The last few days of wonderful spring like weather had given us a false idea of what to put on this morning, an early start and the boat covers were crisp with frost. I quickly headed back inside to find a pair of gloves, it is of course still February.

Spring springing

We made our way back to Finesse and Jonathan Wilson, a couple of things still needing to be done. The space was still vacant for us on the permanent moorings and even a lady who enquired if we were lost last week said hello. There on the bank side were my two pots of herbs, disguised by the vegetation at the bottom of a hook up point. The chap sorting the anchor storage must have popped them out of the way. Then the idiot doing the idiot check when we came to leave had missed them! Maybe I need new glasses!!

The main reason we were back was to get the gas locker lid hinges replaced. Jonathan wasn’t about but we left the lid in the metal shop. Then headed back to the boat for breakfast.

Sneaky peek at the Brigantine, see it at Crick this year

Ricky had been looking into the voltage sensitive relay (VSR) for us. This is the split charge system between the lithium leisure bank of batteries and the lead acid bow thruster bank. The VSR operates only when the engine is running and the domestic alternator is charging the leisure batteries and also when they have reached a certain voltage thereby then charging the bow thruster bank at the same time. When the engine stops the voltage drops and the VSR disconnects the two battery banks. However, ever since the lithiums have been installed the VSR has not been disconnecting because the voltage of the lithium batteries never drops below 26 volts, the VSR is set to disconnect at about 25.5 volts. We have been turning off the bow thruster charging circuit at night using the isolator switch in the electric cupboard. There was talk of replacing the VSR with a high current relay that would operate when the engine ignition was turned on. But it was thought that this would use too much continuous power from the starter battery for the whole time the ignition was on. After much discussion we have decided to leave things as they are switching the isolator off manually. Ricky was of the opinion that there wouldn’t be any damage done if either we forgot to turn it off after cruising or forgot to turn it on the next day.

Preparing to grind

New hinge on the lid

Mick popped out to Tesco to pick up a few bits, whilst I got on with a bit of follow up work from last week. I felt the boat dip, checked out the front and a large welder (Jonathan) was kneeling on the bow, cordless angle grinder in hand. Various sounds came from him as he stood back up, these reminded me of my Dad in his latter years, he’d forgotten something! If you’ve ever tried to balance yourself on the bow of a boat with a cratch board you will understand the annoyance of not having everything to hand having just struggled to get yourself in position, the thought of doing it all over again a pain in the b..side.

Chris soon appeared with a sheet of wood to cover the cratch  and asked if all the electrics could be turned off on board. My printing was put on hold, switches and breakers all turned off. I checked with Mick, the only thing left on was the solar which couldn’t be switched off, it would need a touch more to disconnect it. Once back he fiddled in the electrics cupboard and we were ready for Jonathan to weld.

Sparks

Ready for welding

 Sparks flew as the old hinges were ground off, then the new ones were welded on. These ones have grease nipples so that we can keep them lubricated no matter what. With Jonathan’s bits and bobs removed from the bow two chaps from the paint shed came up to see what was needed. First a good clean down then some quick drying primer.

Welding done

Paintwork touched up

The painter checked what RAL number the red was. I got my tin of touch up out from a locker (3004), he was sure it wasn’t the right colour. Have to say when I touched up the grab rail last year I had been surprised at how much the red had faded despite red being prone to do such things. He came back with a tin of 3003 not 3004 and touched in the hinges. You couldn’t tell the difference in colour from the original.

Us patiently waiting

Later on I checked in our black book that came with Oleanna. Here the red is noted as 3004 a more burgundy red, which of course is what I ordered for touch ups. I’ll need to delve deeper into our files and emails to check which shade of red was actually specked nearly three years ago. Either the black book is wrong, or the wrong shade of red was used. However, I’m quite happy with the shade we have, just a shame I now have a tin of 3004 which is incorrect.

Me and my shadow

We were good to go, so said our farewells, pushed off and headed for the winding hole. Mick made a quick call to book our passage down the locks on Wednesday. Mission accomplished, just the bill to pay now.

Commemorative plaque

Back on our mooring we spotted the C&RT chaps in the office, so we popped over to see if we could get a commemorative plaque. We don’t tend to collect plaques, but when it is a historical one, they are worth getting. This one will join the one we got in Hebden Bridge for the Tour de France, safely kept in a file in the office cupboard.

Ready for the top layer

Cooked and about to be devoured

The pasta dough I’d made was rolled out this evening, I didn’t hold out too much hope for it as it crumbled to start with, but then as it got thinner it started to look like a sheet. Edges were cut straight and fitted into the dish, sauces made and everything layered up. Baked in the oven for 40 minutes and we had a very tasty gf lasagne, far better than the shop bought stuff. Just a shame it has to rest for so long.

0 locks, 1.1 miles, 2 swings of the bridge, 2 winds, 12 sheets printed, 2 hinges ground off, 2 hinges welded, 4 nipples, 0 VSR, 0 left on the snagging list, 1 booking, 1 plaque, 2 balls of yarn left, 100% homemade gluten free lasagne, 100% tasty, 1 boat cat rule broken!

That is someone elses boat!