The internet here at Swanley Bridge Marina just outside Nantwich on the Llangollen Canal is intermittent, therefore here are a weeks worth of content in one hit:
Tuesday 22nd May 2018
The dog had us awake at 3am and I took him out but he didn’t settle.
Brenda got up with him at 6 and I rose at 7.45. The dog is sick again. Shame
when he was settling so well.
On getting up I started the engine straight away as the battery
voltage wasn’t registering at all and the lights were dim. Before starting the
engine though, the air filter had to be fitted as it had been left off at some
stage of the build.
Filled the water tank and, on it being filled full, both the tank
filling line and the overflow/vent connections were found leaking.
We then sat down to a long promised cheese on toast prepared on a gas
grill. We had promised ourselves this ever since deciding on having a boat
built. During the making, the grill and cooker starting smoking which led to
concern from Brenda, neither of us much trusting Graeme’s workmanship. It
turned out just to be newness.
I then went over to the marina reception to see about getting some help
with the shore power connection. However, I came across a guy Duncan who does
the maintenance around the marina. He found the problem lay with the shore
power column and not with the boat.
Another problem sorted. We did however, have to shift again to an
adjacent pontoon where the shore power column was working.
Along with Duncan came Mike who I knew from working at Middlewich
Narrowboats. Mike showed me over the electrics and operation of the Webasto
water heater which was reassuring.
I then took off on more errands while Brenda continued to do more
sorting. I went to Leisure Sales in Sandbach for floor tiles for the front
cratch. B&Qs in Crewe for loads more things to screw to walls and such
like. Then Sainsbury’s in Nantwich for some shopping.
Back to the boat where Brenda then started to cook dinner for our
guests coming in the evening while I pottered about connecting the television.
Martin, Michelle and Abbey came over for their dinner. It was lovely
to see them. Martin connected us to the internet so are grateful to be back in
the 21st century again.
Brenda christened the shower this evening and I am about to follow
ready for another early, busy day tomorrow when Aaron comes for the last of our
furniture.
Wednesday 23rd
May 2018
We both had a terrible night. Brenda got up at 3am and I followed an
hour later. We both pottered doing nothing much. I cooked our breakfast of
bacon and eggs. During the making of the toast, the cooker was making a hell of
a noise. It sounds as if a fan is touching the casing, another job on the list.
We left the boat at 6am for St Anns Road.
Once there we started dismantling and cleaning the furniture for Aaron
arriving with a van. It seemed strange going back to the house, it certainly no
longer felt like home.
Once Aaron had left we started the big clean up and did a few more
dump runs. Purple Bricks turned up and took all the keys for Chester Road and
just left us with one key for St Anns.
We picked the kids up from school and brought them over to the boat
for their dinner, Cottage Pie was their choice. It was nice having them here.
We heard that Andy Boat will not now come over on Friday and it is
unlikely that we will see Graeme until well into next week. Disgraceful.
After the kids had left we went over to the reception block for an
open mic night. 3½ hours of free entertainment and food. A great night with
a lot of talent.
Swanley Bridge Marina is a very peaceful place with friendly people
and we have been made to feel very welcome. You could do a lot worse than
staying here.
Our electricity has run out and there is a high level on the toilet
tank. It will keep until tomorrow.
Thursday 24th May
2018
We left the boat as soon as we were up and ready and headed off to St.
Anns Road for another day of sorting, clearing, cleaning and charity shop and
dump runs.
It seems endless.
We arrived back at the boat 3.30pm with all good intentions of work
and organising. Instead we part emptied the car, part put things away and then
sat outside in the continuing gorgeous weather with a few beers.
Life is definitely slower here already.
Some good news at last from Cauldwell Windows. The stained glass
porthole is finished and if the outer frame of one already fitted to the boat
is taken to them they will fit it while we wait.
News from Andy at Swanley is that “somebody” from Cunliffe’s will
visit us to snag the boat on Tuesday, no doubt after Crick Boat Show. That will
be Andy no doubt.
All we want to do is start cruising and put all this stress and hassle
of getting the boat finished behind us.
And forget all about Graeme.
Friday 25th May
2018
I left as soon as we were up for Caudwell’s in Wigan to pick up the
stained glass porthole. On the way back called into IKEA in Warrington.
In the meantime, Brenda did more sorting out and organising on board.
On arrival back at the boat we put the stained glass porthole in
place, it looks amazing.
We then went off to Nantwich for food shopping. We were supposed to be
entertaining Harriet. I was not really looking forward to having to eat
vegetarian but she called off while we were doing the shopping because her
mother is in hospital.
I seem to be spending a lot of days in the car.
On the way back from Nantwich we bought a TV aerial.
Some good, good news at last. Contracts have been exchanged on Chester
Road. This has been ongoing since the people submitted their offer in early
November last year.
Saturday 26th May
2018
For a change I spent all day at the boat getting through numerous
jobs. The main ones being repositioning the horn so that the bow locker lid
will now open, cutting and laying foam tiles on the front cratch deck and
sorting out the rear cockpit area which was becoming full of all sorts.
It can be difficult to get things done here in the marina. There are
always things to watch and people to chat to. Canal time at canal pace.
Fuse No3 for Saloon 12V TV blew when the charger for the cordless
torch was plugged in. There was a 10A fuse fitted so it was a surprise it blew
at all. We have no spare fuses so it will be a case of swapping with the fridge
until we get some spares.
Brenda again spent her time emptying, sorting and organising more
boxes from the house.
The washing machine was run and was OK. Washing was put out to dry on
the rotary drier attached to the tiller.
In the evening we went to a pub in Nantwich with a lovely couple we
met at the open mic night, Graeme and Carol, to watch Liverpool losing the
European Cup final.
Graeme and Carol came back to our boat for a few drinks afterwards.
Both are accomplished musicians and Graeme soon had my mandolin singing until a
few strings snapped. I really must learn now we have embarked on our new life.
Sunday 27th May
2018
We didn’t get out of bed until almost 10am. Even Harvey had a lay in.
Martin, Michelle and Abbey came soon after we got up. It was their 23rd
wedding anniversary and it was good to see them. Martin fitted our “raspberry
pie”, a device that allows you to download various material through the
internet. A great cheers to Martin and thank you.
I went over to visit Graeme because he had quite a few things he
didn’t understand with his boat. Luckily I was able to help him.
We pumped out most of the water that had gathered under the cabin
floor and will check it again tomorrow. Graeme, boat builder, apparently lost a
lot of water during testing and commissioning of plumbing around the boat.
Numerous other jobs were done, there seems to be so much to do. The
door catches were fitted to hold the doors open, a thing that had been driving
us mad. Also cut and varnished a piece of oak to cover the routered groove in
the front cratch board for the horn cabling.
After many days of unbroken sunshine and heat, today has been a mixed
bag with the occasional rumble of thunder and heavy downpours.
After dinner I had to dodge the rain to empty the toilet cassette.
Monday 28th May
2018
We arose to the sight of a Virgin hot air balloon. It looked to have
taken off from the Whitchurch direction so was probably the same as for
Brenda’s 50th birthday.
After breakfast we again went to the house. We were hoping this would
be the last visit but another will have to be made. All the stuff we have given
away and dumped, we feel we have cut everything to the bare minimum yet more
and still more keeps coming across to the boat and all seems to disappear into
her. So far anyway.
On the way back we called in and picked the kids up. They were to stay
with us for the night. Manny and myself went fishing and Brenda and Eva went to
explore the marina. We then went for a walk before having a BBQ.
Manny and myself swapped the ropes for the ones made in Yorkshire.
They look good but are not of the quality found in a boat chandlery.
I had bought a box of fuses today and so replaced the saloon TV for a
15A.
Heard off Malcolm in the marina today that Andy and Dec are coming out
to snag the boat tomorrow and possibly take her out for her trials. Graeme,
supposedly, will come out later in the week. It’s a disgrace he hasn’t been out
to us earlier. He wasn’t even here for the launching and his absence was well
noted by all.
Sleeping arrangements were Brenda and Eva in the bed and Manny and myself
in our sleeping bags on the dinette.
Tuesday 29th May
2018
Had a comfortable night despite the fear of falling out. Downside was
waking at 4.30 because of the daylight streaming in.
After breakfast we all spent an entertaining couple of hours watching
the marina guys trying to drag a sunken, abandoned fibre glass cruiser out of
the water for scrapping. Ropes kept on snapping and bits falling off the boat
before it was finally out.
Andy and Dec were out to do some snagging and finishing of paintwork.
It was felt all round that Graeme is not coming out to see us because he is too
cowardly. Shocking. He had even told Andy that he was to do the trials on her.
Andy does not know how to handle a boat.
What kind of a boat builder is he and where is his professionalism?
The trials went off very well, she handles like a dream. I did
however, try to widen the canal at the marina entrance by ramming the opposite
bank.
The trial did not last very long, only a few hundred yards down the
canal to the first bridge and the winding hole. Back at the marina and the wind
was quite blustery when reversing between the pontoons.
Andy and Dec left but will have to return.
We gave the kids the option of staying another night to save a run to
Middlewich, but Manny decided he wanted to go home. He didn’t know why.
After dinner we all went for another walk around the marina. Eva has
made friends with a few of the ducks, they almost come into the boat through
the front cratch.
It turned cold and windy so when closing the boat down it was found
the side door could not be shut. The whole frame had previously come loose on
launch day and Andy had reglued it with Stikaflex and clamped it in place. Removing
the clamps to close the door, it was found the frame trim was sticking out too
far and preventing the doors from closing. At 9.30pm the trims had to be
removed to get the door closed.
Then the toilet cassette had to be emptied.
A long day.
Wednesday 30th
May 2018
We had decided on another, and hopefully the last, day at the house.
Eva wanted to have a last walk around the marina, and maybe see the last of her
new found friends, the ducks.
On arrival at the house Brenda again set to cleaning and packing,
various admin to finish with the house and register the radios with OFCOM.
I took Eva home, she had had a great time then left for Birkenhead to
drop off all my nautical books and magazines at the Mariners Park Nursing Home
for retired seafarers. Thankfully they were grateful to receive them.
Back at the house I again did a charity shop and dump run before
loading up the car with yet more stuff.
We arrived back at the boat at 6pm. Had a few beers in the front
cratch, chicken salad dinner, showers and early bed.
Thursday 31st May
2018
Two weeks ago today Bridge Street was launched and we are still
in the marina waiting for a visit from Graeme.
For a change today it seems, we spent the day at the boat. The car was
unloaded and Brenda started to pack things away. After filling the water tank, I
went into Nantwich for various bits and pieces. Got oil from the marina ready
for the first 50 hour service, cost of £79.49, with toilet chemical.
Winter clothes were stored under the bed. Jobs included connecting up
the tunnel light, making wooden cover for horn wiring channel, pumping out the
engine bay, hanging pictures and making an extra shelf for galley overhead
cupboards.
The car has been sold to WeWantToBuyYourCar, they will pick it up on
Monday.
Heard off Graeme that he will visit soon. We are certainly not
optimistic about this and feel more and more, that he has washed his hands of
us and we are now on our own and the unfinished jobs will be left to us.
Ordered Epifanes Light Grey paint, delivery to the marina between 2nd
and 6th June. Hope its early because we are planning to leave the
marina on Tuesday 5th June.
Heard off the porthole bung people. They have dispatched a bung to the
house being delivered tomorrow.
Weather continues to be hot and sunny. It has been since launch day
apart from a hot day with rain yesterday.
Arhhh found you, how is it going? You must be really excited now that you have launched into your new life - keep in touch
ReplyDeletePeter and Janet