BOATS AND CANALS

Yes it is a container, it has windows in both ends and a side hatch. It would make me claustrophobic.

I have put a couple of videos on YouTube.

The first is the narrow bit on the Aylesbury arm.

https://youtu.be/sgpLpp_Jlt8

Braunston Tunnel - this includes a view up the ventilation shaft at 4:37

https://youtu.be/L75eehrq1pQ

Cheers Graham

wonderful pictures again Graham,many thanks

_________________

.... my memory,s not what it used to be.
also my memory,s not what it used to be.

............................mike.

Another weekend at the boat, we met our new neighbour - De-de. I met her partner Stuart last weekend. We also had a chat with out old neighbours Alex and Mary. They had just been out for two weeks.

We dropped down the top lock to the wharf. Jo did her usual excellent job of reversing in for two pumps outs and diesel. Then Jo managed a neat 90 degree turn off the wharf in one go.

Back on the mooring to change one gas bottle and winterise the boat.

Cheers Graham

All I can say is "WELL DONE JO, YOU SHOW 'EM 'OW TO DO IT"

_________________
Maurice

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Winter DIY time.

The water tasted off after the summer heat. I dumped the tank including the last bit the pumps can't get by opening the hatch and using the wet and dry vacuum. I pored a bit of clean water in and brushed the slime off the tank sides and bottom! Pretty gross. Suck out that water again then fill the tank and nuke with Puriclean. One tub treats 60 gallons. the tank has 1.25 tons of water in so lots of tubs and a long filling session later the tank as ready to soak.

In the meantime Jo was touching up the painting job she has been doing in the bedroom.

After a few hours it is time to pump out the tank via all the taps. This also cleans the pipes. Then finish off with the wet and dry vacuum and fill again.

I should mention I have bought a second hose to get to Calcutt's water point at the entrance to our moorings.

Finally pump it out again. Finally winterise the boat again.

One clean tank ready for filling.

I also did some painting in the rear cabin to get rid of some varnish in very poor condition near the rear steps.

Back home now but up there again on Wednesday next week to go to Braunston and have the rudder modified.

Cheers Graham

It's all Go for both of you, but jobs well done.

_________________
Maurice

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My niece and I are on the boat. We had intended to go to Braunston to have the rudder fixed but a boat in the dry dock has problems and can't float! Our visit is postponed for now.

We are doing the odd job such as another survey of the damaged wires.

We went for a walk around Daventry reservoir and it was very low. There are also lots of signs up explaining how some areas with public access will not have it soon. I guess this is the start of the development on the field where they are intending to build a canal basin surrounded by houses.

Cheers Graham

We are on the boat again, Jo and I this time. We had booked Dotterel into the dry dock again but the forecast of winds gusting to 50mph for tomorrow morning has cancelled it again. I am toying with the idea of a new trim tab with a better mounting as the last one proved the concept.

I am going to get on with replacing all the water tank lid bolts tomorrow, the old ones have lost there grip in the hull. So it is drill out the next size up and retap. Should last another 25 years!

I also have the bits to rebuild the electrics but will wait for the new tonneau cover which is due next week.

Cheers Graham

Hopefully Graham the work that you are planning to do will serve a double purpose, sorting out your boat and helping you.

_________________
Maurice

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Back from the boat having survived the wind!

We have made progress, Jo put another coat of paint on some rear panels, I bolted the water hatch down after re-tapping one of the bolt holes.

I also made a small modification to the plumbing under the bath to make draining the cold water system easy. We leave the boat with no water in the pipes when we aren't there. Winterising the hot water involves dumping 11 gallons into the engine bay, on the cold water side it is just drain the pipes. In the winter we use the cold water system so need to drain it when we leave. I now have two extra taps, one to drain the system and the other to isolate the shower. Life is much simpler now.

I have bought everything necessary to fix the fire damaged electrics and the new tonneau cover should turn up next week.

The black dog was down to puppy size over the weekend!

Cheers Graham

I gather then that you forgot to take any Rennies with you.

It seems that you have had a very productive visit and are well prepared for your other bouts of maintenance.

Puppy size, that is great news Graham, putting everything aside with the exception of the boat must certainly have helped.

_________________
Maurice

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I have put a steel pole on to my keb. It is currently in two 3 metre bits. The pole is sold by metals4u as telescopic. That is one piece fits perfectly in the next size down. The larger diameter pole was chosen to go over the rake head and the smaller diameter to go in the larger one. They are all held together with those springy button type things.



I went for 6 metres i.e. about 19.5 feet on the basis that a brick on the cill (I have had one of those) requires 4.5 feet of water, 10 feet or so of air and say 5 feet to use above the lock side to reach it.

I hope I can store 3m lengths in the engine bay. If not I will have to make it 4 1.5 metre lengths.

On things like the BCN challenge it will travel on the roof fully assembled.

Cheers Graham



I am hoping that the 3mrtre sections will

It was a beautiful morning at Calcutt this morning. Jo was in a photographing mood so I just stopped and soaked it all in. Here are two of her photos.





Cheers Graham

I always knew that Jo was the talented one, they are excellent, AND DON'T forget to tell her I said so.

_________________
Maurice

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I told her, you are now on her bestest pal list!

Cheers Graham