Oddjob

I had two gas bottles both full and half tank of fuel which I found out when filling up on leaving. I now have 3 bottles as I got a 3rd when supply issues started last year. Mind you in the 1st 18 months Ive replaced most items with wires attached but for lights. All be I've put over 2500 hrs on the boat which only had 1995 hrs when I got it and that to over 17 years so electrical items just failed with the shock of so much use. Domestic batteries died within the 1st week which was upsetting to say the least. However all is well now and we are happy leaving and cruising full-time on the boat.

About to enter the Thames Wednesday heading for K&A. So will see first hand what this is about. Not looking fwd to having to deal with on commission jobs worths but hey ho onwards and upwards.

We went through some locks with this boat around 14 days back it has one heck of a loud Diesel outboard engine also a inboard electric motor. He was in front of us after we stopped for water on catching him up he was going so slow I caught them up he lost his rag that I wanted to pass as he was sooooo slow I was having to go into neutral so as not to run into him. My wife on talking to the women while working the lock thinks she was east European and was working in London the guy said he built the boat himself. Odd couple glad that we have not crossed locks with them since!

Down side of gen set is having to store petrol on the boat no a good idea. I have a travel pack alternator just the job for all things 240 volts when cruising or charging batteries which have their own modern 90 amp alternator which at 1100 rpm gives 80 amps if batteries down at 50% or less. Guy who installed it fits a smaller pulley wheel then supplied so alt runs faster at lower eng rpm. Works very well.

On the GU in the pound between locks waiting for lock to empty guy on the bridge flying his drone and all I heard was bussing the splash it missed the boat by a couple of feet and me by about 5 feet. It went down like HMS Hood never to be seen again. Owner stomped off in a huff as no doubt serious money just gone swimming.

How much does the battery pack cost and how long do you think it will last before replacement is required. Don’t forget they don’t remain 100% all their life they start to degrade over time so how long before replacement needed. Bet a Diesel engine will last longer!

Read my post yes they did moor on the lock landing

Yesterday while moving south on the Oxford came across a hire company who thinks its ok to moor their boats 3 a breast leaving just a single channel open for navigation, and then at top of Hillmorton locks boat yard thinks its ok to moor a NEW boat on the lock landing. Also to rub salt into a sore spot on the other side a boat was moored on that lock landing as well, who had stayed overnight as he had a can over his exhaust pipe. I thought if coming down I would have moored against the new boat minus fenders and then see the reaction from the boat yard! This I've found is a problem with h

Debdale marina just north of foxton locks do the bottom I had mine done and afterwards going along used 200 rpm less for same speed.

Went shopping at Morrison’s in Middlewich came out and had to wait 1 hour for taxi back to the boat. So got a paper and was waiting in the garden stuff shelter. Mgr came out and asked if I would like a coffee while waiting I offered to pay but and I quote “ it’s ok it’s on us” also the door man said you wait there I will tell you when your cab is here. So it’s a big thumbs up for middlewich Morrison’s from me

Already old baking tray on standby for just that reason

Yesterday had the most useless bubble stove removed and consigned to the skip and a Morso Solid fuel put in. Had the double walled flue system fitted as well “Loads of money” but looks good. They also made a steel fire place for it to stand on as the tiles break from the weight of the stove. So now we look like proper boaters with bags of coal on the roof lol. Very happy with it expensive but worth it.

When do Haji charter flights Nigeria to Mecca with a DC10 a seal on the hub cap was broken while changing wheels and no spare available. Fix get on the PA and ask the cabin girls who has stick on nails "I do" shouts one good let me have the glue. The glue is like super glue cut both ends of the "O" ring with a razor blade at 45 deg stick ends together and away we go! Add job to list of "must do list" on return to Gatwick. Normal items on list are clean toilets, replace seat covers, clean carpet, bomb the cabin (pest control spray) to kill off Afican bugs etc etc. When in the back e

Wife is sure she saw it on the Middlewich branch around bridge 24 day before yesterday. Canal closed at bridge 18 so not passed there but could have backed up into the T&M. Hope its found soon.