Trip to swarkestone

Took the boat to swarkestone and back this lunchtime. Pretty uneventful apart from the paloma has another small leak - might be able to put some putty in the crack but it is difficult to get at. Might cut some of the casing away with metal shears to allow finger entry.
Boat ran ok - the offside trees have been cut below stenson lock - why do the cart workers leave their boats on the lock landing making it difficult for the hire boaters to lock at what is a very challenging and busy lock.

Rain hat fitted

Here we go - hopefully this will keep the chimney lining dry as the fire cement has fallen off due to the damp. Bought some new cement - black colour but thinking of making some metal covers over the exposed fire cement

Anchor rope and chain

Bought some of eBay - I will never learn - too thin - will use mooring rope if I ever need to!

Jobs done today

Managed to get to the boat at last - jobs done this morning - fitted the planters to the front of the boat - cut some wood to fill them. Fitted two of the small shelves in the cabin - full of clutter already. Filled the coal bucket and wood box on the boat - ready to rumble now! Will take the boat out this weekend.

Cart contractors

Cart contractors out on the t & m nr Findern with a small aluminium tender and chainsaw cutting offside overhanging branches - bet the wild life people won't be happy as the moorhens nest in there. Still the pristine condition of the paintwork of the 'designer' wide beam boats that occasionally leave Mercia marina for a few hours is more important than wildlife!

ordered two planters for the front of the boat

i have ordered two planters for the front of the boat to store wood and coal - will update when fitted, i have had them modified to double height and painted green to match the boat, also adding lids to keep the rain out.
the aluminium box on the front of the boat is not suitable as it covers the water filler cap, blocks the view from inside the boat and makes it difficult to moor up as it covers the front deck.

The Trent

View of the Trent out of my office window - note the concrete flood barrier - there are also enormous pumps to take water away from the industrial estate / the river can rise 3 meters after heavy rain.
Hope to take this route to Newark in the summer

Mini shelves

Bought some mini shelves for the boat off eBay - one for the radio next to the control panel, one for the key area and one for under the small 10" tv - will update after fitting at the weekend

Blacking due soon

Will have to book the slipway at swarkestone soon - the blacking is due this year.
The only other jobs I want to do are buy some anchor chain - I have an anchor and put a coolie hat on the chimney - the old one blew off last night!

Run down to willington 10/3/13

Took the boat down to the water point at willington this morning - T & M looking pretty full at the moment - the towpaths are in a terrible state like muddy fields - hope we don't get any more rain as I fear for the canal due to the neglect under cart - no doubt there are blocked by washes and closed sluices as they can't be arsed to inspect them

New speaker

Been looking for some cheap speakers on eBay as the speakers are too far inside the boat to hear the radio when navigating, plus, I am getting a bit mut due to the hundreds of gigs I have been to over the years and the engine is very noisy!
I plucked up the courage to buy some speakers from a car Hi fi shop in the end after getting outbid several times.
Opted for some mid range cheap ones which sound good for budget speakers - Armagedon dynamic!
I have only installed one so far - the bulkhead was very thick to drill and cut out, but, I am pleased with the job.
Might leave the other speaker for a bit as I still have one of the old speakers connected for a lop sided stereo effect.
Wired for sound as cliff once sang!

Paloma leak

Put some solder over the top of the split - tried to close the gap by pushing in the split first - not sure the solder is much use now there is no lead in it - health and safety - all the pensioners still around will have been drinking via lead pipes for 50 yrs!
The first two attempts ended in failure and a wet face - I think I was trying to do a neat job and the solder was too thin - the 3rd attempt appears to be holding, although I have not tried it with hot water yet.
Would have been more successful to take the heater off the wall and turn it on its side - the solder would then sit on top of the split without dripping down the side of the unit.
Might look out for a second hand one off eBay although some on there might have faults!

Second annoying paloma of the week

The paloma has sprung a leak - annoying because I drained it off for the winter - looks like it is An old crack on the top water feed - most of the joints and bends on the water heater look dodgy - probably a manufacturing quality issue - should be able to fix the split with a bit of solder - just hope the repair doesn't cause problems in a more inaccessible area