Back Onboard for a Week Already!

Wow, where has the last week gone? We've been back on the boat for a week already, and what a difference a week makes. The small space that once felt cramped and challenging has quickly transformed back into our cozy floating sanctuary. While it was absolutely wonderful to see everyone, there is a special kind of bliss that comes with being back in your own environment, a feeling of comfort and familiarity that you can't get anywhere else.

Back to the Boat: Unpacking, Upgrades, and a Splashy Surprise

Our first day back was a gentle re-entry into boat life. We did very little beyond unpacking, airing out the boat, and generally just pottering about. But day two proved to be far more productive! Relishing in the freedom of having a car, Tracey drove to Oban, about 30 minutes away, to tackle some much-needed shopping. Our cupboards had a bit of a "Mother Hubbard" vibe, so Tracey was thrilled to do a proper shop and even created a meal plan to see us through for up to two weeks. This was a new, intentional effort to be less wasteful and more budget-conscious after finding ourselves forgetting food at the bottom of the fridge.

Meanwhile, back on the boat, Nick had already started the serious work of removing our old chartplotter and meticulously prepping wires and cutting holes for the new one. Tracey, ever the worrier, took her time in the shops to minimize the stress of Nick drilling into the boat. She was pleasantly surprised to return and find the boat in a fair state, especially considering the amount of work he'd done. It’s amazing how small things can feel like a real accomplishment these days, a change we've come to appreciate since shifting from a fast-paced life on land to the tranquil rhythm of the sea.

That evening, however, presented its own drama. When Nick took Pepper out for her last walk, Tracey suddenly heard him shouting, "She's in the water!" Rushing up the companionway in a panic, Tracey watched as Nick pulled a very bedraggled Pepper from between the pontoon and the boat. Eager to get on her walk, she had slipped and lost her footing. Fortunately, she was on her lead, so grabbing her had not been too difficult. With her heart pounding, Tracey wrapped her in a towel, took her back inside, and rubbed her vigorously. We then decided a warm shower was in order, as she was shivering, likely from shock. The warm water not only cleaned the salt off but also gently warmed her through. After another vigorous toweling off and a full-boat shake, she seemed to be back to her usual self. The silver lining? Pepper is now a little more nervous of jumping off the boat, preferring to wait for one of us to carry her. We're perfectly happy with that!

Friends, Festivities, and the Next Chapter

Friday brought another trip, this time for Nick to take the car back to Dumbarton for some garage work. Damon and Elaine, who were staying on their boat for the week, kindly brought him back. Tracey had a delicious chicken curry waiting for everyone on their return, a meal so fragrant you could reportedly smell it from the top of the gangway! Saturday, they returned the favor by cooking dinner for us, and it turned into one of those nights that evolves into a bit of a party. It was a great night, although a little bittersweet as we knew our friends on the Isle of Wight were celebrating Nigel's birthday—but we can't be everywhere!

The rest of the week has been filled with more boat jobs, long walks, a couple of movies, and a new Netflix boxset. Our next adventure is already calling. We’ll be heading south to Ardrossan mid-next week, but we still need to decide whether to go through the Crinan Canal or take the longer route around. We're keeping a close eye on the weather and the tides to make our final choice. Either way, we’re incredibly excited to get moving again!Lue lisää