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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Sunday 6 May 2018

Not the Jameison curse again.

Bottom washing and bitumening for FS today and by 9.30 the dock was ready and waiting for us. In we sails, gets into position, gate is shut by Dan and Vicky paddle lifted and water disappears fast and blast...FS ended up in the wrong place! Not intentionally as Dan admits that we are the guinea pigs to his new walkway. Unfortunately, FS was positioned about 2 foot further along and not in line with our stern deck. Nothing for it but for Dan to unscrew the railings and move it further along.


So now, one might think, all will be well from this point on. But no. No sooner had Ian started the power washing of the hull when the oil seal goes on the pressure washer and Dan has to head off to source another pressure washer. 50 minutes later he returns considerably poorer because of it and finally Ian gets underway. Almost finished and the new washer stops! Now what!!! But it was nothing more than running out of petrol. So now we are doing catch up. The first lot of Bitumen has gone on the water line and our only saving grace for the delay is the weather. We couldn't have wished for better as not only did the hull dry out very quickly, but also the bitumen. Might be a late night for us though as we only have four days on the dock and three coats of blacking to get on.

FS nestled nicely as the water disappeared


Before power washing and the hull looks in good shape. 


After power washing and for an 13-year-old boat she's doing okay.




New washer in need of a top up

 And landing on my arm,

Shell Bug

3 comments:

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Seeing the photos and reading that makes me pleased we get other people to do that job ...

Mxx

PS No such thing as the Jamieson curse - just a confluence of hassles, darling!

Alan said...

Seeing you blacking, reminds me that's one thing I don't miss since selling Boat, pleased weather was in your favour. Would suggest the gang plank post that you need to line stern up with is painted a different colour, and maybe a notice to say line rear of Cabin with this post ( maybe that's too C&RT ish).Still look forward to your blog.
Alan & Judth

Dan Cauldwell said...

Alan, the thing with the bridges is that it is dependent on boat length as the stands are positioned such that they take an equal load of the boat when she rests. we have to ensure the skeg and rudder don't sit onto a stand so although it looks like we misjudged it, actually it was fully intentional, and in this instance it didn't quite line up. we are fully prepared for this eventuality, and ensure that the safety of our customers is our priority. We won't allow people into dock, or onto their craft until we are satisfied everything is safe!
Some you win, some you lose!
Kind Regards

Dan

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