8 more sleeps to go !

...... until we are living on Jandai as continuous cruisers !   How exciting is that ? We left Mercia Marina where we have been moored for last year on Thursday to take a leisurely 2 days to get up to Trent Lock.    Mercia Marina at Willington on the T & M has been a great place to moor and we would recommend it to everyone.
Jandai is now at Kingfishers Narrowboats (John and Mick who built her) to have her bottom blacked and a few minor jobs done.     She will be one year old on April 1st.     We are going to leave the house on Sun March 28 and set off on our new life Mon March 29.    Planning on going south first but no definite route worked out.    
This coming week is another of clearing the house.    It is up for sale but with us now going into spring, not worried about leaving it empty.
8 more sleeps to go !

harder than going to work !

Hi
Well, Dai retired from work after 35 yrs at same company last Friday.    I have been on "garden leave" since mid Jan and officially retire on April 4.    Big Day getting nearer!!   We are now in the midst of freshening up some rooms at home with paint as the house is now up for sale.
I had my "retirement dinner" last week in a hotel near Ascot as my boss and some of my international colleagues were over in the UK for meetings.   It was a lovely evening.    I was given a DVD of "farewells" from some of the people in my department; a barometer and clock on a plaque (going to be pride of place in Jandai"s saloon; an e-reader; champagne, flowers, a book of photos and vouchers for Loch Fyne.
Fantastic leaving presents.
Dai was given a nice big cheque from his company and a collection from his workmates.
We are now planning to move permanentlyl onto the boat by March 31 - more countdown!!
Aw well, back to the painting!!