Couldn't get to the boat this week because of other commitments.  Which is a shame because the weather has now turned and it;s really cold all of a sudden.  Reminder to self - winterise the engine !!  Spent this week catching up with stuff at home.  Actually got the christmas tree yesterday, can't believe it's only 3 weeks to Christmas!

I have spent last week getting items off the boat, well the stuff that goes mouldy if you leave it.  Also made sure there was no water left in the piping as I had some damage last year with bits freezing.  ( One tap and the water filter both burst)  Weather so far has been warm so not really a problem yet.

Must make a battle plan for this year maintenance program.

Bringing the teak trim back to it's former colour is a must as it's starting to look shabby now. I also need to get a generator to run the dialysis machine next year.

November

It's been a busy month.  Not long after my last post, things started to go downhill.  Lou and I both caught colds and the dialysis on the boat became a bit tricky because of the cold.  So it was decided that the best course of events was to get Lou back home.   So on the Thursday we, well I, as Lou was so unwell,  packed up everything, tidied the boat somewhat jumped in the car and drove home.  As soon as we got there we had to set up and dialyse before crashing into bed. Quite a day all in all.

Since then things have been slowly improving.  Lou got better,  although we still are coughing and spluttering from the back end of the colds.  We've had a home visit from the hospital to check we're OK.  And I went back with a mate, to get the boat and sail it to it winter berthing in Wareham.

Having had the weekend off, it was back to training yesterday.  Me this time,  I was given the task of setting up the machine, and getting it primed then connecting up to Lou.  Then after the session to strip down and clean up.  I had to administer an injection, to the machine not directly to Lou, and deal with a fault.  I must admit the fault was caused by me not undoing a clamp.

Then today the anti was upped again.  The machine was brought  to the boat, then they let  us set it up and do a session on our own.  It was both daunting and cramped with three of them scrutinising.  Lou wasn't too good after, maybe a bit too much stress for one day. 

With the first week of training over, we were given the weekend off from dialysis. Saturday we decided to go for a sail. It wasn't a great day, a bit misty damp and cold, but good to get away from the marina.  we went to Cowes and had lunch in the Anchor pub, then headed back in the afternoon.  We were a bit late leaving Cowes so it was dark by the time we were back.  had a close encounter with another yacht just outside the marina.  Fortunately no contact,  I don't think he had seen us and I was left with a choice of hitting a pontoon, or the other boat.  Full reverse power, and we just missed the corner of the pontoon, whilst the front end just missed the back of the other boat. Phew it was close. Even in the darkness I could see the shock on the skippers face.

Today we went to Gunwharf Quays by car,  took a trip up the Spinnaker tower, and had lunch at a tapas bar on the quay.  We had the meal outside, amazingly warm for November.  Looking forward to Xmas Barby on the beach ! !  

Day 3 of the training

Because the weather was fine and the rest of the week looks as if it will be chucking it down  I stayed on the boat today to get on with some essential maintenance.  Now that Lou;s OK with operating the new machine, I will join her for thursday and friday, to learn how to set it up and of course know what to do if things go wrong. Our two weeks of training may be shortened because Lou is getting on with the machine so quickly. No sessions over this weekend so have got to decide whether to stay here or return home. Suppose that will depend on the weather as well.

A New Chapter

I'm restarting the blog.  It's two years after the last entry some of the entries that would have been here went into "A Year in Swanage" blog.

Life comes in chapters just like a book. First a new life with Louise, and now another change for us both with daily dialysis using a nxstage portable dialysis machine.  This opens up an exciting era where we can plan for longer trips away on Watanga.  Lou is going to feel so much better all the time.  I hope I can keep up.

We are currently living on Watanga in Port Solent Marina whilst Lou and I train at Portsmouth Hospital.  It not the best time of year for it but it's fairly mild for the time of year.