This weekend has been celebrating birthdays, yesterday it was cousin Carol's 70th and tonight it was Hilary's near neighbour's 60th.

I think Cassie may have finally accepted Ruby, Hilary has wanted to see this for along time

Still having to share my apples and satsuma's.

First snow of the year here at the marina.

Last night  Ruby spent her first night at the back of the boat with Cassie so another step forward.
She also found that the cratch area is comfortable, The Maisibert failed it's Boat Safety today because of a fire extinguisher had lost pressure.

 We normally put Ruby back in her cage after her morning feed, but this morning was the first step to get her bed in the engine room.
She is now sleeping in her bed during the day so this was the next step.

Ruby's training is on going and now it is time to tell her that she is only allowed on the sofa on somebodies lap.

 Today we went to see Rita and Scooby at Great Heywood after dinner on board we took the dogs for a walk at Shugborough Hall.
The river was swollen due to the recent rain.

Ruby is now becoming a proper little dog as we now don't cage her so much by allowing her to sleep in her bed or as in the picture by the fire.

We saw out 2015 with a Chinese meal and watching the London firework display on the television.
Elaine and Bob popped in for a short while.

 Despite Maisie recovering from chicken pox we had a Maisie day calling into the crematorium to put flowers and stars from Maisie and Poppy near Mum and Dads plaque.
We then went on to Maldon for some thing to eat and a walk on the prom.

 Today we took on storm Frank as we took Cassie, Ruby and Tex to the beach at Walton where the dogs enjoyed a play on the beach.
Followed by a fish and chip dinner and then back to Trish's before returning to Braintree.

 Yesterday we went to Prezzo's in Halstead for the annual brother and cousin Christmas get together.

 After leaving Brightlingsea we went on to Elaine's for a family get together.

Today we caught up with Hilary's friend Pam  from Sweden at Brightlingsea  where we took the dogs for a walk along the sea front.

The day was completed with Cassie and Ruby opening their presents.

The afternoon was spent at Claire's and Darren's where we had a fantastic Christmas dinner followed by watching Maisie and Poppy opening their presents.

 Today started with taking the two dogs for a walk whilst Hilary visited Moira.
Only trouble was that once Ruby was let off the lead she didn't want to go back on.
Luckily another dog walker came along and Ruby cannot resist a belly rub so he managed to get hold of her.
Note to one self more recall training needed.

 This is a moment we have been waiting for as Ruby joined Cassie in her bed.
So I think its time to try both out the back of the boat when we return.

These photographs were taken by Sacha when we took the dogs for a walk letting Ruby off the lead for the first time.
Whilst we were keeping an eye on Ruby it was Cassie who decided to chase a pheasant then get lost only to walk into the near by church hall where they were getting ready for a church service.

Today Cassie had her Christmas haircut, Hilary took Ruby to show the groomer who suggested that Ruby should have a bath next time to get used to being groomed.

 As the sun rose on our last day at the boat until after Christmas we let Ruby join Cassie on the bed

Before we had Ruby at least I had two thirds of an apple now three of us have to share.
Ruby had her first taste of canal water yesterday when she slipped off the pontoon, luckily she was on a lead.

 Ruby has settled into the boater's life and enjoying her walks in a field in a misty marina.
We didn't have a good start on our return to the boat at first the gas regulator failed and then I took a late dip in the marina as I lost my footing on the pontoon.