I'm board (geddit?)

I don't know, but it seems there's a never ending stream of jobs to do on this boat. Rust treating, "grass" laying, flue replacing (that reminds me, I need to clean up and paint the chimney deck casting) and waxing. Latest on the list is replacing the forward locker covers because they looked like this

Despite numerous coats of edge protection they've finally given up the ghost, and that after only four years. Replacing them is one thing, obtaining the material is quite another! The material in question is a type of laminated board called Hexagrip and Travis Perkins want to charge around £170 for a 8'x4' board! As if! Last time I managed to get some offcuts from a trailer manufacturers for £35 or so but they appear to have gone bust. I did find a place in Nantwich that would have supplied an 18mm board for £84 and thought I would just have to stump up. But I was reckoning without Elaine's dogged determination to ensure we don't waste potential wine money!

She found a van lining business near Dewsbury that was selling small offcuts that were just perfect size wise, if a little thinner at 12.5mm. So, over we went and bought six pieces - for a fiver each! Lovely jubbly! We now have these

and materials enough for two more pairs. Should see us right for ten years at least 💷💷💷