This time next week we will be somewhere up the canal, at last! We have nearly finished getting ready to leave the lovely Thurmaston and embark on our long term cruising. Things have been a bit hectic in the past couple of weeks as we suddenly found lots of jobs that needed doing (as you do) before we go.
Unfortunately the zip on our cratch cover broke two weeks ago, which was a bit of a pain in the proverbial as we keep our coal out there, so we had to remember to cover it up every time it rained! I also throw our shoes out there (much to Ken’s chagrin!) when I hoover so I had to remember to get them in too. On top of which, when I create an inferno instead of a normal fire (as is my wont) we have to have the doors open because it’s too hot indoors. This was a bit difficult without a cratch cover when it was pissing down and the rain was driving in the front doors making the steps and the curtain wet! To get a new zip fitted we had to send the cover back to where it was made, which took two weeks! We got it back yesterday, just as well as it is raining again!
Apart from all the painting, washing and polishing Ken has been busy replacing all our external ordinary steel screws with stainless steel ones before they rust away. I don’t know why boats aren’t built with stainless steel screws, everyone we know has had to replace theirs! Luckily we were told about it while we could still easily get ours out!
We have replaced some of our internal lights with LED ones so we can actually see what we’re doing at night! We counted our spotlights and we have 26! We actually only use about 10 of these and the most we have on at any one time is 4 or 5. We have also got a LED navigation light too, it is a lot brighter than the old one and uses less power.
Saturday I polished all the brass …………. Sunday night and Monday night it rained …………. Today I have polished all the brass …………… It is raining now and tomorrow it is going to rain again ………….. Friday I will be polishing all the brass! In addition to my tennis elbow I now have brass cleaner’s finger!
George went to the vets last week, for a check up before we go, revealing he had yet another ear infection and costing his daddy a lot of money again, bless! He’s ok, although we have had a bit of trouble with him lately, getting him to leave his favourite pub! He loves it in the Plough at Birstall, they give him so much fuss and so many treats that he doesn’t want to go home. Matt lets him chew his ears as well, yuk! When we want to leave we literally have to drag him out of the door, much to everyone’s amusement!
So, soon we will be off to pastures new (well, after we have passed Fradley Junction anyway!) I bet you can’t wait for my tales of derring do! And my photos too!
