A WEEK IN REVIEW - in other words we've been too busy to blog.  So just to catch you up on a few things - here goes.  One of the projects that Deb wanted done this year, was new covers for the saloon and pilot house cushions.  Well as of last Saturday, that project maybe on hold for another year or two - our neighbors at the marina just sold their American Tug (a record breaking 30 day turnaround), and invited us on board to help celebrate. One thing lead to another and we are now the proud owners of their 10'6" AB dinghy (not part of the American Tug sale), complete with autohelm, bench seat , electric start, 20HP Yamaha engine and bimini top (they made us an offer we couldn't refuse - I mean seriously couldn't refuse). We had been kicking around the idea of replacing our tried and true Apex, but just couldn't justify the dollars.  Chalk this one up to being in the right place at the right time.

Now comes the hard part - figuring out what to do with our Apex dinghy and researching the best way to hoist this heavier dinghy up top to the cradle and then installing the new system.  Looks like "the list" will be set aside, again - for a little bit at least.

Celebrating Deb's birthday on the 7th. - Guess what she got for her birthday - just what she's always wanted - a new dinghy, hmmm. (I think I've been hoodwinked). Can't wait to see what I get for Valentines Day - I'm thinking a winch/hoist. 

Forgot to post this picture with the battery box project - Rick is shrink wrapping the battery cable ends - didn't notice until I was looking back thru the pictures -  it appears he enjoys doing this nearly naked - just saying careful with that flame buddy.  Also notice plants are starting to show up in the cockpit - this is some one's cast off Christmas tree Rick rescued from the dumpster. Hoping to keep our plant intake to a manageable amount this year - we will see.

A few small projects got done this week - Rick, put on his electricians hat and installed a new fan in the head.

Then became a plumber for the day and disassembled the toilet to install a new bowl seal - always a task to look forward to.  

  

Repairing leaky hoses - and cleaning out the lazarette - basically trying to remember what was stashed where when we left Broulee at the end of March last year.

Deb defrosted the freezer. Our new Vitrifrigo refrigerator/freezer, although very energy efficient, requires manual defrosting - so once a month it's ice cream for breakfast - life is good.

On Friday we had lunch with our new found friends, Chris and Gail Wilkinson - Krogen wantabees.  They live in the area and follow many of the trawler blogs - it was great visiting with them and sharing some of our experiences aboard Broulee.  Best wishes to them in their journey to make the decision to become live aboard boaters.  

Another good week, however, looking forward to getting on the move.