Saturday 28th September 2019



Gareth refitted the sliding hatch. This had given problems from new build. Initially, it had to be shouldered open but, after being adjusted by the yard in Braunston, it became freer but still stiff. Gareth had the hatch on, and sliding very freely, within 15 minutes. Brilliant, this will be so much easier on my back.

I refitted the front cratch cover, painted the chimney flue plate and blew the dust off the boat. The solar panels were refitted and more touching up was done to the paintwork between the roof and handrail, after which we were finished. The job had taken almost 4 weeks and we were looking forward to leaving the yard.

We visited the office to part with our money. The job cost us £2,950 but well worth it we thought. However, had the paintwork been done properly in the first place, it would not have been necessary. We also spoke with Gareth and booked the boat in for a repaint of the cabin sides, blackening out of the water and a BSS inspection. This will take place in the spring of 2021 so no great rush to confirm a date but we will coincide this work with a long holiday in New Zealand.

We were then free to leave but had a frustrating hour while the guys were rallied to move the pontoon that was blocking us in the poly tunnel.

It felt so good to be on the move again. We only moved the few miles to Fradley Junction and moored just before the swing bridge. The pram hood on the back end cannot be fitted in place for a few days to allow the paint on the sliding hatch to cure, so the back end looks a bit naked and we feel a little vulnerable without it.




Fradley Junction




Tacky US and Canadian Trinkets on the Shelf of the World



We celebrated being back on the canal with a bottle of prosecco in the front cratch and opened the trinkets we had bought in the US for the shelf of the world. We had been saving these until we were clear of the yard. Also put our Canadian moccasins on for the first time.



Weather: rain most of the day. Heavy overnight.



Day Total: 0 locks; 3 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; Day’s running hours 1.6

Overall Total: 724 locks; 1287 miles; 50 tunnels; 60 Swing Bridges; 11 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; total engine running hours 804.5hrs






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