Thankfully we had a lot of Family and friends to help us move, especially as we had to test the timing equipments and get the course doug into the bank at Southend. We’d only started to unpack boxes when a lorry turned up with a log cabin; suddenly it feels like there’s too much to do before Christmas. Unfortunately the week ended on a low with the death of our dog Arry.

While Sally took care of packing I was on Clacton Sea front testing out the timing kit, we already knew it worked, but we needed to test the video signal would transmit the 3 three kilometres we need for Southend. Clacton seafront was the closest stretch of water where we had the distance for testing, not only did it cover the distance, but was still working when we moved four kilometres from the camera’s.

The removal lorry turned up Tuesday morning, but I was already round the house doing some clearing of my own. The guys were coming to put the concrete base down on Wednesday, but that corner of the garden was well over grown, and had to be cleared, at least it excused me from the move.

Have to confess to being a little impatient, but trying to get moved in and sort the office and gym out in one week was a little optimistic. Even with Friends and family helping out, the log cabin had to stay in its flat packed state as Drivenbywind had to take priority.

The tides were perfect to have the course measured and doug into the back at Southend. To ensure the two 500m courses are accurate enough for official records Plowman Craven were on hand to measure the course. With the winds in the east, the tide was pushed in an hour quicker than expected so the nautical mile wasn’t laid out, and will be added later.

Topper also needed some pictures for the boatshow, the've got a couple of need boats they want to launch at the show. winter might be a bit on the cold side but the light is so much sharper. The Topaz comes with two different rigs, we've got this one done and hopefully will get the other one next week.

Apart from clearing the garden for the concrete base, the fences needed some attention if our dog Arry wasn’t to get out. It wasn’t such a problem at the old house, it wasn’t on a main road, but here we wanted to make sure his escape artist days were over. Unfortunately he still managed to find his freedom as he passed away in the night. Needless to say we have had a few weepy eyes around the house for the past days.

Hopefully next week wont be so hectic, but looking at that flat pack out the front, I’ve got a feeling I’ve bitten of too much to do before Christmas.