So what has been going on with me?  When I started writing this post I thought very little, hence the title. This summary has ended up longer than a summary should so possibly more going on than I thought.    I can hardly believe we are half way through August.  Where did the time go?

We have had visitors; friends Rachel and Danny stayed in a villa near Murcia, not that local to us but they did have a car so all was good.

Cruise ship visits have been increasing.  We have had a total of over 76 ships in since the beginning of the year.

Superyachts a plenty – we have had both Sailing Yacht A and Motor Yacht A here.  Neil has previously written about Sailing Yacht A here.

Superyacht Yas came back for repairs after hitting the cruise ship dock in May.

A food festival with live music was held in the square between the two marinas.  Naturally they had a stage for live music.

A regatta weekend was held here in Yacht Port Cartagena with the food, drink and music set up right next to Gleda.  Not much sleep that weekend but free G&T so not complaining.

Hosted dinner for 4 friends on board – with a Greek theme.  Meze/tapas – Souvlaki chicken with Greek salad and tzatziki, hand stoned cherries with greek yoghurt and honey followed by coffee, Liquor 43 and Cadbury chocolate buttons.  We were lucky to be given a gas bbq which we mounted on the stern and it has been brilliant.  We have used it so much this summer.  The ability to cook without heating the galley has been a necessity on some days when the heat in the cabins has been 30degrees +

International Gin Day

Bought a secondhand Avon dinghy.  Neil fettled it some and it’s looking good.  Oscar III had developed a leak that refused to be fixed.  We welcome onboard Oscar IV.

I celebrated my birthday.  Thanks to Jane and Andrea who both held birthday teas for me with cake, candles and fizz.  I felt truly spoilt.  I had lovely presents and cards and Neil took me for a meal.  A great couple of weeks (managed to drag it out).  Had presents and cards when Mum & Bry were here in May, Rachel and Danny brought present and cards then more presents and cards when Maria came.  I did wait until my birthday for those that arrived early.

Went to see UB40 during the Mar de Music festival play in Parc Torres next to Conception Castle above the marina.  They were great.  I’d forgotten how many UB40 songs I knew.  I got a wave from Duncan Campbell.  Neil gives more information on the festival here.

New sewing machine purchased and being used frequently.  After some research I bought this Brother Innovis-15 from an independent store in Redruth, Cornwall, The Sewing Studio,  who shipped it out to me, at a very reasonable cost.  I had to ring the store about some additional needles and they were really helpful and also included a European plug adaptor in the box.  They also run a loyalty programme so as you purchase items you earn points for money off future items.  Great way to keep us buying.  I’m looking at their fabrics and sewing accessories now.   It is the first computerised machine I have had and I was surprised to find one within my price range with such good reviews. This is similar to the Janome macine I learnt to sew on at my “Intro into Sewing” course of workshops with Sew Me Something in Stratford Upon Avon which made it easier to get started.  The Sewing Studio also had a You Tube video for the previous model which was really useful when I was trying to work out how to use the automatic threader.  I did/do refer to the instruction book as well for how to use the different feet included.

Deck sun shades finished

Military festival and concert band

Started re-painting the decks – well Neil did until it got so hot that the paint was drying on the brush!

Mosi-proofed our sleeping berth

Ordered auto-pilot from the States – part of it fitted to Gleda, the rest in the UK until I go back in September.  Neil is itching to get his hands on the rest of it.

First thing I made with my new sewing machine was a twiddle/sensory blanket for Dad. Twiddle/Sensory blankets provide a wonderful source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation for those with dementia or sight impairments. They are pieces of fabric with additional items stitched on, with different shapes and textures.  I used my automatic button hole foot to add actual button holes for the pretty and shaped buttons.  I also appliqued his name on the back.  I’ve added pompoms (using my pompom maker), velcro, a zip, a bell, some elastic and a pocket.  I just need to find a small soft toy to sew into the pocket.

Following Dad’s care online I saw that he had been on a day trip out to the Coventry Motor Museum.

Bought a secondhand inflatable kayak

More friends visited – Maria, Ian and Laurel came out for 10 days.  They stayed in an apartment in town not far from the marina and we spent most of our time together which was great (Maria and I have been friends since we were 7 years old).  We also got out on the boat a couple of days and swam in the Mediterranean for the first time.  The water was so clear Neil and I also saw the anchor in the seabed for the first time from the deck.

I’ve been making some changes/nesting in the galley and saloon area.  Nothing major but I was fed up of the bright green in the galley and wanted something a bit more sedate. However, I did brighten up the saloon end with bright marine print cushion covers.  I’ve had more cushion covers on Gleda than I ever did at the cottage.

Mum sent me the magazines I like from the UK.  I currently subscribe to Country Living (in error as I meant to cancel this) and I do really enjoy Good Houskeeping.  Turns out I can’t have an Aga or a walk in pantry on the boat.  I still get to play with interiors though.

Preparing for our next visitors.  We are having to empty the shed, I mean the spare cabin. This also needs to be mosi-proofed and an electric socket added for a fan/charging.

I think I’ve covered the major events of the last few months.  The days just roll into one.

Hope you have all been having a great summer whatever you have been up to and wherever you are.