Yesterday was the start of our summer trip as we came out of the boatyard after having the windows fitted.
We moored up behind Diane and Peter and headed to a Thai Restaurant.

Today we completed fitting the new windows and we are now back on the cut to start our summer journey with Peter and Diane.

 Happy Seventh Birthday Cassie

 All windows removed and boat sides cleaned off down one side in readiness for the new double glazed thermally broken windows.
Fitting has been delayed because of the number break downs the boatyard are handling at present.

 We know winter is over when the car is taken back to Braintree.
When Hilary was back she visited the Bocking May Fayre with Claire, Darren, Maisie, Poppy and Amanda on Bank Holiday Monday.

Today was a Maisie day where we went to Maldon where we had a hot chocolate with all the trimmings, fed the local wild life and whilst Nana and Maisie went to play on the play ship I played ball with Cassie.

 Today we had an early start as The Maisibert has gone in for blacking at Shobnall.
Pictures show her just after being high pressure washed.

 We have been losing anti freeze from the engine so when Hilary stripped the bed yesterday I took the opportunity to check the hoses to the calorifier only to find a leak on the calorifier it self.
So a £500 later a new calorifier and expansion bottle which meant total re plumb and rewire the immersion heater.
After a lot of water and a couple of leaks I completed the job today.
Moving out of the marina tomorrow and in for blacking.

 When we were back in Braintree last Hilary washed the bedroom roman blinds which unfortunately where the sun had weakened the lining holes appeared.
In Burton on Trent we found Julie Spendlove who is a professional curtain maker/qualified seamstress and she over hauled both blinds for us.

To break up the surface on the new cratch roof I thought about a non slip surface.
For the first attempt I used demerra sugar but all that did was make the boat very sticky when I washed off the surplus.
So I reverted to using non slip sand in the paint and for a first attempt it has turned out well.

 Despite several efforts back in Essex to get our cars front seat repaired but with no success.
We have had to find somebody here in Burton on Trent on Monday Derby Trim Repairs removed the seat returning today to install the repaired seat.

 John had a day off on Tuesday as we took Jackie for a training day from Gayton to Bugbrooke.
The day was broken up with lunch in the Five Bells.

Today we celebrated Claire and Craig's 28th birthday with a meal at the Bocking Club.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE & CRAIG

Yesterday we drove to Newmarket to visit Caroline and James and Andy the dog.
James cooked us lunch and hope Caroline feels better soon.

After looking into the rented property it was such a nice day on Friday and Hilary was at the hairdresser's that I decided to take Poppy and Maisie to the local park for a play.

I only planned on painting the floor and ended up painting the whole cratch area.

Rita and Scooby left the marina yesterday to moor in the village where last night we met up and shared a Chinese.

 The Maisibert and The Maple Knot (formerly Festina Lente) together again in Mercia Marina.
Its great to see Rita and Scooby and we have had two great evenings together. 

Took advantage of the fine weather yesterday and cruised the boat out of the marina and moored on the towpath to give The Maisibert a wash.
Photographs show the new covers over the windows in the cratch cover.

This weekend Sue and Dave came to visit we started the weekend with meal in the pub Friday night.
The following day we visited the Arboretum  in Alrewas and after a cooked lunch they returned to Gravesend today.