Gordon Chesterman

Just spotted another seal (or the same one seen at Denver a fortnight ago...) on Friday afternoon. This one was swimming towards Cambridge on the River Cam, half a mile South of the 'Five Miles from Anywhere' pub at Upware. He (or was he a she?) seemed quite happy. Gordon

The cause may not have been the glass itself, but lack of adequate movement between the glass and the metal door frame. As the metal frame expanded at a greater rate than the glass and with no movement, the glass cracked. When fitting a new piece of glass, do not over tighten the fitting brackets and screws - allow for some play. Gordon

Collected my boat yesterday evening from a dry dock in Stretham, just South of Ely, with her lovely new blacked bottom. Gordon

Based on experience (with three young kids myself many moons ago) you need warmth, a DVD player and some good games, not forgetting life jackets. Try Bridge Boatyard here in Ely - they have tupperwares and a couple of decent narrowboats. The rivers around here in Ely are spectacular but safe - you can go for miles without seeing another boat and there are very few locks or other hazards likely to distratc adults from keeping an eye on the kids. The Great Ouse follows the main railway line to London and Cambridge, so, if the weather is foul, you can always jump ship and be in amongst distractions for kids. Gordon in Ely

Well, I had the Queen's Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire urinating on my mooring ropes. Consider yourself lucky if it was only a dog. Gordon in Ely

I have a small narrowboat and fitted a 'Hotpot' stove made by Davey. This small stove was designed for wooden yachts and is mounted to the bulkhead, not the floor. I find it ideal. It stays in all night, uses minimal amounts of fuel and doesn't produce too much heat. Having been designed for wooden yachts, I'm sure it should be OK for glassfibre, if you follow all the installation guidelines. Gordon

Pleased to report all sorted. Switched the thing on today (now the ambient temperature is well above freezing) and happy purring sounds issued forth with no popping fuses. It must have been the ice. Thanks for the helpful comments. Gordon

...and if it is a stalled motor, any tips on getting it unstalled...? Can I hit it - just like the old SU fuel pump on a Morris Minor? What the heck, I'll hit it anyway! Cheers, Gordon

To answer the last question/post. You switch on the pump, the little red light comes on and then ten seconds later - poof - the fuse blows. I'll try it again tomorrow morning - it's getting a lot warmer here in Ely. Thanks, Gordon

The fuse keeps blowing on my fresh water pump. Although the air temperature is (just) above freezing, the river is still frozen. Am I right in assuming the water in the pump is still frozen solid, the pump can't turn and the fuse then blows? Or is it something more sinister...? I guess I'll just have to wait until things thaw... Gordon

My starter battery probably needs replacing. Looking at the top it is called a 'HiFase' 110 Marine. I can't find these for sale anywhere. Does anyone know which alternative make is compatible in physical size, shape and power requirement? I don't want to have to start changing my battery shelf and terminals. Thanks, Gordon in Ely

Just to warn you that the EA are in a right pickle at the moment, with delays of several weeks issuing licenses. They are merrily taking my money by direct debit out of my account, haven't sent me a licence yet and, according to their website, will get very nasty with anyone not displaying a licence. Chatting to an EA chap yesterday, the problems stems from the closure of their Peterborough office and everything now being handled out of Reading. Progress, eh? Gordon

These tales of making mistakes whilst still trying to look nonchalant and as if they were intended, reminds me of the WW2 destroyer that steamed into the harbour at Gibralter flat out, hit the stone wharf, reversed into the side of an aircraft carrier, bounced off and crunched a destroyer, where it came to rest. The Admiral of the fleet was watching this unfold and signaled the captain of the destroyer 'What are you going to do next?'. As quick as a flash the reply came back, 'Buy a farm!' Gordon