One reason for preferring Kantara...

...(apart, that is, from the massive difference in the amount of decorating and maintenance that has to be done in a house, compared with the boat) is the amount of stuff that nutters like us accumulate over the years!

Clearing the clutter seemed like the natural thing to do once the decorating was finished, and we knew it had to be done some time. But it's been too easy to put it to one side and forget it while we've been spending most of the year on Kantara, and, now that we find ourselves in frenetic decorating and making good mode, it seems like the best time to get stuck into it. Strike while the iron's at least tepid.

As I type, Grace and Jess are doing a sterling job in Jess's bedroom. We did ours yesterday. And the day before. A good start has been made in Grace's studio/office/workshop, which has for years been the "temporary" resting-place of a host of objets d'arts (and other invaders) not of Grace's creation.

My main task has been in the loft.

Lofts are evil. They swallow great piles of things that they think are going to be useful and used again some time in the far-distant future, and then they contrive to make you forget they're there. Which, of course, isn't really helpful because when the time comes that some of this hoard of stuff could indeed be used again, you have no idea they even exist.

Recycling centres are not evil. Except in the matter of their opening hours, which rarely coincide with my frequent and immediate need. (The staff there roll their eyes when I drive in, I swear.) Charity shops likewise (though they're too polite to roll their eyes there). Fortunately, both are just minutes away. Freegle and Freecycle are brilliant, and loads of the stuff  has gone to the homes of folk who haven't yet cottoned on to the malevolent nature of their lofts (where all of these items will ultimately, and inevitably go).

Amongst all this frenetic clearing out we have made time for a bit of  respite. Fireworks in Verulamium Park were a must - we haven't been to that event once since moving onto Kantara. As always, it was superb.

Then there was an unplanned visit to Baldock, to take Jess (much too tired to drive safely) to a Said the Maiden gig at The Orange Tree. That was a very good night out, too. A pleasant surprise was being approached by a young man who introduced himself as Andy, a fellow and mutual Tweep who comes from a boating family and has read my books. He now follows Said the Maiden, too, and came to this gig because they make several appearances in those books, and the venue was close enough to for him to go and give them an ear. He tweeted later "Great to meet you. It was a brilliant evening!" It was indeed brilliant!

Then... back to the sorting out! Except on Wednesday, when we return to Kantara to put a coat of protective wax over the Roses and Castles panel, which didn't get treated before because of the rain. Fingers crossed for this time!