Yesterday was my birthday. I had a wonderful time.
I had a cup of tea in bed, and then opened my presents. Lots of lovely presents, including two knitting books.
I finished off 3 more Picnic Blanket squares (half of one of my January goals)
Chris cooked bacon and eggs, to line our stomachs for later. We then set off for the boat, which is now moored in London! A 10 minute train ride to New Cross Gate, and then a replacement bus service to Surrey Quays. Billy managed to surface before noon and joined us on the boat for Champagne and Birthday cake! Chris had cannily hidden the champagne, cake and glasses in a cupboard, and waited for me to discover them whilst checking out the boat!
The boat needs lots of work, especially tarting up the outside, which will have to wait until Spring. A good scrub indoors is needed to, but we need to sort out power and water first.
The front cabin has been converted into a kitchen, but there's a hidden bed at the very front (which Billy thought was cool). I'm amazed that this fits into a boat!
What you can't see is the fridge freezer which is at the very bottom of the photo!
Cap'n Chris!
And First Mate Dawnie!
(I'm peeping out and just visible!). LOOK how high it is from the pontoon! I had to climb up! There is a ladder at the back of the boat, leading to the aft deck but no way could I jump onto that, I'd have fallen in!
It will be better when we have the electricity connected and the boat warmed up a bit. Poor Billy didn't dress for the weather and spent a few hours freezing.
We decided to try out the local amenities at Surrey Quays, so we went to the local cinema (I am Legend, great but nothing like the book), a local diner (good cheap grub) and a local pub (nice and quiet, great for us oldies) and then back home, very happy, but very tired.
I cast on a sock to knit in the cinema, just a plain 3x1 rib, in Mega Boots Stretch, which goes nicely with my new Knitpicks wooden dpns. I can't decide if these should be my January socks, or if I should save them for cinema knitting. 
I love these Work in Progress tubes, as I'm terrible for losing dpns in the bottom of my bag. I bought these ones from Knit 'n' Caboodle.
Now for a friendly competition, in celebration of my birthday.
What Chinese Astrological symbol am I? Hint: my birth year is between 1955 and 1965! If more than one person is correct, I'll put names into a hat for the winner. A nice skein of sock yarn and a nice skein of lace yarn (enough for a small shawl, I thinki) are on offer. I'll announce the winner on Monday 12th January.
Looks like those will be lovely comfy socks!
Posted by: fiona | January 06, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I was born in 64 and am a dragon so That is my guess!
Posted by: Carla | January 06, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Happy birthday!
I'm going to guess tiger
Posted by: polly | January 06, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Happy Birthday :-)
I'm going to guess rabbit
Posted by: Wye Sue | January 06, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Oh, wow, boat!! I'm so jealous; I really, really want to start diving again, and some of my happiest ever memories are on boats, either about to dive, between dives or tired and hungry on the way back from a day of diving... Boat.... Oh, Chinese zodiac; well, I'm cat/rabbit, so I'm guessing that! I can't even remember how it works, and I'm too lazy to look it up, so there you go...
Posted by: Alison | January 06, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Happy belated birthday Dawn! The boat looks fun!... How far will it take you?...
For the Chinese zodiac, I will guess the year of the Pig (nobody has thought of it yet...)
Posted by: francoise | January 06, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Happy Birthday! and welcome to the boatowners alms society, hehe...I'll guess year of the Snake...
Posted by: caroline | January 06, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: PurlyQueen | January 06, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I'll go for Rat, as no-one else has - you are now a water-rat! The kitchen looks very smart, washing machine and all. The bed arrangement at the end, if those cushion things lift up, could be good for stash underneath.....
Posted by: Jill | January 07, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Since you are smart. I'll guess Monkey.
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: Karin | January 07, 2008 at 02:26 PM
My birthday is January 2 1961 and I am a rat so I say rat??
Posted by: Jody | January 07, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Happy birthday! I'm going to guess Ox, just to be different...
Posted by: Ingrid | January 07, 2008 at 07:15 PM
I too think you are a rat and a metal rat to be more precise. If you are, then oh dear, as I am a horse and totally incompatible with you according to the Chinese horoscope!
Posted by: Mandella | January 07, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I too think you are a rat; a metal rat to be more precise. If you are, then oh dear; as I am a horse and totally incompatible with you according to the Chinese horoscope. However, my brother is a rat, so I'm not sure how much credence I give that particular theory as we get on just fine.
Happy belated birthday wishes for Saturday. It sounds like your day was just about perfect, if a little chilly.
Posted by: Mandella | January 07, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Happy Birthday!! What a fun way to spend the day.
I'll guess year of the dog since no one has used that year yet. The boat is going to be a lot of work, but looks like it's well worth the effort.
Posted by: stashhaus | January 08, 2008 at 02:45 AM
Belated Happy Birthday Dawn. Mt guess is a Rat - if so you will be the same as me!
Posted by: Carol | January 09, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Hi Dawn
I will guess dog as well - just have a feeling about that one! Boating looks fantastic!!
Posted by: Deborah | January 10, 2008 at 08:54 AM
I'm going to go with pig/boar as I am one. Stupid reason but what the hay... Happy birthday for saturday also. x
Posted by: fiona | January 10, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Argh! I missed your birthday! Happy belated Birthday Dawn!
Posted by: Karen | January 11, 2008 at 05:40 PM