We spent the day and night before lift-out at Dittisham, and had a lovely lunch at The Ferryboat, then headed upriver early. Quite shallow in places but confidence in tidal height predictions and the knowledge that if we did bottom out when the tide is rising it doesn't matter a jot meant the only worry I had was that the engine might let us down for some unknown reason... but it didn't. I remember going upriver some years ago in our first boat. The tide was rising and I was in a state about possibly bumping into the mud. No idea why. I'm definitely a more chilled out captain than I used to be
...
It's not all bad up here in North Yorkshire though; it's great to have old friends and family around and Nina definitely loves that about it. But she is asking to look at pictures and watch movies we'd taken recently on Towser. I made a quick trip back down last week to bring up the remainder of our things, winterise the engine, get the injector pump and sails off etc.. Nina asked Rose where I was and Rose said, "Daddy's driven down to Towser" and Nina replied, "Nina drive Towser!". Which made me melt a bit when I heard about it.
I will keep my spirits up by working down the rather large list of jobs I need to do on Towser over the winter (nothing too onerous apart from the injector pump, which is in hand) - and trying to motivate myself to get out in the cold and wet with the dog.
Some stats:
Nights on paid moorings: 76 (yikes!)
Expense of paid moorings: 71 * £10.80 (dart / salc) + 4 * £40 (sutton harb) + £18 (yealm) + £125.56 (harbour dues dart) = £1070.36
Nights at anchor: 60
Hence total cost per night: £1070.36 / 131 = £8.17 (less than £10 = good)
Winter storage for Towser, and lifts each end =~ £1600
Total Annual Mooring/Lift/Storage Fees: £2670 (equivalent of our annual rent + c/tax + water rates if on land) = £51 / week. Not bad.
Diesel: I've misplaced the receipts for the diesel somehow, but estimate we've used approx 150 litres in total =~ £150
Coal: Burned approx 8 sacks at £12.50 / sack = £100
Petrol (generator): Used about 10 litres =~ £13
Fish Caught: None (didn't actually drop a line in!)
Barbecues: ~3 (got heavily into local breads rather than meats this year)
Nautical miles at sea: ~100 (estimated, will beat this next year!)
Some pictures:
Rose & Nina Watch Towser Get Lifted Out
As per previous posts, I'd decided we definitely needed to have the injector pump refurbished. This meant probably paying someone to remove it, paying someone to refurbish it and then paying someone to put it back on again. I was pretty sure I'd not be able to get it off myself... but thought I'd have a go. Where there's a will (a Yorkshireman's will to not spend money is strong!) there's a way...
Where The Ford 2715E Simms Minimec Injector Pump Once Was
Ford Lehman 2715E Simms Minimec Injector Pump
Ford Lehman 2715E Simms Minimec Injector Pump
Looks in pretty good condition inside there considering it's 35 years old!
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Everyday is Christmas Day onboard Finlandia 
we have just spent a few days up the yealm ........ Not a great distance but a trip away none the less 
. Thanks for the recommendation for Phil Byatt - he is going to be doing our new Sprayhood and cockpit tent. Result!