Well we made it, all being well aboard for the turn of the year

I'm hoping I can scrape enough boat related content and memories to add maybe one more post before we quite remarkably head into 2026.

We got to the boat at about 1.30pm today 30th. The boat was a lowly 5c but now we are sitting in luxurious warmth of 22c. We may not have cruised much in 2025 but the jobs I have done all make being on the boat more pleasurable for sure. (new water pump, new gas regulator and bubble tester, new stove, New BSC even started a bit of painting and replacing the solar panel) 

The new stove is very easy to control and chucks out a lot of heat into the boat and the back boiler system. Not doing much today now as its getting dark albeit after 4pm which is a noticeable improvement.

Another thing of interest to me is when we last had a New Year on the boat  - that was way back in 2018 ! I would not have guessed that but the arrival of grandkids in 2017 has seen many Christmas periods taken up with visiting and being visited. 

Percy on our original mooring at Shebdon in 2018 

I sought that info out as I got one of thoseFaceBook reminders  - then and now back to 2014 my first winter on the boat. We were at Fradley Junction then on Percy in her original colours. Not quite New year in 2014 as we were up and down to the south coast then so Christmas on the boat and New Year in Chichester and walking the South Downes. ( Me) as Rachel was working but I'd have been heading back for my work back in the bad old days pre retirement.

An icy Trent and Mersey Canal  in 2014  - I am so glad I got to live aboard full time, magical time but hard work. It was made so much easier with my loyal and much missed other companion Princess Leia 

The boat as we arrived today, we'd given is a decent clean before we left last visit so nice to come back to a clean but chilly boat 

One early job in the New Year will be to replace the carpet - might even put laminate down. I need to do the kitchen bedroom and bathroom as well. The good thing is being small rooms they are easy'ish to do and cheap also. The cottage is nearly done DIY wise so I should be able to give Percy more attention and maybe more nights aboard in 2026 all being well. I reflected on my last year and one thing I realised I like to be busy ! However I take nothing for granted now, I lost a good friend in 2024 and friends and family having health issues some out of the blue and totally unexpected.  

So last time aboard for a New Year was 2018, It is so nice to be able to reflect back on many many happy memories. I do hope we can make many more in the years to come.