The B. I. F's first BBQ

The B. I. F's are back together again. Those of you that have followed my blog will remember 2 years ago when we made it up the Ribble link to Lancaster. B. I. F's stand for 'Bracken', Dave and Heather, 'Icing', Dennis and Margaret and of course us on 'Free Spirit'. For all of us to dry dock together seemed logical and our cheapest option. We have full use of the facilities for one week and our cost per boat is £130.33. We decided to put 'Icing' on first and considering we didn't get them into the dock until midday yesterday, their boat is as good as finished today  . Dave power washed it, Dennis and Ian prepped it and us 'girls' had the first coat of blacking on by 6.30 that evening. Today we started at 9.30 am and with five of us at it finished the blacking in just over an hour. Dennis and Dave then painted the gunwales while Ian tried to detach our back boiler from our fire. We unfortunately  poked a hole in it with the poker when we were riddling the ash!!! Needless to say it is still in the stove. No amount of pulling and hitting with a hammer would shift it. Ian thinks he may have to take the stove out to remove it. Anyway, tomorrow we are hoping to get 'Icing' off and 'Bracken and 'Free Spirit' on. 




'Icing'



                            I should mention that the lads who own Kingfisher Dock http://www.kingfishernarrowboats.co.uk/dry-dock-services.html are absolutely brilliant. Nothing is to much trouble and they do there utmost to make sure we have everything we need.                                                        

After a productive day we all decided on a BBQ. The day had been very hot and we looked forward to sitting down with our beef burgers and sausages and of course plenty of the amber liquid. Would you believe it. No sooner had we sat down to eat when the lightening and thunder started. Both dogs were quivering wrecks again and we just about made it back to the boats clutching our plates full of food when the rain and hail started. It didn't really matter to us because we can make merry anywhere and in any situation but it would have been nice to see the evening out sitting outside. 

Once the rain had stopped I took our hyperventilating dogs for a walk outside. They started to calm down and when I turned to head back to the boat I saw an amazing sight. The sun was almost blood red. By the time I had returned with my camera the clouds were just starting to obscure the sun. If one didn't know better one could say it looked like a UFO.