A float on Miracle - 20ft narrowboat

Nov 29.

Surprises.

Last week I noticed that Duckie has been scratching a lot since making friends with the orange cat.This in turn led to me picking him up casually off my duvet and being stunned to find no less
than half a dozen fleas remaining on the blanket.

I freaked. I squished them with haste and much swearing.

Cat in one hand and shampoo in the other carried my little grey flea bag into the dock toilets and held him in the sink until he'd been thouroughly bathed.

**He was not amused. **

Upon my arrival into town we made a trip to the vet and got flea oil. Now thoroughly dowsed, Duckie is flea repellant. This morning my plan was to spray the cushions of my bed. Can in hand, I began. On the second cushion i noticed a slightly dampness. I'd noticed this before going to London but had only cranked the stove.

Upon turning over the cushion I have discovered a weird yellow, white and black patch.

Its damp.

My inital rage concluded the cushion had been peed on in retaliation for bath. But then, in a moment of clarity I realised if that had been the case, it would have been damp on the top and I would have noticed that last night.

My only conclusion then is that it is mildew. I've taken pictures and am going to ask Alan if he knows what it isb to be sure.

I'm hoping its something I can fix.

The first surprise this a.m. came at 2am. I woke up and looked over to the other side of the boat to find that my doors were open. I closed them, noting that Duckie was not in the boat. At 4am, I woke again to find the door open and Duckie beside me. Paddy has yet to re-intall the locks he removed last week, today I think i will do this.

It seems Duckie had been very clever and found out how to open the door from both sides.

Surprise number 3 came when I looked in the mirror this morning. The right side of my face is
swollen and tender. Sinus infection on signifigance. It hurt to put my teeth together, to chew, to
smile.. great.