Old newport - history!

Not the best picture - I know! Probably I have skaky hands due the the extent of the mission at hand. John took the old Newport heater out yesterday and found (as you do) that the job will not be as easy as first thought.

It all started a couple of weeks ago, when we came to a much thought about decision. We decided that the Newport was neither use nor ornament and started looking for another form of heating. We finally chose diesel heating again, mainly due to the fact that the fuel tank is in place and it shouldn't be too much trouble to install the new 'Old Dutch'. We had thought about a wood burner, but Hubs likes the variable heat option with the Old Dutch and we have heard and read some very good reports.

So, we went and put the order in at the chandlers and decided to do some prep work ready for when it arrived. Last night Hubs successfully to out the old Newport, then with a little bit of a fight, took up the old tiles that were on a wooden base. After removing the base, found a problem that we had not counted on. It must have been previous to us moving on the boat, but there are signs that there had been a substantial diesel leak at some time and the underlay of the carpet was wet with diesel. No wonder we have been ill quite a lot since moving on, its strange that we couldn't smell the diesel, but we put what little we could smell down to the normal use and the fact that we had to taken everything apart a few times because of the unreliability of the current cooker and stove.

So, what appeared to be a reasonable type of job has now turned into a nightmare. Is it me, or do we just seem to be up against it all the time. I am dreading going home at the moment, I know that it will be an absolute mess EVERYWHERE!!! So, the plan is - I'm going for retail therapy. Not the most reliable form of stress relief, but certainly helps short term.

The worst thing is, this is just the start of things to come as we have also ordered a new cooker and hob, this is coming in a couple of weeks and will have to be fitted professionally due to it being gas. To date we have had no gas appliances, so there will be a fair bit of work involved including a new piece of worktop. Hubs has assured me that it will all work out in the end and next winter will be a complete breeze compared to this last one. Why am I not convinced!
The calm before the storm

Mothers day

Well, what can I say! I might have sold the house from around the kids feet and run away to be a river gypsy - but I'm still 'Mum'.

I have just had the nicest weekend!, still had to do all the normal boat type jobs like filling with water, emptying the loo, washing, hoovering and cleaning but my middle son and his friend came to see me and 'Hey Presto' I was a Mum again.

I know my kids were of a suitable age for me to leave them to it (23, 22 and 20) but I have got to say I have felt very guilty. I now have a very nice life, I work part time and the rest of the time I do as I please (including looking after the boat and Hubs). Leaving the kids behind was a big wrench. The normal way is, the kids leave home and come back to visit when hungry or dirty. We did it a little differently, a couple of the kids went of to UNI and the middle son literally had to find accommodation with friends because the house was sold around him. Then we moved away from the area.

Now the kids can come and visit, but returning 'home' for any amount of time is not an option. Not having a 'nest' for my chicks does leave me feeling a little wanting. Perhaps this feeling is only natural and will pass when the warm weather comes and I can have a few more 'bottle of red wine to myself moments'.

But the weekend was a success and we even took a trip to the pub Five Miles from Anywhere on the Sunday and had a nice meal. It was a little windy and we got stuck against the bank for awhile, but thats what its all about - a little bit of adventure!, its good for the soul.