.So to recap, our engine was taken out over last winter and sent to a diesel mechanic specialist to rectify the smoke and diesel leakage from the exhaust…(.because basically water was getting into the pistons) , The engine was rebuilt and put back in, and was running beautifully for a while, but the guys at the boat yard were a bit slow to rectify initial problem, so more water got into the engine,,,,,, So engine to come out again !!!
September 6th.
OK, well its now 6 weeks since we left Schweich in Germany, and return today, knowing the boat engine is still in pieces as we now need a new crank shaft !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before we left to go back to UK in July, because we had the time, we decided we should finally put the radar arch into storage, so we hired a ‘’’little’’’ 3,5 ton truck to drive it down to St Jean de Losne. ( 4 hr journey each way)
So back to the UK. It was a nice change to see Chichester and the South of England in the summer.
Due to renting out our flat to Summer Actors from the Festival Theatre, we had nowhere to stay. Luckily between Dawn and Alvin in Bournemouth and Annie in Chi, and then Sue May finishing her holiday, returning to NZ and leaving their house empty,we had lovely places to stay…. we have been very lucky bunnies.
SO, Bournemouth with Dawn and Alvin, and on their little local ferry boat (Wick Ferry) at Bournemouth to the Captains Club for Max’s birthday lunch. (all walking distance, yeh, great!! )
The local beach shop just outside Chichester.,,, so British
Met Claire and Kate in pub in London.
Went to the Chilli Festival at West Dean ,, lots of fun and alcohol !!
Hall of mirrors…………….how old are we ?????
Steph, Yaz and Lucy.
Glass of wine and a picnic at the beach on a Friday night, early then later….
Our girls, well Claire in Berlin with her best mate Kate from NZ, (I think they would look excellent serving wenches !!!
Emma skiing in South Island, and my skis she left out for the groomer 
to play with.
Wet and horrible day in Bournemouth for the Air Show and the Red Arrows, which flew on the Friday but were cancelled on the Saturday due to appalling weather,.
Regardless of the weather the Brits carry on !!
On our way back through Calais, we discovered the Wine Calais superstore,
AND LOOK,, NO ENGINE !!!!
OH NO << HERE IT IS !!! ALL in little bits !!!
Wait with baited breathe for the next instalment.!! 
Our plans for next year are so muddled and up in the air at the moment,, with time constraints, with Lucy flying to NZ on 10th October…. and everything… we are not sure what we are doing !!!!
This says it all for some of us…
