Change of plan!

So when I said Andy wasn't going to work on the boat in the cold I was wrong.  As his other work was roofing work he asked if he could make a start back on the boat.  He also provided his own oil fired heater (electric) so he is warm and careful along the pontoon!

So I now have some door frames which is nice.

Due to the fact that my previous joiner (he who shall not be named) appears to have made a mistake in cutting out the shape of the side panel by the swim (and never admitted it) Andy has had to put a patch in which doesn't look brilliant but I am sure we can disguise it somehow.  The boat looks a little more formed with the door frames in place.  Looks like I will have a lot of oiling to do later on once all the joinery is in and no more sawdust is being created.

Some more framing around the galley tall cupboards and one cupboard door in place for demonstration purposes.  Not sure if we are going for a lip on the shelf or drop the door a bit and have a filler piece at the top.  The bottom cupboard doors will stand a bit taller then the fridge freezer, decisions decisions...

And the top frame for the bathroom doorway.

I apologise for the graininess of photo but I think the camera was stuck on 'no flash' mode which looks better in the little window on the camera but looks crap once you get it home on the computer.

Still for gist purposes you get the picture.

I am keeping up with the walking.  Yesterday I parked up and walked to the boat - discovering the wonders of the view from the slag heap created by the Shireoaks Colliery which was shut in 1990 and has been planted with trees, loads of paths and benches etc.  You are able to get a good 360 degree view from up there (being the only 'hill' in the area) and it was amazing to see so much snow in all directions.  The only green being tree tops.

Pretty patterns

I think that that is Clumber Park in the distance.

All crisp and even

Yesterday I walked to the boat for exercise and also to check on how she was fairing.  As you can see she was completely covered in a snow blanket.

The batteries were okay but I still put the inverter/charger on for a bit whilst I was there just in case.    Decided not to run the engine as I wasn't sure if it was the right or wrong thing to do.  I look forward to the time when I know my own boat but until then I will play it safe.  It was still lovely and dry inside and felt quite warm compared to outside. 

I have decided not to have Andy working on the boat until we have the stove up and running and of course with more snow forecast this won't happen any time soon.  Better to play it safe I really wouldn't be happy if he fell in.  So no news on the build for a while I am afraid.

The marina has been solid ice since before Xmas so I have offered my bath to one of the liveaboards.  Whether they can make it to my house is another matter.  As it took me an hour and twenty minutes to walk it each way.  Rewarded myself with eggy bread for lunch.

Sometimes you have to make your own art in nature

I have it on good authority from my mother that the snow arrived boxing day 1962 and stayed until April 1963.  I wonder how long this one will last?

Also I was in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1981 and I remember it was so cold the diesel in the buses froze.  Now that is cold.

Today I went out to work (ring out those bells) and on the way home it started to snow a little so I filled up with diesel, bought some coal and stocked up the larder.  Sorted.

Global warming huh?

Do you remember Winter/Spring of 63 or was it 64?

I don't - but there are photos of me, my cherry red cheeks and

a 'not impressed' glare as I am taken toboganning. 

The moment also captured on cine camera which my Brother recently had converted onto DVD.

My Mother had to ski to the shops and the doctors I believe the snow was around for weeks.

I am having to go out every couple of hours to clear the snow off the bird feeders for the little darlings. 

They have apparently forgiven me for going away and have now returned to my garden. 

I had left them loads of feed whilst I was away to keep them going

but they can be quite picky about old seed.

Ungrateful little ...

Weird to be back

Having been at Rob's up in them there hills (with the cat too) it is strange to be back.  The cat is pleased to be home though as we had run out of cat litter (horse bedding) and she didn't want to go out in the snow yesterday and today.  She is just a big jessy. 

There is no internet or much in the way of signal at his house so it has been a very quiet time.  Restful.  We have been for walks most days.  Also for the piece de resistance of my holiday he dragged me back to donate Blood.  I was kicked off the register on my 11th visit due to being born in the wrong place, however this time they have once again taken it from me and they will test to see if I have Malaria antibodies or not.  So you could be getting my blood if you need it at some stage if I am accepted back into the fold.  If not then at least I will know for certain.  Funny how the rules keep changing.

If I didn't have to be back to do wages tomorrow and send by email I would have stayed.  Cat Litter not withstanding.

Don't you just love coming upon useful sculpture like these?

Of course some toe rag has tried to set it on fire as there is evidence of this on both sides.

First thing we did on New Years day was cut all my hair off - completely this time - using Rob's razor!

2009 has gone.  2010 is here.

I am liberated.

Was I glad of the silly hat I got for Christmas as modelled here.

We found this rope swing on our New Years day walk.  I was happy with the rope not so sure of the rotten wood seat.  I was asked to go higher and higher to get me against the sky and then he missed the shot!

The Year has started well I hope it continues.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO ALL BOATERS AND FRIENDS OUT THERE

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.