The coldest month

We’re glad to see the back of February. We have had our fair share of winter illnesses this year. Valentine’s Day saw us spending all day in bed – ill with a vicious stomach bug! Luckily Katie had it too or we couldn’t have kept up with her.
Then a long bout of conjunctivitis for Katie and various coughs and colds all round. I guess this is what comes of not heading south for the winter.

On the bright side, we have had some wonderful snow. Snowploughs start clearing the roads the minute the first snowflake falls but the pavements are a different matter. The snow cleared from the roads often gets piled on the ‘sidewalk’ and these mounds can take a couple of days to thaw.
This is the pontoon after a morning of snow.



Our shrinkwrap has proved incredibly useful, giving us a dry workspace on deck, even on cold, wet and windy days. This week, David has been able to sand and varnish the wheelhouse, and even managed to recaulk a few seams on deck. He has found a novel way of melting the pitch – with an electric chip fryer!

Now March is here, crocuses and snowdrops are making an appearance. The average temperature has risen from minus ten to plus ten degrees, positively balmy!
The clocks go back on Sunday, then the race is really on to get the boat ready for the big crossing in May.