Kingfisher Dry Dock

Thank goodness the wind has dropped. I didn't fancy coping with the boat on my own if it was still blowing a holey! It seemed the most sensible idea for Ian to take the car and lockwheel for me on the way back to Trent lock. The car will be needed for the duration of the blacking. All of 8 days!! John and Mick always book the dock out to us over Easter and today we had the added bonus of gaining an extra day. They are confident enough to leave us in charge over the holiday. ( Is that wise????) This year was slightly different to other years as Dennis and Margaret on Nb Icing are taking their boat to Wyvern's in Leighton Buzzard July time, to have their roof painted and the blacking will be done at the same time.So its only Dave and Heather on Nb Bracken and ourselves who have the dock for the 8 days. Once both boats were in, shutting the gate was by pole rather then balance beam. A feat in itself!  Then Mick sealed the leaks with a old trick of dropping ash or wood chippings behind the gate.  First task, like all DIY bottom blacking, is to get the power washer going. As we have time on our side we can afford to take our time on doing a "proper job".



Ian using the pole to get the gate shut.





Wet wood chippings poured behind the lock does the job nicely.




Not much water coming in now




Sealing the last of the leaks.




Dave powerwashing the bow of our boat.