Time for an update. . since I last wrote we have taken down the sails and Winterized the boat so no sailing(haha) until Spring. It was not really as sad a day for us as it is for many other sailors taking down the sheets since we live on our boat, what was sad was thinking that we have to put these back on in the Spring. We insulated everything that did not move, this makes a huge difference in sound and warmth and light entering the boat.
Sunday the hatches were insulated and there went the light from the out side, I now know what living in an igloo is like. I might add I have not vacuumed in 3 days because I can't see the dirt and this may be a good thing until I can't find Ava or the cats.
Last week we had a front come through which brought torrential storms, we had what was called a "Fall Tide" it was high tide then with the winds and current it brought water from the bay into the River. For us this meant the water was over the dock, there was no getting off the boat or on until after 8 pm when the tide went down. At one point Ava and I had to sit and hold on to each other the boat was lurching as if we were sailing.
This week we have had below freezing temps and Gayle winds out of the NW, it has made walking down the dock quite difficult. Ava now rides in a cart to and from the boat and we only access the boat alone if it is day light , if not we wait in the media room for Papa to walk with us.
Our heating system has been a challenge, we are now back to using electric heat not the boats central heating system, since the water is to cold to run through the coil. The beds are heated with electric blankets, we put them on top of the mattress with a comforter on top . We then sleep on top of the comforter with another on top. . very warm. Most nights we can hear the water lapping or beating on the hull and the winds not so gently rocking us to sleep. I also now know what is meant by" sea legs" I can be standing anywhere on land and feel as if I am going to tip over.
As for cooking, I have mastered both the stove top and the oven. . . the water has been turned off on the dock which means we now carry water to the boat in 6 gallon containers to fill the tank. This is the main reason we do not shower on the boat, our tank is only 100 gal.basically all we use water for now on the boat is washing dishes. . .this all sounds very primitive to me.
I find my daily clothing consists of Sketcher boots, boot socks(colorful) black leggings and a wool fisherman's sweater full of holes and a blouse underneath because the wool itches. . . I pick a pr. of stylish earrings to wear and that is it. . .wow. . I have changed.
I can tell I am firming up and building muscles in places I have never had muscles before. . nice. Christmas decorations are up and not so different for us, Papa has never been one to decorate, Ava and I decorated the cock pit with garland and ornaments, most of our singing animals are sitting all around the cock pit which is enclosed. For our tree we wrapped the mast that stands in the salon with garland and hung ornaments all around, no lights since we have limited electric. We do have a Parrot on a swing that we light up on weekends.
I Love my new Life but have to say I can't wait for Spring!
