Sometimes time just disappears. We’ve been here in the boatyard since 21st December  and I find myself thinking, what have I actually done or achieved over the last three weeks or so? We’ve been here over three weeks? Really. Yes Helen.

Control over our timeline is not in our grasp. We are reacting and relying on others.  We are not able to dictate the speed at which the work gets done and also the weather can hold up play. But we do have progress to report. Mast is off and a we have a hole in the fibreglass and bucket loads of rotting wood have been removed.

Next stage involves removing the post that sits underneath the mast in the lounge. In boat speak that’s the saloon, but it’s a lounge to me. There may be rotting gremlins in there too.

It’s hard to remember actually being on the water or indeed journeying. The boat sits in her corner of the yard overlooking the intra coastal waterway, The yard is about 8 miles from the nearest town. There are upsides and downsides to this. The yard comes with a good reputation, is secure and has great facilities for people living on their boats.

Downsides, there isn’t anywhere to walk. That leaves me feeling a bit cooped up. America really does run by car. I still haven’t got my head round how people shop here. Drive to a shop, park outside, shop. The next place to visit may only be 150m away but the protocol is to get back in your car and drive to it. I’ve been frowned at walking across carparks and access roads. Pavements are a rare species.

We did escape the boat yard one day last week and went to New Bern, a town with a pretty centre and the birthplace of Pepsi Cola. I had one little moment which made me smile. We were in a shop and the phone of the person serving rang. The tune was recognisable to me. Ah the West Wing I said. Yes, she said. That’s how I learn about and understand American Politics. Oh, you don’t want to do that was the stern response, as I forget that we’re in Republican territory. I smiled and left.