One corner of Fox's marina

I went to Fox's chandlery today - with a list. I actually spent more on some new thermals than I did on bits for the boats - which is a good thing as it is getting cold again.

Fox's marina is an interesting mix of massive boats with hired crews and old boats in mud moorings - just visible at the top of the picture.

 

The wonderful Tocata. I spent a happy evening aboard playing Monopoly three years ago in Brightlingsea - when I felt ill but did not know why. The capt and crew were kind to me - I do not forget.

Looking the other way - I spotted Tocata - the wooden ketch.

Lesser black backed gull nesting on a roof in Ipswich station.
A very cross looking bird - so it is good that there is a glass panel between the gull and the passengers.

Yesterday - I had lunch with Aidan by the Thames near the Tower - in sunshine like summers ought to be. I saw this gull and another one on nests on the roof of a building on Ipswich Station on the way home. I looked down on them as I crossed the bridge and had just enough energy left to take a pic.

Deben Yacht Club from Lookfar

We took Lookfar out on the river on Saturday - at high tide - so no dramas - just a nice day. A different view of DYC and the river banks.

Lookfar was launched yesterday - drove her round to the pontoon. The sun even peeped out for a short while. I have done the mooring lines and prepared her for a trip out on the river tomorrow - when I hope to get a meaningful picture to prove we are back in business. Feeling less fatigued as the effects of the chemotherapy fade.

What I was trying to say yesterday is that there is some sort of paradox in the way I feel emotionally. As I get more able to do things - instead of feeling more optimistic - I feel more gloom - more anger - more despair.
Not so bad today (yet) - although I did want to gnash my teeth when I was out this morning.

Suffolk Punch horses in Woodbridge

Something different - and a magnificent contrast to normal vehicles (and boats) in Woodbridge .

Last week was difficult. I was more active than anticipated, so I thought I should be OK. But I have struggled to keep going in a positive sort of way and have not written to anyone. Side effects and the weather. Let us hope that next week works better.

Deck of Lookfar. The black lines are where I have decided to put new lines. The picture was taken at launch in 2011..

Lookfar is now next to the workshop in the marina, ready to be cleaned and have the anti-fouling done.  I was much cheered to see her there this morning, which has inspired me to figure out how to lead some of the lines back to the cockpit. The black lines show where the halliards will go from the bottom of the mast.

It was a bit tricky for two reasons. One is that I have some deck gear that I thought I might use but have not seen a way to fit it as it came from a much larger boat. The other is that there are some high points on the deck. But I have found some nice new gear (££££ obviously) which will fit easily. The cleats are represented by circles in the picture.

This means that I will be able to let the main sail down quickly as I approach moorings or the marina. All very encouraging.

52 Degrees North  - Bawdsey and the mouth f the Deben

The side effect of  fatigue suddenly kicked in on Thursday afternoon - fortunately after I had done some  shopping. I have felt zapped since but not as bad as on the three previous occasions. So on Friday I dozed infront of the tele and watched the election results and the very curious (ie wrong) commentary from the pundits - but did not get angry.

Aidan was here on Saturday and he drove to Bawdsey - it was high tide and there were intrepid trainee sailors spread out as far as the West Knoll bouy. It is very refreshing to see the sea - and to feel the wind. I walked a few meters along the beach amongst the cabbages and watched the waves pile onto the beach and the tide change.
Today - temperature was 6 degrees C. at mid  morning. I promised not to moan about the weather - but - - - . A bit more zapped today but I did go out for a coffee and newspaper  - so am not housebound.

Chemotherapy: Yesterday I was in the Day Unit in Ipswich hospital for (I hope) the last lot of the current chemo. I got there at 8-50 and left at 18-00 hrs. Typically - it was sunny all day whilst I was indoors - when I left - it clouded over and rained. The length of stay sounds worse than it was - I was not bored for very long - read the Guardian and looked at pictures of boats - and the chandlery catalogue.

I expect to feel OK for a couple of days - and then anticipate side-effects - especially fatigue - but not as bad as previously. At least there are some political sillies to watch on the tele.

The weather seems especially important - but it looks like cloud and rain into the future and I wonder whether I should stop looking out for the sun to shine - and then stop grumbling about it.