Our new berth

As you can see in the picture we are away from our beautiful and we are back in a box between two other boats.

When we moved to the new place we went to the bunkerstation because our diesel was low, this cold winter we burnt a lot. We had thought that from now on we can enjoy sailing and beautiful weather, nothing is further from the truth. Hard wind and rain, tant pis!
We continue to work very hard, Michel started finishing the wheelhouse and I keep sanding and painting throughout.
It is  badly needed as there are people interested to come along for a few days so everything has to be alright.
We received notice that, for next winter, a place in Haarlem has been assigned to us, in the Spaarne near the Prieel (we have yet to find out where that is exactly) in the center of town. The coming months we can consider whether we actually want to use it, we think we will.

There is sufficient time to relax and see the photo for proof that I sing in a choir, last Saturday was our first performance in the retirement home in Burgum. Performing is actually different than a rehearsal and some of us were pretty nervous.
It all went well and we got loud applause

The Panache house

We made a cabinet in the room on the short side of the kitchen. When we placed the kitchen we put no cupboard in the corner because we wanted to do that from the roomside. Now Panache decided differently because he has made the corner his own, apparently it's nice and quiet there. The days that Michel worked on the cabinet Panache was verry restless, he had lost his house and was hanging around Michel until he could go back to his pillow.

There is another big advantage for him because, from the moment we have the boat, Panache was never allowed in the kitchen. From his new place he has a good vieuw not only to the room but also, through the back door, in the kitchen.

In the kitchen all the old bathroom tiles have been used and the new cabinettop is the pink marble from the original rear cabin, slowly but surely we get trough our materials.
We have one sliding door left that w'll put between the hall and the lounge.
On the website I posted a few new pictures in 'interior'

Water at last....

Most of the ice has melted now.
Because of the strong wind, or rather storm, the last days the water in the canal along the ship has, unexpectedly quickly, melted. The ducks are swimming around again.
The harbour entrance is ice free only in the harbour is still a, thin, layer of ice.
The harbourmaster has already notified us that, as soon as possible, we have to leave our beautiful spot for a box inside the harbour. Helas, but the other side is that now we can sail (when it's slightly less windy).
Until mid april, we have our base here and then we will move on.
So there will be some more hard work, to get everything in order.

Using the original materials

When we demolished the original rear cabin we decided we'd try to reuse as much as possible. Unfortunately most of the wood was gone because of the woodworm, luckily not the sliding doors wich we  refurbished and now use, see also in an earlier blog.
Marble and tiles were in reasonable condition, except where painted by previous owners.

There was a tiny toiletroom with beautiful bathroom tiles, all screwed because in those days there was no adhesive material that could absorb the movements of the ship so the tiles would brake.

These tiles are now used by us in the kitchen and although we glue them now they all get a screw as that is how it should be.
On the other side of this wall, at the top of the cabinet, we will try to use the marbleslabs. If it works a picture and message will follow.

If you can't beat it.....

It's still winter, it's still cold and we have had enough.
We want summer, sitting on a terrace outside and we have therefore declared that open today. Where otherwise we sail was this afternoon the terrace and we drank some wine with the neighbours. It was fun but now we do better to wait until it gets a bit warmer.