwater bay

Freshwater bay enlarged.

Hopefully, Perry will be better tomorrow and we can start proper messing around again.  In the meantime we have completed our passage plan for our forthcoming (hopefully) trip round Britain - gosh it's a long way! Now we are experimenting with trying to apply our planning to real data (i.e. weather!).  We have also now ordered our video camera to record the exciting event! Probably take us the whole journey just to learn how to use it! 

To whoever reads this besides Perry have a fantastic New Year and perhaps you will achieve all your planned 2017 dreams.  Take care.

Oh the weather has been awful!  We are beginning to get ready for Christmas on the boat, but forecast is looking pretty grim.  Have been doing a lot of preliminary passage planning for forthcoming trip.  Got as far as Caledonian Canal, but still about half to do, and then more detail on top of that.   The work and purchase list seems to just get longer and longer.  Daniel, Catherine and Jenny came down to see us for a couple of days.  Was really pleased to see them, but only wish the weather could have been a bit kinder. 

what a happy photo - and that's before we tucked in to the food.

Perry has now got a cold (he thinks), but that's not going to stop us having a jolly Christmas.

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted, but unfortunately it's been a period of inactivity,  We had been waiting for Perry to go into hospital for the operation on his hand, but every Wednesday for the last three weeks it hs been cancelled, and he has now found out that it won't be happening at all!  NHS cutbacks....... So in the meantime we had been delaying doing anything much.  Also the weather has been a bit dull and damp, which is non inspiring. So now it looks as though we had better get on and do a few things, and with Christmas in a few days time, must get the boat ready.  We are hoping (weather dependant) to spend Christmas on the boat, so need to sort out what we are going to eat!

Hey, I'm flying solo. No supervision. Let's hope I can get the pictures transferred ok.  Not much going on this week. Bertie had a haircut - fabulous.

Look at that for a smart haircut and he got a green bow, which he has now been wearing for almost a week.  Looks like Perry won't share his cheese and cracker!  Meany....

 Weather hasn't been too good either. However I went on an oil painting workshop in Newport on Friday.  Not too pleased with my effort - looked a bit dull, but the photo from which I was working was a bit dull as well.  Perhaps it was a bit too complicated as well.

Yep, it still looks dull. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Wednesday. It seems as though I am slipping a day each week.  Still at least the blog is now reasonably up to date!  Interesting week.  Perry spent a few days sorting out the engine, then we decided to go away for a few days.  But on Saturday Perry lost his keys.  Spent most of the day looking for them.  In the end found with a load of spanners! Left East Cowes on Sunday, filled up with fuel, and set off for Yarmouth.  Lovely sunny day.

A race going on at Lymington.  Not too much wind, but enough for these boys!

Doing very well.

There was even a Westerley Konsort racing amongst this lot.  We arrived at Yarmouth at a sensible time - and then things went wrong.  Someone asked if they could help us with our lines.  Should have said "no". Unfortunately, said "yes" and they proceeded to help us - not!  Didn't tie up the lines so we drifted out away from mooring.  However, we did manage to sort it, but it didn't look too good.  After that put the water on for a cup of tea, and rushed off with Bertie for a pee.  Came back started to make the tea, and noticed water all over the floor.  Checked it and it was warm.....oooops.  Water was rising faster than I could clear it.  Eventually Perry did hear my shouts and passed the bucket.  Long story short - he had left the water tap on in the heads (on Saturday) and the sink had filled up and overflowed - everywhere! Sorted.  Then back on deck he managed to lose his prescription sunglasses in the drink!
We had initially planned to go through the Needles on Monday, but tides weren't right, so we decided to swan about in the Solent.  Back into Yarmouth and then wander round taking photos for the oil painting workshop I am going on.

Another view of Yarmouth which I will attempt to paint on Friday.

Left about 8.00 on Tuesday and buzzed back to East Cowes.  All in all a successful outing.  Bertie had his hair cut today and now looks like a puppy!