Oh dear……..

I went down to Kent for the weekend and came back with a lovely cough and cold. Something I could really do without, Paul wasn't the happiest of bunnies either as he hadn't seen a soul all the time I was away so was feeling decidedly lonely, for once he was glad to see me back.

Tuesday Angela and John came over for a cuppa and I make a cake thought it was about time so I pushed the boat out and bought cream to go in it was rather good even if I say so myself.

Weather here today has been atrocious in fact the water in the marina has come up so far that the dogs have about a foot step to get onto the pontoon where as before the boat was level with it, there are quite a few boats on the kilt and there has been a lot of slackening off of ropes to ensure that there is no damage done in fact Paul has just come back on board after sorting out a few boats due to the water rising yet again . Tomorrow it would appear that we are in for more rain so who knows the pontoons may be flooded.

Paul has been keeping himself busy and a new box has been made for the starter battery he has also sanded down the side bulk heads in the lounge ready for a fresh coat of varnish, this has come about as a few redundant holes have been filled due to a different size radiator being installed 2 years ago, as you can see he doesn't rush these jobs.

Next job is the making of covers for the side hatch doors, material has been bought and the fixings, so on Saturday the sewing machine will be unearthed from under the dinette dusted off and put to good use (that is if I can remember how to use it).

I found out from a local lady that there is a County Connect bus that runs through here to Daventry, you have to register with the bus company then you book on line, ordering the bus like you would a taxi. So I booked the bus for Friday so we could go and do a spot of shopping and have a change of scenery. The email I received confirming my booking said that as we lived more than 500 metres from our requested pick up point the bus would pick us up from outside the marina how convenient is that and it will drop us off there too so hardly any walking to be done which suits Paul no end. I have got into the swing of having my shopping delivered here once by Mr Tesco and once with Mr Sainsbury so easy and no humping of heavy stuff.

Look at these.

 

Well the washing machine arrived and was installed no damage to either the boat or the machine. Delivery men had never been to a boat before and probably hope they never have to again. It has taken a while to catch up with the washing but at last it is all done. 

One of Pauls friends emailed some photos from way way back in the 80’s so far back that Paul has HAIR. It certainly bought back happy memories for Paul and a lump to his throat as this was the best sailing days he ever had.

This is Fly of Halstow a replica Medway Bawley which Paul crewed on many occasion even going over to Calais on numerous “booze” runs. Constructed of Ferro cement, Ray who owned Fly and was an expert on this type of construction was involved in a consortium and with others built 5 hulls which were then fitted out by their respective owners. They were 40ft plus LWL with a bowsprit of about 18ft. The canvas design and rigging was slightly altered from the originals to gain more speed. Fly took part in many of the area’s barge matches more so Medway barge matches also the local LHYC club racing which included round the island (Sheppey) round the towers (Whitstable) and many more made up as they went along.

Can you spot Paul? He was known as the bow man and he was also the only press gang volunteer to go up the mast if need be, the old fella in the foreground is Ray the owner of Fly, the guy in blue by the mast is Pauls friend Les. This was taken after a Medway race at anchor at the top of Stangate Creek waiting for the tide to enable the boats to return to their mooring. The boat breasted up is one of the other Bawleys.

 

Just look at Pauls hair…….

Apart from the anchor winch on the bows everything was done by hand and sailing skills really came into their own it makes you wonder how a man and boy coped all those years ago when these were used for fishing, as you can see there are ropes and rigging all over. It was Ray who taught Paul all he knew about rigging these types of boats, in fact some years later Fly’s mast had to be replaced and Paul along with Ray and John was involved in cutting a new mast and replacement of some of the rigging.

This was taken by a magazine photographer during one of the races, this is Fly under full sail. Paul recalls this incident as if it was yesterday, the skipper instructed the crew to get the “Flying Angel” up and through lack of practise they got into an awful mess. The “Flying Angel” is the largest sail on the boat and runs from the top of the topmast to the end of the bowsprit, for what ever reason the ropes got caught in the sheaves and could not be released from the bows of the boat, so guess what idiot had to crawl out on the “whiskers” to the end of the  bow sprit to release the jam?  Hence he got wet feet and by the time everything was freed the opportunity had gone as the wind for this sail wouldn't have given them any headway. So apart from getting wet feet the whole exercise was a waste of time. Needless to say the skipper then ordered the crew to put up the Spinnaker he was lucky not to go over the side. (do you remember that day Les?)

What happy memories……..

Would you believe it!!!!!!

The weather here has been awful in fact on Sunday with all the rain the water level here in the marina rose so much that Paul had to loosen off the ropes and the boat next to us had a definite list.

I decided to do a spot of cooking with it being Sunday, menu went something like Shepherds pie for our evening meal with apple pie to follow. So you have to imagine this, I am making pastry for the pies the mince is in the dish waiting for the potato topping. There is Paul at my shoulder twittering away saying “ my mum didn't make a pie like that, have you put cloves in it are you going to crimp the edges,” well I was getting really stressed out so I said “ why don't you mash the potatoes?” he proceed to pick up the slotted spoon I use in the wok as the masher, “not that” so he then picks up another slotted spoon “not that either” I had to physically put the masher into his hand. “my mum put butter and milk in her mashed potato” “WELL GIVE ME A CHANCE I HAVENT GOT TO THE FRIDGE YET”. By this time the individual apple pies were made and ready for the oven. The mashing was going quite well although there was as much potato on the surface as there was in the saucepan, eventually with a bit more tuition the shepherds pie was ready, it didn't look that appealing as there was more gravy on the top of the potatoes than under but still I suppose he had helped a little bit. Every available work surface was covered in pots pans and potato will I let him do it again well…….. next time he can do the whole thing from scratch and the washing up.

Today the difference in the weather was amazing okay we had frost on the top of the boat but the sun was out. The box was given its first coat of paint and my Tesco delivery arrived on time. I only made one faux pa and that was ordering Cherry Coke to go with Pauls rum not the best combination but it didn't taste too bad. I know next time to double check the order before I submit it…

We had a nice surprise as well when Del and Al rang us as they were in the area so they came to see us which was nice, we have arranged to meet up for a Christmas meal at the Red Lion some time in December.

Oh yes forgot to mention I have bought Paul a NEW comfort cardi and new slippers, suffice to say the comfort cardi is in the wardrobe never to see the light of day but he is wearing the slippers suppose I should be grateful for that as the smell from his old ones was unbearable.

I am off to the docs in the morning Paul has to sort out the engine room to enable him to get the old machine off glad I wont be around to hear the swearing. 

Getting there.

Well we are settling down to life in the marina. Monday we got the roof scrubbed off and one side washed down. Taking advantage of the hook up the washing machine was put to good use that is until it packed up, Paul heard some funny noises looked in the engine room and thought the machine was on fire  luckily it wasn't smoke it was steam, it had managed a rinse and spin so the clothes weren't dripping wet. Paul went back to the project and  started to cut the plastic strip  that is to go on the edges of the box all was going well until one cut strip slipped out of his hands into the water, with no chance of retrieving it.

Tuesday I had to go to Rugby so popped into the Co-Op to price up machines found a nice slimline one on offer with £75 off bargain. While I was out Paul had the old machine to bits to see if it was repairable, the steam was coming from inside the drum where as the  main drum bearings had collapsed and the inner drum was rubbing on the plastic outer drum obviously apart from carrying out a repair to replace the bearing there was probably extensive damage to the outer drum so we decided to go for a new machine.Well it is 7 years old so not done us bad. Good job the machine is in the engine room so easy to get at and work on.

So today it was back into Rugby to buy the machine sort out the delivery then it was on to Homebase to get another piece of plastic stripping and some edging to go onto my NEW shelving in one of the kitchen cupboards so as you can see Paul has been a busy bee and the “list” is getting shorter. (for now)

Over this coming weekend we have to get the old machine out of the engine room and onto the back of the boat. This will test the size of the doors which Paul had made large enough should we ever need to get the washing machine off.

Next thing to do is get a Tesco delivery sorted out which should be fun as I have never done it before.

It’s done.

 

Well almost, just a lick of paint to finish the “project”

You are probably aware that we have solar panels this is the original construction of the array.

This never gave any problems but Paul decided that he could improve it, so this is what we have now.

Not a top box but…….

A larger array than we had,  the   lid of the top box swivels to get directional  to the sun. You can see the shadow gauge on the right hand side this enables the panels to be aligned to the correct angle to the sun any time of the year, this is done with the use of two aluminium extendable broom handles. Instead of being hard wired , the panels will be able to travel 360 degrees as he has installed slip rings to carry the current.

And you can put stuff in the box. Which will make our existing box redundant.

I must admit that the construction of this did cause a few head aches mainly because it was done on the tow path.

bottom half

lid.

The roundel in the middle carries the weight of the panels this is done by a fixed metal swivel and three caster wheels, on reflection this should have been a larger diameter.

I cant tell you how many times this was lifted on and off the roof to get the shaping correct I had arms like Popeye  by the end of it. So we now have 3x85 watt panels. A new controller was purchased to carry the extra load.  Paul has had a few sleepless nights over this as things weren't going according to plan during the build although all looked okay during the design stage, however with a few small mods and a bit of tweaking I am sure eventually he will get it right,  don't think there are any more “projects” on the horizon he needs to give his brain a rest.

So if any one is looking for a 50watt monocrystaline panel and a 20amp regulator get in touch.

Settled.

We left Norton Junction on Thursday negotiating the Watford Locks with the help of Al who talked me through the process.

Del leading the way.

As we approached the Crick tunnel 2 boats were coming out which was handy or so we thought. As we got further into the tunnel the visibility disappeared and it was like travelling in a real pea-souper the two boats had filled the tunnel with wood smoke from their chimneys and it made the journey decidedly slow. Luckily for us we never met anything but it was Del’s mis fortune to meet the two boats mid tunnel so he got the full force of the smoke.

Light at the end of the tunnel……….

We managed to moor up opposite Crick marina and although it said these were designated winter moorings there were only two boats on the whole stretch.

Thursday evening Del Al and us went to The Red Lion for a very nice meal. Friday saw Paul and I travelling on various busses to Daventry to get the final few bits for “the project” pictures will be here tomorrow (I hope).

We made the decision to go into a marina for this winter and that is the reason we are here along with the fact we have to do all the tiling in the bathroom and that isn't the easiest of jobs to do on the tow path, plus there are a few other things that have been on the back burner. So it was over to Crick to get all the paper work sorted before we went in, we also wanted to see where we were actually to be which turned out to be 2 boats width away from John and Ang nb Ellen so we popped to see them for half an hour before we returned to the boat. It wasn't long before there was a face at the window.

I think Masie was looking for her mate Crystal who was fast asleep and oblivious to anything.

So…Sunday morning it was into the marina there was a slight breeze but luckily it didn't hamper the manoeuvring, as we use the back of the boat as our main entry (because it is easier with the dogs) Paul had to reverse onto the pontoon, luckily John saw us and came out to give a hand. Once we were settled I realised just how close Ellen was.

As we are now on hook up Paul fitted a galvonic isolator just to be on the safe side.

So everyone as we wont be travelling so much this blog will be quiet for lengthy periods.  I expect we will venture out if the weather stays good and the jobs allow so I will write as and when.

Norton jct.

We had just finished on the water point yesterday morning when Del and Al can through so we timed that just right. The journey up the locks worked a dream as they were all in our favour so Al and I took it in turns to open the gates of the next lock so the boys could just go straight in.

Bottom lock

Here come the boys!!!

My locking partner.

The men were like 2 old women on the back of the boats if you could have heard the pair of them going on and on and on still it was a laugh. We didn't meet anything in the tunnel which suited me just fine as I am not a tunnel lover. Once through the tunnel we saw Reg and Sandra on nb Moonshadow so a quick chat as we went past.

How quiet is that….

At the junction we found a nice mooring spot which will do us for a couple of days.