Week 242: Bathroom bonanza

I've been saying that the demo is "almost" complete for months. But this week, we did it. On Monday morning, the kitchen came out, and then on Thursday morning, the last piece of metal wall support was cut out of the ceiling where the new laundry will go. The demo is done.

This is good because the focus has turned full speed to building things back up again! I arrived early on Monday to finish filling in the bathroom walls. Then, in the afternoon, we met with Kristof, our project manager, and the architects to go over all the final lighting positions. It was then that I discovered that I also needed to fill in the wall behind the toilets (I'd thought someone else was doing that!), so we had to go purchase the wood I needed for that job.

We stopped by the recycling park to get rid of the kitchen, only to discover it was closed on Mondays, which meant parking the truck full of trash by Delfine overnight and apologising to Peter at the shipyard that we couldn't get it back to him as promised. It turned out not to be a significant issue, but we value the support we get and always try to keep our word (if we say we'll take the truck for 2 hours, we'd much rather it was only for 2 hours!)

Tuesday, the bathroom specialists started. It's a different dynamic having people working on Delfine every day, and it's terrific to (literally) turn the corner and see something new that you didn't do yourself! The bathrooms are a very involved process: waterproofing layers, seals, fibreglass board, more waterproofing, more seals and so on. We'll end up with a finish called "Forcrete" (similar to another brand, Mortex), which is a micro-concrete finish in a rusty pinkish colour (similar to Karina's childhood bedroom from the '80s!).

On Tuesday, I had the Perkins Sabre engineers come out to look over the engine for us. Aside from the oil and filter changes for the start of the season, we also have no idea about their service record, so while the hours are still relatively low, we felt like we should get them "up to spec" with the schedule.

They went over everything with a fine tooth comb and unlike the engineer we had back in France, were able to actually find the air filter! They adjusted the valve timing, checked all the belts and hoses, and wrote a report. Overall, the engines are in excellent condition, and we're safe to operate them for the year, but a few items should be replaced. These are primarily hoses that have been sitting and baking in high temps for a few years, are getting stiff, and should be replaced. The generator and motor were also checked, and received fresh oil and filters. There were no real issues, but we need a new belt.

A second building team arrived to start fitting the walls in the stern cabin. I had been asked if I could do this, but I'm already flat out and honestly, it's starting to get a little beyond me. It's nice they have confidence in my abilities, but really, that's just because I'm too dumb to say no to anything.

Karina kept busy ordering the lights, chasing people for information on colours for the bathroom specialists, and sanding the wheelhouse. She rode an hour to pick up a new support bracket for a fire extinguisher and kept everything moving. She removed the remaining hardware from the wheelhouse roof and then polished it all, ready for me to start putting it back with Simon next week. She also has far more energy than I do for long conversations with the architects and builders about the location of power outlets.

Bart, our heating specialist, also returned and upgraded the heater's computer. It's a much more sophisticated system, but it will also be much easier to use and operate. He's programmed it so that everything turns on and off without intervention as needed, and we've removed several complexities I had to manage manually. A big win! Most importantly, we'll be able to have piping hot water on schedule for our guests without using battery power.

By Friday, we were starting to feel on top of things. We took it easy in the morning and went to the town hall to collect the first of many bits of paper. We are now officially allowed to sell alcohol on Delfine! Of course, Belgium being Belgium, that's not THAT straightforward. The license is a city-based one. We have permission to sell and serve alcohol in Gent, but we're unsure if we'll need to apply for one in every city we visit (technically, probably, but practically, maybe not).

Ella & Inge have arranged to come and visit us in June, along with Gro and Sunniva (Inge's mother and sister). We're excited to have them come and experience Belgium and Delfine with us, but it's also reminded us of some other tasks we have to complete if we want to take them for a cruise! Beyond the physical building (bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, etc.), which should essentially be completed by then, there is the more practical licensing side. We're partway through our survey, and with some focus, we'll knock the remaining items off the list. The analogy is that the building and fit-out are like an RV, but we still need to complete our roadworthy certificate and put the number plates on.

With that in mind, I took advantage of the weather and moved outside Delfine, starting the sanding process in preparation for painting. Not all the outside (yet), but I am very focused on the critical parts needed to complete the survey—the front and stern, where we will put the names and numbers to meet that requirement.

At the end of Friday, we have two bathrooms lined and sealed, ready for the finish to be applied next week. The stern cabin bathroom is underway. The engines are ready. The heater is nearly completed (and works). The demo is completed. The wheelhouse is moving forward, and we're beginning the sanding outside. There is a date for the stairs to be installed (April 30th).

It feels overwhelming that there is still so much to do, but we are moving forward quickly now. We're over the hump, and things are picking up pace and improving every single day.

Until next time,

Tim & Karina