My chairs done!

Couldn't relax this morning as Paul was raring to get my chair sorted. Webbing on mine had moved as well so now with the new foam inserted I am another 6 inches off the ground and my feet swing in the wind. No more shelves today thank goodness but I finally managed to take advantage of the dry weather to polish the side of the boat. Paul was watching his motor cycling at the time, when I was half way he popped his head out of the window and told me to leave the rest until tomorrow as if I could leave half not done I ask you.
Investigated the footpath and it does take you to the road at the prison so if we get stuck here we know we can get the bus for supplies. Every one deserted us today taking advantage of the good weather so we are here on our own in the peace and quiet.
Tomorrow we are going to do absolutely nothing except maybe take the dogs for a nice long walk weather permitting.

Yet more jobs done

I didn't ask, but today Paul has been like a banshee doing stuff. Our recliner chairs are a bit saggy so in his infinite wisdom Paul took his to bits to see if it would be possible to pad out the seat a bit. He did find that the support webbing across the frame had moved so that was re-aligned and made secure using his rigging skills. Paul had some high density foam hidden away in the gas locker which was found in a skip (like a lot of junk he collects) about a year ago. This was cut to size and moulded, inserted between the frame and the seat cushion re-assembled. Chair is now 100% more comfortable. Sure he has only done this so I wont harp on about getting new chairs. Mine will be done tomorrow as my poor little soldier worked up such a sweat he couldn't face doing my chair today, altogether now.................
He also put a shelf in the back cupboard, (yes another shelf, we have so many now) but we are now able to hang our jackets up with out having a fight to get them out. The wood that has been saved "just in case" has been sorted and the majority of it is now destined for the fire, however there is one nice piece that may be used for a SHELF but he has yet to find a space to put it.
It is a really grim day but it is November after all so what can you expect. Paul has earmarked his TV slot for the weekend as it is the last MOTOGP of the season so I will be able to spend this time doing what I want.

At last!

Well at long last we have moved, of course because we had made the decision it rained. Tuesday we went to Rugby to pick up my new glasses and yippee I can see properly now. We also met up again with Keith and Ann on nb Oakfield and during the afternoon there was a tap on the roof and it was Brian and Diana from nb Harnser it is so nice to put faces to blogs that you read. Wednesday was an easy day (well aren't they all) and as it has been a bit crisp of late it is a good excuse to light the fire early and read my book while Paul watches his old films. It is so nice to be able to stretch out on the new dinette in comfort. Also much to Paul's annoyance I have been on Facebook catching up with family and friends.
As I said we left the mooring this morning around 10, stopping for water on the way, I had caught up with the washing so the tank took an age to fill, with it raining it wasn't a very pleasant wait. A few weeks ago I said to Paul that we really should use our wax coats,we have had them years and they have been in the top box for ages, up until now we have used our pac away anoraks which seem to make you sweat so you are as damp on the inside as the outside, anyway today the wax coats came into their own and certainly kept us nice and dry why we haven't used them sooner I will never know. Was nice to be on the move again although we have travelled this way so many times each season gives you a different perspective of the scenery. We have moored up by bridge 81 there are 4 of us here at the moment but I am sure there will be a few more by the weekend. I think I may go exploring tomorrow as I have found a footpath no doubt it will take me towards the young offenders prison but who knows!
Not many jobs left to do now, when we get to Braunston we have to buy the brass rail for the shelving and one of the sensors has gone on the hob so that had to be sorted, other than that it is just the usual run of the mill jobs like touching up the paintwork etc. Give me time, I am sure I will think of something for Paul to do. Can't have him sitting around all day can I !!!!!!!!!!

Back again.

Well here I am again back onboard after a lovely weekend with the family. Thursday evening we all went to a very nice Indian restaurant in Rochester to celebrate my grandson Eddie- Jay's 18th birthday. Saturday we all went to a Halloween party and Sunday middle son and family came to visit, so all in all I have had a very social time

Eddie-Jay and his mum Daughter Jess and grandaughter Emily

While I have been away Paul checked the 240v box and luckily it wasnt too bad. The connections were a bit "iffy" so they have all been cut back and remade. The antifreeze has been changed and by all accounts this was not an easy job as there was no drain plug or tap on the skin cooler so the original antifreeze had to be syphoned to make sure it was completely drained. All the jubilee clips were cleaned and greased all the hoses were also checked for any deterioration and the new antifreeze mixture was added to the cooling system in the correct proportions. Needless to say the boat didn't get polished so it looks like it will be down to me to finish the job. Paul blames the weather but I know it was the Grand Prix and the fact that the Playstation is in use again.

We have an appointment in Rugby so hopefully we will be away from here by Thursday heading for Braunston stopping in the country on the way for next weekend away from the fireworks as Saffie is a scaredy cat. Glad the weather has calmed down after the wind and rain on Sunday. It is nice to be back on board again.

Table n shelves

Well here they are, what you have all been waiting for, the pictures of the new table and the shelving.

As Biggles would say: Flap down Flap up.

Just the brass fiddler rails to fit when we get to Braunston

We couldn't justify spending the money quoted by the marina for the table and shelves so Paul took it upon himself to utilise the redundant materials from the old pullman dinette. Only expenditure was 2 banister spindles at 4.99, some ramin moulding for the edging at £12, a pair of hinges 3.99 and a few brass screws, total saving over £1400.

An added bonus is that the table is just the right height for me to do the ironing (not sure that is an added bonus but then it is mainly my clothes that get ironed.)

This afternoon I washed the boat down while Paul was chatting to Bottle and Wozie nb Oakfield then he had the cheek to say I had missed a bit. I did start to do the polishing but only managed the name panel so Paul can finish that job while I am away. He is also going to inspect the 240v consumer box glad I wont be here to listen to the language that will inevitably be flying. The antifreeze is to be replaced a job that has been put off for far too long.

Gosty Hill came by so we are replenished now with our fuel.

No work today.

Today we had to pop into Rugby on a rug hunting recce. I also had to pop into Specsavers as my new glasses were really giving me gip. This was our first port of call, I explained to the nice lady that although I could see distances the reading bit of my varifocals was absolute crap, no I didn't say that just pointed out that I couldn't read anything, using my lap top was difficult and watching the tele put a strain on my eyes. Now when I went for my new glasses because I had had my eyes tested in Jan (at Specsavers in Uxbridge) I couldn't get them retested for free so I used that prescription as it wasn't too different from my last one. I digress, the lady checked and my old glasses were a stronger prescription than my new ones not good. So upstairs I went was given a new eye test and a new prescription that is stronger, so now my new glasses have to be sent away to have the new lenses put in. All free of charge I'm glad to say. Paul is a bit put out as it means with wearing my old glasses again I read for longer in bed. Oh yes the other day I stacked it as I jumped off the boat ended up with dirty knees and dented pride I can now put it down to my naff glasses making the bank look closer than it was and not my misjudging the gap.
We spent so long in Rugby that when we got back we still had to get dog food and anti freeze. Our rug hunting has been proving fruitless as we couldn't find anything in the sizes we wanted so we popped into Carpetrite to see that if we chose a nice carpet it could be cut to size and whipped (now now) making a nice rug. They were helpful but said that obviously we had to buy the carpet width by the required length, now this was okay as we needed 2 rugs of different sizes for the saloon and a runner for between the beds which will leave a small amount left over. Paul has to return in the morning with the exact sizes so the carpet can be ordered. Will take about 3 weeks but at least we have just what we want. As the day had whizzed by no varnishing got done today. That is a job for tomorrow when we get to Hillmorton. We had a visit from Betty and Graham nb Tranquility who are now moored at the park waiting for family. We saw them last year when they were on their way up to Manchester, this winter they are staying round Braunston/Rugby like us so no doubt we will be seeing a bit of them in the coming months.
Rang Ian and Alison on Gosty Hill and they will be at Hillmorton tomorrow so that's okay as we need fuel of the liquid and solid kind.

My little cherub has been busy.

Well since Thursday the table has been taking shape, its not time for the pictures yet so you will have to wait a little bit longer to see the finished result. At the moment I am trying out "the table" and it is really nice to be able to use the laptop at the correct height, no having to sit on two cushions now. The table has had a 50/50 coat of varnish/white spirit and now has to be rubbed down again and the final coat of varnish applied and then the dropleaf section attached. Needless to say while waiting for the varnish to dry Paul set about yet another task, why he couldn't just sit down and take it easy I do not know. So the shelves in the kitchen are now in place and they too are ready for their first coat of varnish. Must say everything is really coming together nicely didn't know I had such a clever hubby, although there has been plenty of moaning about the cramped conditions he has worked in. ( I don't know, some people just aren't happy with a plank across the cruiser stern he should be grateful for the canopy at least he didn't get wet when it rained.)
This morning MOTOGP was on at 6.45 so alarm on the phone was set also checked to make sure that the automatic time update was on for the time change. But as usual things never go to plan, Paul couldn't sleep (too busy thinking about his shelves) so he got up at 5.45 and then the alarm went off because the time hadn't updated. Apparently a lot of phones were the same, I am now getting used to being woken up by Paul crashing through the boat so he can watch some stupid motor racing of one sort or another. I am sure he would have plenty to say if I wanted to watch a programme at some ungodly hour, but thinking about it he probably wouldn't even know I had got up, he doesn't hear his own alarm so he wouldn't hear mine.
Dogs are a bit confused with the extra hour they were looking for their dinner an hour too soon so I compromised and fed them at 5.30 new time not the 6pm old time. (I'm thinking that doesn't make sense, I haven't had a drink honest).
At least here at Rugby we get 3g so Paul had a nice long chat to his brother in Oz via Skype. Have arranged to go to Kent next weekend it is No 1 grandsons 18th so there is going to be a family get together cant wait to see everyone again. I am sure Paul will be busy putting something or other together and of course it is the last F1 of the season so that's him sorted.