Have we fixed it? have we hell!!!!!!!!

As you are aware we were infested with the diesel bug and   although this has been eradicated we still have a problem with the engine not giving full power. Keith and Paul have been working on the fuel supply over the weekend making sure that the fuel lines were completely clear using compressed  air and that all joints were air tight  and they have diagnosed that there is more amiss than diesel bug. Now this may seem an old chestnut but Paul has always said that the engine was lumpy and now and again missed a beat but not knowing the characteristics of the JD3 thought this was normal (apparently not) so it would appear that the current problem may have been from new. Paul has been in conversation with Beta who have given advice on which way to go, these suggestions were carried out to no avail. So today Beta sent out their engineer who spent some time checking through all the fuel lines but alas the beast wouldn't perform as it should, the engineer has also been in discussion with Beta and they have come to the conclusion that the injection pump is not   performing as it should. It has now been decided that the injection pump will be removed and tested and/or even stripped down. So far Beta have been very helpful and responsive to our quest.

At the moment we can only run the engine to charge the batteries and heat the water, so no washing to be done and I cant run the Hoover round either. We are unable to move the boat as the engine does not have the power.

It is likely that the engineer will be removing the injector pump hopefully Wednesday and Beta will be able to refit it asap.

cheek of the man!

Today we went to B & Q for our tiles, as is par for the course for us when we saw the selection we changed our minds from the original design which we had liked. This was mainly because they were over £10 for half a metre and we needed 11 metres. (Okay so we are cheap skates) and this meant taking 22 boxes of tiles on the barrow on the bus. After undoing the boxes of nearly all of the alternative designs at the cheaper price of £7.98 we decided on two different designs a wood block effect for the bedroom and something else for the bathroom and kitchen. Wont attempt to describe the colour because “cat sick” springs to mind, only joking they are a light colour with a hint of the sage green we are doing the butt n bead in any way once they are laid I will post a picture (may be in a couple of months mind) Any way these tiles were also in half metre boxes so we we had 21 boxes to get home. Had a bit of a result at the checkout as there was 15% off. I put 4 packs in the rucksack and the rest went in the bag on the barrow they are now in the bathroom where we keep tripping over them!.

We returned to Homebase got two more tins of paint to mix with the ones we bought yesterday (both the test bits were way too  light) We also bought a box of ceramic tiles in slate grey to go in front of the fire. Although we have a mat there I am worried that if an ember falls from the fire it will be a disaster, also they will cut down on the muck trodden in though the cratch.(I hope).

Paul being Paul he couldn't sit down and relax he just had to mix the paint, first to be done was the green to touch up the inevitable scratches you get. Next was the emulsion, now he had asked me if I had a container to mix 2, 500ml tins of paint in before he returned it to the tins, well I have some stainless mixing bowls one of which would be big enough, he never said any more so I thought no more of it. I wandered to the engine room just to see how things were going and not only had he used my mixing bowl but he was using my wooden spoon that I keep especially for my porridge to stir the paint. Alright alright I know its sad but I like that spoon to be kept for its specific job. When I dared to have a moan he said  what was I getting upset about everything would clean up. I now have a wooden spoon that has a distinct hint of green on the handle. Wonder how he would like it if I used his screw driver to stir the soup.

Oh our poor bank account.

Yesterday we left Clifton Cruisers and made the short distance to Rugby in record time as Paul was determined to make sure that every thing was okay. Pleased to say it was. As usual being here has seen a big dent in the finances. Besides the obvious grocery’s that have been bought Homebase and Wickes have seen us at least twice in two days. The bilge pump was initially put in as a temporary until Paul was able to get the items that he wanted to make it a permanent installation, we have bought stain,varnish and paint for the walls in the bedroom and bathroom. The sage green we had mixed is way too light so it will be back again to get 500 ml of a darker shade so we can mix them together. Why is nothing easy. At long last Paul’s hospital appointment has come through so once that is out of the way and we have the results we can head off again.

Weather has turned wet again so the tow path is very muddy, at least there is no dust from the building site. Hire boats are on the move for the weekend two just gone by with lads on the back drinking beer and eating pizza in the pouring rain with out a care in the world. Nice to be young and carefree.

Bulkheads in the bedroom have been stained now along with the new woodwork that raised the beds up so that’s nearly it for there now. Need to go to B&Q in Coventry to get the floor tiles we want lets hope they are still in stock.

Sorted.

Would like to have taken some pictures of Paul up to his elbows in s*** and bullets but thought better of it as the air was a little blue.

Neil came aboard first thing this morning and the pair of them put their heads together discussing the problem. It was decided to drain some of the diesel out of the tank to see if we did have water present. Luckily for us we have a drain off tap at the bottom of our tank so that made life a lot easier. After the first 10 litres a sample was taken in a jam jar, after letting it settle this showed an unacceptable water content and a brown sludge (bit like my gravy)which though not proven could be diesel bug. They continued to remove diesel at 25 litres a time taking jam jar samples at regular intervals. After 180 litres was removed the diesel was showing no signs of water or brown sludge. So it was decided that most of the gunk had been removed. The tank was then dosed with SOLTRON, at £33.68 for half a litre not cheap but this should last us dosing at every fill for 5000 litres, as CC’s diesel is already dosed our tank is close to double dosed. The tank was then refilled with 164 litres of clean dosed diesel. The two diesel filters were replaced AGAIN and the  gauze filter in the mechanical diesel pump was removed and cleaned then replaced. All the lines have been bled through and the engine burst into life everything has been tested and all is okay. The gauze filter was removed once again and cleaned to ensure there was no muck in the fuel lines.  The final test was the engine was run for an hour and a half on load to make sure everything was okay. We cant thank Paul and Helen enough for all their help we have been informed that we are the fourth boat that CC know of  to have gone through this hassle. They have been good enough to let us stay here again overnight but we shall be on our way tomorrow.  Just be warned that if your engine just dies check the filters and if you have any suspicions you may have to go through the same trials and tribulations that we have.

Thanks John!!!!!!!

Last evening Paul had a long chat on the phone with John (nb Ellen) was nice to catch up. Down side was John said that he thought he had the dreaded diesel bug so was thinking about getting it sorted one way or another. Well bugger me  as we were leaving the bottom lock at Hillmorton on our way to Rugby the engine note changed. Like no notes at all, we just stopped, we managed to get ashore by the new armco which is extremely muddy. Once moored up Paul dived into the engine room to suss out the problem. The engine was restarted but had no revs on the throttle, he realised that it was a fuel problem. Luckily we had a spare fuel filter so that was put on, there did seem to be some brown sludgy stuff in the filter though. Fired the engine up and it still didn't want to know so onto the other filter on the engine this too was a bit manky and as we didn't have another filter it meant a call to RCR. I must say this company are very efficient they ring you back when they say they will and if the engineer is held up he will let you know. Anyway we were told that the chappie would be with us by 2pm at 1.50 he arrived, he looked about 12 but must have been a bit older to be driving,  his prognosis on Pauls description on the state of the filters was that the fuel was contaminated probably the dreaded bug, any way he put a new filter on for us and suggested that we see if there was any water in the tank and also told us it would be best to buy some “bug killer” then once we had done that at every top up put in an additive which will keep your fuel and tank “bug free”. After about half an hour and £5 poorer the engineer left us and we set off again. We got as far as the golf course and the same problem reared its ugly head so we have managed to limp to Clifton Cruisers and are now moored up on their wharf for the night. Their engineer will be looking at the engine for us tomorrow lets hope its just a filter change or else it means a complete tank empty, flush out and new fuel put in and that will be an expensive job.

So John it looks as though we may have also got the dreaded bug.

Dogs sorted.

Dogs had their yearly check and boosters yesterday and Crystal even condescended to have her claws cut with out taking a chunk out of the vet.

Bless…….

The bedroom varnishing is all but finished.

Original and new before.

and after, as you can see it isn't a bad match. Bulk head still has to be stained and varnished.

Looks okay, Paul managed to do this without getting any on the beds, up his arm or even spill any. Architrave has been stained and varnished we have now run out of stain so a trip to Wickes is on the cards. Think we will be moving away from here next week, Betty and Graham have gone to Braunston Ann and Keith may go to Rugby which is probably where we will end up but who knows. As it is half term next week expect there will be a bit of hire boat traffic about. 

We now have to make a decision on colours for the bedroom and bathroom. I know what I want and I think this time I will stick to my guns and not be persuaded to have what Paul wants, after all inside is my domain outside is his (in my dreams).

Another job done.

About time you are probably saying. After all the hard work I put in the headlight has finally been put back up. It was given a coat of lacquer so hopefully this will make it easier to keep clean. 

This picture is for you Lisa!!!!

Horns, headlight and nav lights have all been wired up and tested so we are getting there slowly. I have to take the dogs to the vet tomorrow so Paul is going to tackle varnishing the bedroom ceiling. We have done a test piece and it wont be necessary  to stain it first. This is one job where we don't have a lot of preparation to do, it has to be said that this new bit of ceiling in the “stretched part” is an excellent match to the existing one and hopefully once it is varnished you wont realise that it hasn't been there all the time. 

While I was away Paul put the levelling compound down on the bathroom and kitchen floors. He didn't just spend his time eating cake and drinking coffee with our neighbours.

Weekend away and the grief on my return.

Last weekend saw me in Kent, it was my birthday and for my treat my daughter Jess was taking me to London for a champagne afternoon tea at the “Charlotte Street Hotel”. We had a lovely day did loads of walking loads of drinking and rounded the evening off in the theatre watching “We Will Rock You” a perfect end to a perfect day.

Me and Jess, a chap in the theatre took pity on us as we were trying to take a picture of our selves and after numerous glasses of champagne and wine it was proving difficult.

There was one blot on my weekend away and that was a call from Paul to say that Mr Anonymous had struck again. From Jess’s I read the comment and was prepared to publish it on my return but when I got back today Paul had deleted it. So Mr/Mrs you nearly had your 5 minutes of fame. Pity really because everyone could have read the very offensive remarks you made and seen just what a prat you are. It would appear that this person had overheard a conversation supposedly between Paul and who knows who in a chandlers. Now we haven't been near a chandlers in 4 weeks and can only remember talking to one person whom we knew, so Mr A who is normally so quick to slag us off was a bit slow to make the comment. So everyone just make sure that you don't have a private conversation in a public place because Mr A will deem you to be a dangerous person and state that a “little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

Paul did leave a question for Mr A on our comments page but no reply as yet.

Must say at this point  Paul was all for shutting down this blog after the rude comment, but why the hell should we. It is read by family in various parts of the world and a lot of you guys out there.  I will continue to make fun of Paul in my way and write about our escapades. ( At this point we will get a comment from Mr A along the lines of “Yawn” yes he has done this before).

So if you can all bear with us for a bit while we get over this little spat we will be back to our jovial selves.

Sun is out at last

Such a lovely day for travelling, and the best one this week according to the forecast. We set off around 10 heading for the winding hole by Willow Wren. Not too sure that Paul was looking forward to this first wind with the extra length but after a bit of shunting back and forth we were back on our way. It makes so much difference to travel with the sun out and no wind. We stopped at Clifton Cruisers to see if we had any post, with Paul expecting a hospital appointment we need to stay in the area. Topped up with water, went through the locks waiting for Keith and Ann to catch up with us, Betty and Graham will arrive tomorrow.

Around 4 Gosty Hill arrived and we both filled up with diesel must say that this new engine appears to be a tad more economical than the old one good job really with the price of fuel going up. I wanted to get the boat washed down as she is so dusty after being by the building site at Rugby, but it was a struggle to say no to Ann who invited us in for coffee and boat cake, any way the weather man said tomorrow it would rain so Paul can get out with the sponge and bucket then.

Oh my aching back!!!!!

Of course it’s Pauls back not mine, he tried to prise himself into the “cellar” and has done some damage. The drawers are done, out of the 4 drawers the first one was done by Paul to show me how to do it, the second one I managed while Paul was sanding down the other two, the third one was started by me and half way through there was Paul hovering at my shoulder just watching every brush load of stain going on. I was just waiting for him to say those words “ shall I take over” I knew it, he just cant trust me to do anything so he got his wish and he finished the remaining drawer and a half and I will NEVER NEVER pick up a paint brush again.

Last night the four of us went over to the Harvester for a meal 2 of our group are away.  Was a nice meal with a donking great big ice cream sundae to finish, Paul and I did share one I hasten to add.

Today with “the back” a bit easier Paul got stuck into some staining and varnishing in the engine room. That only leaves a couple more bits as the bulk heads, lighting boards  trim have now been done. Job for tomorrow me thinks.

Thank you for your comments Mark regarding the quality of the workmanship. We are sorry we are unable to publish your comments but we are sure you appreciate why. However as you can see by the pictures the carpentry is of the highest quality where it fits!!!!!!!

This is a door frame, it must have taken them all day to select this piece of wood, bet you wish you had one like it!!!!

This door stop joint has been very carefully fitted obviously they haven't been sprung in.

 

As you can see these mitres have been fitted incorrectly, one may think they have opened up but this is not the case.It is how they were fitted. Paul will be removing everything so they can be re-fitted correctly.

It is hard to see on  this picture but Paul reckons the door stop was planed down with a bow saw or failing that a Fisher Price tool kit.

Every care has been taken not to rub down the metal work or even PAINT it, therefore the heads of these side hatch doors have got to be finished off properly.

We could spend all day posting pictures of what we have been left with. Sure you get our drift.

Hope this answers your questions Mark suggest you look round further to accommodate your requirements.

Bit breezy .

Don't know what it was like where everyone else is but here it has been a tad windy. especially overnight. Now I am not a great lover of high winds having experienced the gales of 84 which saw my garden fence disappear down the road and a window blow in but then I suppose I came off quite lightly. Any way I digress we went to bed with the boat rocking and the wind howling ,within minutes Paul was snoring and I seemed to be awake for hours, Paul thinks I am a big girls blouse he like nothing more than experiencing the full force of the elements, having been to sea in big ships and sailing yachts' it is fun to him. Me the only water I had been on prior to our boat was a peddallo on Margate sea front and various cross channel ferries a seasoned sailor I am NOT. Is still windy today but it doesn't seem so bad in the daylight.

Yesterday we have a surprise visit from John and Angela (nb Ellen) it was lovely to see them again as it has been a while. Paul had to go to the hospital first thing to have a blood test and I am due one the week after next and what with various other hospital visits on the cards you can tell we are getting older.

As mentioned before Paul had temporarily fitted a fan in the “cellar” to alleviate  a minor condensation problem, as the fan cured the problem he thought it would be beneficial to carry out a proper installation without the need of a manual switch. The fan is now positioned in front of a vent so any damp air within the “cellar” is pushed through the vent and expelled overboard. It is now electrically controlled by being wired into the ignition system via a relay so it is only on/off when the engine is running. This has been a necessity because Paul kept forgetting to switch off the fan.

This afternoon I am being allowed to get to grips with a paint brush and stain the new drawers. I am not I might add doing any thing which is in your face, bulk heads and the like, just in case I make a balls up of it ( his words not mine). As if I would, I think I am intelligent enough to work out which way the grain on a bit or wood goes but there you go. I am a women!!!!!!! 

Time is flying by.

Its hard to believe that January has been and gone already and there is still soooooo much to do.

Here is the pin holder.

Of course there is the question of where we are going to put the “nappy pins” but I am sure Paul will have a “light bulb” moment. At least I wont have to scrabble about in the front locker where the bow thruster batteries are any more. My favourite windlass just fits underneath, very neat and tidy don't you think.

Here is the intrepid three nose to tail at Rugby.

Yesterday Paul helped his “pal” Graham re-installed his calorifier. Graham had noticed a leak which was worse than first thought, so Paul took charge gave him a list of bits to get then told him he would be round to sort it out for him. Not too sure Graham was going to tackle this in quite in the way Paul had planned, but once Paul has a project there is no holding him. Needless to say the list ended up longer than first thought but in Pauls words “if your going to do a job do it right.” Keith took them in coffee and us girls went to Coventry thought it best to get out of the way.

First job today, as the batteries are now six weeks old was to check the levels. However  the heavy duty wiring was made up on the bank and where it landed on the boat is where it was fitted, no consideration had been taken to allow  for the caps to be removed to check the levels, this meant the power had to be switched off and the terminals and cables were all released and moved into such positions to allow the levels to be checked easily. Paul did comment that with the batteries sited where they are it is so much easier to check them. The next job to be tackled was to fit the rubber stops to the side hatch doors, to do this job the doors had to be removed for drilling and tapping ( after he had decided where the stops were going to go.) Once on the bench Paul was yet again taken aback that the edges of the doors and behind the hinges  were not only paintless but no under coat either just a fine layer of rust. Paul is getting really peed off with all of this, we have paid six and a half grand for this paint job and Paul reckons he could have made a better job with  scent spray!!! So now the edges of the doors have been rubbed down and a given a coat of paint. All these little jobs which should take an hour or two end up taking half a day, this is putting us all behind with getting the varnishing done, Paul is trying to be methodical by starting in the engine room and working forward, we are a month in and still in the engine room!!!!!!!!!