Today I am taking my son and his girlfriend over to Stalham to visit my mother and brother. I also need to call into the boatyard at Wayford Bridge to check on my boat, start and run the engine for a short while and also to collect the container of linseed oil that we left there when we last stayed on the boat and were oiling some of the external woodwork. I need to oil the kitchen worktops at home – they haven’t been done for ages and are starting to look a little bit dried out! I haven’t been to see my mum since Christmas Day, and I am feeling a bit guilty about that, even though I have an excuse (both my wife and I have been unwell since New Year with the usual seasonal bugs that are going around). We really haven’t been anywhere (sociably) for a while, so it will do me good to be getting out of the house.
I prepare a breakfast of beans on toast for my son and sausages (yes, just sausages) for his girlfriend, take the dog for a walk, and then we are ready to go out.
My mother is pleased to see us, and seems quite well (she has advanced Parkinson’s Disease) although it is a struggle (as usual) to hear her because her voice is so weak. We sit and chat to my brother, and my mother just sits and listens – it is really difficult for her to join in conversationally, and I really feel for her. I asked the Parkinson’s nurse to refer her to the speech therapist almost 6 months ago, and nothing seems to be happening – time for me to chase things up, I think.
We call into the boatyard at Wayford Bridge on our way back to Southrepps. The boat engine is reluctant to start (probably because it hasn’t been started for about 6 months) but it eventually splutters into life. I intended to run it for half an hour to put some juice into the starting battery, but for some reason (probably damp) the alternator wasn’t charging. I did some expert wire wiggling, but all of the wires appeared to be attached where they should be… I will have to return and sort this out. I do have a solar panel that trickle charges the starting battery, but I still worry that the bilge pump will flatten the battery and then we really will have a problem (because the boat will eventually sink).
We are halfway home when I realise that I forgot to pick up the linseed oil – that will ensure that I return sooner rather than later to sort out the battery charging problem.
We get back home in time for the dog’s afternoon walk – she chases a ball around the field with one of her doggie chums, while I admire the beautiful sunset.