Oriole usually manages to get a new present at the beginning of each season and this years two Christmas presents have been a great success.  The BBQ, new last year, now has its own dedicated propane tank and cooks wonderful food for weeks on one fill.  The oven in the galley which heats up the inside of the boat as well as the cook has been very little used.  We have also replaced all our internal and cockpit light bulbs with LEDs which has dramatically reduced our energy consumption.  The technology, which we have been sampling for some time, now seems to be both reliable and produce plenty of light.  We now do not have to bother too much about having lights on down below in these long winter evenings, not that the summer evenings are that much shorter here!
The only thorn in our side is our continuing battle with our neighbour at home whose bizarre landscaping is threatening our privacy and obtruding on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in which we live.  In the submissions made to the Council for retrospective planning permission for this unauthorised development we have constantly had to  challenge inaccuracies, misleading statements and downright lies.  It is only the sophisticated communications now available that have allowed us to keep in touch with events and keep our representatives briefed.  Fortunately Robert is at home and has been able to keep a close eye on what has been going on.  There is a Planning Committee site meeting on Monday and we await developments once more.