The merry month of May

It's already halfway through the month and we've still had no rain to speak of. Yes, it's May and despite the lush growth in the hedgerows, as well as my burgeoning tree (who would have thought it looked like a skeleten three years ago?), the grass is brown and there's virtually nothing to mow. 

My very healthy lime tree
And the not so healthy grass

The farmers must be getting quietly desperate although they still manage to look cheerful enough as they thunder along our dyke in their tractors. Mind you, I think I'd be looking pleased up there in those cabs as well. I've long had a yen to drive a tractor, but so far, that wish hasn't come to fruition.

Of course, while we were away, the petunias in my little garden fried, so I've now replaced them with begonias, which are tougher. Hopefully, I'll have some joy from them before we go away for the summer. I've also been back to Vereeniging, working on the steering issue, but there's not much progress to report there yet. I'm having to make temporary blocks from pine until I can find the self-greasing hardwood recommended by my friend, Tom. Otherwise, I've read that maple wood (esdoorn in Dutch) is used for bearings, so I'll try and get some and oil it well. It'll get there eventually, but it might take some time. Meanwhile, we'll get the old girl ready for her spell on the slipway on the 26th, which will hopefully be a short one as there's no inspection planned.

Tomorrow, we'll fill up all her oily bits and get her running. We only have a short way to go to reach the yard but it's along the busy Gent-Terneuzen canal where we've had problems in the past, so it's always as well to double check everything first and to know she's fit to fare next week. It will be so good to be out on the water again.

Otherwise, the only news to speak of is the family get together we had yesterday to mark a special birthday. The concept was so clever. My daughter organised a cocktail afternoon at the 'Memoir Bar' and my other daughter created a menu of special drinks based on the titles of my books. It was a lovely afternoon full of laughter, sun and relaxation and we all enjoyed ourselves no end.

The menu for the 'Memoir cocktail bar'
That's it for this week, then, allemaal. Although we need rain, please send up a plea that we don't have any for the last week of the month. I could do with dry weather for painting Vereeniging's bottom!