ASCOT

Ascot is the home of the world's most famous racecourse. Since 1768 Royal Ascot has been the centerpiece of the British social calendar, on this week each year. All four days this week the Queen would attend the races and it was quite an honor to see her and her Royal Court. A one hour train ride got us to the main gate where a very strict dress code required jackets and ties for men and dresses for women. Julie looked lovely, and fit the part very well as most women wore elaborate hats and formal dresses. I felt like an old goat herder because I wasn't wearing a top hat and tails like most men. Being an X-jockey, Julie was right at home in picking the winners. We placed our bets and won 60 pounds on a 5 pound bet in the first race. She was almost ready to quit her day job, but after the sixth and last race all the money was gone. The tradition after the races was to stay and sing songs with the crowd. Almost everyone stayed so we joined right in, knowing most of the songs. We met a fun couple from London who joined us for most of the day. We would compare this event to the Superbowl, the Kentucky Derby, and a world class fashion show, all in one.....Now that was fun!

Moldy Situation

After 8 weeks of complaining about dark spots appearing on our walls, plumbers found that the shower drain was leaking. Being on a concrete sub floor the leak spread under the floor so we now have mold in every room. Now a plumber has fixed the leak and put two dehumidifiers in our flat. Here is a picture of one with the damp moldy wall behind. In the US, the health department would have us move out until it was corrected. Here in the damp UK it's not a health issue. So the idea is that the moisture is drawn out of the air and also pulled through the walls until it is dry enough to repaint. The dehumidifiers draw so much moisture that you can't even blink your eyes. And that's not the worst of it...We're scared to set a drink down because it might be empty when you reach for it again. It's not one bit funny!

Best Neighbors

Here is George, Lora and a cat named Lucky. I should be named Lucky with neighbors like these. I have spent about 7 months in the last 2 years remodeling the Chelan cabin, while living there myself. Every night Lora cooks a grand meal with all the trimmings, and I get invited. Since I hate my own cooking, she has kept me alive. George has always been there with help and advice. When you tackle a project like this you need a lot of help, and when it comes to mechanics he's forgot more than I ever knew. Couldn't have done it without them!

Horse'n Around

I got an invite to Wenatchee for dinner and to get reacquainted with old friends. After being gone for 8 years we forget all the great friends we've had. I spent the night with Don and Laura Mounter. When you stay there you have to work for your grub. So the job was to exercise the horses. Here Buck took me for a ride to the top of Eagle Rock overlooking the Wenatchee valley. Thanks Don!

Lady of The Lake

This Lady has been service since 1972. She makes daily trips to the head of the lake in the summer months, moving hundreds of tourists up and back. We've tucked in behind this big boat more than once when the lake has got really rough. The lady comes by our cabin on it's return trip each evening around 5 PM. That's the signal to lay down the tools, stop working and start happy hour.

Deck Rebuild

We have had this cabin since 1995, which is longer than any house we have owned. Now for the first time I'm having to rebuild my own work. With some hard winters these decks take a rough beating. I have been replacing rotted beams, railings, and posts, and recovering the decks with trex, which is a plastic product and will hold to the weather. It's hard on the old back, with every minute of work being bent over.

Cold Work

After 8 weeks in Chelan Washington I'm back home in England with Julie. The weather is gorgeous and now I can't catch up on the Blog, and give an update on the Chelan project. Here I am making my annual inspection on the lake bottom. I clean water pump screens and check buoy chains which rust incredibly fast in the lake. I've been doing underwater work in this lake and in the Columbia River for 25 years but it doesn't get any easier with water under 50 degrees.