After some family chores, I made a dash to Norfolk to lay up Heronshaw and the Paxton Princess, adjusting the moorings and exchanging the boat cover. Back to find that Daniel had taken in the new TV and trolley as I finished the evening with Della in Holly Ward watching Bambi on the video!
I was quite tired this morning as Della only goes to sleep after 10.30pm and I would really like an early night one day. Di woke me again this morning in our normal routine and I had breakfast with Debbie and then gave her a lift to the bus stop as she was complaining about the two large bags she had to carry. I then tended the doves and fish, watered the conservatory, and then set off for Norfolk. I had decided that today was probably going to be the best day to get to Heronshaw to do some urgent work. I had intended to go a week ago, but Della's accident put that off.
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The bungalow needed the water turning off for fear of frost and there was also work to do to the boat where the alarm had been left activated and was in danger of running down the battery bank. Unfortunately, the rain started just as I arrived, but I had to press on. First, I drained down the water system in Heronshaw and then turned my attention to the Paxton Princess. I got the batteries charging and then un-moored the boat and moved it round to the boat dock, adjusting the mooring ropes so that it was secured at each corner in the middle of the dyke. With the water levels occasionally high and unpredictable the boat can ride over the moorings if moored alongside.
I then decided that Daniel's speedboat had to be put under cover and so I used the trailer to get it into the garage; and the wheelbarrow to do the same for its 20HP Mariner engine. Then I got the inflatable off of the davits and onto the trailer and put that into the garage as well and was well satisfied to protect them in this way. The rain had stopped by now and so the next job was to exchange the new canopy for the older one which would take the brunt of the winter weather. Time to tidy up and then, with dusk approaching, I left for home, telephoning from the car to see how the hospital roster was working out.
I stopped off for fried plaice in Wroxham and a milkshake from the drive-thru MacDonalds and then settled down to the journey, arriving home by 6.30pm. Daniel and Angela were there to greet me and Diana was at the hospital. Daniel had taken in the new TV and trolley this afternoon and it was welcome. I was tired and so made myself some drinks and rested for a while, getting to Holly Ward by 8.00pm to let Diana come home to watch The Elliot Sisters. Della was busy watching Bambi on the video and did not really want my attention until it had finished when I spent time with her until she got to sleep. The ward was virtually empty this evening and the nurses had little to do.