Father Christmas came early for Maisie on Christmas Eve as he left a Leap Pad to open whilst we were there.

Tonight we hissed at the villain, shouted "Its behind you" and joined in the fun games as we took Maisie to see Jack and the Beanstalk.
Not sure how she would react but once it started she was totally fixed even to be asked to join the actor's on stage in the second half.

This weekend Ray, Sacha and Craig brought the steel roof cover for the cratch cover.
Despite promises of a dry day on Saturday we had showers all day.
Despite the showers we managed to get the roof fitted and finished the day with a meal in the pub where Peter and Diane joined us.

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 Mercia gets into the Christmas spirit, these pictures were taken after we had a few beers in the new pub on the marina.

 The hard top for the cratch area is coming on, today was a lot of door step engineering to manufacture the top rails for the side curtains.
Whilst back in Essex Ray was putting the top coat on the steel roof, giving it a week to harden before Ray, Craig and Sacha bring it to the boat.

 A frosty start to the day here in Willington as I prepare to fit the plywood on the roof of the cratch area..

 Last Wednesday we returned to the boat a day late as I had to get a coat of paint on the roof of the cratch area.
But not before celebrating Ray's birthday in the Hare and Hounds.

 Third time lucky as we had some winter sunshine to take Maisie to Maldon at her request.
After a hot chocolate and cake it was a walk along the front and Maisie to play on the pirate ship.

Last Sunday we volunteered to puppy sit Spot whilst Brenda and Eamonn went for Sunday lunch.
We had a capable volunteer in Sacha to help

We have been back in Essex catching up with friends and family an tonight we have been out to celebrate Sacha's birthday.

 This weekend started with spending the day with Caroline and James in Burton on Trent.
The last two days we have spent with Diane and Peter at their house taking in the views.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA

Today we drove to Great Heywood to see Rita on her birthday after a walk to Shugborough Hall and back Rita supplied a fantastic tea.

Today I fitted and tried the two triangular panels to widen the cratch and prepare for the hard top to be fitted at a later date.

Today Cassie and I had a long walk just before the showers started.
We have settled into marina life and hope to discover some long walks on those sunny winter days.

Today we drove to Fradley Junction to catch up with Rita and Scooby at lunch time when we had homemade soup and rolls.
Then we had a walk around Fradley Pool with Cassie.

Whilst back we have had a couple of Maisie, Nanna and Granddad days one being a wet day in Maldon and today a wet day in Colchester.

 The last couple of weeks we have been back in Essex returning to attend Maisie's fourth birthday.
Claire showed her expertise in cake making.