Been giggling all afternoon.

At work a couple of years ago I was in charge of purchasing as Amanda was on maternity leave and decided that they were going 'green' whether they liked it or not and bought a pack of 48 'green' loo rolls.  Surprisingly they have lasted and we still have about 8 rolls left.  I digress.

They are perfect for my compost loo (and indeed any boat loo) so I asked boss if I could order some more and reimburse him.

They arrived today and when I offered to pay for them Wayne said to consider them a gift from him to me.

I duly thanked him and said that I would remember everytime I wiped my bottom on him ...

Build Blog Officially ended

The Surveyor has been and signed her off.

Anything I do to the boat now technically counts as tweaking.

The end.

Especially for Jay

Hi Jay, hope you enjoyed your trip.  Here is the picture I promised.

Been gone and back again

46 locks, 13.7 hours, approx 1.4 litres per hour.

Small ill boy helping his mum on her first proper trip out.

8 locks later we reached Turnerwood.  At this point we were met by Sarah who had got a lift off her husband Terry.  They had a look around, bought us all icecreams from the end cottage and then Sarah assisted Jaime with the rest of the 15 locks.

As you can see I was having a real hard time of it.

They did make me do the last 1 and half locks all on my own as Sarah was worried about me coming back solo.  At this point we were joined by Andy and his kids who had walked down to meet us from Kiveton Park.  Rob was also walking down to meet us but as I told him it was about 10mins walk he stopped and sat on a bench after 10 mins and read the paper until we found him.  Probably a good idea as Andy had said it actually took them half an hour!

We were following two boats up and Dream Catcher from the Marina kindly lent me their gas spanner at Turnerwood so when it started raining and we had Rob on board he immediately made us all a hot cup of tea and the boat did not explode.  Andy had brought a bit of bubbly which went down very nicely indeed.  Dream Catcher had also booked a table for 5 at the Station Inn - they do Italian night on a saturday so they squeezed Rob and I in on their table in fact there were 8 of us in the end.  Terry came and fetched Sarah back with the pickup so he took Jaime and the bike home - this was a godsend as it was pelting it down by this stage and small boy was drenched and you must remember not all that 'how' to start with.  I am very pleased indeed that he helped.

Rob and I spent the night on board and the mattress is comfortable and you can't feel the join at all.

We reversed up towards the tunnel the next morning but it started to rain and he had to go home to put his motorbike back together before he goes to France on it in a fortnight.  My solo trip started at 11.30.

First lock of course is a triple!


I did 13 all on my own and stopped just above Turnerwood at 3pm.  Felt a bit isolated as no signal, no tv, no computer, no one to talk to.  I could and did eventually do some cleaning, lit the fire and read a book.  Went to bed at 8.30 and read there before having a fantastic sleep.

Today did 10 locks ably assisted by a man who was passing just as I was setting off.  Eventually we put his bike on the front and he helped do about 6 of the locks so my solo boating today wasn't really.  I even let him steer! 

Arrived back at the Marina at 12pm.  Went to B&Q got some stuff like towel rails, looroll holder etc and fitted them myself.  Also got CO detector and Smoke Alarm.  Not sure if I need them for the Surveyors visit tomorrow but I need them anyway.

Am now officially pooped.

This is it

Tomorrow I will be setting off for the Summit and the Tunnel Entrance.  22 Locks and Beyond.

An unwell small boy is now my only helper (at least for the first part).  Hopefully someone will turn up to assist with the last few.

Wish me luck.

Another day of bits and bobs

A little shelf in the bathroom cabinet.

A bathroom door

Rubber treads to the side steps.

Catches to hold the windows open to name but a few.

He also cut the corners off the table and hopefully the support shelf.  My head still hurts!.  Fitted the hanging rail in the engine room, various labels, the fire blanket, checked all things that open and close do so properly.

He is ticking off the list of things to do but still has two days to do them in and remove the 'workshop'.

Why do I have to go to work on a Friday?  It is really inconvenient.  I can't move too much stuff on board on Thursday as it will get in the way.  I need to make several lists of the minimum of stuff I need to move on board for the weekend trip to the tunnel what needs to come off and fit in a clean inbetween,  fill tank with water, crockery, cutlery, bedding, towels, food drink etc.  Now my head really hurts - going for a lie down.

Three little ...

coat hooks all are we

this picture was very painful.  I was trying to get the little vent and the gas strut in one picture and knocked my head on the little shelf that supports the desk flap.

Himself is sooo right that corner really does need rounding off ...

Now you see it, now you don't

Little catch to hold the table in place.

Engine room door in place.

and the last fire extinguisher finds a home.

Can you tell today has been a sort of bits and pieces day?

Yesterday I ordered the foam for the dinette complete with dacron and stockingette.  I pick them up Friday. I also visited IKEA for pillows and other bits and bobs.

Today I chose the fabric to cover the cushions and will take them to the upholsterers on Tuesday.  Don't know yet when they will be ready so can't set off on the summer cruise until they are.

I fired up the Mikuni all by myself this evening to test if it is okay.  I stuck my head in the front locker as it was starting trying to find the box with the light that flashes in order to count them.  I didn't feel safe in there with it ticking away.  I had visions of my head being blown off and all that would be left of me was a body draped over the tug deck.  At least I was wearing summer clothes.

I couldn't find any box with lights but the Mikuni worked fine anyway so the problem was obviously not the pressure but the lack of fuel.  Relief I do not have to dismantle the bed any time soon!  However Mikuni Man has told me what needs to be done any time I do need to do the dreaded deed.  Simples.

I have also been doing Vat Returns in the meantime.  Last one should be finished tomorrow - just in time.

Phew