Some small jobs have been started - inside varnishing, for instance. All the new year work is set up, parts bought, car bought, dentist sorted and so bank account emptied. I have my fingers crossed that St. James's Place shares continue their passage north to help pay for things.

The marina is great fun with all sorts of helpful people living aboard including a Baptist Pastor. In the posh department things have moved ahead with the arrival of a boat from the Royal Yacht Squadron. Apart from anything else the British boats are now a bit more careful about their flag etiquette. I am one of the few people left in the world who still wears the burgee at the masthead; a point well noted by some!

Christmas day will see 20 of us having a giant lamb barbacue (lamb here, not turkey) and after that the serious work begins and a four week haul out in early January. After that it is all holiday.