Some disturbing news from the front. We've run out of balsa wood. About 5 sheets short. Problem, these sheets come in packs of 15 and as business is slow the supplier insists that we take all 15. I fail to see why I should spend the better part of 200 Euro when we're only going to use about a third of it. Certainly in view of all the balsa and raisin I've already bought from that supplier. Anyway, shipyard guru's on the case. More soon.

Bought a wind genny this week - a Rutland 913. For just a tiny bit over 400 pound - that's an absolute bargain. Brigitte's collecting the old GPS antenna pole from the boat next weekend. Then it's off to Mr Stainless to get the pole adapted to fit the genny and Bob's your uncle. Another step in the right direction.

The cellar hatch frame has been removed so that that aft deck could be laminated. It had been lying - half forgotten - in my office for a couple of months. Now that the laminating is almost done it's time for the frame to go back to the boat. Not without a good clean and a fresh coat of paint. I don't really do DIY, but I didn't mind this. As long as I get the feeling I'm doing something for the boat. Slight chuffed/proud feeling. Even the longest journey starts with the first step.

More news from the front: whilst Frank's waiting for more balsa (from somewhere) he'll re-spray the entire cockpit and coach roof. All ready for the cork. More light at the end of the tunnel. She's going to be as new - if not better.

Less than 2 months to go to launch. All of a sudden I get the feeling I'll be short of time. Finalizing the arrangements to go over to Antwerp to polish the hull and apply a new coat of anti-foul. A week should do it. And the keel needs some anti-rust treatment. Better get cracking.
The autopilot hydraulic ram and the TackTick windex will (finally) be sent off for repairs this week. The ram definitely needs doing. There's the obvious oil leak and I fear we're looking at a replacement motor.
The windex is not quite out of action - there's a problem with the backlight (top right quadrant is gone) and the masthead unit's battery needs replacing. Time to find out what the TackTick customer service department is made of.

As we're entering the final stretch, the boat is all I can think of. So many things are uncertain - I don't even know where I'll be working as from September. Will the whole family move house, or just me? Where will I/we be moving? This is not just some minor detail, and it's been hanging over us like the sword of Damocles for some time now. It's driving me/us nuts. The boat provides welcome distraction.

More news - about the boat and everything else - hopefully in the very near future.