No blogging recently, I have been to the boat and like most done some painting in the interlude of good weather My father in law Charles passed away, on Rachel's birthday sadly. I will blog about him when it is right to do so, but for now it has rightly kept us off the boat as we prepare for life without him.
Other challenging stuff it also going on that means the blog has been neglected but it will be updated on brighter days.
More people are signing off the life on the canals, Paul and Lynn from NB Piston Broke have now sold and are in the process of moving off, and Heth from WB Takey Tezey is selling up to jet off to Spain and Jacquie and Stein from NB Like Duck to Water are taking a break from blogging.
Who next I wonder?
Take care
Nev
Friday, 21 June 2013
Thursday, 6 June 2013
....and so to sleep
One thing about buying a second hand boat is the quality of the mattress.
On Waterlily it was not too bad but when we had the bed extension added we opted for a new mattress. The fact it had an infill made it sumptuous but a pain in the bum to get out and back.... I liked sleeping on it I did not like the faff of getting it out and back.
So when we got Percy a new mattress was on the shopping list. Gill, Tony's wife said she thought we would be replacing it and to be honest I think it might have been the original one that was put on board twenty years ago when Percy was fitted out.
Just before we did the blacking cruise we ordered two new mattresses, one for the back cabin and one for the main bed. Rather selfishly as we knew we would be having my mum and partner for one week then a mate for the other sleeping on the main bed so we kept the old mattress and just fitted the new one to the rear cabin drop down bed.
So today I nipped back over to Elite Furnishings to collect the main mattress and took it with the memory foam topper (hey we might live on this boat one day !!) to Percy.
Due to poor planning I had to do all this myself.... On getting to Fradley I carried the 6x4 mattress to Hunts lock. I met a jolly boater who said... take care getting that over the lock and then walked on to open the Junction lock paddles for his boat !! So no other option other than balance the mattress on my head and walk the top gate.... a one chance journey completed I am happy to say without mishap. Of course I chose to do this on the hottest day of the year. I was able to use the wheels we keep in the forecabin to return the old mattress to the car and it was heavier than the new one... I think horse hair or similar but blimey was it heavy. A further return journey with the topper and all is now set for hopefully a weekend visit to try out the bed !
Another expensive but necessary personalisation of Percy for us.
On Waterlily it was not too bad but when we had the bed extension added we opted for a new mattress. The fact it had an infill made it sumptuous but a pain in the bum to get out and back.... I liked sleeping on it I did not like the faff of getting it out and back.
So when we got Percy a new mattress was on the shopping list. Gill, Tony's wife said she thought we would be replacing it and to be honest I think it might have been the original one that was put on board twenty years ago when Percy was fitted out.
Just before we did the blacking cruise we ordered two new mattresses, one for the back cabin and one for the main bed. Rather selfishly as we knew we would be having my mum and partner for one week then a mate for the other sleeping on the main bed so we kept the old mattress and just fitted the new one to the rear cabin drop down bed.
So today I nipped back over to Elite Furnishings to collect the main mattress and took it with the memory foam topper (hey we might live on this boat one day !!) to Percy.
Due to poor planning I had to do all this myself.... On getting to Fradley I carried the 6x4 mattress to Hunts lock. I met a jolly boater who said... take care getting that over the lock and then walked on to open the Junction lock paddles for his boat !! So no other option other than balance the mattress on my head and walk the top gate.... a one chance journey completed I am happy to say without mishap. Of course I chose to do this on the hottest day of the year. I was able to use the wheels we keep in the forecabin to return the old mattress to the car and it was heavier than the new one... I think horse hair or similar but blimey was it heavy. A further return journey with the topper and all is now set for hopefully a weekend visit to try out the bed !
Another expensive but necessary personalisation of Percy for us.
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Best ever fishing and a Personal Best
...Only an evening session at some lakes a good friend introduced me to.
22 carp in total in 4 hours, got broke twice and finished the day with a personal best. I estimate well over 150 lb of fish tonight.
It does somewhat spoil canal fishing, but when you get good fish from the canal you know you have done well. The one above nearly took the rod, then me in with it, estimated at 16-18 lb click the photo to see me it us in all our hi res glory !
Thanks again Graham for the venue and the bait tip.... !
I checked back on my Waterlily blog here for my best canal carp.....
Both excellent fish... read the story on the link above to find out how I caught the one from the canal !
22 carp in total in 4 hours, got broke twice and finished the day with a personal best. I estimate well over 150 lb of fish tonight.
It does somewhat spoil canal fishing, but when you get good fish from the canal you know you have done well. The one above nearly took the rod, then me in with it, estimated at 16-18 lb click the photo to see me it us in all our hi res glory !
Thanks again Graham for the venue and the bait tip.... !
I checked back on my Waterlily blog here for my best canal carp.....
Both excellent fish... read the story on the link above to find out how I caught the one from the canal !
Friday, 31 May 2013
The Royal Military canal
Not via boat but by Motorbike. Info here on the canal
There is a road that runs by it that is perfect for a motorbike I was lucky to be down there for a few days meeting up with fellow bikes (28) for a annual get together. It was Wales last year and Ireland the year before.
The only downside it is always the late May bank Holiday so we do not do Crick.
It was a great weekend with some good rides, including the Royal Military Canal, the New Forest (beautiful) Beachy Head and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
There is a road that runs by it that is perfect for a motorbike I was lucky to be down there for a few days meeting up with fellow bikes (28) for a annual get together. It was Wales last year and Ireland the year before.
The only downside it is always the late May bank Holiday so we do not do Crick.
It was a great weekend with some good rides, including the Royal Military Canal, the New Forest (beautiful) Beachy Head and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
To get a flavour of the bikes and the event one of the riders took some video
My Honda Pan European 1300 - middle bike with Rachel standing behind it.
We visited Sammy Millers motorcycle museum. When I am too old for a modern bike I will have a 1962 triumph 500 so we can grow even older together ! Might even get it on the boat !
There was even some wine drinking by pillions!!
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Back in black at Fradley
... thankfully the bank account is also but it took a hit when we paid for Percy's blacking and anodes (not fitted) money refunded, fender purchased not fitted.
We did a three car shuffle on Wednesday last in order to have cars in the right places for people helping me move Percy back from Norbury in three days not the seven we took to get out there.
We delayed the pick up until the afternoon and Percy was in the arm back fenderless and no new fender fitted. I brought the boat onto the service wharf with some challenge due to the number of boats in the basin...
We then set to fitting the new front fender, the young lad tasked with doing it stepped back seemingly thankful to be shown how to attach his first fender. I do need to insert a couple of weak links or cut the chain part way through to help if it ever gets caught on a lock gate or the like.
So off we went destination Brewood, getting to the Bridge Inn at 8.40pm after a quick lock up. I have to say the service was very friendly and the steak the best I have had for a long time.
It was a pleasant evening cruise. The next day after some forecast overnight rain we set off to Penkridge, another great cruise in lovely weather. Another good meal was consumed at the Boat Inn on the bridge by the lower visitor moorings.
Friday was a better day than forecast and we took the boat back to Great Haywood to drop off one crew members Mick who then drove to Scotland. He was replaced with another Tony and we ventured forth to the Clifford arms...
By now the beer and red meat totals consumed were racking up but we did not falter and had another great evening eating and catching up.
Saturday morning was a cruise I have done many times before ... between 5 and 6 hours back to Fradley moorings from Great Haywood. It was a really bitter cold morning and I was awake before 7,.... on less than 6 hours due to beer and cards on the boat after the pub ! My guests we still asleep so I swapped over the cassette and it had become full overnight !! After my ablutions I passed time by getting the oil can to the engine along with grease onto the rocker greaser caps. I then checked the oil and gave the engine a wipe down.
Still my guests slept on so I entertained myself looking through the books we keep on board in the back cabin.
We set off about 9.15 with a biting and persistent wind at our backs thankfully. We could tell how nasty it was by the looks and hats on the boats that approached us. Still the canal felt very quiet for mid May. An uneventful and gradually improving cruise back saw us arrive coats off and in sunshine back at the moorings at 2.45, five and a half hours is a good time. We had a straight run through the Fradley locks, the two volunteers being very friendly and capable on Middle and Junction locks advised much of the traffic was Burton bound, no doubt on the way up the Erewash. (this was in draft for a week or so)
A few bits of blacking will need touching up and the boat needs a good clean but all in all a good cruise. Just got to cut the grass on the mooring this week !
I celebrated on Sunday by meeting a mate on and taking the bikes to Sutton Cheney Wharf for a coffee and to watch the boats go by !!
I went up to the mooring on the following Wednesday (last week) to cut the grass... this was the first cut, I did two as the grass was so high. No doubt will have to do the same this weekend.
It is motorbike stuff taking over a the moment... I will blog about that soon. But I will be back on board this weekend testing out the new mattress with memory foam topper, can't wait !!
Painting hopefully as the foredeck needs a good seeing to as we were bringing in flakes of paint as it got worn away. It is a nice easy place to paint, just hope we get warmth and no wind !
We did a three car shuffle on Wednesday last in order to have cars in the right places for people helping me move Percy back from Norbury in three days not the seven we took to get out there.
We delayed the pick up until the afternoon and Percy was in the arm back fenderless and no new fender fitted. I brought the boat onto the service wharf with some challenge due to the number of boats in the basin...
We then set to fitting the new front fender, the young lad tasked with doing it stepped back seemingly thankful to be shown how to attach his first fender. I do need to insert a couple of weak links or cut the chain part way through to help if it ever gets caught on a lock gate or the like.
So off we went destination Brewood, getting to the Bridge Inn at 8.40pm after a quick lock up. I have to say the service was very friendly and the steak the best I have had for a long time.
It was a pleasant evening cruise. The next day after some forecast overnight rain we set off to Penkridge, another great cruise in lovely weather. Another good meal was consumed at the Boat Inn on the bridge by the lower visitor moorings.
Friday was a better day than forecast and we took the boat back to Great Haywood to drop off one crew members Mick who then drove to Scotland. He was replaced with another Tony and we ventured forth to the Clifford arms...
By now the beer and red meat totals consumed were racking up but we did not falter and had another great evening eating and catching up.
Saturday morning was a cruise I have done many times before ... between 5 and 6 hours back to Fradley moorings from Great Haywood. It was a really bitter cold morning and I was awake before 7,.... on less than 6 hours due to beer and cards on the boat after the pub ! My guests we still asleep so I swapped over the cassette and it had become full overnight !! After my ablutions I passed time by getting the oil can to the engine along with grease onto the rocker greaser caps. I then checked the oil and gave the engine a wipe down.
Still my guests slept on so I entertained myself looking through the books we keep on board in the back cabin.
We set off about 9.15 with a biting and persistent wind at our backs thankfully. We could tell how nasty it was by the looks and hats on the boats that approached us. Still the canal felt very quiet for mid May. An uneventful and gradually improving cruise back saw us arrive coats off and in sunshine back at the moorings at 2.45, five and a half hours is a good time. We had a straight run through the Fradley locks, the two volunteers being very friendly and capable on Middle and Junction locks advised much of the traffic was Burton bound, no doubt on the way up the Erewash. (this was in draft for a week or so)
A few bits of blacking will need touching up and the boat needs a good clean but all in all a good cruise. Just got to cut the grass on the mooring this week !
I celebrated on Sunday by meeting a mate on and taking the bikes to Sutton Cheney Wharf for a coffee and to watch the boats go by !!
Approaching Tixell lock, always easier with a couple of large blokes to do the locking for you.... we did take it in turns.
Leia with her new best mate Mick
Smiles... lots of them when you are on the canals... and no beer or red wine involved in this shot. Friday was a great cruising day.
Mick gone replaced by Tony... notice the extra jumper John is wearing..... even with the wind in our rear (!) it was cold.
Your Alfie came to collect his dad with mum Nicky
I went up to the mooring on the following Wednesday (last week) to cut the grass... this was the first cut, I did two as the grass was so high. No doubt will have to do the same this weekend.
It is motorbike stuff taking over a the moment... I will blog about that soon. But I will be back on board this weekend testing out the new mattress with memory foam topper, can't wait !!
Painting hopefully as the foredeck needs a good seeing to as we were bringing in flakes of paint as it got worn away. It is a nice easy place to paint, just hope we get warmth and no wind !
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Fuel consumption
More for me than general interest.
I last filled up Percy on the 30th December NB Callisto was the supplier. I had commented that to the point I had cruised for 28 hours. The engine hours counter is now on 49 hours plus 37 not on the counter.... Total 86 hours of engine running. If I take off the 28 hours I had cruised before the last fill up that gives me 54 hours and I have just added in 50 litres at Turners. So getting very close to a litre an hour.
A fair bit of those engine hours have been non moving battery charging while on the mooring. Interesting that once the alternator has been excited it makes no difference to the charging rate by increasing the revs, ( one benefit of the Smartgauge giving voltage information at different engine speeds) so we have been charging the batteries tick over whereas on Waterlily I ran the engine at about 1500 rpm to get maximum voltage into the battery. We used about 1.1 litres an hour on Waterlily.
So all in all the Lister is quite efficient in its fuel use for gain delivered.....
Note I composed this post before the return trip from Norbury
I last filled up Percy on the 30th December NB Callisto was the supplier. I had commented that to the point I had cruised for 28 hours. The engine hours counter is now on 49 hours plus 37 not on the counter.... Total 86 hours of engine running. If I take off the 28 hours I had cruised before the last fill up that gives me 54 hours and I have just added in 50 litres at Turners. So getting very close to a litre an hour.
A fair bit of those engine hours have been non moving battery charging while on the mooring. Interesting that once the alternator has been excited it makes no difference to the charging rate by increasing the revs, ( one benefit of the Smartgauge giving voltage information at different engine speeds) so we have been charging the batteries tick over whereas on Waterlily I ran the engine at about 1500 rpm to get maximum voltage into the battery. We used about 1.1 litres an hour on Waterlily.
So all in all the Lister is quite efficient in its fuel use for gain delivered.....
Note I composed this post before the return trip from Norbury
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Over to you Norbury...
We woke to a cold Saturday and the need to return home for parental care reasons, many phone calls had been made and received over the weeks holiday.
As we had passed Norbury the evening before and it was 'full' in the basin plus it was turn around day and we had arrived a day early (we are due in the dry dock Sunday to Wednesday) I popped in to see David who asked us to moor on the 48 hour mooring outside the pub. Thankfully this was now free so we had to cruise on to the winding hold in Grub street.
Just as we were preparing to leave a day boat full of young men came passed, plenty of laughing and drinking, possibly a stag do.. the photo is not great as my super camera picked the ariel as its focus but they seemed to be rocking the boat while walking the roof !!
As we had passed Norbury the evening before and it was 'full' in the basin plus it was turn around day and we had arrived a day early (we are due in the dry dock Sunday to Wednesday) I popped in to see David who asked us to moor on the 48 hour mooring outside the pub. Thankfully this was now free so we had to cruise on to the winding hold in Grub street.
Just as we were preparing to leave a day boat full of young men came passed, plenty of laughing and drinking, possibly a stag do.. the photo is not great as my super camera picked the ariel as its focus but they seemed to be rocking the boat while walking the roof !!
I was glad to leave them to go off on their adventure while I winded (badly)
We had good reason to think of Sue of NB Retirement with no problem as I used our Shroppie wheels for the first time Friday night....
Excuse the lash up as they were done in a hurry... PPPPPP (proper planning prevents pi$$ poor performance and all that !!)
We (me and a couple of friends) are due back to Norbury in the morning to collect Percy and bring him back to Fradley for the weekend. Lets hope I am reporting good things about the job done, I have no reason to doubt Norbury, they have been very helpful and responsive to date.
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