Time has flown since retirement. We are still busy with projects to make this boat our home. I think Ray's favorite completion is the new TV and incidental discovery of how to enable the cable connection (free cable at this marina). I can't decide which I like more -- the washer/dryer or the steps/storage beside the master bed.
I also appreciate the quick connect holding tank sensors that simplify my maintenance tasks.
A holding tank is like a septic tank for boats, and the sensors need to be cleaned occasionally to keep them working so we don't overfill.
While it seems that Ray is doing all of the work, I am busy keeping the galley stocked, water tanks filled and holding tank emptied. I've also been working on a few projects myself. Removable porthole screens have been helpful to ventilate the boat from all the fumes from glue, stain, and varnish. And "salon corner" cushions are more comfortable for TV watching.
New Bern has been fun this fall. Surprisingly, the town was ready to host MumFest just weeks after Hurricane Florence. For Ghost Walk, Ray & I enjoyed a "mini performance" of Phantom of the Opera on the pipe organ at the local Methodist Church, and a performance of My Fair Lady at the local historic theater.
We enjoyed showing off the boat to several friends from the Raleigh area this fall. It was nice they were willing to make the drive out to see us.
For Thanksgiving, we completed the "Tour de Carolinas". We were happy to spend a little time with Carson, and fortunate to see some of the Hoopers and most of the Henrys.
Looks like we will still be in New Bern for Christmas, so the boat is wreathed fore and aft.
The town of New Bern is also decked out and offers many festive events. Cold and rain put a damper on our plans to view the flotilla from the waterfront park, but we walked to the end of our dock for a quick selfie. There were about 12 boats -- much less than last year, according to a neighboring marina guest.
Ray is currently "peeling an onion" on a workbench for the guest room (like some of the other N37's have). Like most of the projects, one thing leads to another that requires attention. We discovered there was no proper duct work for the air conditioner/heat - it was running through bare wood! We cleaned mold from a few areas and installed insulated ducts, and got back to the original planned woodwork. Because we removed the original bookshelves, we also decided to paint the whole room.
Thanks to a recommendation from fellow boaters (Seven Tenths), I had already purchased a heated mattress pad, which kept us warm during the sub-freezing temperatures while the bedroom heating was out of commission.
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