BOATS AND CANALS

I have found the leak. It was from the front pipe that connects to the pipe leading to the oil cooler.



This was the last old pipe in the system. Why didn't I change it with the others I thought? Well I had found a fault with the loose oil cooler and damaged pipes so thought I had fixed the leak. I guess I was thinking if it ain't broke...

It was broke.



The engine is now running and so far no leaks.

Cheers Graham

We had a very pleasant Sunday. Coffee in the book shop in the old Weedon Barracks and then I bought a Triang Blue Pullman from the antique shop. I decided to run up the engine to just check for leaks again and then decided to take a short trip.

Before we could leave a boat turned up alongside with the husband of an old work colleage driving. We had a nice chat then turned the boat and headed off to Napton Junction. For a change we went left on to the Southern Oxford and turned in the winding hole before the locks.

It was a very pleasant 4 mile evening cruise.



The engine didn't leak by the way.

Cheers Graham

Glad the leak has been fixed.

_________________
Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

We spent a few days on the boat and winterized it. This proved the automatic bilge pump works after dumping 12 gallons in the bilge.

At the moment we are on limited power as the main power supply to the boat has failed and they need to install a new cable. Consequently we needed to use the gas for heating and this proved conclusively that the new radiator in the lounge world excellently.

Just to add to the fun Canal and River Trust have finally decided to fix the leak from the canal to the reservoir. This will mean Dotterel has to go down to the marina for the duration. Start date is the 11th October.

I have been playing with my new phone which has a night photography setting. This is the view of Jupiter and Saturn over the boat opposite. I couldn't see the boat opposite!



Cheers Graham

There is too much light pollution for us to see the night sky properly since the council erected new lights.

_________________
Maurice

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They put up new lights here with more downlight and less uplight than the 70s monstrosities. For some strange reason they made them higher so they illuminate the bedrooms on the front of the house. They do switch them off between 1am and 4am though. Strangely the night sky here in Alton is as dark as that on the boat probably as there is not much in the way of terrain between the boat and Rugby and valley between the boat and Birmingham.

The light in the sky in the photo is probably from Rugby.

My coffee stop on the downs when I am cycling is a dark shy sight so we need to visit there at some point on a clear night in the early hours.

Cheers Graham

C&RT have decided to put off fixing the leak until next year. In the meantime Calcutt have installed the new cable but are awaiting an electrician to connect it so we should be on full mains power soon.

This year C&RT have sent me a reminder about my insurance. It is along the lines of our records show your insurance runs out soon please update with the details of your new insurance. This is new.

Cheers Graham

Maintenance has started. The boat has sometimes struggled going into forward gear. The engine falters. An investigation revealed that the gear cable was biased towards reverse. It has probably been like this since the gearbox was serviced by the boatyard. The gear lever was also quite worn adding to the problem. A new gear lever has been fitted and it all seems to work.

We have finally snapped with our double bed. It is too hard to put together. Major surgery in the bedroom will commence shortly.

Cheers Graham

More maintenance.

Dewinterize the water system. Dump the remaining water from the tank probably about a third of a ton or so, pour in copious quantities of Milton, fill the tank and pump the water through all pipes, leave to stand over night. Drain 1.25 tons of water over board and fill up again. Flush all pipes and the hot water tank.

Clean half the the roof and one cabin side Jo did this.

Cruise down to the junction and back to turn the boat. Jo did a perfect 3 point turn including lining up with the bridge number on the way back, it doesn't get better than that.

Happy snap on the way.



Clean other side of the boat and roof - Jo did that.

Change the engine oil, gear box oil, oil and fuel filters and check the water trap.

The oil filter is absurdly inaccessible.



Complete the woodwork on the double bed.

Admire sunset.



Have breakfast the next day with a slightly different view from the cratch as the boat is currently facing the lock.



Back home now.

Cheers Graham

I Bet it's great to be back on the water.

Please keep them pictures coming Graham.

_________________
Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Painting, painting and more painting.

Did I mention painting? I have painted all the dividing walls in our bedroom. Three coats, one primer/undercoat and two top coats.





I have also cleaned the engine bilge, topped up the stern tube greaser, replaced the water filter and generally tidied up.

The boat is good to go!

There was a nice sunset with a slightly different view as the boat was facing the lock.



I have turned the boat so it is ready for out first trip of the year in a few weeks.

Cheers Graham

I have made one of the two window frames for the side hatch. The two frames will be hinged together and can be removed when you just want fresh air. Unfortunately there is no space next to the hatch to permanently mount them.



Cheers Graham

I take it then that you do have plans for security of the boat.

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

The steel doors the close that hatch securely are still there. These ones just provide a window when the outside ones are open.





Here they are finished and fitted.

Cheers Graham

Last night's moon over Napton Reservoir.

Cheers Graham