Beware Wet Paint!

It is starting to feel like summer ( I really wish I hadn't said that ) our convoy of swans were up and waiting for us bright and early, mum leading, then the four signets,and finally dad. they do seem to be better parents than the ducks, helps if you are king of the cut I suppose.
I have started to re paint some of the more tired areas of the boat, I am not very patient when it comes to this sort of work, I start off with good intentions, get bored, and rush it.but with a quote for a professional job being £5800.00 plus the dry dock fees, we thought I had better learn to be more patient !

Rubbed down and some primer on the bare metal, looks b..... awful.

Painted, but with masking tape still on, can't pluck up courage to remove it yet.

Fine example of bracket fungi, on the tree by our boat.

Ali's Galley. 

These sunny days call for a relaxed menu - we call this dish 'Roast Med Veg', it's a great way to get in some of the '5 a day'!

 Select some vegetables, wash and chop or slice them as appropriate - leave cherry tomatoes whole. We used: aubergine, mushroom, onion, red pepper, new potatoes, cauliflower florets, asparagus. You could use courgette, spring onion or any vegetable that takes your fancy!

 Put the prepared veg into a roasting pan, season well and add dried herbs or fresh herbs if you have them. Add a couple of tablespoons of a good olive oil and stir to coat the vegetables. Put into a fairly hot oven - Gas 6-7. This is a flexible dish to cook, turn the oven down a bit if you are not in a hurry then up again at the  the end of cooking to get that lovely golden crispiness on the veg.

 Cook the vegetables for between 40 minutes and an hour depending on your oven temperature. About half way through cooking take out the tin and give everything a good stir round, adding a little more olive oil if needed. New potatoes take the longest to cook so test them with a sharp knife.

We sometimes eat Roasted Med Veg just as they are with some nice wholemeal bread to mop up the caramelised juices. It's equally nice with salmon fillets Cook them on the top of the vegetables about 10 - 15 minutes before the veg are cooked.


I have just been to inspect the paint work, the sun has brought bubbles out big enough to hang a basket under, so guess I will be rubbing down and re doing tomorrow, hey ho.

bye for now,
Baz and Ali.