DOTTEREL

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:43 am

Link to my earlier posts http://www.boatsandcanals.co.uk/phpBB3o ... =1&t=11114

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:31 pm

It's been a while since we were up at the boat, operations, broken cars and dry docks at Deepcut have got in the way. We also haven't seen beloved Daughter in the same time.

So off to the boat today and see Daughter tomorrow.

It might be a clue to say that I'm writing this in a hotel room.

Apparently the canal sprang a leak and Dotterel had to be moved but it seems that the boatyard may have forgotten to switch everything off and we have 4 dead batteries!

To Daughter's tomorrow, back to hotel in the evening and then take starter battery home to charge before coming back for a short cruise to Hillmorton to charge the household batteries. Cheers Graham

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:47 pm

The good news - I have finally made it up to the boat with a charged starter battery, Jo's depression is easing and I could leave her for the day.

The bad news - I know now the cause of the flat batteries. The boat had been burgled! The burglar took alcohol and the radio and left muddy footprints. he ignored tools, food and the telly. He entered via the rear doors which were bolted from the inside but are clearly not burglar proof! The support for the rear cover is also missing. I believe that he switched on the electrics to provide light for his activities and left them on together with a light in the main cabin, the headlight also seemed to be switched on at some point - this may have been by me when I left the boat but I isolated the battery. Either I misunderstood the position of the isolater in the dark or someone from Calcutt seeing that a light was did isolate the batteries but was too late and didn't think it necessary to inform the management.

The boat did start and after a cruise the leisure batteries did take a charge - they may not have been as flat as the starter battery.

I have reported the theft to the police and the boatyard commented that it was likely to be a serial offender know to many. In some respects it is fortunate that the doors did open as he would probably have broken in via a window otherwise.

Cheers Graham

Lancastrian · **Posted:** Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:13 pm

Yes it is indeed VERY good news that Jo is feeling better and it must also come as a relief to you.

Sorry to hear about the boat being burgled, hopefully you can soon get things sorted there.

Best Wishes to Jo and you Graham.

Maurice

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Wed Feb 19, 2014 8:03 pm

We've just spent the weekend on the boat and visited Daughter and the Grand Kids. The batteries are fine and we spent a fair amount of time cleaning things. The effective neglect bought about by me having an op and Jo's depression meant there was a fair amount of yucky stuff to clean. I also emptied the bilge as water had got in when the thief removed (and left off) the tonneau cover.

Talking of thieves - it is a shame he didn't take the TV as it has now stopped working!!

There is some trouble getting shore power to the boat as C&RT want to be consulted on it as they own the land (on a 99 year lease to Calcutt) and they charge a lot to be consulted! If it all goes pear shaped them I think I need solar to keep the batteries going.

I'll be up to the boat again in a couple of weeks to start getting it ready for the season.

Cheers Graham

Lancastrian · **Posted:** Wed Feb 19, 2014 8:46 pm

Generally good news then Graham.

lauriebooth · **Posted:** Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:50 am

Sorry to hear about your problems, glad that Jo is on the mend.

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:16 pm

I've de-winterised the boat - it took 1.25 hours to fill the tank. Fortunately no-one else came as it is a public water point! I took Mum and my niece with me and moved the boat to the winding hole just above Calcutt top lock to load Mum on board as the edge is good there.

My niece photographed things!

Although in to sun I quite like the effect.

She also takes photos of bits of lock.

She cooks too - I think I'll take her again.

After filling up we went for a cruise to Napton and back. It was a very nice day but a little chilly on the way back.

I've also fitted the new telly but it bolts down with wing nuts so I can take it home in line with police advice!

We are up there again tomorrow.

Cheers Graham

Lancastrian · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:23 pm

Great to see you out and about in your boat again. Effective Pictures.

lauriebooth · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:24 pm

Great pics

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:47 pm

On the boat again, picking up the Grand Kids on Monday then setting sail (well starting engine) for pastures new! BraunstonTunnel really. Cheers Graham

Lancastrian · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2014 6:04 pm

Graham and Jo wrote:

On the boat again, picking up the Grand Kids on Monday then setting sail (well starting engine) for pastures new! BraunstonTunnel really. Cheers Graham

ENJOY, oh and don't forget a few photographs, please.

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Sun Apr 13, 2014 3:36 pm

Change of plans - sick as a dog - home now- get better and take kids out later.

Lancastrian · **Posted:** Sun Apr 13, 2014 4:07 pm

Oh Dear

! Hopefully you will soon be feeling better.

Graham and Jo · **Posted:** Sun Apr 13, 2014 8:56 pm

Thanks Maurice, the new plan is to go after Easter which suits my daughter better. She can now go with her hubby whilst he is on a course. Cheers Graham

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