Easter preparations

Winter painting of the cratch and other inside jobs now completed it is time to tidy up. We hope to go to Devizes and back over the Easter weekend. All the things are back in the cratch, all the paint and tools put away. The engine has been tested, as has hot water and batteries.
Further to my previous post: I was by no means the only boat to have been broken into. Neighbours report the same as I have - it seems that the only thing to have been taken is food. nothing else touched.

A strange occurrence...

I had a text today, from British Waterways Moorings Department telling me that my boat appears to have been broken into and that they have informed the Police. On phoning the Police, they confirm that more than one boat at Great Bedwyn has been broken into and mine was one of them. They had already sent a CSI (sounds like a tv program) and would I be able to visit the boat and check for damage and missing items.
Needless to say, I was on my way...
I arrived at the boat and confirmed that the front doors of the cabin had indeed been forced open and there was some minor damage done to the woodwork around a door bolt. The security chain was off and dangling. The rear doors were still padlocked as normal.
On the journey I imagined the worst, as one does. What could have been 'nicked'? What items of value are kept on board?
With trepidation I entered the boat by unlocking the rear entrance. Everything was as it should be I spent about half an hour gently working my way through the boat. I could find there to be nothing missing. Nobody had even slept on the bed!
So, it would appear that someone had broken in and taken nothing. Hopefully that means that I got away with that one! Phew!
I secured the front doors by another means, then locked them, locked the back doors and came home, feeling relieved.
Strange things happen, don't they!

The painting jobs continue

The weather has improved a little and is now warmer during the day. I have been doing some more painting. The panel where the instruments and controls are positioned was a sort of grey colour and had suffered from continual traffic. It is now Buttermilk gloss. This has made it appear lighter, brighter and warmer. When the sun catches the paintwork it sends a lovely glow into the galley area.

Owing to pressure of work, it will be another couple of weeks before I can continue with any more painting.

The cratch deck paint should be hard by then. I did not realise how long it takes for paint to cure! So, all the cratch stuff is still in the cabin.

I will have one more visit before Easter, to tidy up, then we will re-attempt our fateful journey from between Christmas and New Year. By Easter we should not be troubled by thick ice - we hope!

Devizes here we come...