According to the TV yesterday was "Blue Monday" and that certainly rang true for Paul. He called into the doctors to see if his blood test results were back the receptionist said they were back but the doctor had to look at them so could he ring after 2. He duly rang the practise to be told the results weren't back yet ring again Tuesday. Now if this was a life or death thing I hate to think what the attitude would be. He then went on to ring the marina about "the solar panel". Jason wasn't there but the lady said she would get him to call Paul back. At 4 Jason rang to tell us that the panel would be here Wednesday "is that definite" say Paul "who knows" was the reply. By this time Paul (who is not the most patient of men) was getting really hacked off.
He had another Eureka moment last night when it suddenly occurred to him that once the solar panel was in place and the engine wouldn't be run as much, the two batteries for the bow thruster wouldn't get sufficient charge. So off he went to Maplins this morning to get a small solar panel and that is now up and running (we hope). Before heading into town Paul yet again rang the doctors for his results only to be told "you must ring between 1 and 3". When he rang at 2.30 nobody bothered answering the phone!!!!!!!
He did manage to do one good deed today. Alex who is moored near us was having trouble turning over his engine as usual Paul had to get involved (with Alex's blessing). On checking things through it transpired that 6 weeks ago he had 4 new batteries and a new alternator fitted. Paul found that the batteries had been wired arse about face ie 3 domestic were on engine start and 1 was on domestic. Also Paul advised Alex that the one and only alternator was not big enough for the job. There was also a blown fuse on the starter solenoid and a loose earth tag. After rewiring everything correctly the engine burst into life. Giving a maximum charge. Paul was well pleased as he likes to get his teeth into a problem. Alex only paid £500 for the original work makes you wonder.
All that's left now is to get through to that elusive doctors surgery
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About Me
- nb piston broke
- After years of working,Paul and I retired early. I worked in accounts departments and Paul spent 39 years as an Electrical Mechanical engineer in the industrial refrigeration industry. Paul also served time as a refrigeration engineer officer with P&O, to-ing and fro-ing to NZ. In 2001 we decided to move to Spain where we bought an old Spanish finca that needed total renovation. We took our 1500 Goldwing with us to Spain planning to explore the country. But because of the amount of work that needed doing to the finca we were unable to get full use of our lovely motorbike. So it was shipped back to England where it was sold. It took us 3 1/2 years to finish the house, by which time Paul was hankering after another bike so we bought a new Honda VTX 1300 cruiser which was a pleasure to use with our biker friends. In 2007 the writing was on the wall so we decided to return to the UK and bought our lovely narrowboat which was a big step for me as I had never dreamt of living on a narrowboat. Paul has had sailing boats in the past and regulary crewed on a Medway Bawley Gaffer and raced in many local events. We are continuous cruisers planning to explore as much as we can.
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