Allotment behind the boat

Taken on an allotment near the boat - two other boaters at Findern have them - so plenty of advice and spare plants available. I built a small shelter on site to feed a water butt. I hope the strong winds don't blow it away - going to anchor it with fence posts!

Boat safety passed

Just two advisories - ventilation calcs indicate a lack of air if all appliances used at the same time - unlikely to happen as I don't used the fridge or do any cooking and the boiler is de commissioned; plus the electric hook up is femail - should be male to avoid shocks from a live hook up - again never used. Very pleased!

Limehouse basin 4/4/15

After seeing the grapes pub in limehouse on great canal journeys and benefiting from a few spare hours due to the late Chelsea kick off we decided to head over for a couple of beers. The pub is actually tiny - the width of a normal terraced house and has a narrow rickety staircase to a small dining room on the first floor. The real feature is the rear deck overlooking the Thames - breathtaking views - it also looks over the Anthony Gormley statue. As noted in great canal journeys, the  pub is part owned by sir Ian mckellan and he has left his trademark Gandalf staff behind the bar. The limehouse lock into the Thames is a monster, as is the swing bridge over the entrance to the Thames - well worth a visit and the beer is good too. No children allowed tho - house rules. Some monster barges in limehouse basin as well as the usual narrow boats.

Sign of the times

As the boat safety is due soon I decided to brave the weather and refit the brass signs. The gas locker one was fixed to the locker cover and the battery isolation and fuel cock ones to the engine cover. 

More jobs to be do e as well; the windows need resealing and the lead has come away from one of the windows. Need the weather to improve before tacking those jobs. The boat safety chap is ok about the damaged paloma as he is only interested in the gas side and is pleased that I have installed a carbon monoxide alarm.

Oil change done

Oil change done this afternoon - no mishaps apart from getting oil everywhere. Safety arranged for mid April so time to renew the licence if it passes. I had a go at repairing the paloma but the solder wouldn't stick - might leave it for now - the crack is in an awkward place on the side of the pipe.

Post winter snag list

First visit to the boat for a few weeks. A bit of mould on the outside due to the damp spring. We filled the water tank and then discovered, on engaging the water pump, a split in the cold water feed pipe in the Paloma water heater - this is anoying as I always drain it down in the winter.
The boat started ok and we took it for a run to midland chandlers for a few service items. Bought an oil filter for the service and a plastic joint to enable bypass of the paloma heater. I also asked if they were having a sale soon. Aparently the next 20% off sale is 10 April 2015 so I will buy hull blacking and new anodes then. I will take the boat out at Swarkestone boat club in May this year (March in 2013) so the blacking will go off better. I will also use international inter tuff this time rather than midland chandlers own make which is not very durable.
We turned the boat opposite the board walk on the way out of Mercia Marina - the new pub pictured has had mixed reviews and is apparently not that popular with boaters being a bit pricey and having a small menu.
The paloma heater is no longer connected to the water pump - it took a bit of heat to remove the hoses. To be fair I rarely used it anyway, but, I will repair the split by closing it with pliers and melting a bit of solder over it.
The boat safety is due in a few weeks so I might have to remove the gas supply as well - not sure if closing the gas isolation tap to the boiler will be sufficiently safe for the examiner.
Going to be an expensive year despite reduced use of the boat due to lack of time and an aeging unreliable engine.
No plans to sell up yet due to the mooring at Findern and excellent storage and parking facilities.

New steps and Crap water points

New steps at the Findern linear moorings - thanks cart.

More evidence of the frailty of the new water points - failing at an alarming rate after 2 yrs, when the old cast iron ones lasted 50 years. Both of the Findern ones have failed and one of them is rarely used apart from the restaurant next door