Something to stand on

So my first two panels are cut and semi fitted. Makes a bit of difference getting in and out but still a struggle. Can't wait for the rest of the steps to be done.










these are the 'mock ups' to show levels of each step. The last one at the bottom will be on the level with the piece of wood on the engine bulkhead thingy. This goes all the way to the door into the saloon and also covers over the pipes where they cross over. There will be access to the stop tap here.

The middle one that is half on the swim and half hanging in mid air will have a box in it with hinged lid such that it doesn't interfere with the gunwale overhang. The riser of the step above will flap down for access to the things in there. Presumably the last but one step will have a removable tread to access the bilge.

the back walls of the electrical cupboards are also in but you didn't need to see those. Photographically not very interesting but very exciting for me!













This was my concrete arriving. I decided to risk light showers on the Tuesday against the heavy rain on Wednesday. I did right. We didn't get our first shower until 6pm and by that time it had completely gone off. Yeah.

I calculated the amount literally to the last teaspoon. They were collecting all the little bits that had escaped onto the garden into a Fray Bentos tin and incorporating them into the mix. And there was a small area near the door that they scooped out and found loads of pebbles so that less mix was required there and in fact we ended up with a tablespoon left over! How great is that?

This week has been quite productive. Have talked to the electrician and worked out what he can do now, what we need to do for him and what I still need to order. He starts fitting sockets etc on Monday evening provided I have done all the painting and oiling needed inside on Saturday. My poor neck and shoulder. Luckily I have booked the chiropractor for the Tuesday following to put me back on the road to recovery.

Today met my painter and discussed what she can do to the boat whilst it is still at Mel's and not undercover. She will (weather permitting) start week beginning 23rd August. Prep and undercoats only.

My deck flange and aerial fitting is booked in for Monday 17th August plus some other bits and bobs. Hopefully he will by then also fit the last of my skin fittings so that both sides of the boat will be available for my painter.

I am feeling positive again.

Some framing

May not look much to you but a lot of grunt and thought has gone in to finally making the frame for the engine bay. How to support it where and how many lifting panels there should be. How to semi fix the ones not used daily etc etc.



The box in the background is for some of my batteries. Unfortunately because we want a slightly wider door we are unable to fit all six in there. So next decision is do you fit five or are they better in pairs in which case only four and two on the swim with the engine battery?



I now have to research some sort of paint for the inside of the box that is acid resistant. Any pointers?



Bottom right you can see the diesel pipe that has been annoying me for months. However doesn't look like Mel is going to move it for me despite me asking him to ever since he first installed it so we have had to build around it. It means the next step down is going to be smaller than intended. It should still be sufficient for purpose.



Why he couldn't put it along the side of the swim instead of on top is beyond me. Especially as on the previous boat that is where he put it all nice and tidy passing under the water trap thingy. It has been especially annoying as while there hasn't been any framing it is exactly where you want to put your foot as you are climbing in and out.



I have suffered a lot of mental anguish about this pipe but have now decided to cover it up and move on. I just know it will aggravate me for years to come whenever I see it.



These things are sent to try us and on the scale of things it is a small matter. The next boat in the yard due to go on the water is a case in point. It is a work of art inside and has taken over a year to fit out. Fortnight ago Beryl died. So sad.

Progress front and back

Not strictly boat stuff but Stuart who helps out down at the farm has cleared my front lawn and border of nettles etc. He did all this in less than a day. He is amazing - you just wind him up and set him going and when you turn around the place has been blitzed!

I decided to do this because someone asked on the canal forum "what do you do about your garden when you go off on a long trip for the summer etc?"

I don't like mowing at the best of times but the thought of coming back to a hayfield was not to be borne. So we are creating as cheaply as possible a maintenance free garden. Maybe this year our village can win best village! I will post the finished article when it has been finalised.






And at the back Bryan is getting ready to do the engine room. Now that it is summer he felt a shelter was needed.

Something to do with monsoons I believe.

Wet Wollaton Weekend

My best festival get up. Please note the brolly was from Hyde Park so had some cred.

Madness were the headliners but frankly I thought the Pogues were brilliant.

I admit the lyrics were a little hard to follow...

Undercoats and Chilli Penguins

I felt I could be trusted to put the undercoat on the walls that would be painted - even if I might not be good enough to put the top coats on.





So this is view from galley/bathroom door showing the wall in the corridor. The panel in the bathroom will still be white when finished but the panel that starts near where the wires for the light switches will be the same as the bedroom/office.





Now I wanted that colour to be Satin Bow (Dulux) but they do not do that colour in paint for wood. The nearest I could get is by Crown and is Whisper of Pashmina. I couldn't be bothered to get any taster pots this time as all the previous ones I had liked were not for wood so I have lost heart somewhat.





I have decided that the ceiling in the bathroom and bedroom/office will be oiled as the wood is rather beautiful and it will make a contrast. Then in the bathroom/galley doorway things will change and the ceiling in the galley, saloon and engine room will be painted white to match the walls in the bathroom. You still with me?























Things have moved on the loo compartment. My basin is in which means we can work out the plumbing situation and how high my waste pipe will be on its way overboard. All the pipework will be in the bathroom but accessed from this side. It will all make sense in the end. Trust me.





The box behind the loo is for loo roll storage and the main reason for it being there is to support the top of the loo when you want to remove and empty the compost in the bottom part. The lid slopes slightly backwards so hopefully when someone moves from starboard to port whilst you are doing clever things in here the top of the loo wont come crashing down on you and crush your fingers.




Finally got my Chilli Penguin on board and now have to work out how to make sure it doesn't burn anything it shouldn't.

Howarth Heating have lent me one of their all in one hearths to see if it would fit my stove.

Well it does - just.

If I move the stove forward to stand at the very front of the hearth then the back two corners are far enough away from the two sides (they have to be minimum of 25mm and I get 30plusmm).

I will still have to modify it a bit by making it taller so that the frame is higher than the stove and the same height as the work top and the gunwales. I will then find someone to make me a sheet that attaches to one side of this frame and goes up to ceiling height to protect the walls from the heat off the top of the stove and the flue.

I then plan to put Quarry Tiles full width of the boat at this point and continue down the galley in a sort of T shape. This means that anything falling out of the stove does not land on anything flammable.

That is the plan anyway.

Flying Propellers

Here it is.

It looks very strokeable and shiny.

I like shiny things ...

Axiom

I've ordered one of them theer new fangled propelliers to go with my Schilling style rudder and Mel Davis Swims.

Youse lot won't see/feel me pass.

















Of course they could all just work against each other!