The weather has taken quite a turn here; from an average of 22C, we’re now averaging a mere 15C with some winds thrown in for good measure. The Ship has been buffeted daily and walking the Ship’s Dog has been quite a trial with me wrapping up well against the cold and wind. He doesn’t care, he has a lovely fur coat to keep him warm and he seems in good spirits now that the weather has cooled.

The Deckhand and I had a quick Skype Friday morning, and he sent me a photo of a nasty looking burn on his hand. He was checking the grill, looking in a cupboard at the same time, fumbled the oven glove he was wearing which then caught fire and burned his hand. Thankfully he didn’t set off the alarms in the student house, and he put salve on the burn straight away and covered it, after cooling it down on an ice pack. Is the Klutz gene hereditary?

Today (Friday) I made a final choice of removal firm. The one that gave me the most confidence, just happens to be the cheapest too, and their estimate came in slightly below their quote so I’m happy. It’s a nationwide firm, with a local base too. It’s all booked and paid for now, and it’s starting to feel very real. I’ve been on this Ship almost 11 years now, and it’s the longest I’ve lived in one place. I’ve felt for a while that it was time to move on and taking early retirement, at a vastly reduced income, has been the push that I needed. The steps up to the jetty have also been an issue, and I’m glad that the street we’re moving to is flat with no steps. The whole area is pretty flat, according to the Deckhand, with a hill just before the Uni. The Deckhand is young, and quite fit, so no big deal for him.

Looking out of the galley, it looks like we’re finally going to get some rain that was promised days again. The plants could use a drink, and rain is free. I just hope removal day is dry. I’m going to spend the last night in an empty Ship which will be weird. Due to the distance involved, all the quotes I’ve received have been for a 2 day move. Pack up, drive up, and park overnight at their depot, then unpack the following morning. I toyed with staying overnight in the empty Ship up there but decided that wouldn’t work well with the Ship’s Dog, and the handing over of keys and contracts wasn’t going to work either. If I didn’t have the dog I’d have tried to stay in a hotel overnight, or at my ex in-laws. Ho Hum. I’ll be able to watch Netflix on the laptop, hopefully, and I’ll have a book though I doubt I’ll sleep much. I bought a sun lounger to sleep on for the final night, but I didn’t feel safe on it, so I returned it. I’m torn between buying a blow-up mattress that will probably never be used again, or a foam bed roll to sleep on (cheaper). I’m too old and decrepit to sleep directly on the floor, even for one night. Staying with family is out of the question as they all have pets too, and smoke, and I have to leave on the final morning at a very early hour. Whatever I use overnight will have to fit in the Lifeboat, as well as the Ship’s Dog, so I can’t have anything that takes up a lot of room. What to do…

Have a good weekend, hope it warms up a bit for all of us.