Painting under engine

I nipped out to the boat today to hoover up the engine bay whilst it is accessible and to paint under the engine. I used a spray can of radiator paint as I felt it wouldn't mind getting a little bit hot! But darn it not sure it was such a good idea because as you can see

there are places you cannot reach to spray properly as the can would prefer to be a little bit upright! Ah well at least a bit of a layer is better than none at all.

I have asked Mel if it is possible to re route those yellow diesel lines a tad so that they do not restrict valuable storage space and also to make it easier to box the engine in for easy access. I also took another load of cardboard to the dump it site. Boat feels much bigger already!

Little things

Please little minds

I got so excited by the appearance of my centre rope ring doo hicky



and also by the back navigation light ...



I am so sad!

C D W M update and tank gauge indicator

The meal went very well and I found these fabulous coffee cups in a charity shop for the princely sum of £2.00. This was so that I could offer little cups of coffee instead of large cups with a small amount of coffee in the bottom as previously!







If I can find other such gems I think that is where I will do my crockery shopping for the boat.







the table laid up ready.

The table as it looks now! These are the porthole covers. I am oiling them prior to them being attached to the porthole liners. They have been made from chesnut and are coming up a treat with the oiling. I have yet to source hinges for them as ideally I would like black piano hinges but not found any yet.

Mel has been busy in the engine room. To the left of the weed hatch are the two holes drilled for the tank level indicator. He has informed me of the distance from the centres so that I can order the kit.

My surveyor says currently the rules stipulate that all of a dry exhaust needs lagging even if it is out of the way. They are apparently discussing this matter on Monday but as the results of the discussion could take weeks to be reported we have decided to lag now anyway just in case.

Mel has also put the front electric diesel tank sender into the front tank. I missed it but he actually squeezed himself into the front locker to do the welding and nearly got stuck but also more crucially nearly set fire to his leg!

Willington Marina

If you look at their website you will see many many pictures of the boats being dropped in the water. Lovely one of Mel!

Come Dine With Me

I in my infinite wisdom thought it would be a good thing if we did a sort of come dine with me where once a month one of us has to do the whole meal etc. As it was my idea I am doing the first one tomorrow night. Luckily there will not be a film crew following me around.

I have cheated a little bit in that tonight I have done the dessert. This is because tomorrow morning I will have to work and that is my excuse and I am sticking to it. Here is my menu which I have done with lovely borders and fancy writing. They are all rolled up waiting to be handed over to the lucky lucky recipients ...

Come Dine With Me


Starter

Stir-fried salad
of
Ginger and Chilli Prawns with mini courgettes



Main Course

Katarina Má
Moroccan Style Curry with steamed white and brown basmati rice



Dessert

Lady Grey, Red Square Lemon and Raspberry Licor Beiraõ
Sorbet Medley in a ginger snap basket

I am feeling a little bit tipsy now due to having licked out the ice cream maker twice!

So that is the fun bit over - tomorrow I have to work, make room for four people to dine around the table by moving narrowboat bits and pieces out of the way and hoovering/cleaning at the same time. And then cook, oh tittle I knew there was a flaw in this plan. Still I should get three nice meals out of it without having to lift a finger.

Does Yvonne know?

That I was allowed to play with one of his tools?



So where the pipework would be visible we are making a box for them to go in. Here I have been allowed to play and install the pipe grabs. Cold fresh water bottom front, return central heating bottom back. Flow central heating top front, hot water top back.



This is where the central heating pipes go under to the towel radiator on the otherside of the boat. And also the cold feed to the washing machine.



George the plumber arrived in the evening and we put the radiator bits and pieces on so they are now complete and stored them in the 'loo'.

It was too late to cut the pipes and put the fittings on to connect them up and anyway we discovered that one cannot just attach the front two legs. The legs are only 4" long below the rad and the pipe box is 5" tall!

So
a) Bryan will have to cut the back legs down and
b) make a plinth for the front legs to stand on.


Mice and Men Mice and Men - exits stage left muttering ...

Bling - for your delectation