Scholar Gypsy

Here's a recent photo showing what I normally do. I have fitted a couple of folding cleats on the side decks. I've not tripped over them (yet). I normally just have a single line at the stern (more or less perpendicular to the bank), but on occasion will use two there as well. The big squashy fenders add to the comfort as well.

0748 on BBC iplayer, BBC1.

I was just delivering a boat, I rather suspect it won't move again for quite a while! But I did explore Bow and Deptford creeks earlier this week, on day 2 of a cruise organised by the AWCC. https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2023/04/27/city-mill-lock-bow-and-deptford-creeks-to-limehouse/

I finally got to some of the extremities of the Dockland waterways in London today. A brief report here: https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2023/04/19/limehouse-to-poplar-dock-marina/

I was quite tempted by this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1348668285/dewalt-quad-train-horn-impact-train

I bought a very similar/identical pair recently. Only one horn sounded. I took the other one apart, put it back together, and it worked fine. The screw seemed to be locked in place so I couldn't manage to move it. Most of the time it will be stowed away, but in operation will sit in the middle of the roof to avoid deafening people on board. The push switch is near the stern,

All fixed. The washer had indeed disintegrated. I replaced the whole fitting, in the end, a slightly different design but it is working fine. I also worked out why the pipes were slightly out of alignment. Someone (not me, of course) must have crashed the boat into a lock gate and the tank had shuffled forward. I will need to find a way to stop it moving again. Meanwhile, the domestic water pump decided to stop working. I disconnected it from the plumbing, unscrewed some of the screws holding the two halves together, and it decided to start working again. Aren't boats fun.

This is not a sensible comparison, in terms of operating efficiency!

While looking for something else, I found this .... https://teamup.com/event/show/id/KDboDAc6deb2PMhoFzFN377kamKcsn

.. the new Fenland flag. There are a couple of my photos here: https://britishcountyflags.com/2016/11/21/fenland/

Thank you. I must try that - quite a walk from the rather fabulous moorings at Woodwalton Fen, but should be doable!

The boat is named after a poem by Matthew Arnold, I was told. I think you need a bit more local advice than I can provide (I guess you are not taking a pilot?). The ebb current get quite strong, and you want to be confident that you can actually stop, whether you stop at Wisbech Yacht station or at Sutton Bridge. I wasn't aware there were free moorings at the latter. There's quite a bit of new information added to this site: https://www.sailthewash.com/plan/passage-planning/ . For stage 2, I think depart a couple of hours after HW (not least to avoid any ship movements), and then hang around near Tabs Head until there is enough water. Dog no longer has a resident lock keeper, I believe.

High Water Dog in a Doublet = HW Sutton Bridge + 2 hours (approx). This will be affected by the amount of fresh water coming down the river of course. I think Sutton Bridge is pretty close to Wisbech cut, but don't quote me on that. HW Wisbech is HW Sutton Bridge + 40 mins., Wisbech and Wisbech Cut are not the same place!! Other resources here: https://scholargypsy.org.uk/washing/

Thanks, I have found an exact match. I usually find the metal bit comes off with a pair of pliers, without too much aggro or damage to the surface.

Yes, I thought that which was partly why I was minded to renew some of these parts. To be fair, they have lasted 29 years without any maintenance.

Thanks - my great uncle Walter was a famous Oxfordshire bellringer. Here is my favourite bellringing video... https://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-05-26/diamond-jubilee-pageant-bells-ring-out-in-rehearsal/

Yes, and there was almost no vibration when the engine was running. The pipework is a mix of flexible hose, then copper, then a little bit of plastic.

Then there is the nice problem of what happens when you stand next to a bicycle, with the pedal at the lowest position, and pull the pedal backwards. Neat video here. Not sure what this has to do with bridges but it's fun .... https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mathematical-impressions-the-bicycle-pulling-puzzle/

On the Great Ouse system, there are now signs on the Cambridgeshire Lodes asking people not to use sea toilets (Wicken Fen, Burwell, Reach). Even though legal, it can be unpleasant. At Reach the mooring is somewhat ironically about 10 metres from the village's Sewage treatment works.

I'll let you know the answer, when I change the fitting, using my other calipers ....

Thanks! As someone said, standards are a good idea, that's why there are so many of them. Still, my last excursion in this area was a success, getting the right size for a replacement oil pressure sensor.

Thanks all. I always struggle with thread sizes. The OD (measured with calipers) was 20.5mm which is 0.81 inches.

A bit of antifreeze in the cabin bilge yesterday - that was a first. Eventually tracked it down to this connector which had worked (slightly) loose after 29 years. I think I will replace the right angle thingies (I think they are standard 3/4" threads, to 15mm pushit), or at least have some spares on board in case there is a problem. Next task is to find them online. Is there a case for replacing with flexible hoses? Many thanks for any thoughts.

https://www.bl.uk/legal-deposit is also relevant....

A pictoral explanation of why this was a good word to use.