Buying stuff for the boat

I've been on a spending spree, this is what I've bought.

Ecoballs for the washing machine

A first Aid kit as Captain Hot Stuff cut his hand last weekend and we had no plasters!

Wall hanging storage to hold pants and socks.

This, to replace the dratted wine rack that is neither use nor ornament.

A large amount of washing up liquid.

I still need to buy something to line the kitchen drawers and cupboard shelves with, they are wood and have a rough surface. They are grubby and not easy to clean. I don't want to use sticky backed plastic as it's a bugger to get off once it's worn. I'm looking for an alternative and I'm open to suggestions.

I also need to buy the foam and fabric to replace the seats in the dinette.

Change of name

After the last weekend on the boat my L&M has been given a name change.

We lit the stove Friday evening to check it all worked ok and for a few brief minutes the boat became almost warm.

In fact we almost reached the giddy heights of 12deg!

But then my beloved was almost overcome with heat stroke and all the windows and doors had to be flung open.

From now on my beloved will be known as Captain Hot Stuff!

Maiden voyage

We took the boat out of the marina and along the cut .

This was the Captain's first attempt at manoeuvring the boat.

It was Eileen's  first boat trip, it was a bit windy!

Midnight

It's just after midnight and poor little dgd has a rotten cough, it woke her up.
She is missing her mummy, still, nana is a good substitute.
She's fallen asleep again now cuddling her Mickey Mouse toy and listening to another story about Miss Maitland's school for dinosaurs.

Performance management

The dreaded performance management has reared it's ugly head again
Every few years an attempt is made to implement something and then it dies a death.

Whichever system chosen is all stick and no carrot.
I went through hell a few years ago when we had a Head who was desperate to rid the school of all staff over 50.

I was set three objectives, all impossible, they were as follows.

1) All consumables are to be locked securely away and be easily accessible at all times to all staff!
Total bollocks as the two things are contradictory.

2) My room was to be subject to random spot checks and had to be tidy at all times.
The checks were always done after I'd left for the day! I started taking a photo on my phone every day as I left to show that I'd left the room tidy.

3) I was to show a more positive attitude.
I told my line manager that I was positive I was being shit on!

I was asked to suggest some objectives that I would like to achieve so I chose to increase my knowledge of some of the software used in the school. I was refused all training and my access to said software was blocked.

So a few years have passed and yet another system of performance management is being instigated.

We have the choice to opt in or out. If we opt in we will given 3 objectives to attain, if we exceed all three of our objectives we may be eligible for a small treat, a day off, or a box of chocolates or an even smaller pay rise. If we fail to attain our objectives we will be subject to disciplinary measures. 

If we opt out we are given 3 objectives to attain, if we exceed all three of our objectives we will not be eligible for treat or pay rise. If we fail to attain our objectives we will be subject to disciplinary measures. 

I have opted out, I'm planning on retiring in October so what's the point. I have had an email from my line manager informing me of the date for a meeting with her to discuss my objectives. I told her that my objective is to retire, but it seems we still have to decide upon my objectives. What a waste of my time and hers!

Spring has sprung

Anchor

So we went to the chandlers to buy an anchor, we need an anchor for the Thames.

There is a compromise  involved i.e. how heavy an anchor is needed to stop a 19 ton boat plus the weight of the chain and rope attached to said anchor, against the lifting capabilities of the weakest crew member, me!

So the conversation in the chandlers went like this.

'How much does your boat weigh'
'19 tons'
'How much can you lift?'
'I can lift almost 30 kilos'
'No you can't, that's much to heavy for you'
'Yes I can, I can lift 2 paper boxes at a time and they weigh between 13 & 15 kilos each'
'No you can't, try to lift this anchor, it's 9 kilos'
I picked up 2 at once, conversation over!