The weather here has certainly taken a turn and it’s feeling very cold some days, despite some welcome sunshine other days. We have drizzle too, soaking the sails, though the good thing about drizzle is that at least those days are a tad warmer. I already have the obligatory chilblains, though only 2 so far on the same foot. Between lower back pain and chilblains, I hobble some days lol. Things could be worse…

There’s just over 4 weeks until the Deckhand is back on board, and I confess I’m starting to feel a little excited by his return. The time has flown by though some individual days have been a drag. The Ship’s Dog and I have had some good walks, and some days we’ve walked about a mile in total. Not much compared to some I know, but it’s a good walk for me especially since we only have streets to walk in; no greenery, no fields.

I’ve been keeping busy, mostly, touching up the paintwork, cleaning, and disposing of ‘stuff’ that’s built up over the years that I don’t need or want, and certainly don’t want to move with. On that note, I’m seeing the landlord Friday, for lunch, for us to discuss my moving away. It should have been last week, but I was poorly. I’ve had an upset stomach on and off for a while, and I’ve narrowed it down to days when I had tomatoes, or a tomato based meal. How weird is that? I suspect it’s the acidity playing merry hell with my ulcer so I’m eating plain food, and nothing acidic for a while whilst I munch on some antacid tablets.

I’m taking out the lifeboat today (Thursday) to take the dog to the groomers. I could do it myself, but bathing him has become a real pain in the back and neck, so I’m happy to pay someone else to do it. They always do a lovely job, and I’ll have about 2 hours to kill in my local town. As a treat, I’ll buy a newspaper and a coffee and sit in the coffee shop for a while, then get a few groceries before I collect him. I’ve got a small box of chocolates to give the groomer as I know the Ship’s Dog will cry and be a real baby whilst being brushed and dried. She told, me last time, that people kept interrupting her to ask if he was okay lol. Such a brave boy…

Like a bad guest who doesn’t know when to leave, I still have my cough and it’s getting boring now. If it doesn’t clear up soon I’ll take myself off to see my GP in case it’s asthma-based. This damp weather is making me wheezy and they did express concern when I had bronchitis a little while back. Old age; it doesn’t come alone. Apart from that, it’s all good :)