drumroll please ...

We've finally finished painting the exterior of the boat, and just in time too as it's getting way to cold to paint now and much too cold for it to dry with any speed.





A while ago we posted photos of Woz painting over the old signwriting on Papillon. So today we unveil the new and improved version which Woz cut out from signwriting vinyl.

hi ho hi ho

Another Saturday spent working on the boat. Mostly clearing up and finishing off minor things. It was incredibly satisfying to finally cut up all the leftover bits of wood we've had lying around on our roof and on the pontoon, just in case. Now, with all the projects finished, everything left can be either discarded or cut up for firewood, which couldn't come at a better time as it's been freezing here lately.

Also cut up was our bathroom floor, which we loved, but unfortunately was the only design flaw in the renovation. We've replaced the floor with a combination of rubber and wooden decking. (Photos to follow). We're yet to test it as we are waiting on a part we've ordered for the shower but fingers crossed this will be the solution.

st pancras international

Yesterday I met Woz on his lunch break and we went to check out St. Pancras International which is the new Eurostar Terminal replacing the one at Waterloo. We've always loved the outside of the building, which for the last three years that we've been living here has been covered in scaffolding, so the opportunity to see it unveiled was something we'd looked forward to for a long time particularly as Woz has become something of a Trainspotter, or at least, a Trainstationspotter.

Inside it really is breathtaking and exciting all at the same time. It was originally designed in 1863. The Barlow train shed arch spans 240 feet and is over 100 feet high at its apex with every inch beautifully designed and beautifully restored.

It will also house a significant number of shops, cafes and a farmers market which I know we'll make the most of meaning we don't have to head into manic Oxford St if we just want a few things.

Most exciting of all, we are just a few hundred metres from the gateway to Gare du Nord, Paris, or just two hours and 15 minutes. I can't wait until that first trip when we wheel our suitcases from home to our train, taking us right into the heart of Paris.

Ooh la la!

awe

the barlow train shed at st.pancras

time keeps on slippin'

Time seems to be flying by. Only six weeks til Christmas ... geez!

Woz and I have both been really busy over the last month or so, spending all our free time working on finishing up all the loose ends with the boat. Woz has done an incredible job so far and comes home most nights to then spend hours working outside in the cold. Thankfully it has barely rained lately so he has had a good run and he's slowly ticking things off his list. Winter is closing in however and with the evenings starting at around 4.30 pm working on the boat on weeknights is becoming more and more difficult. When I can I've been painting during the day while Nate sleeps. It's a snails pace compared to what I used to be able to do but it's something at least.

When Woz isn't working on the boat he's working extra hours in his job. This week he has worked 7 days, 8 of those hours being from 8pm last night after Nate went to bed to 4am this morning. Unfortunately, the architect contracted to the station which Woz project manages pulled out some months ago leaving Woz (who lucky for his organisation happens to be an architect) picking up the slack. The upside is he's being paid for the hours and can work from home so we're not complaining.

My life has picked up a new pace as of last week. After 18 months I have finally returned to my old job to work part-time, two days a week. I am loving the new mix of home and work and although it took me a lot longer to get back to it than most, it was perfect timing for me and for Nate too I think. Woz has been incredibly supportive in letting me decide if I want to return to work or not, when and for how long.

All in all we're loving life and all it has to offer.

autumnal views

I absolutely love the disctinction of the Seasons in Europe. It's Autumn and every inch of the landscape is clothed in leaves, whether they be falling or fallen.

Not only that but we've been enjoying stellar weather of late, as if to make up for the drab Summer we had, and so the skies are blue, days warm and the leaves are crunchy underfoot.

only you ...

I'm not entirely sure what to write to accompany this photo except to say that Woz is a very lateral thinker. The problem which presented itself whilst painting the boat in the water (most people take it out of water to a dry dock) was that the pontoon which runs along one side of our boat stopped about a quarter of the way of the boat. The solution; a canoe (of course!) in which Woz precariously manoeuvred his way around the boat with a paint brush in one hand and a bucket of paint in the other. It's an absolute miracle he didn't fall in.

The key to his success was to keep the water tank on the boat near empty which raised the hull of the boat. After the paint had dried we filled the tank again and the blackened area sank neatly below the waterline. Genius!

what's in a name?

before

Woz and I have been taking advantage of the beautifully sunny and clear days we've been having and have been painting the exterior of the boat. I was reticent to paint the exterior ourselves and wanted to pay to have it painted professionally, but having started to paint it ourselves I am surprised at just how good it looks and what a difference we're making. As usual we forgot to take any before shots, so when I realised this, the only rusty bit I could find was this small patch which shows you what the rest of the boat looked like. In it's past Papillon has been green, red, light blue , navy blue and now, grey. Traces of this were everywhere on the boat and so with a good sand and a dash of paint it looks like a different boat entirely.

that about does it!

Finally I think I've caught up on our last month in Australia. We had such a great time catching up with everyone but of course ran out of time to do all the things we wanted to do and see everyone we would have liked to have seen. Even a month is not enough it seems.

Thank you to those of you who made the effort to come and see us at Phillip Island, particuarly those who travelled from the city. We really appreciated it and loved seeing all of you.

So, there's quite a few photos there, scroll down the page to see them all, and then when you've done that there's more on the page before so make sure you click on 'older posts' to see them all.

Goodnight Australia.

cough, sniffle, wheeze.

Just a quick note to let everyone know we arrived safely back in London. The second leg from KL to London was fantastic, with a near empty plane which meant that we were able to take up ten seats in three adjoining sections allowing us to set up a play area for Nate, and a sleeping area for us which we took in shifts.

Arriving home however we have all been hit with jetlag and have a terrible flu which has left us all sneezing, congested and with a high fever. I've spent the last two days mostly in bed with Nate while Woz has gone to work. Not quite sure how he has managed because this is honestly the worst I can remember feeling for a long time.

I've been feeling too sick to do anything other than sleep when Nate is asleep so haven't had much chance to update our blog except for tonight but look out for a complete update next week sometime.

the slog to sale

And finally the day came, our last full day in Australia and more importantly, the Slog to Sale. For years we'd heard about the Slog and the excitment it brought to the community of Cardinia so this year we were determined to get involved regardless of our personal fitness levels and take on the 160km bike ride that is the Slog.


Our training regime; a 10km bike ride in (very flat) Belgium, a 17km ride from Cowes to Rhyll (Phillip Island) and a 15km ride from Cowes to Churchill Island, and let's not forget my secret weapon .... leg weights which I wore under my jeans for the month leading up to the ride. Oh yeah, we were ready.

Always the confident one, Woz decided that he wasn't going to ride with me as I might slow him down so Claire and I (a.k.a Parkes and Monroe) rode together along with our camera man, Benny. Our plan - to have fun, stopping along the way and chatting to our camera man, and of course, to make it to Sale. What actually happened was very different indeed.

Before we started, we had worked out that in order to make the 160km in the time allowed we would need to take no more than 45 minutes for every 15km at which point there was a stopping point. If we took 40 minutes we would have 5 at each stop, to stretch, rest and re-energise. The pit-stops were great - manned with enthusiastic and encouraging volunteers, handing out drinks, chocolate, bananas and oranges to each rider.

We made it to our first stop around 44 minutes after heading off which meant that we had time to shove some oranges in our mouths, stretch and get back on. Nevertheless, the short break did us a world of good and we rode of full of energy and enthusiasm. After torrential rain the night before the sun had broken out and we rode in good spirits, even getting a little hot at times. We were having fun!

The next 15km however was brutal. The slight incline of constant hills had a stinging bite to them as our legs grew tired and the clouds which had in the morning cleared to reveal the sun, once again gathered dropping buckets of rain on our path.

By about 50 km's we had stopped passing any other riders and were now the last. Claire, Benny and I were joined by Mel and Lauren and lo and behold, Woz, who couldn't keep up the pace with the front runners. Being the last riders, with the safety bus following closely behind us, was demoralising to say the least, and it took me quite a few km's to come to terms with the fact that no matter how much we pushed ourselves, it was unlikely we were to pass anyone else. However, as the day went on, Bo (who drove the Safety bus) became part of our team, cheering us on at each pit stop and letting us know how we were getting along. We felt safe riding on the busy highway knowing he was right behind us watching out for us, particuarly as time grew on as I was dangerously sleepy, barely managing to move my pedals around another cycle.

Just 3 or 4 km's out of Taralgon, the designated lunch stop, Bo had to pick us up. We were so close and were really pushing ourselves to make it to lunch but with so little energy our efforts just weren't enough. The five of us dragged our heels onto the bus and consoled ourselves that we'd ridden 100 km. After a 15 minute break for lunch we had to decide whether or not to go on. It would be another 60km of the same, fighting to make it in the time allowed, riding through rain, wind and mammoth hills, and most likely, with the safety bus behind us. For me, it was a no-brainer, the last 30 km had taken every last ounce of energy I had and I knew that I wouldn't survive another 60, certainly not in the time I had to do it in. Claire was exhausted too, although I get the feeling that she might have gone on if not for me. Benny, who completed the 100km in relative ease, decided that he would stop with us too. Lauren went on to do another 40km, and Woz, along with Stephen -the full 160km to Sale.


The feeling once we stopped was something I've never experienced before. Our muscles aching so much that nothing would relieve the pain. We walked it off as much as we could but it took every ounce of energy to stay awake and alert when all we wanted to do was collapse in a heap. Once home that evening, we were faced with another seemingly insurmountable task - packing.

brupa and gran

great nanny, gran and great gran

great grandparents

Nate was fortunate enough to spend some time with both of his Great Grandparents, his Great Nanny in Tynong Nth and his Great Gran who drove down from Heallesville to see her first great grandson.

playing with gran while great gran looks on

besotted

Nate with his Uncle Timmy, Auntie Katie, Uncle Benny and Uncle Matty. We had a great time at the island, managing to get all the Weatherhead's together on a number of occasions. All the Uncles/Aunties were great with Nate and loved taking him out for walks and playing with him. They absolutely adored him.