Well after having being thoroughly examined Alacrity passed her BSS examination……………..I didn’t think that she would fail but …..there could allways be something.

As I have changed around the battery connections to balance the heavy draw from the inverter I found that the lids covering the batteries don’t fit, yet another thing to do for the BSS.

So new lids have been made and a new box to house the two extra batteries. You need to be a contortionist to get at Alacrity’s batteries as when I have to top them up. I still haven’t modified the cupboard above them, that’s another job.

 So fitting the lids and extra battery box was to say the least a trial well that’s now done and all is ready for the BSS.

Well you’ve heard of the joke about the gynecologist who decorated his hallway through the letterbox, that’s just how I felt when I decided to repaint Alacrity’s gas locker.
Alacrity’s Boat Safety Examination is coming up soon and I noticed that one of the things they were looking at were rusty floors in gas lockers because there may be pinholes in the plating allowing LPG to get into the bilges with possible dire results.

The floor in the locker was sound and just needed the loose rust sweeping out. I painted the cleaned floor with Kurust then two coats of International primer and then the whole locker with two coats of Danboline.

I was lucky that it was a hot day the Kurust dried converting the rust and leaving a great base for the primer, but it was a killer trying to reach in and paint. I used two paint brushes taped onto lengths of dowell to reach the corners and with my head and one arm in squeezed in the hatch managed to get a great finish despite a headache due to the fumes.

I even managed to get in a bit of fishing (I didn’t catch anything) while I waited for the paint to dry !!! 

Im going to fit some Dri-Dek Tiles to stop the gas cylinders resting directly on the locker bottom so hopefully keeping it rust free for the future.

Its that time again, Waiting for me on the door mat when I got home was my licence renewal form from BW, always a welcome sight  Not.

Included was a notice telling me that I needed to renew my Boat Safety Certificate, minor panic ensued for a few moments while I located the last inspections paperwork. Since nothing has changed hopefully all I need to do is check that there are no obvious faults.

What I did notice was the warning that late payment now gets hit with a penalty of £150 OUCH !!!

Up at sparrow fart on Saturday with a quick stop for breakfast on the way. We were at Braunston for 9am. It was shaping up weather wise to be a great weekend.
I was a man on a mission. On our last visit we found that the water supply pipes from the Tank were weeping and as always the leak would be in an awkward place, beneath the cooker at the back of the kick space in the galley unit, it could  just be reached laying on ones back with one arm extended.
Well after removing the false floor in the cupboard and the wooden trim covering the pipes we cut away all the old pipework . That was the easy bit, Jo had to feed the pipes in and I had to try to get the pipe ends to align with the push fit connectors, not easy looking under the unit with one eye and trying to judge the distance  shouting at asking Jo kindly to push, pull and twist the B***** pipe.
After much cursing and one leak Job Done………Beer Time…….

Sunday.

Sunday dawned sunny and bright. I had a choice, start to fit the new Webasto heating boiler or have a couple of hours fishing, well it was no contest fishing it was. I was using wholemeal bread as bait (healthy ??) within twenty minutes I landed a five pound bream then a large roach not bad for me.

It was great to see NB Jubilee pass through the marina delivering coal.

and yes I did find time to fit the Webasto boiler I just now need time to plumb it in and remove the Alde !!! and remodel the wardrobe sounds like refit part two .

We have been thinking of new curtains for Alacrity for some time. Since we did the major refit last year new curtains have now become a necessity as the old ones are hanging by a wing and a prayer (my fault as I didn’t expect that washing  nineteen year old sun bleached curtains would cause them to fall apart D’oh ).
Last weekend Jo and I fitted new brass curtain rods, they would have been fitted sooner but Midland Chandlers were always out of stock of the four foot rods. The effect is fantastic far better than the plastic rails the boat builders fitted which were always sticking. Yes I know that the rails will need polishing but I have found the brass polish  sold by Waitrose easy to use and gives good results best of all it doesn’t smell of cat pee like Brasso.

I didn’t realise  how hard it is to choose the right patern and colours to complement the fixtures and fittings (i’m hopeless at it), Jo chose one and I chose another…….a domestic was looming…!!!!!!!

Enter a very helpful John Lewis lady and after asking a few questions she suggested the material in the picture. Bingo, it was the perfect choice we both loved it……The cost OUCH !!! but they will look great when they are hung.

Saturday dawned like a spring morning, the drive up to Braunston was a dream, all was well with the world, even Midland Chandlers had the brass curtain rails we had decided to fit…….all fourteen of them….They really look great now we only need to make the new curtains to go with them.
As there was no wind we moved over to the Loading Dock to fill with water and pick up a 13 kg cylinder of propane, what a shock at £21.40 Ouch!!
The sun continued to shine so I decided to do a spot of fishing not that I caught anything it was just so relaxing.

The neighbours were a bit rowdy, living it up until well after dark…………………….

I found this while I was looking on EBAY today its an old framed print. Now to find the beer………………………………………..

The weekend saw most of the remaining bits finished leaving a small amount of scotia to fit and the varnishing to do……I even managed to service the engine…… with loads needed to be done at home before the holiday, it was a flying visit.

I thought that I would have finished by now but its all the small fiddley things that take the time. Work tends to get in the way as usual. The weather has been so bad that I’m having to cut most of the plywood in the galley area……..lots of mess…..

So what am I left with to do…………well there is two sets of cupboard doors to hang, the brackets for the folding chairs to make and fit, loads of sanding and varnishing and the tv surround and shelves to make and fit (those can wait……..) I will sand and varnish while we are on holiday.

I have been watching a boy fishing on the next pontoon in the marina, he hauled out a reasonable sized perch and on his next cast pulled out a very large and angry crayfish……..his mum said it was destined for a sandwich………………………

As I was carrying some timber back to the landrover I spotted NB Debdale passing under Butchers Bridge……..so only one weekend left before our holiday………………and an engine service to do……….