To get back and to to Gosport, Venture is moored in Gunwharf Quays and is used every day to go across the harbour - On Friday Phil will be in total charge not only of work on Rowena but Venture! Here he is getting some practice in.

Now to more important things, Rowena's maintenance, as you can see from the photos there is a lot to be done.

Bad back? What bad back? Paul bowling his winning ball.

Phil in action!

Mark ' the bowling virgin' sends his first ball down the alley.

Thursday 26th Feb - things going well over at Rowena, Phil is anti fouling now with black anti

foul for a change, Mark is digging out rotten wood and finding quite a lot of it unfortunately, it then all has to be filled and re painted. Paul is 'managing' and doing things to the engines, don't ask me what I will have to get him to post a blog.

However its not all work, last night we went bowling! Photos attached. For Mark this was his first time! and he did not do too bad his score was 63, the winner of course was Paul with 103, Phil had 102 and me 99!

I have found out that satelite tv has been ordered behind my back! So things are going ahead with that, templates for the domes, scart leads and new bracket for the tv.

So far no names at all in any of the 'books'!

Tea tonight is fishpie, made with fresh fish just purchased from the Camber fishman, tomatoes, mushrooms and broccoli followed by trifle. As they are working 12 hour days, 7.30 to 7.30 they are eating a lot, its like catering for an army. They do of course go to the 'greasy spoon' for a breakfast, Phil has a mega one, 2 of everything from what I can gather, Paul and Mark are a little more restrained and have ham egg and chips.

Two grease monkeys! Like father like son

Engines at 4000 revs!

The new engines ticking over

Ventures new engines!

A scary moment as Rowena hangs on just two straps!

Phil looking at last years antifouling

Discussing the job!

Rowena on her way to the shed

Tuesday 24th Feb - A lot has happened over the weekend, the rib is back in the water with new engines,working very well, you realise what a state the old ones where in. Trying to get 10 hours on them so that the computer inside the engines kicks in and lets us raise the revs, at the moment we have to stay at 4000. So we have been to Cowes and Southampton over the weekend and now Venture is being used to go back and to to Gosport with Rowena's 'maintenance crew'

Meanwhile yesterday Rowena was lifted out of the water and into the shed at Endeavour Quay, the shafts do not need touching and Phil is getting on with the anti fouling, and Mark with the filling and painting.

A 'book' has been started by Phil and Mark and in it there goes a mark every time they get growled at by Paul, in response Paul has started his own book for every time Phil and Mark don't do as they are told!

After a weeks delay Rowena is due to be lifted out of the water at Endeavour Quay on Monday 23rd February. Jobs scheduled for the next two weeks are, anti fouling, touching up paintwork, checking engines, cleaning filters. Phil and Mark will be down for two weeks helping and enjoying the daily breakfast.