Roof on.

As promised here are the pictures. Paul returned around 2 minus coat and gloves that had been donned first thing.

This side hasn't been finished as the sheet of steel earmarked has been rejected as it had a bend in it.

Foam removed in readiness for side hatches

Hatches marked up.

Hatches being plasma cut.

Houdini gone.

And welded. Solar panels will inset on this panel

All joints on port side have now been seam welded.

Roof section in position and tack welded. All the hand rails have been fitted and the scuppers repositioned this is to stop sediment from the chimney discolouring the sign writing on the back of the boat.

For once Paul enjoyed his journey this morning he now goes at a steady pace not 90 miles an hour as he did before. Lots of boat traffic about taking advantage of the sunshine no doubt.

Pauls £30 bike is beginning to get expensive not only have we had to fork out for a new set of pedal, a pump and a puncture repair outfit he now wants a NEW rear tyre as the bike keeps stepping out on the slippy mud. This is because Paul has worn out the tread already so the cycle man is due a visit soon.

2 weeks in

Well we have been living on this boat for two weeks now and I think we have just about got to grips with the differences from ours. Firstly this has a trad stern whereas ours is a cruiser, so we have both managed to bash our heads many times as we enter the boat, but I am glad to say not recently. The dogs have nearly stacked it a few times jumping on to the stern so we have put the board out to alleviate that problem. We have a pump out here and as we aren't listing yet know that it isn't time for a pump out (we have cassettes). The bed is a fixed double ours are singles and I must say that this mattress is so comfortable, only problem I seem to have is that every morning I wake up with knees pressed up against the gunnel and Paul taking up two thirds of the bed. We are hooked up to the electric so that makes things easier. There is no washing machine on board but Debbie very kindly lets me use the washers and dryers here at Willow Wren.

Paul hasn't ventured to Hillmorton since Sunday but yesterday he popped to the office here to buy me an ice cream (such a charmer) and Debbie said that the steel men had been working on our boat yesterday, and that was a Bank Holiday. So the bike is going to be put into action again this morning so hopefully we will have a few more pictures later today.

Mornings are getting very crisp so it looks like the winter woollies will have to be unearthed, that’s if I can remember where they are!!!!

Bit more done

 

This is what Paul found today when he spent a couple of hours at the yard. Now you can see what I mean by a long stretch with no windows. As rain stopped play yesterday today the guys have been able to push on and get a lot completed.

Rubbing strakes going on.

Fabrication of internal steel work.

Roof fabricated and ready to go on.

Side hatch doors were discussed yet again and marked up ready to be cut by the plasma cutter. Prop size has yet to be finalised as there is some additional steel work alterations to be made on the skeg. Needless to say Paul will be having at least one trip to the yard over the weekend to get a final measurement for the position of the engine.

When we went into town this morning Paul bought himself a new pair of jeans and they cost him £10 no doubt after one wash the legs will have shrunk 3inches but Paul was adamant he got a bargain!!!!

No work today.

Rain certainly stopped play today.

The rain has been relentless since last night. Only hope they covered the boat up before they went home. They guys turned up stayed a bit then went off again. After all what is the point of trying to complete the job in this awful weather. Hopefully things will improve and the job can be completed asap.

I didn't venture out with Paul I think he is a big boy now and should be allowed on the bus on his own without me holding his hand. I am pleased to say he managed to get there and back without getting lost although he did ring to check on the number of the bus he should get. Perhaps next time I should put a label on him with this address and my phone number saying “if found wandering please contact this number” what do you think?

Today we have sides!!!

Paul just couldn't resist another trip today just to see what was going on.

And we have sides

Paul had to check that every thing was going to plan

All the internal superstructure was being welded in and as we left the floor bearers were being fitted.

There have been deep discussions about the positioning  of the side hatches as we don't want them to conflict with the new paint livery. So Jeff came out of the paint shop and cast his expert eye over the problem in hand and came up with a few suggestions of how to achieve the desired effect. I was a bit concerned, as when you look at the boat now from the stern to the bedroom window there is a very long windowless space and we were in two minds as whether to put in a port hole but Jeff advised us that once the hatches are in it will alter the appearance so there is no need to worry as the sign written panels will give a pleasing effect on the eye.

There has been various measurements taken to see where best to position the engine as the steel man needs to know where to weld in the engine beds. We have to allow enough space  to incorporate the washing machine in this area but still be able to  walk through. Paul will need to chalk it out just to allay any doubts. He will go to the yard when it is quiet and he can spend a few hours on his own with his lump of chalk. He has it in his mind but he just cannot define it until it is marked out on the floor.

Hopefully by this time tomorrow the cabin sides and roof will be in situ but guess what as I write this it is p***ing down in broom handles so work has probably stopped for the day.

It has been suggested that this phase of the stretch could be completed by Friday afternoon however moving the rear bulk head is not going to be as easy as one thought on paper. Once this is removed the boat is going to the other side of the dock and the engine placed in position. It will then be returned to the cutting bed and work will continue to resite the rear bulk head. It should be explained that the side hatch doors are going to be wide enough to allow the engine to be removed at anytime and also the washing machine because at the moment it is confined to the galley with no hope of ever removing it as it appears the galley was built round the washing machine with walkways too narrow for the machine to be removed front or back.

Base plate in.

Today Paul had a day off but couldn't resist a trip to the yard on the bus. Just as we were leaving Willow Wren we heard”  are you the couple off of Piston Broke?” A chap standing beside his boat nb Coxton Lass had been to Hillmorton for some work to be done by Dave and because we are in the dry dock had been sent here for Dave to do the work once the bits arrive. Obviously Dave had mentioned that we were living here so after a quick chat we set off on our way to the bus stop then onto the yard.

This is what greeted us!!!!!

Base plate tacked in place.

 

 

 

 

 

Cut right through the bedroom window

  

Hopefully by this time tomorrow the sides will be up and everything will be taking shape. For once we didn't get rained on.

It’s done!!!!!!

Paul left early this morning to get to the yard by 8am. Had quite an eventful journey slipping and sliding along the tow path after all the overnight rain. Reminded him of his youth and his scrambling days.

As soon as the windows were taken out Paul covered all the wiring with plastic bags to protect it from the elements.

The steel man then gathered up his old pieces of metal and proceeded to weld it all together to make two separate braces either side of the proposed cut to re-inforce the shape of the boat.

The cutting bed had to be extended to allow for the narrow swim to be supported when the stern is pushed away from the cut by 2 metres. 

In the words of the song “The first cut is the deepest” the angle grinder having been fired up got stuck in. Until he met himself in the middle of the roof.

Eventually the stern was eased backwards with hydraulic rams which is a slow process. Paul got bored and decided to come home. So tomorrow hope fully the new steel work will start to take shape.

All the fixed bedroom furniture which had been removed is now in the workshop waiting to be cleaned up ready for re-installation. There was also a management meeting between Paul and the carpenter they went through the drawing so that John could make up his cutting list.

I did go to the yard this morning but come 1 o’clock the first cut was just starting so I to got bored and came home in the pouring rain. By all accounts things are really starting to move now.

One week down……..

Paul has popped to the yard this morning to finish off the wiring. This is what he achieved yesterday.

He made up a little work bench with clamps so every length of cable was the same size. Clever eh!!!!

Looks like a bit of  mine field to me good job Paul knows what he is doing!!!!!!

 

So that is one side done not as many cables on the other side thank goodness.  Paul really deserves is day off tomorrow he has worked so hard this week

I am going to go to the yard on Monday just for a peek wont be walking though am going to be lazy and catch the bus.

In the dock!!!!!

Yet again Paul was up at the crack of dawn. He left us at 7.15 to get to the yard for 7.45. This meant he could have a cuppa before he started. It was all hands to the pumps as there were 5 boats to move around so that ours could be docked. Once this was completed the water was drained and the man with the steam cleaner jet washed the hull.

Paul and his side kick got stuck in and removed the stern flooring this opened up a can of worms because the area was not cleaned before the installation of the floor, the base plate was covered in rusty nuts, bolts and screws and there was sawdust everywhere. Although the base plate has a coating on it the sawdust was damp with condensation this off course will not happen on this refurbishment .All the ballast from this area was removed this was 2” pavers which took the two of them to lift out of the boat, and then a final sweep up to clear the area.

Yet again the tape was to the fore and an accurate measurement taken for the positioning of the engine, Dave poked his head into the boat and asked what the hell Paul was doing as there were so many marks you couldn't make head or tail of anything so Paul just gave up. (is this the right attitude?)

Bim the steel man came by there followed a very long discussion on the cutting. Apparently the conversation then switched to props Bim made a call to “a man that knew” and it has been suggested that a new prop should be larger than our existing one. This was already in the back of Pauls mind as he had done the maths and a sum of money had already been put by for the new prop.

Another half day to allow Paul to get some bits he had ordered from the electrical wholesalers in Rugby. So now himself has all the materials to start the wiring extensions tomorrow. He says that this will be a full days work maybe going into Saturday as everything has to be labelled and all this needs to be done before the stretch takes place. Does this mean we can lay in bed till at least 7 in the morning!!!!!!!!

Here is Crystal nicely settled on her bed after a nice long walk. Think Saffie was still struggling to get on the boat when I took this. She is having a problem getting onto this semi trad when she is used to a cruiser stern we have had to get the plank to make it easier for her.

Today he did-------

Today the electrics were disconnected and the equipment removed

 

 

This is what the lounge looks like.

Here is the new engine all nicely wrapped in polythene.

The foam removed where the cut is going to be alongside the window and in the corner where the rear bulk head is being moved back 20 inches.

You wouldn't want to sit on this with the bulk head removed!!!

Door and frame gone.

Half day for Paul he was home for 1 bringing his packing up back with him so he had a quiet half hour eating it in peace.

Tomorrow the boat is going to the dry dock onto the “cutting platform” Paul is going to start  extending  the wiring, the floor and the ballast are being removed. The 10 inch angle grinder is being flashed up first thing Monday morning. So I think I may have to take a trip to the yard just to make sure everything is being done correctly. As if I would know if it wasn't.

Engine less.

Here is the engine bay with no engine.

The hole has been steam cleaned to remove all the muck and bullets that had collected over 5 years. The batteries have been removed.

The bathroom bulkhead has been removed (no pictures David Bailey forgot!!!!!) Paul has had a chap from the yard working with him so it has made some jobs easier like removing the roof lining.

Today all the electrical control panels i.e. inverter, travel pack, consumer boxes and the battery management system are going to be disconnected and removed. So half day for Paul!

And me what have I been doing? Well, chatting, a bit of cleaning, more chatting, walk the dogs, read and a bit of tele. So as you can see my day is equally as hectic as Pauls but perhaps not quite as stressful.

Tomorrow hopefully is dry dock day then the foam can be stripped out in preparation for the cut. Another half day then for Paul.

The daily cycle ride is going okay, Paul didn’t realise how fit he was (his words not mine) as the journey is taking him around 23 minutes (takes a younger man 15!!!!!!) Perhaps by the end of the 12 weeks he can have cut the time to 20 minutes. He was plastered yesterday after the down pour I’m sure it wont be the only time he gets a bit damp and muddy

let the work begin!!!!!!!

Where do I start?  Since the last episode we have had a bit of a result. For a little while now we have had a for sale  sign in the window for the cratch cover and the pram hood. Well on Saturday a chap knocked while we were still at Rugby inquiring about both of them. He took loads of measurements and photos and the upshot is he bought them both result or what. So if you pass nb Patricia with Peter on board give him a wave and tell him what a nice cratch and canopy he has. His boat is blue and the covers are green so it will be quite distinctive.

As you all know (I’ve been on about it for long enough) yesterday was THE day. We were up at 6am, yes that time does exist. moving all the wood etc from the bedroom into the saloon. I also had to remember to put aside things that had to be brought to Willow wren like slippers, pills, dog bowls and the like managed to cram it all into a rucksack and a bag for the journey from Hillmorton to Rugby.

Any way we set off for the yard at 7.45 got to the bottom lock and moored up I did a quick trot to make sure they were ready for us and they weren't  so we sat where we were until we got the nod to come up. I don't know if you are aware but the locks at Hillmorton have been horrendous over the weekend. One lock in of the middle 3 has been out of action and then they chained one of the bottom locks as well so it was taking people 2-3 hours to get through.

At 10 we jumped the queue  to get going, I had my camera at the ready So here we are moored up at the spot where the crane will take out the Beta 43 then it will be into the dry dock for steel work to be started.

I left around 11 with the two dogs and the bag leaving Paul the rucksack to carry on his cycle back later. Now although I walk the dogs daily as they (and me) are getting on a bit it isn't normally a hike so I was a bit concerned on how they would cope with about 4 miles. Well Saffie got to the Kent Road bridge all of about 10 minutes from the yard and she sat down and looked at me as if to say I am not going any further. So I promptly put her on the lead and after that we got along fine. We had a 5 minute break when we got to Clifton Cruisers but all in all it took us about an hour so not to bad.

Paul rang in the afternoon to say that he had cut all the wiring taken out the pipe work and been working like a beaver. Engine is still in situe  but should be out this morning.

It felt strange being on a different boat I have managed to put all our bits and pieces away at least we had a decent nights sleep on a proper bed.

Paul is in charge of the camera at the moment so hopefully we will get some half decent pictures. I know what he is like with my camera he will probably loose his rag and throw it in the drink. As soon as we know the cut is going to take place I will take a trip to the yard and take charge of the snapping.

Just had a phone call THE ENGINE IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nearly there!!!!!

Well it is only one more full day before we go into Granthams Bridge. Paul has been ripping out the wall boards Mainly I think because he was bored. So all that is left in the bedroom to remove is the woodwork below the gunnel.

We have been busy moving stuff onto the other boat. Decided to trundle it along the tow path on the trolley rather than attempt to take the boat into Willow Wren on change over day. It would have been a lot easier if the heavens hadn't open as we were half way so we either got wet going or coming back. Only a couple more trips to do then that is it.

We popped into Tesco for breakfast (in the pouring rain) and all of a sudden I felt water on my back I looked up and there was a torrent running out of the ceiling onto me. Must admit I did wonder what the buckets were for just along from us, they were catching the water that was p* ing out of the light fitment!!!!!! When I mentioned my little shower to an assistant she just moved a bucket from under the light to under where I had been sitting. So that really solved the problem!!!!

We have had a few nice evenings with John and Paula nb Taurean spent in the Harvester along the way.

So here is where we are going to be living for the next few months

  

Not bad eh I am sure we will be very comfortable. Don't envy Paul the cycle ride to Hillmorton every day but there you go you cant have everything can you?