It's certainly worth it!

We've been away from Kantara for about two months now - it feels like a lot longer! We're not hurrying through our list of decorating and repair jobs. If we enjoyed the work more, we'd probably put in more hours each day, but we're resigned to be here now until next year. We will return to the boat some time soon, to winterize her. Colin tells me the injectors will be refitted on Monday, so then we'll be able to take Kantara across to the service platform to fill the fuel tank for the winter (to avoid the sides of the tank above fuel level attracting condensation of water, which would contaminate the diesel and possibly lead to diesel bug - although we religiously add bug-preventive fluid every time we add diesel. Belt and braces is better than falling trousers!).

And what have we achieved, and is it worth the time away from Kantara?

Well, the hall, stairs and landing have had the whole job - paper, paint and carpet - and we're very pleased with the result. Work's also been done in the living room and dining room, and we've started on the utility room. It's tiny, so it shouldn't take long. Then there's those jobs... you know how it is. You paint a wall, then realise that the ceiling really needs to be done, too. So you do the ceiling and decide that the light fitting ought to be replaced. And so on. We have a few of those. But yes, it's been worth it. Every hour spent is worth it.

Back in January, I used the county council website to report that the hawthorn tree on the grass verge outside the house was leaning rather threateningly. A few months later, I tried again. I've now phoned three times and sent an email.

The tree is still there.

It's going to fall, and it's going to cause damage. I just hope it doesn't fall on someone!

Lunchtime now... then more decorating!