BOATS AND CANALS

Some nice pictures Graham.thanks.

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Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

I've been busy on the boat sorting things out after the upgrades in the winter.

Jo and I arrived at the boat on Friday and left the car still packed as we had seen on Calcutt's web Cam that the wharf was free. It all went very well, no problems getting off the mooring then through the lock and a beautiful arrival on the wharf with Jo springing the back end in perfectly.

The web cam can be seen here http://www.calcuttboats.com/webcam.html

I took a screen shot of Dotterel for fun.



Two pump outs and half a tank of diesel later we were ready to go.

We sprang the front using a bollard and the back rope. Dotterel springs very well and we were out at 45 degrees before we cast off.

Jo was pretty pleased with herself



Back up the locks and a perfect squeeze into our mooring.

I have been working on the back cupboard where the gas boiler used to be, adding a couple of shelves in a cupboard next to teh kitchen and generally painting everything.





I have also made and painted a key hanger.



We visited an antique shop - I bought an engine and we did some final editing on Jo's novel.

Then it was sunset.



Back home now with another trip planned for the week after next. This will be water system sterilisation, engine service more painting and a major spring clean.

I also have to replace a seal in the back loo - a job best done in disposable clothes.

I am a bit conscious of time as the boat leaves Calcutt for Llangollen on 8th May.

Cheers Graham

It looks like a nice pleasant spot.

Not much action on the webcam at the moment.

_________________
Maurice

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Planning for our first major trip since the pandemic is complete.

On May 7th my niece and I will open up the boat , turn her around and get everything ready. May 8th Sister and Husband will arrive and we will set off to Brum. We are going straight through Brum and up the Shropshire union, left onto the Llangollen and up to Whitchurch. Jo will join us on the 15th and we will go to Llangollen and back to Whitchurch by the 20th. Jo leaves us in the 21st and we head home via the Shropshire union, the Staffs and Worcs, T&M, Coventry and Oxford Canals. We arrive at Calcutt on the 29th 321 miles, 229 locks. 217 hours after we began. We will need to refill on the way as that will take 61 gallons (Dotterel has a 60 gallon tank) even if we don't run the heating. Fortunately I won't need to change the engine oil as that occurs at 250 hrs.

I feel the need for a rest just thinking about it.

Cheers Graham

Hi Graham

The very first lock on entering the Llangollen canal is very narrow, so bring in any fenders etc that you may have on the sides of your boat. Other than that ENJOY.

_________________
Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

I have just returned from a few days of maintenance this included:-

Vacuuming the rear cabin again.
Painting the final coat on the new cupboard and in the wet locker.
Fitting an led bulb in the rear cabin.



Fitting a better socket to the end of the extension cable which runs from the rear inverters to the lounge.
Disinfecting the water system and de-winterizing.
Changing the seal on one of the cassette loos to stop it leaking when you empty it.




Changing the seal on the rear pump out



Adding a pedestal cover to the rear pump out



Watching sunrise.



Changing all batteries in smoke alarms and CO alarms.

Draining water trap in fuel line - there wasn't any.

Changing fuel and air filters.

Going for a 3 mile cruise with niece, friend Sue and her dog.

Changing engine oil, oil filter and gearbox oil.

Drinking Welsh beer.

Sleeping a lot.

Boat is now ready for cruising.

Cheers Graham

...and when you do go cruising ENJOY.

_________________
Maurice

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Back on the boat, I only left a week ago. Today's task was to sort out what is going under the beds and what is going home. I have to convert the boat from a DIY project to one capable of having 5 people on board. All the drawers under the beds needed emptying as do various cupboards. Pack it all in the car tomorrow and start cleaning.

The weather has been a bit foul today with breaking waves on the reservoir.

Cheers Graham

All the work will pay off for more enjoyable cruises, so when the time comes enjoy.

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Maurice

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The Llangollen Canal has a restriction near the start. Currently navigable but they are making a further decision on Friday next week. Apparently the wall supporting the towpath under one bridge has collapsed. Fingers crossed.

Cheers Graham

They have put off the decision with the bridge until he 19th. We have been to Llangollen by then but aren't leaving until about the 22nd so fingers crossed.

Niece and I are now on the boat getting everything ready. Sis and her hubby join us on Sunday. We sail on Monday.

Cheers Graham

Think of me as you cross the Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts, If I can't be with you in body at least I can be with you in your thoughts.

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Maurice

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I am hoping to have my time lapse camera running for that part!

Cheers Graham

Great, I look forward to seeing the footage.

It's only an hours drive away for me, the only problem is I don't drive. In my younger days I cycled all around there but it did take me longer than an hour, now in motor bike days less that an hour as you can imagine.

_________________
Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

We dropped down to the wharf to top up with diesel. Back on the mooring we are facing the wrong way! Boat cleaning tomorrow and the rest of the crew arrive.

Cheers Graham