Boat back in

Re launched the boat this Morning. Unfortunately Roy of skaidi had a fall into the water when attempting to take his boat out after i had relaunched mine. He is ok and fortunately had some spare clothes on him. Didn't get the anode fixed in the end - might do it next year. Had a bit of a incident at Stenson lock - the boat got stuck on a brick - the back corner - no danger of sinking but a bit scary and the kettle and cupboard contents ended up on the floor. One safely back in findern - probably lay up the boat now and winterise. 

Blacking day 2

This was tough - did the second coat on the boat sides leaving the counter and v bottom to black. As the boat is leaning to starboard I started with the port side. I used a brush but this proved slow, awkward and painful (contortionary). I am no michaelangelo,but, can appreciate the artists efforts painting upside down for ages. Mind you oil paint is easier to use than bitumen! The starboard side proved impossible to do with a brush - not enough space to reach, it so I used a roller - this didn't give a full even coverage and some patches could not be reached, but, by tea time I didn't care anymore. 

Just need to sort the detatched anodes out now.

Blacking day 1

Started the blacking today - only problems noted were some of the anodes had sprung off at one end requiring spot welds. Stern gear and prop in excellent shape. There is some pitting on the port side - may need plating in a couple of years - this would actually improve the trim of the boat when done as it tends to list to starboard due to most of the weight on that side - kitchen and diesel tank. The only problems were the winch needing a jump start off a nearby car due to it getting fouled and a weak battery. 

Stenson lock was a pain as the lower gates will not open properly causing two long boats to get stuck!

Monchengladbach 21/8/13

Unsurprisingly there are several sculptures in the town centre alluding to the former footballing glories -we couldn't help childishly posing the footballers! this is a very sleepy town with a large housing stock but few people about. Again plenty of green spaces and the best ice cream cafe I have ever been to.

As we were quite close to the German border we decided to take a trip into the fatherland. Sticking a pin in the map we decided on monchengladbach - a town famous for its football team that had some success in the 1970s.

Amsterdam 20/8/13

We took the park and ride from the Amsterdam arena home of Ajax which included train and buses for 8 euro (5people). Chelsea lifted the Europa league trophy there in may.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Amsterdam, apparently it is horribly overcrowded at weekends but today it was fairly quiet and we could get around comfortably. Highlight we're the obviously beautiful canals and impromptu reggae trumpeter on a rowing boat and the architecture - lows were the seedy bar and red light areas.

Netherlands via France and Belgium 18/8/13

We decided to visit our daughter who is living in Tilburg for a few days. We used the Dover ferry and drove slowly to Tilburg - Much to the annoyance of the lorries who kept flashing me to speed up. One observation about Benelux is the effortless flow of the traffic due to variable speed limits and probably lower volumes of cars - taxis appear to be a rare sight as well - we had no hold ups in all 5 days.

The pace of life is much slower out here -  employees are given a lie in on Monday morning,  the population is low - most cities have a population below £500k, there is no free healthcare and green policies like priority to cyclists is promoted. Diesel fuel is also 30% cheaper than petrol. The food is basic, healthy and fresh and people are polite if a little reserved. The bars are relaxed and have a vast selection of beers at reasonable prices. There are many parks and lakes as well as the canals. Farming is basic and fictional with equipment of a vintage nature.

Our most enjoyable time was having a picnic at one of the numerous lakes.

Shardlow at night