Couldn't resist

View if I was to be travelling in this

Iced in

Entrance to Shireoaks Marina

Call this my Xmas Card to you all.

Au Revoir till the New Year

Wild Women of Woodsetts

It was that time of year again this weekend when the www met up for their annual christmas meal.  Once again it was Karaoke night and as a group we managed to annihilate several songs.  A good time was had by all I think although mine was tempered slightly by the appearance of a beige blot in the corner of my eye.  I managed not get too close to said blot and enjoyed myself regardless even to the extent of once again doing a poem instead of singing.  This year I used one of Melanie's that I dedicated to Pete her husband who unfortunately died this year and it went down quite well.  Not only did I have the blot to contend with but later on there was a pile of shit that I also had to avoid stepping in or near.

I wish I had had the temerity to do this poem instead.



Little man




I smell in this room a lurking reeking presence,

It reminds me strongly of a monstrous pile of shit

That all summer long gladly raked in my cash

Making me promises that turned out to be ash



*** Some words missing !!! ***



Instead too much was handed to a rancid piece of trash

A tosser and a bigot, intolerant and crass



*** Some more words missing !!! ***



They are a monumental parasitic waste of space.

And I got neither quality nor quantity in this particular case

When it was all discovered as the proverbial hit the fan

*** some words missing !!! ***    greedy little man




Most of the characters in this blogpost are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual things, persons, living, existing, preexisting, dead or dying, is purely coincidental.  If anyone recognises themselves then I feel deeply sorry for them and their low sense of self esteem.  Those of you quick enough to read the whole poem I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
 
Now at this point I would like to state that anything written in this blog is entirely my own opinion and if it offends anyone then they do not need to read it.  If they should read it and are then offended they are welcome to leave a comment, or to avoid further offence they should simply stop reading.  I leave it entirely up to them as it is still a free world and I believe that free speech is still allowed?  You don't have to agree with my opinions but I am still entitled to hold them.  Of course there are some among us who are so up their own arse that they think there shouldn't be any reference made about them at all good or bad - who cares?  No one - least of all me.
 
Merry Christmas everyone and roll on 2010.
 

Today

Bobcat was at the end of a white pontoon.  Makes a change as previously the wood was looking a little green.  However yesterday BW came and spray cleaned them all.  I of course have yet to appreciate the new non slippiness due to the arrival of snow.

I have some weights in the back of my car to improve the ballast.  I think I will wait until the snow has gone before attempting to carry the little darlings onto the boat.  They are 56lbs each you see.  And there are 5.

This morning I took this photo which shows the steps almost complete.  However there was no access to the bilges in that middle step.  Also the swim hasn't been disguised which you can just see from the bottom photo was by this evening.

Bit dark but that was view looking down this morning.

The top riser drops down to access under what will be a small triangular cupboard affair.

The next step is actually a box which can be slid out to access the bilges.  This is it partially slided out.  (or would that just be slid?)  As you can see Andy has - since this morning - cut me an access hole in the next step which has a corresponding hole down into the bilges again.  Sorted.  It is now possible to access all under there with a bit of jiggery pokery.

Shame but there you go

As you can see my lovely control panel panel is coming apart at the seams. This is bad news as you can imagine how much worse it is going to get if it gets rained on. So they are going to have to be replaced.



I wouldn't mind but they cost an arm and a leg and a friendship to boot.

On a lighter note I brought back the top to my TV Cabinet and slid it into place. Looking good I think.

The steps

Closed



Open to access the space behind. The fixed plank of wood behind the missing tread is so that the top step makes a separate little box of storage.

The top riser also drops down so that we can access the elec cables and the fused spur switch for the heated mirror in the bathroom.

We have put the little knobs to either side rather than one in the middle so that we don't catch our feet on them. Cunningly the risers are taller than the steps so the knobs clear the treads when open.

I am currently oiling the side pieces for around the hatch opening and a little strip of wood to hide the bottom of the metal lip. This way we don't ruin the lovely greenheart wood by too much standing on it.

My faith

in human kindness has been restored today courtesy of Plumb Centre Mansfield.

As my plumbing is now complete I went through the left over bits and allocated them to the various invoices. Some from Mansfield and some from Worksop. I took the lot to the Mansfield depot cos that is where my favourite storeperson Dave works. However on this occasion he didn't serve me but I was taken into the backroom by another person (I didn't get his name) and given a seat while he worked out what he could accept as returns. Initially he wasn't going to accept the Worksop ones but decided he would which was very kind indeed of him. AND THEN he also waived the restocking fee. What a star.

So to anyone who needs to get any plumbing bits and pieces may I recommend Mansfield branch over the Worksop branch they are all a wonderful bunch of people.

I must remember when I have my boat party to call in and invite Dave and his partner to it. He wanted to be at the launch but unfortunately this coincided with his trip to America!

Just checking

not that I am neurotic or anything but I was back on the boat this morning to chat to Andy and also to check that with all that water now on board that it had stayed in the correct places!

The waste from the loo basin is still leaking but we had a bucket under it so not a problem. We will deal with that later. Due to the basins etc being on the port side and the boat still listing to starboard (slightly more now the calorifier is filled) the waste pipes going overboard are going ever so slightly uphill hence some water remaining in them to leak.

Andy is pleased to hear about the heating although he felt today he probably wouldn't need it. We are currently plugged into shorepower so he can run his tools etc so the batteries are being kept topped up whenever he is working on the boat and switches the Victron on etc but thanks for the heads up nb.Harnser useful to know when we are out cruising.

Water - it runnitheth

So today we have reconnected the engine to the calorifier,

adjusted the fittings to the calorifier from the central heating so that

a ) it doesn't leak and

b ) it will be easier to build the dinette seat over it,

Finished the bath shower tap and then

we filled the water tank and hey presto I had hot and cold running water. Well the hot arrived a couple of hours later courtesy of running the central heating for a couple of hours but exciting none the less.

We only had two wastes from the basins which did any major leaking and the gulper pump needed a nut tightening. All in all Mikuni Man was pleased. He felt I was checking for leaks too hard though when I found things like the connection behind the washing machine was oozing slightly!

When we turned up in the morning Mrs Dragonelle told me she was concerned at how cold my joiner had been on the boat. She had tried to lend him a heater which he didn't accept but said he would put some thermals on!

I can now tell him he can switch the central heating on - lucky boy - even though it is only jury rigged to the battery terminals it appears to be working fine.

Will you just look at that

Not finished yet but only needs the taps and the shower fitting and it is there. It looks so nice and smart I was gobsmacked when I called in to the boat after work this evening. Andy has interpreted what I wanted brilliantly. I like. Very much indeed.

Progress indeed. I can now almost see myself having a bath on the boat. Woo hoo.

Must get that wood protected before it gets wet!

Progress in the bathroom

Andy is working hard at finishing off the bathroom in time for Mikuni Man to come back and make sure all the plumbing (fresh and ch) works. MM will also be finishing off the stove flue so either way we will have heating on board which will be nice.

Have to say looking good so far - a good days work - I am one pleased bunny.

TV cabinet

So the body of the TV cabinet is in place. Just need to trim it a bit to hide the raw edges. The top will be made out of the pieces of timber that are currently glued and clamped together to the left of the picture. (Cut to shape of course).

I am pleased with the progress done in two days. Makes a nice change.

To cheer myself up I have had all my hair cut off. Symbolic gesture.

Steps

This morning Andy placed the treads in position so that we could see how things are before I brought them home for oiling. They look lovely. They will be perfik once the risers etc are done and they are complete. We will have to wait a while for that though as he only has two days available next week and I need him to move on to the bathroom ready for Mikuni Man returning the week after to finish off all the plumbing stuff.

The electrics should hopefully be pretty much complete on Friday. We have postponed fitting the solar panels until the spring to give the paint a chance to bond with itself and the boat before subjecting it to the adhesive etc.

I won't be fitting the cabin wall lights until large pieces of wood are no longer being wielded around.

Side Steps

Bryan had made the side panels for these steps back in July sometime.
Andy was back working on my boat yesterday and he has fitted the panels.

Reworked where the steps should go as Bryan's pencil marks were no longer in the correct places.

Made the steps (they were being glued and weighted down when I took the photo so I could not place them for effect)

All in the space of a day.

I look forward to bringing them home for some vigorous oiling!

Taking shape

Well the galley is coming on. Andy bought a shallower drawer for under the hob so once again I have a cutlery drawer in the galley itself. The other two as you can see have been installed above the washing machine and a further dinky shelf added in front of the bottom of the gas locker.

He has put a bit of beading along the edge of Bryans shelf and added a further shelf above where the microwave will go.

He has also started on the TV cabinet. We have briefly had the TV on it's bracket to work out best height etc. And discussed where the car radio will go and there is room for a little cupboard below the TV as well as a shelf behind it.

He feels quite strongly that we need to address the engine bay as I nearly fell onto the engine on the way in as the temporary boards had moved enough to tip when I put my weight on them! So have given him all the instructions and drawings and pictures.

We will have to work around the main frame already installed as that is quite major in keeping the portside electric cupboard up and it would be too difficult to alter at this stage being as the Victron is already in the cupboard and it is quite heavy.

Discussed Engine Room with Andy and showed him pictures of what I was hoping to achieve so far it is so unlike the one in Belles Engine Room that I took Bryan to see and replicate.

Set up shop

So my new joiner has set up shop in the boat. The amount of work he has managed to do is pleasing. The porthole liners are all in place and completed including all the little magnets to hold them open or closed. A fiddly little job. The magnets are tiny but very very strong it is to be hoped that the glue holds them in place!

The handles are now on the galley cupboards and drawers () and he has made a start on finishing off the tall cupboards around the gas locker. There are now two working drawers above the washing machine and when I called around he was in the process of fitting some extra shelves. All this in two and half days.

We both look forward to when I have collected the rest of my wood from the yard so he can make a start on door frames etc.

Due to his little workshop scenario I have had to postpone the electrician so that they are not going to get in each other's way which would be counter productive.

Onwards and upwards.

The work goes on

View out of the bedroom porthole! At last the porthole liners are going in I have only had them since April!

Liz has been back to titivate the paintwork and take away the tiller arm.

The electrician has been busy and has almost finished his work. We need a totally dry day to fit the solar panels and then I imagine that will be that!

I have managed to temporarily fix the leaking pigeon box so that it only drips instead of pours. I really need a dry day to sort that out as well.

I have been disappointed/angry/upset this last fortnight. I hope for closure soon. Watch this space.

Some photos of the maiden voyage

Small boy felt he needed to be in disguise ALL DAY.









Bobcat does indeed float. Thanks Bones for your comments. See only slight list to port.












Me entertaining passersby in Town Lock.

Took an awful long time to fill ...

Under the bridge you can just see the legs of a couple of lads. One of whom asked if I had a dryer on board. He had fallen in and was very cold poor lad. I was unable to help and explained that the boat wasn't fully fitted. (Not that I will have a dryer on board anyway!)

To the Marina

and beyond. Well not beyond as we entered the Marina round the very hard right hand bend after the last lock and then I did a beautiful reverse onto my mooring spot. All the time I was doing it I thought "any minute now it will all go pear shaped" but it didn't and Mick from the Chesterfield Canal Trust was there to greet us and take my mooring line off me. He had also met us by the Lockkeeper Pub and assisted with that and the next lock whilst viewing the boat in between locks. His verdict? A whole lot left still to do ...

However it is now on the water and we have got 7.1 engine hours under our belt.

The fisherman on the Chesterfield Canal are indeed a strange lot requesting that we stir up the bottom as much as possible. This then meant I had a near disaster as Rob and Small Boy were marching off to the next lock I realised that a fountain of water was entering my previously bone dry bilges. I managed to call them back and drift into the side and throw ropes. With the help of scissors from a fisherman I was able to clear the debris around the prop and when replacing the weed hatch lid I realised that if you don't get it exactly right there can be a gap you can get your finger in despite it being locked in position. Perhaps I hadn't closed it properly in the morning and all that revving for the fisherman coupled with the debris had pushed the water through the gap. Good job really that we do not have a proper floor installed or I might not have spotted the problem until it was too late.

Mikuni Man had conveniently left his big bag of rags so when we arrived at the mooring they were utilised in mopping up much of the water. The bilge pump I can drop into the two little back bays but not into the main bilges. I have brought the rags back and washed and dried them.

The Chesterfield Canal is very shallow and we got stuck several times. I wish I had put two lengths of wood on the boat (part of the painting framework) but at least I had remembered to put one on or we could still be stranded somewhere between Ranby and Osberton Lock!

We had a lovely sunny day for the trip and arrived at the Marina just before it got dark. We were all tired and hungry so when we returned to the Chequers to pick up one car we decided to eat there as well as have a celebratory drink.

We got home and I am embarressed to admit that all three of us were in bed by 8.30 and probably asleep by 9! Small boy included!

Today I finished off the mopping so hopefully the bilges can revert to their dry status again. We have one leak in the water cooling system which Rob may or may not have sorted. I will ask Mel to double check everything.

Whilst mopping the bilges I was concerned to find a green washer, spring clip and nut. Obviously being green these had come off the engine. Eventually we found where and have reinstated them.

The piggy box is still leaking the other two appear fine.

She's in, she's wet, I'm bushed ...

So poor old Bobcat got spun at the yard to get her facing the right way on the lorry.



And then again at Forest Locks to get her facing the right way on the canal. Dizzy doesn't come into it!









A good scenic place to go for a first swim. She was surprisingly level with only a very slight list to port which was far less than we expected and the water line was exactly where it should be. I don't believe it ...

We put the weights in on the starboard side and the list was hardly noticeable.












Christening and a toast with Portuguese Rose and we were done.

We set off about 12.30 and arrived at the pub a good two hours later. We had a bit of trouble with the lock paddle which was eventually sorted with the lump hammer. Bryan took Rob back to pick up our car so we had the option to go home and after a late 3pm lunch we decided to do just that as it had started to rain. When we left the pub my sister in law had been waiting outside for nearly an hour because she hadn't gone into the pub and then it shut with us inside and no phone coverage! Bless her. Luckily we emerged before she gave up and was able to have a quick tour of the good ship and we then locked up and came home. Shame on us for giving up on the adventure but in my defence I do have a cold. Small boy has promised to come and help tomorrow as well due to the lock mechanisms being so iffy. Good lad.

I was a bit worried about reaching the first lock so soon after setting off but I managed to enter it perfectly. It is a bit awkward to steer at the moment because the tiller is too high for me, the tiller arm is currently still too long to be used in the lower position, we cant sit up top yet and we don't have a step to stand on. In fact we hardly have an engine top to stand on either but hey it is possible and we only have another 5 to 6 hours to go to get it to Shireoaks. Next time we have to steer all the problems will have disappeared.

Down to the wire

I am a nervous wreck. Hopefully by the time my night shift has finished I will have the dc panel connected and therefore some lights on board for our camping trip.

Here is my tiller. The extra low height bar is for when I have to do a lot of steering from the standing position as I find the full height tiring on my bad shoulder. 90% of the time it will just be where we hang our stern rope! I can hear the purists moaning.

I was messing around with the ramps and got lots of blacking everywhere from where Mel had painted the ends. (I thought it was dry but inside it wasn't)

Luckily it is unlikely that the boat will ever be that high off the bank! Bit of a worry if it was. Basically the ends are on a bar so they can't slide off the boat and will work even if the bank is higher or lower than the boat.

They are heavy I discovered - but they will do for himself to play with. Must get a large magnet for when himself drops the bar in the water ...

Anodes in place

Today being a nice sunny day Mel has managed to fix the anodes, I left him playing with Sven der fender and tomorrow Sven should be properly in place. I had to rush out to get some more D rings as the chains with Sven are a bit short and the wire tensioners I got not very big. Net result a gap of about 3 inches either side.

I've heard my engine.

My special tiller is getting a coat of primer. Shame it wont match the rest of the boat and shame that the bits around the rubber at the bows need touching up again so Bobcat will not be looking her best on her maiden voyage. I will not have time to wash her either so she will be a complete scruff. A bit like her owner.

Shame really as Trevor my lorry driver is apparently giving his trailer a bit of a spruce up today specially for the photo shoot!


John my night shift worker promises I will have lights etc working so we won't be in the dark. Even if we are in the cold. I can of course fire up the Mikuni but as it isn't 100% I am not sure I will dare. A camping here we come. I have my bucket with lid all ready packed.

I've just bought some Portuguese Rose to christen Bobcat with. Apt really as my original name for the boat was going to be Barroca Grande after the place I grew up - until I did the radio course and realised how hard it would be to spell that out phonetically.

Getting excited now

And very very trepidatious. (sp)

Here is the photo of the forklift in use!

And this is my Axiom Propeller in situ

It has gone round and round but I missed it.

So my engine is running

Last night my diesel wasn't leaking, neither was my oil or water/antifreeze. Hope the same was true when they stuck their head in there this morning.

Today my anodes should be going on in the good weather so Mel doesn't electrocute himself! Provided of course that he gets no interruptions from future boat people etc etc.

My electrics are getting there

And Bobcat should be getting her bottom wet on Friday.

Progress

Well busy day today. Mel and his sidekick Rob have fitted the rubber to the front of the boat using their favourite tool the forklift truck. Dont ask.

They have fitted the Propeller and started on the engine.

We have measured where I want the second fitting to go on the tiller and Mel has started on the headlight hinge.

I have driven miles and got not very far at all but have bought loads of stuff for the engine etc. Also bought some new sealant for those pesky leaking piggy on boxes.

Surveyor comes tomorrow for second visit. Electrician coming back again tonight to do some more exciting stuff with the electrics.

Bryan has continued in his efforts to make the boat secure.

I managed to get back online using the mobile broadband which wasn't playing this morning. I can't send emails presumably I have to change my pop thingy from BT to something else. I have at least received a few important ones this evening.

Am starving so going to have some food.

Oh dear oh dear oh dear

Luckily dearly beloved and myself were down at the boat today.

We didn't get done what we went there for but on the plus side we did still get some kindling and removed the tarpaulins.



We hadn't intended to remove the covers just yet but the gale force wind decided that now, today was the day.

My car had been parked just in front of the steps. We were inside the boat when we heard an almighty bang and on investigating I decided to move the car -sharpish - before the whole frame landed on it.

It was then a huge rush to cut away the cloth before anything worse happened. As it is the leg that is now wrapped up in fetching blue has damaged the paintwork a bit. I wrapped it up just in case that pole moved again. Luckily the Wizard team saw our predicament and came to assist as one of us had at all times to be holding the frame down!

As you can see the whole frame has moved about 18 inches or more in some cases.

Tomorrow I will get up early and assist Bryan in dismantling the frame hopefully before it collapses completely and equally hopefully the wind will have died down by then.


On a different topic


As from tonight I will no longer have BT Broadband as a cost cutting measure so I will be relying on my mobile broadband. Small boy is thinking that he may move to his Dad's! Basically future posts may not include so many photos - we shall have to wait and see how things pan out.

Golly gosh I got gas !

I am the proud owner of a gas susstificat. Woo Hoo

When we are moving the boat to the Marina we will be able to make cups of tea. Dearly beloved insisted on that as part of his new boyfriend agreement





Now if you look closely at the black hearth surround you will see

a) that it is ribbed for greater ...

and

b) that it has unfortunately suffered a small bit of damage from what is a very very heavy stove.

apparently.

And I finally - courtesy of Mikuni Man also now have my fancy diesel tank gauge in place.

You press both knobs at once and can instantly get a reading.

Of course the contortions you will have to engage in order to actually manage to press both at once probably don't bear thinking about.

But hey they are in and hopefully totally sealed.

This we wont know for sure until the first lot of propulsion diesel is poured into the tank.

Some days are good days

Even if when they start they appear to be going wrong. Yesterday Mikuni Man was back to do various jobs for me and we decided to start with the hearth. So discussions were had about that and then we needed flue size in order to determine the size of the hole in the ceiling (we already had hole in boat with stubby lid on)

MM did a quick mock in wood (old frame having another use) of the shape we needed and off we set to Harworth Heating.

More discussion.

Which amounted to the fact that with the tight shape I needed I couldn't have the double skinned flue.


Decision made we said okay we will have x amount of 5" flue pipe and MM would weld it up.

We dont have any in stock.

We'll take a chimney at least whilst we are here.

We don't have any in stock in that size

We will have the guard.

Okay we have one of those (and Terry very sweetly threw in the fittings and loads of different screws depending on how we might decide to attach it to the flue)

Oh yes we need the 'asbestos type' board for the hearth.

We don't have any in stock.

....

Ah but we might, yes we do have two sheets of this much thicker and therefore much better board.

We'll take it.

At least I managed to buy something to make up for the wasted hours and trip.


I left MM working on other things while I tried to locate some flue. Maybe Machine Mart would have something suitable. Off I went armed with my wooden mock up.

Machine Mart laughed (kindly) at me and suggested three other places which might be able to help. I couldn't find the first one which was on the way to the second and there they were tucked in a back street in Mansfield a place whose whole 'raison d'etre' was flues.

What size would I like?

What colour would I like?

Matt or shiny?
















For once I went Matt. No shiny shiny here.











Today I bought some black paint to do the boards and they can be fitted into the hearth and the hearth fixed to the floor. So in the end very pleased with what was accomplished.

Especially as while MM and I had been driving all over the place. Bryan had been putting the pigeon box surrounds in place. And very smart they look too.

I am looking forward to them being totally finished with the trims and the black iron bolts. They will be perfik.










My night shift (alias the electrician) requested that the battery box/cable under/cable from calorifier to it's spur be in place as he prefers to get the 240volt stuff done first.

So this morning I had to rush down and tell Bryan that whatever he had planned to do today had to be postponed in order to get that done for John. Which he has managed so the night shift should be back again tonight.

This evening when I got to the boat it was warm !

Mikuni Man had lived up to his name and got the central heating working. I gather only one joint exploded apart - the rest were just drips. It had run for an hour then overheated because it wasn't circulating due to air locks we imagine. When I got to the boat it was pitch black and using a torch I could see Mikuni Man sitting on my bows gently steaming from the front locker.

Liz met me at the boat to fetch her equipment and to collect the last cheque payment. We have decided to do the signwriting once the boat is on the water. She showed me a sketch of my idea which was exactly what I wanted so I have high hopes of the finished article. I also showed her bits where she had to patch up her paint due to things like breathers not being installed when I asked for them (ie before she had finished).

I am still waiting for Mel to finish some things. One of them being the front rubber. This will no doubt involve some patching in the paintwork under the water line so will need doing before it goes on the water which means Liz will have to make a special return trip.

The other being the tiller - he still hasn't done my special tiller so that hasn't been painted either.

And the hinge for my headlight ...

I could go on but that would only ruin what has been a good day.

Logbooks

So what headings should I put on my logbook?

I am thinking

Date / Engine hours / Used / Diesel fill / Price and split /

Anything else?

I suppose Miscellaneous for things like filter changes etc?

Elec cupboard further progress

The two elec boxes are in place ready for the electrician.

The funny shaped hole is for the control lever.

Whilst down at Bognor Regis for my Mother's birthday this weekend we went for our obligatory walk on the beach after lunch. Tout Famille.

My Greenheart wood was once one of the supports for the groins holding the beach together. It was one of eight removed further up the beach and it had washed down to just opposite our entrance onto the beach. I don't think my Dad could have carried it any further. When I realised this fact I was eyeing up some of the remaining ones.

Okay so who has a chainsaw handy?

So the roof is painted and the bows

Basically anywhere you are likely to walk is the sand colour (with integral grit)

You can see the glass inserts in the pigeon boxes that are currently causing me grief.

Still it is sortable.

Just the stern area and a few other bits to do and the painting is complete.

Did I say waterproof?

Apparently not!























Whilst Jim was doing the plumbing for the little basin in the loo via the bathroom he was getting severely dripped on courtesy of the pigeon box in the bathroom.







The one in the saloon is also dripping but the middle one in the galley over the waterproof tiles is not...




I have covered them over with plastic again until Bryan can refit them with better sealant.







I guess pigeons in all their guises - just like to let us know they are up there.

Tiger Tails

A while ago I made up some short stories about a Tiger, his adventures and the friends he meets on the way as bed time stories for my son.

My mother then illustrated them.

As it is not very pc we were unable to find a publisher for it as a childrens book - although kids of all ages do enjoy them - so I found out about Lulu and put them all into one volume.

In order to get it available elsewhere I then had to give it an ISBN number which made it expensive. However it is available with black and white pictures inside, or as a download.

My mother and I had a lot of fun doing it.

Boxes of many kinds

My pigeon boxes are once more watertight. Bit of a relief as they have been full of very large holes since Thursday.

Not that I whittle mind you!

As you can see they and the hatch lids are now black and shiny.

Plenty of light shining down into my boat.

Not a brilliant photo but you can get the idea. Basically if ever the glass breaks we can undo the nuts to release the wooden inserts and replace the glass.

These are my electric boxes. The DC one if you remember goes above the step and the AC one below.

Bryan has made it easy for the electrician to get to the back of the DC panel. You wont actually see these beauties most of the time as they are going to be behind false cupboard doors.

I now have them at home to oil.

These are my current pride and joy. Two more of my hatch window sills and the mushroom vent liner made out of a small left over bit of the Greenheart. Marcus Day from MD Woodtech made it for me. He was the one who has made my chestnut porthole liners.

As a wood it is an absolute joy to oil as it just comes up so shiny. These are dry by the way not still wet from oiling. It will be a such a shame to stand on them.

String

I like playing with string and knots etc so I had a field day today.

I folded over one of the large white tarpaulins (actually I did both of them but the one in better nick had two holes that when it was folded fell in exactly the same place - mutter mutter spit spit). The one did I use had an enormous hole where we had got frustrated taking it down and attacked it with a pair of scissors - I digress - again. This one when folded did not have a matching hole therefore a result. Of sorts.

You must remember these tarps are HUGE. I attached the bottom double ends to Bryans frame farm side and one end to the bottom field side and then with Bryan's help managed to get it up and over to recover his frame. (His tarps had got so many holes in them now that it was virtually useless in keeping the rain out of the engine bay). Let me tell you it was not easy working out which bit of billowing white tarp to pull and which to leave well alone. Eventually it did start to make sense.

I then spent hours playing with string (rope) to hold it down. Some round turns and several half hitches - the more the merrier in my book.

Dearly beloved has bought me a lovely book of knots and by carefully following the diagrams I have managed to do a bit of splicing but you know when it comes down to it you can't beat a good granny knot.

Plan c

or is it d?




Psst 'Don't let Liz see this on her gunwales!'



Mikuni Man aka Jim was back to fit the gas hob, the hearth for the Chilli Penguin and various plumbing jobs including making my lovely boat look like swiss cheese (his words not mine). We discovered we needed ways of getting from the sink waste to a 1 1/4 inch hose and from the bath to a 1/2 inch hose (I may have the dimensions wrong on the bath) I digress.





So off I rushed to my favourite shop in Mansfield - Tubes, Fittings and Valves. This little place fascinates all who enter it's portals. The building is about to collapse which just adds to its attractions.





You go in with your various bits and you say you want to get from a to b in the most efficient way possible. Nothing fazes them. They disappear into the back and are gone for ages and then like magic they reappear with exactly what you need.





Having found the fitting that would empty the bath into the hose I wasn't happy with the plastic to plastic screw fit. Due to it's location if it somehow threaded or failed in anyway I would be none the wiser until the boat filled up with soapy water. So I asked for a replacement of the waste itself in chrome. This is better because it isn't as long as the original but does mean that the overflow is no longer required. Hence plan c. Find a way of blocking the bath overflow.





Plumb Centre - nope


PTS - nope


Spinks - nope


Travis Perkins - yeah - just not in the Worksop branch where I ended up but at their Sheffield branch. Quick phone call, paid over the phone, in the post no trouble.





Must now buy the larger skin fitting before I forget.

The wind the wind

It blew my house down.

Well maybe not my house but the gazebo couldn't take the 25mph winds plus whatever the gusts were!

I had planned to take the frame down this weekend but as Liz didn't want me anywhere near her gunwales until at least 48 hours had passed we decided Sunday would be better.

However the wind decided otherwise so in order to save her paintwork Rob and I rushed to the rescue once Mel had told us the gazebo had collapsed completely. We took the tarps down Saturday evening and adjusted the frame on Sunday. So that Liz still had some cover over the front end to finish painting that area now that the gazebo is an ex gazebo. (Needs two new poles and a corner piece!) Rob and I re jigged the main frame today.

There she is all black and sleek.

And the 'new' cover over the front. No more wind please.

Bryan has finally put all the hatch door liners on that he finished ages ago and also the lid cover which he finished this week. Just needs the glazed inner windows and the lovely greenheart sill and it be done. Oh and the steps.

In detail. That tiny hole in the middle is for the key to go through and lock the hatch lid down.

Took a fair bit of head scratching before he worked out what needed to be done. Looks simple from this side but the side you can't see? Different story. Still the boy done good and it looks lovely. The hatch lid is nearly square so when it is open it looks different again. Behind the semicircle he has put some polystyrene insulation to fill in the gap between the wood and the hatch lid itself.


It has been a good weekend but boy am I pooped.

Rob also wants to re negotiate his boyfriend contract. He is pretty sure none of this was in the original agreement.