That “hatch fairy” has paid us another visit.

Yes, that right, this morning Paul, lying in bed asks “are the engine room doors open” “no” says I but the hatch is open again. Response was “how come I know I shut it, nothings missing is it?” Well, when you think of it on a good night when his memory doesn't fail him the hatch is shut and locked , so how can Paul think that someone has crept onto the boat and slid the hatch open just for the fun of it. The only conclusion I can draw is that after taking the dogs for their final wander of the night he is in such a rush to see me that his mind goes blank and he forgets to lock up. If you believe that you’ll believe anything.

Yesterday Betty and I met on the bus to Daventry and went for a bit of shopping and a coffee. I had walked the tow path in the rain and the howling wind it certainly blew the cobwebs away. When we got back to Braunston Betty very kindly made me lunch then her and Graham brought me back to the boat and they are now moored with us, so Anne and Keith where are you there’s loads of room here.

While I was out Paul got a bit snap happy and this shows the ferocity of the wind and the state of the water on the canal.

  

This plastic boat came past us virtually sideways blown across the canal and narrowly missing nb Freedom, he smashed into the towpath by the bridge. Think he realised his mistake of travelling as when nb Tranquility passed him he was moored up by the winding hole.

I am glad to say that today is a much better day the sun is out and the wind isn't quite so strong, the boys are working on Graham’s panels so much for Paul not interfering……. I have made a cake so it must be Betty’s turn for coffee, get the kettle on girl.

Got our email.

We finally got an email from Angel PC. Silly me I was under the impression that the guy wanted to sell us a computer, in his e mail he says that they are selling Samsung computers in the CO-OP at a good price, so do you think he doesn't want our business????????

I was extremely brave today and actually took the helm and went through a BRIDGE HOLE how good is that. We have only been on the boat 4 and a bit years. Don't like to rush these things.

Haven't moved far but we are in the company of nb Twinkle and Blackberry Nip, it is absolutely bitter outside but at least the wind wasn't gusting.

Just read nb Ellen’s blog and found out it was John’s birthday yesterday. Sly old dog never told us when we saw him Friday but don't you worry John I have marked it on my calendar so you wont be able to get away with it next year……….

We seem to have a few bits to do, I have the dentist on Friday (this is the right date  after last months fiasco.) I don't know if Paul will get any of the windows done as it will be blooming cold but we’ll see. We may also attempt the decorating in the lounge, such good intentions but I bet none of it gets done, just watch this space…………

Blooming wind!!!!!!!

Yesterday while aboard nb Tranquillity having morning coffee we had a call from John and Ange who were on their way to Braunston so we made arrangements to meet in The Plough for lunch. With 6 of us round the table putting the world to rights we certainly made our presence felt, was a nice way to while away a few hours. Hopefully John and Angela will be able to join us all on the 9th when we have a couple of birthdays to celebrate.

We left Braunston this morning did the necessary backed up and set off on our way again. The wind was bitter and got stronger by the minute so our plan to go and wind never came to fruition we just moored up. I also think Paul was a bit concerned that he would miss qualifying and he certainly couldn't do that. Don't know why the wind takes it out of you so much I feel absolutely knackered, Paul is studying the inside of his eyelids yet again and to be honest if I sat down with a book I am sure that it wouldn't be long before I was in the land of nod too.

Hopefully Eric, Paul will be able to get in touch in the morning but don't hold your breath.

Our little net book has been getting progressively slower and slower ,I have defragged it, the anti virus is up to date and I have put a lot of my photos on the external hard drive to free up some space, not only that but just recently it has been “blue screening” So it had better start behaving itself or Paul is threatening a quick fix with a 5lb club hammer. Did pop into the shop where we bought it 2 years ago for a bit of advise and was more or less told he didn't have the time to speak. I did say we may be thinking of buying a new lap top and the response was “ put everything in an email and I will get back to you” Has he? of course he hasn't. So Angel pc in Daventry I don't think you will be getting any more business from us……. Is this what our sevice industry is coming too? It would appear that customer satisfaction isnt important any more we have just become a throw away society.

How sad are we?

Even though we have the new dongle the signal here at Braunston (yes we are back there again for a couple of days) is very intermittent. On checking our e mails we had over 60 un read messages and couldn't read them for love or money as the signal was so slow. This morning for some unknown reason Paul and I were both awake at some ungodly hour like 5am so, I says to Paul “I wonder if the signal will be any better at this time in the morning”. We both get up Paul puts the kettle on I put the computer on and hurrah we have GPRS instead of EDGE. Hotmail accounts comes up relatively quickly and now we have 74 unread e mails. I am pleased to say after deleting most of them and reading the important ones our inbox is empty. We will do your bidding Angela will call you if we find anything out.

We have watched the sun come up and there is a definite nip in the air, the roof of the boat has a coating of frost, is this the start of winter I ask myself. The horizon is red so those shepherds had better look out!

Frosty…….

Think you get the gist of the sun rise.

Yesterday morning when I got up I noticed that the engine room had more light in it than normal so I had a quick peek and I said to Paul who was still lying in bed at the time, “did you forget to do anything last night?” “Like what” was the mumbled reply. “how about closing the top hatch” “I did” “oh no you didn't it is wide open”. Of course he insisted that he had closed it so we must have had a visit from the “hatch fairy” who just out of sheer devilment opened ours and let all the cold air in. Good job we have the canopy as it had poured with rain during the night.   

We had to go into Rugby yesterday to see the bank manager so we were able to meet up with Betty and Graham and have a spot of lunch was lovely to see them again once Anne and Keith catch us up the intrepid 6 will be back together again.

Well we are on our second pot of tea now its 7.20 so no chance of going back to bed, the boat is toasty warm as Paul has made up the fire AND put the central heating on bugger the expense I’ll just keep doing the lottery and hope for another tenner to buy a bag of coal.

Short Hop..

Yesterday we moved the massive distance of a whole mile. We are now on the nice stretch of armco between bridges 100 and 101. Before leaving the mooring by bridge 103 Paul went up on to the bridge with the camera to take a picture of the plaque on the bridge. We didn't know about this so thank you Tony and Jacqui for the info.

Nice bit of history.

Once we had settled ourselves and the washing had finished I donned walking boots and set off for Braunston to get some basics, bread, milk, wine, tobacco, the last on the list being the most important in Pauls eyes. He had been sucking on that pipe with hardly any tobacco in it and getting decidedly grumpy knowing that he was about to run out, I needed the exercise  so I was the volunteer. As luck would have a nice couple Anthony and Pauline nb Freedom passed by me, (we had met them last night) they pulled alongside and gave me a lift into Braunston just how kind was that. Shopping bought it was back to the boat and the walk is a pleasant one with some spectacular views across the valley.

Bit murky this morning but it looks as though the sun is trying to break through so hopefully another window can be sorted out.  Obviously not as Paul has now got into splicing and fender repairs all double Dutch to me but that's what you get being married to an old sea dog……. Paul has also changed the lights in the engine room to LED’s so that's all the lights done now.

The boat really needs a bit of a wash down can I muster up the enthusiasm to do it mmmmm maybe tomorrow.

Smoke alarm works……

Paul was busy this morning replacing the wooden corners to the windows so I thought I would cook him a nice brunch. Large mushroom went in the pan bacon and toast under the grill 5 minutes later the smoke alarm was screaming, I was flapping the t towel and Paul was opening the side hatch to let the smoke out, okay so I had the gas up to high under the mushroom I even had a lid on the pan so you can appreciate how hot the oil had got. Learnt my lesson but I had no complaints about the food I actually never burnt a thing not even the toast.

Yesterday we had visitors, Angela and John plus Maggie and Maisie arrived bearing cakes. They had left the car at bridge 102 and walked to us, was lovely to see them again and we much appreciated them travelling to us. There is one confession we have to make though regarding our new dongle. On speaking to John and to Keith it would appear they both thought the new dongle in the picture we posted was the real thing. The fact that it was about 12 inches long should have made them think “this is Paul winding us up” Could you imagine the raised eyebrows if you were sitting on the train with a dongle that size. No, our new dongle is normal size and very pleased with it we are too.

I have just realised that we are on the stretch of tow path highlighted by Maffi a few weeks ago, although it has been cleared up there are still lots of small hawthorn and blackberry twigs, Saffie has cut her paw and is constantly licking it to keep it clean, we are keeping an eye on it though. Pity any cyclists who come this way.

While out yesterday I remembered to take the camera so took a few snaps.

  

Bridge 103  from a couple of different angles. In front of the bridge and through it. Bet there aren't many bricklayers left with the skills to build a bridge like this.

We are waiting on Gosty now, hopefully they should be here today or tomorrow no doubt he is being inundated with questions as to why they are selling up thus making his journey a bit slower than usual

Brrrrrrrrrrr

Bit of a change in the weather from yesterday when the sun shone and it was relatively warm. We left the puddle banks this morning going to water up etc then reversed back and headed towards Napton. when we got to bridge 107 we did an about turn and are now moored up just past bridge 103 by the farm. It is oh so quiet no neighbours at the moment and I must say not a lot of traffic passing through. It was decidedly chilly on the back of the boat I even resorted to scarf and gloves to complete my ensemble.

Yesterday saw Paul completing a job that he started on Friday, a minor adjustment to the solar panels, he had also bought a little”gismo” which means absolutely nothing to me but has Paul running to the engine room every hour or so to check Volts and Amps, boys and their toys eh!!!!!!!

I think we will stay here a while, Paul wants to get the windows removed and the frames sanded down and varnished tow path side, taking advantage of being up close to the armco, whether the weather will be kind to us remains to be seen.

I do like this time of the year when everything quietens down and the colours are spectacular, don't want to be caught out by a sudden cold snap though so we make sure we watch the forecast for any sign of the dreaded frost.

New Dongle

 

Went to Rugby yesterday thought it was about time to upgrade the dongle. The man in the Vodafone shop did us proud getting the same usage at nearly £10 a month less. Here it is it has been developed for people on the move.

Will probably have a problem getting a condom to fit. Bet yours isn't as big as this John!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you decorated your broomstick yet?

The Strain of the Jubilee Clip!!!!

I arrived home yesterday lunch time from visiting my family, Paul had replaced the rubber hoses on the engine with copper so he will have dictated the technical stuff and he took the pictures, here goes.

The copper pipe work was the last job to be done and bearing in mind Paul was not present when the new engine cooling system was fitted, but he was not happy with the install and he had in the back of his mind that not all things were as they should be. On removal of the rubber hoses from the skin tank it would appear that they used the original brass fittings which as you can see from the photo were the incorrect size to fit the hose that they supplied properly.

The hose measures an inch and a half diameter id and the fitting measures an inch and an eighth od leaving a surplice of three eighths of an inch on the circumference hence the Jubilee clips were under strain to close the excess gap. One of them was so tight it had to be cut off. This also distorted the wall of the hose.

The inside of the hose was crushed to fit the incorrect size fitting. Of course this is bad practise.

On Thursday Paul made up most of the copper pipe runs using 28mm copper and fittings, all the joints have been soldered and were all put in position to make sure that they fitted, however because of a change of route he was an elbow short and had to catch the bus to Wickes to buy just one more, on his return the pipe work was finished apart from minor adjustments.

Saturday was the day of the changeover and as Paul had a drain tap fitted to the skin tank he was able to use a  drill pump to remove all the coolant. All was going well until he was 1 Jubilee clip short and as he had replaced all for new he decided to use one of the old ones, but because most of them had lost their grip it was down tools and over to Midlands to buy another new one. Also while the system was drained down he replaced the two supplies to the calorifier in 15mm copper, also removed the two plastic stopcocks replacing with 15mm gate valves.

Although the engine is solid mounted to allow for any vibration short hoses are fitted at the engine connection. The pipe work is supported using steel wired armoured cable clips mounted off the surface to allow for polishing.  Due to the new installation being of a smaller diameter pipe when replacing the coolant there was about 4 litres left over. On its test run Paul found that the engine was now running slightly cooler than before he puts this down to more flow of coolant through the smaller pipe work.

Destined for the bin…..

Back to me now, I didn't write it word for word I left out the umms and the ahhs and I can tell you there was quite a lot.

My weekend away was lovely, to Kent on Thursday to Jess’s. Saturday she took me to Jack’s in Egham and he took me to my Aunts in Blackwater Saturday evening where I stayed until Monday. It was nice to catch up with my aunt who is my mums sister, we chatted about old stuff  and I found out that my mum had been quite a raver in her youth. I was also able to put names to faces in my mums old photos.  

So it is now back to normality, housework, washing and cooking. At least the dogs were pleased to see me and I think Paul was glad of a square meal last night.

It must be my age.

Yesterday I needed to go shopping to top up the fridge for Paul as I am going away tomorrow, as I was leaving Paul says to me “ring me when you get off the bus and I will come and help you with the trolley” Paul was off to get some fittings for his engine so I was on my own. Shopping done , while waiting for the bus I rang Paul of course there was no reply I gave it 10 mins and then rang again, nothing except his voice mail. So at the third attempt I left a message “ is it worth you having a phone” funny glances from the people at the bus stop they must have thought miserable old bag. I rang again while on the bus, nothing, when I got off the bus, nothing, while walking the tow path, nothing.  I struggled over the bridge with the bottles clanking. I was about 10 foot from the boat when he came to help me, “have you listened to your messages on the phone” I asked “don't know where it is” was his reply. This from a man who is always moaning at me if I take more than three rings to answer and then accuses me of having it at the bottom of my bag which is untrue. I picked his phone up from the shelf where he keeps it and showed him, 6 missed calls all he could do was smile, he can get his own shopping next time.

A few days ago I received an email from my dentist in Rugby with an appointment for 2/11/11 I turns up there this morning and was told by the nice receptionist I had turned up a month to early   I should have gone on the 2/12/11 an easy mistake to make don't you think but that's not what Paul said  he said it was my AGE. I had travelled into Rugby with Elaine nb Relaine and met up with her for the return trip as well.

Paul had been busy sorting out his pipe work for the engine but was 1 elbow short he had miscalculated very unlike him, must be HIS AGE, so he has to go to Wickes sometime to get another one.

This afternoon as I got the dogs off the boat for their afternoon constitutional there was a lot of barking from the field below us and I could see huntsman with their hounds, then the hounds all ran up onto the tow path noses to the ground and they were off, quick blast on the horn by the Master and they were all back in the field again, never seen that here before.

Met the guy who has just bought the old BW cottage at the junction, he says it needs a bit of work doing and I can agree with him there as I had a nosey through the windows yesterday. It only has pedestrian access across the field which is a bit of a bummer when you have to put the bin out on the main road.

I am taking advantage of the signal being half decent as up until today it has been rubbish Paul hasn't been able to speak to his brother for ages haven't forgotten you  Eric honest he will try on Sunday.