Over a week since the last entry - what's up? Nothing and everything, but mostly, I've been far too knackered to bother with the blog.

Quick update: what have we achieved over the last week? Everything (bar the anchor well hatch) forward of the mast has been done. Either it's in place, has already been caulked or cut, ... the hard work's done. There's no reason, apart from the weather, the entire foredeck should not be finished in another day.

Coachroof's been cut an fitted. Being glued in place tomorrow a.m. , a day to dry and another on to allow the caulking to set. Job done - or as good as.

Down below every thing's once again ship-shape - cabinets rebuilt, headlinging's back in place and electrics have been rewired. And today was spent restocking the boat. Van hired - filled to the roof - everything offloaded and humped on board. And entirely a family effort to boot. Want decent crew? Find a good woman and breed your own.
It may still look a bit of a mess, but what she looks like now is miles removed from the junkyard she was only a week ago.

Still to be done: cockpit and the tiny poop-deck. Whilst Frank and Joeri are busy laying cork, the plan's for us to finish the paint job. All hands to the pumps.

Completion - and hence, first sail of the year - is only a matter of days, rather than weeks, away.

And it has to be. I don't think I can take much more of this. I'm completely and utterly exhausted - both mentally and physically. (Yeah, yeah; I've had my share of 'Not used to hard work' comments). But these past 2 weeks have been very draining. Rise at silly o'clock in the morning - commute to Antwerp - work 10 hour days - commute back. By the time I've had dinner there's not much left in the tank. I just pour myself into a sofa and watch some TV (or what passes for TV these days). And repeat... Muscles I didn't even know I had ache.

At least, Brigitte and youngest offspring have been over since last Friday to lend a hand. Huge difference. Though surrounded by people I've felt quite lonely at times.

Plan is to set sail not later than Wednesday. We need to; I'm rapidly running out of time (having run out of money a while ago - thank goodness for relatives). We're already missing the Ostend at Anchor festival (first time in 8 years) - and that was the project deadline - I'm now also running out of leave days.

So, Alea iacta est: next Wednesday - transit home via Berskens and Ostend - in one day, or possibly two. I can almost taste the salt water on my lips.