Well, it’s Friday again, and we’ve been installed at the new Ship for a little over 2 weeks now. I had hoped to install a plank for those that are ‘naughty’ but I’m having trouble deciding where to place it. Off the galley roof seems like a plan to me though a quick splat onto the concrete may prove to be less satisfying that a dip into the briny now that we’re landlocked. Having said that, there are plenty of canals here so a trip out in the lifeboat to a canal, and a makeshift plank could well be in order lol.

So far, we’ve had a lock changed, the boiler checked twice, and next week someone is coming to replace the shower which is old and playing up; sometimes too cool, sometimes scalding hot despite being on the same setting as the day before. The landlord is also sending out a builder to finish off the new flashing, and to replace some galley roof tiles. That’ll get the Ship’s Dog all excited!

The scurvy dog that is my ex is being a pain; keeps asking for our new address and phone number, and this morning his wife emailed me. I’ve told them we don’t have internet and so on until next month, and he left some snarky remark about me having a G4 implant, otherwise how could I email to let them know. Um, local library, Uni computer suites… Good grief!

The washing machine is finally installed, and I’ve managed to catch up on laundry now. It was a massive pile! The place seems very dusty, though it could be just from the cardboard boxes. It took me 2 weeks and being nice to the recycling men to get rid of them all. We have new recycling crates after I asked the nice man if we just use any crates in the back alley. Quick as a flash, he was on his mobile, ordered me crates, and they were delivered by lunchtime. We have a massive rubbish bin that’s worse than manky (they don’t clean them around here) and I’ve ordered a new smaller bin, but it’ll take 2 weeks to arrive. Oh well.

Things are quite different from Wales in that the Deckhand has to pay for dental – in Wales you don’t pay until you’re 25, and I’ll have to pay even after I turn 60 which in Wales you don’t. I’ve got a huge form to fill in to see if I can get any financial help with that, and it includes glasses too. No harm in trying.

People here seem very friendly, and mostly helpful, and we’re often stopped whilst out with the Ship’s Dog as many haven’t seen one like him before. I’ve had some great sleep, though suspect our neighbour is a shift worker. So far, twice a week I’ve been woken around 3.30am by them chatting loudly and opening and closing cupboard doors. Could be worse; the neighbour in the old house woke me almost every single morning at an unearthly time for the past 11 years!

It’s weird not having a front garden, and we feel the need to open the door and peer out before we leave so we don’t literally run into pedestrians. We’ll get used to it and it might only be for a couple of years anyway.

Take care, have a great weekend.