First Coat ON….

For once we did what we planned to do. After the GP yesterday the water tank was emptied and Paul set to.

Paul filling the bucket for me to empty

Bit of a tight fit.

Last knockings.

Nice and clean ready to paint.

Paul did find that the inlet pipe to the pump was a bit blocked. It is 3/4 barrel pipe but it was so corroded on the inside it was down to 3/16th.

No wonder the flow was a bit slow!!!

Paul being Paul he wasn't satisfied with just cutting the end off he cut it back as far as he could dare and replaced it all with plastic. We had plenty of people stop, intrigued by the banging and scrapping from the depths of the cratch floor all of them saying “rather you than me” of course there was one (and there always is) who said “I have a stainless tank” well we haven't and that is why Paul was down the hole.

Today the first coat went on, not only on the tank as I am sure you can appreciate.

 

That looks better.

Had to use the hoover to dry out the tank.

Although the tank had dried out over night there was a small residue of condensation on the bows of the tank, instead of using the hair dryer he succumbed to using my hoover which is a first as he doesn't even know how to turn it on.  As I write this the hoover is back on for an hour to start the drying process and hopefully Paul can get another coat on later on today.

The fumes permeating through the boat were a bit noxious but must have been worse for Paul in the confined space. When he finally surfaced he had bitumen everywhere, in his hair up his arms you name it is was there. I did suggest that he put a plastic bag on his head to protect his hair but did he do it no he didn't. Then when he took his working clothes off rather than undo the buttons of his shirt he took it off over his head so then he had the stuff all up his back MEN no sense what ever. Because of the smell we relented and took one lot of double glazing down so we could open the window (it is nearly June after all). It was a good job we did because we found that this window was leaking with the rain beating on that side of the boat. Just shows how long it is since we had rain because we would have noticed it before now. Luckily this is the only one found to be leaking.

The door is now fixed in place after being varnished.

You would never guess this is where the old oven went. Needless to say it is now full up.

Hole? What Hole?

What can I say Paul has finished the door for the “hole in the wall” and this is the result. We have gone from this:

One bit of trim

3 bits of trim

All the trim AND the shelf

To this:

Perfect fit…

Door and trim still have  to be varnished but I am well impressed with the final thing. This little door has been remodelled out of the door that was in front of the washing machine when it was in the kitchen, so quite a lot of adaptation. The router was put to use yesterday while I was at the dentist. There was just a little hiccup this afternoon when Paul was chiselling out where the hinges had to fit and I knew what was going to happen when it did, the chisel slipped and sliced Pauls finger,

What would we do without a bit of tissue and electrical tape?

This didn't stop the intrepid carpenter he carried on regardless. So now once everything is finished I can sort out the cupboards yet again. This will be my larder cupboard.

On Thursday I was looking out of the side hatch doors like you do and this is what I saw coming under the bridge,

We thought we had a smoky engine.

Getting closer.

Laplander on her way to the show.

Talking of the show we actually went today. First time we have ever been to a boat show, weather looked a bit iffy but the rain held off although it was none to warm. We had to call in to the Beta stand to pick up a new air filter then we had a good look round and Paul resisted buying any thing at all other than a burger and an ice cream for me. Day was made even better when we met up with Ann and Keith nb Oakfield. Haven't seen them for all of 3 weeks!!!!!! There were plenty of people there showing interest in the boats are these people genuinely looking for a boat or just being nosey, I would prefer it to be the later.

Tomorrow is water tank day. After the GP Paul is going to empty the tank so that by Monday morning it will be dry, well that is the plan. Then he can squeeze his skinny body into the tank and scrape off the loose stuff and then get the bitumen out. At this point I think it will be a good idea for me to walk up to the Co-Op to buy a bottle of something alcoholic as I am sure he will need a tot or two when he surfaces.

What to do next?

Its funny isn't it how it takes you a while to get back in the swing of things after having visitors. Since they left we seem to have been catching up with the mundane things, but yesterday Paul had the remaining pair of side hatch doors in the engine room off to varnish them, so now it is just the surround to do but as it is tipping it down today that job will have to wait a bit longer. Paul has bought some wood to trim the “hole in the wall” so as I write that is being done.

One of the more pressing jobs is the water tank Paul had the cover off to see just how bad it is and was pleasantly surprised after 6 years it isn't to grubby. But of course we have to empty it before it can be scrapped down and a couple of coats of bitumen applied. So we have to pick our time as it will mean a few days with no water to allow the tank to thoroughly dry out. We have a container we can use for us and the dogs, canal water will do for the toilet. I cant wait to see Pauls 6ft 2” frame in the tank must make sure I have the camera handy.

I have a dentist appointment tomorrow and I am not looking forward to that, what with having our eyes tested and new glasses on order, this is proving an expensive time. Not only that I have also been to the doctors and now have a letter waiting for me from the hospital for a routine check up so I think that is everything covered.  Best to get all these things out of the way before we set off for the summer.

On our own again

Well our friends have not long left us and we are on our own again. It was lovely to see them and I was sorry to see them go. On Saturday we drove to Stratford on Avon as none of us had ever been. Paul chose to stay behind he had a more pressing engagement which was the qualifying of the GP. I know this is a bit on the sad side especially when we have guests but Steve Angelique and I had a nice time wandering round. We went in the Field and Trek shop and they had some nice walking shoes half price so we all got a pair and I managed to get a pair of sandals as well, two pairs of shoes for 30 quid bit of a result I thought. Saturday evening saw us in the Exotica Bengal in Hillmorton yet again we ha a lovely meal and in the restaurant was a stag party with the groom resplendent in wedding dress and veil was a bit on the noisy side but we didn't mind that, as they lads were quite entertaining.

It is a pity that the wind has been so strong but Angelique and I did manage to spend some time on the tow path with our glasses of wine while the boys did some thing quite boring on the boat, this was the drawing up of plans for Steve's new shed see I told you it was boring. So now we have to plan what we will do next, the water tank has to be emptied, scraped and cleaned then given a couple of coats of bitumen which means the water carrier will have to come out and water will have to be used sparingly for a few days. 

Believe it or not the wind has dropped and the sun is out so I think that Paul will getting the rod out, think he has had withdrawal symptoms.

Hillmorton

Such a lovely day for the cruise to Hillmorton. Plenty of traffic about and the moorings at the prison were packed. Luckily our usual spot only had 2 boats there so we are now ensconced here for a few days. There wont be any jobs done over the weekend as we have visitors but there is a a small list of things to do afterwards. I forgot to mention that when I came back from Kent there was a nice new shelf in “the hole in the wall” this is where the eye level oven once sat and is due to have a door on very soon!!!!!! Anyway when I asked Paul where he had got the wood from for the shelf he had the cheek to tell me that he had fished it out of the canal in his words “I couldn't let a nice piece of marine ply go to waste” Oh well I suppose that is his way of re-cycling. But I am not knocking his ingenuity just glad I wasn't there when he pulled it ashore.

After his success fishing at Braunston Paul is hoping to catch a few here.

I’m back…….

So here I am back on board after a nice relaxing weekend in Kent. Paul managed okay on his own well he should have, I left him enough food. Saturday evening around 9pm I had a call from himself I was a bit surprised as I had already given him a call earlier on. I immediately thought there was a problem but no his little happy voice on the end of the phone shouted “I’ve caught another one” my initial reaction was, so, but I didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm. So here is the proof of yet another whopper.

This one was a tad under 17lb but I only have his word for that but you must admit it looks like there are quite  few fish fingers in there.

Yet another nice fish.

No more fish pictures I promise. As I write this the rod is out yet again but rest assured I have hidden the camera.

Our friends are coming to visit on Friday which will be nice, Paul can show his engine off to Steve and as Steve is a mechanic I sure he will be most impressed!!!!!!!!!!

Happy fisherman!!!!!!!

Every where we stop the fishing rod comes out and like all fishy tales there is always the one that got away. Paul has been fishing here since we arrived on Friday, not continuously of course he has had to fit in the decorating. Tonight there I was happily clicking away on the computer when from the back of the boat came the shout “ Lynne bring the camera” much muttering under breath for himself interrupting my clicking but knew better than to ignore “the call”. For once I could appreciate the thrill of the chase the fish on the end of the line was certainly putting up a fight.The rod was virtually bent in half.

I am honestly not exaggerating when I say that the battle went on for about half an hour after this time the fish had a lapse in concentration and Paul was able to land it and what a beauty, well worth the battle of wills.

Just about fits in the net.

15ib what a whopper!!!

Proud fisherman.

He wont catch another one like this in a while. Worth all the hours sat on the back of the boat. Bet I know what Paul will be doing in the evenings while I am away.

Bathroom done.

We have spent the past few days walking the  plank as there was a boat on the only decent mooring here. Today when we came back from shopping that boat had gone and Paul virtually ran along the tow path so we could pull back and be up close and the dogs wouldn't struggle getting off. Once we were settled first boat passed us was going so fast Paul just had to shout at him to slow down and he should be on tick over reply was “if I was on tick over I would be going backwards” wonder how many other boaters this hirer is going to upset.

Yes the bathroom is done walls have been painted and we even have new blinds up. It took 4 coats of paint to cover the existing wood but it certainly makes a difference and the bathroom looks a lot bigger and brighter.

Paul has to tackle the ceiling next as where we have gone from a corridor bathroom to a walkthrough there is a residue of glue where the old bulk heads were which has to come off, good job Paul is tall he wont have to stretch to much.

we had a bit of a downpour last evening and this was the result.

I am off to Rugby tomorrow to get a hair cut Paul has chosen to stay on the boat.

How this for laziness

She couldn't even be bothered to get up to eat her tea.

Looking forward to seeing the family at the weekend, fridge and freezer are topped up so Paul wont waste away.

Puddlebanks.

We arrived here on Friday not the ideal spot but as usual Braunston is heaving. We plan to stay put unless a space comes up opposite the church which I don't really think is likely. Friday evening saw us up the pub with Ann and Keith. We sat watching the boats wizz by helped in some part by the wind and in some part by the definition that tick over is around 1000 revs.

As is the norm while here I have been to Tesco just for  top up and Paul has been to the chandlers (both of them).  We need some belts for the engine and Paul likes to use Morrison's oil but it is one that isn't stocked, the wharf house got the last lot in for us. Any way at the Wharf house they could order in the belts and the oil but the oil would take 4 weeks to come in which is too long. So off Paul trots to Midland Chandlers now believe it or not they don't stock belts at all and cant get them, the oil they could get but it would be £80 delivery charge on top of the cost of the oil. £80 they are having a laugh. Those of you that know Paul can imagine the kind of response all this has raised. Next step was to ring Autoworld in Daventry who have got us filters in the past (a lot cheaper than chandlers), and the belts will be in on Monday, as for the oil will need a re-think on the brand we use.

I am getting a bit fed up with this wind now although it isn't cold, saying that when I got back from shopping yesterday because it had rained Paul had lit the fire, it was like a sauna poor dogs were up the back and still panting. Luckily once it was shut down it didn't take long to go out. I am getting fed up with cleaning it out get the glass all sparkly for Paul to light the blooming thing again he needs to put some meat on his bones perhaps he would like some of mine.

I plan to go to Kent next weekend need some family time then we will think about moving on.

Would love to comment on the speed and attitude of some of the boats both private and hired that have passed us but will refrain. 

Ok, who did it???

Last night saw us in The Folly at Napton for a meal and very nice it was to a bit pricey but nicely cooked and pleasant surroundings.

Now Paul is a bit of a chocoholic and one of these people who can eat chocolate all day every day and not put on an ounce and believe me he has tried. One of his favourites is Toffi-Chocs by Thorntons and whenever I see then I buy him a couple of packets (I value my fillings too much to eat them) Monday night saw him break into a packet which he left on the table. When we returned from the pub last night the empty packet was on the floor and there wasn't a toffee ball in sight. Now with having two dogs you never know who is the culprit Saffie cowers if she is scolded whether she is guilty or not but last night she stood her ground and gave Crystal the evil eye as if to say “if you think I am taking the rap for this you have another thing coming”. They both got told off and there was no evening chewy stick for them. Perhaps Paul has learnt his lesson and will put uneaten sweets back in the fridge or the cupboard where the dogs cant reach them but I can………….

We left Napton this morning and have done  a whole 3 miles and are now moored up not long after bridge 103 near the farm. Paul is in the middle of an oil change which is due. We are going to stay here till Friday then it will be another couple of miles to Braunston where we may be able meet up with nb Oakfield once again.

Splish Splash!!!!!

We took the bull by the horns this morning and set off  in a bit of a breeze. The journey didn't prove too bad but we had a couple of hairy moments when it got a bit gusty. Believe it or not we saw three dead lambs in the canal over a stretch of about a mile by their condition they had obviously been in the water for some time, they had numbers on so don't the farmers notice that a ewe is missing her lamb.

We stopped at Marston Doles to fill up with water and it took over half an hour but at least we are topped up now. While we were there the crew from a hire boat leaving the lock told us a tale that they had heard about another hire boat that had stopped on a water point. One member asked what to do with the hose and was told put one end on the tap and one end in the tank so they did no more that put the hose inlet end on the tap in the kitchen and the outlet end in the tank and then wondered why after 4 hours the tank still wasn't full up. Now I am only repeating what has been told to me so how true all this is I cannot say but it made me smile.

Another thing that made me smile while at Marston Doles was after I had set the lock I popped back to make sure Paul was on his way and there he was half in and half out of the canal. Up to one knee in the drink, I rushed to his aid asking how he had got himself into this predicament. His reply was, as he was putting the hose away in the gas locker the force of the boat coming out of the lock had made our boat come away from the armco and he lost his footing. Now at this point I was expecting a comment that the front rope wasn't tied up tight enough because guess who had tied the front rope up!!!!!!!!!! but I was wrong nothing was said, being the hero that he is he carried on with a wet foot and jeans.

Again we were fortunate with the locks boats coming out as we were going in, at one lock though one boat tried to run us into the trees was too impatient to slow down past some moored boats and just barged through, after all this time we are getting used to this now.

We are now moored up a Napton by the Folly pub where we will be going this evening. Caught up with John on Mr Jinks who was on the water point and is making for Wigrams where he has a permanent mooring. I had a wander up to the village for bread and milk.

 

You need to enlarge the picture to read the inscription wonder how many people go on a Sunday?

Love the style of thatch on this house.

So here we are, there is clear blue sky and a breeze, not a howling gale just a breeze. Should make Braunston tomorrow but then again we may stop on the way who knows, who cares……… and I need to crack the whip Paul hasn’t finished the painting yet.

Waves on the canal.

Well the weekend is nearly over and surprisingly enough even though the wind has certainly been brisk to say the least there have been plenty of boats about. In fact today a boat pulled in front of us for lunch and as they went past Paul said “how was the journey” and the skipper replied “hell”. They stopped for half an hour then continued on their way now where is the pleasure in that I ask myself, but I suppose they are out on their holidays and they are determined to get to their destination come hell or high water, and today it would appear they have had both of those.

Bit of a flow here.

I have been quite excited these past couple of days, and believe me for someone of my age that doesn't happen very often. Now what has bought about this excitement, well, the bedroom and bathroom have seen the paint brush and we are getting there, one side in the bedroom completely finished and below the gunnel on one side in the bathroom done.

Pale cream done.

Believe it or not this is sage green.

Copper pipes masked up.

Nearly done.

Looks good.

If this wind keeps up we will stay here another day and so the other side in the bedroom and bathroom will get painted. We cant do the cream paint in the bathroom as we don't have any filler, it seems to have got lost in the cavernous cellar. Talking about the cellar that is now a lovely shade of green not the red oxide that it was. So all in all a fruitful weekend. I haven't been idly watching Paul do all the work I have been there washing brushes and rollers clearing up and being a general dogs body, also provided tea and sandwiches at the requisite times and I might add I have cleaned out the kitchen cupboards and washed the tow path side of the boat down.

One of the many boats that passed to day was Petroc with Gillian and Geoff on board. Once again we are on our own it is nice out of the wind so the chairs have come into their own yet again.

After all this work I think its time for a cuppa and a biscuit a chocolate one of course!!!!!!!