A nice story for Christmas

 You may remember many moons ago, I wrote about acquiring a copper kettle and how the helpful people at Newey & Bloomer (purveyors of fine kettles) were going to find a whistling lid for me.  The story continued, but Covid 19 took over all our lives and it seemed inappropriate for me to be talking about my good fortune at such a horrid time.

Well, now there is a vaccine, which I hope will soon be available to all of those who need and want it.  And Christmas is just around the corner.  In too many countries, it will not be the one people had hoped for and were looking forward to, but for all that, it's a more cheerful time of year.  And so here is my little offering: a story of generosity and thoughtfulness that makes the world seem a little bit better.

The lady at Newey & Bloomer, with whom I had been emailing, wrote back to me about my kettle:  "I was telling my managing director about you over a meal on Saturday night, and she said let's send you a new kettle – just like that!

"So if I can have your postal address we will get one out to you as soon as the next batch are made up."

Needless to say, I sent my address and just before New Zealand went into lockdown, the kettle arrived.  It is absolutely gorgeous and looks magnificent.

I was overwhelmed at the gift, but what really touched me was the thought of the Managing Director and the "enquiries lady" sitting down and having dinner together  What a wonderful company that must be, where people working together during the day like one another enough to eat dinner together.  And what a kind gesture from the MD to find my project sufficiently interesting that she wanted a little part of it.  

And my beautiful copper kettle hasn't gone to waste.  My friend Shirley had been trying to find one for her galley and the one I had was perfect!  Happy endings all round!

 I am now living on board and even on the hard in a hot, dusty boatyard, it is bliss.  I have moved most of my possessions on to the boat and yes, I still have empty lockers, as I had hoped.  I have too many books: I shall re-read them once I am afloat once more and give some of them away.  I also have more clothes than I can possibly ever wear, but find it hard to throw anything away that is still in good condition.  

One of the first things I did when I moved on board was to light up my little Origo and make a cup of tea.  The kettle is efficient, a joy to use and makes a fine cup of tea.  It whistles with a loud and satisfying intensity and, in spite of so many people making negative comments about them, I am delighted with my cooker and find it a pleasure to cook on.

I am still working on the sail and my next blog will include updates on that.  A launch date has been 'pencilled' in: 15th January.

In the meantime: