Sally 的个人资料Boatwoman's Space照片日志列表更多  |  工具 帮助 |
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10月23日 Progress?A message today from Bruce to the effect that the boat will be back from the menders on 6th November.
I won't hold my breath.
We've asked the local boatyard to give us a quote for blacking the bottom, and although this is obviously costlier than us doing it ourselves I have to bear in mind that I've already taken time off work, for which I don't get paid, to paint it and then found it's still not back from repair.
Bearing in mind that we still have to get the insurance company in to replace the stolen items and reinstall the plumbing, plus get the boat up to scratch for the safety certificate, and of course I can't get the mortgage sorted until the safety certificate and revaluation have been done, it's looking more and more unlikely that I'll be installed this side of the New Year.
I'm trying to remain positive, but I can't pretend the situation isn't getting me down.
10月20日 Waterways magazinesMy local supermarket no longer stocks 'Waterways World' magazine, which means that I can only get it if I go into the city centre, something I avoid at all costs.
However, I guess it's hardly surprising, considering I was probably the only person who ever bought it. We are, after all, talking about an inner city area with a high level of unemployment, at least four pawn shops (that's pawn as in 'cash converter') and an amusement arcade. In fact, I'm wondering why they ever started stocking it in the first place!
I love my 'Waterways World' (WW), and it carries a lot of useful information for a newbie like me. However, having missed a few issues, and survived the resultant withdrawal, when I found myself in WH Smith this afternoon I must admit I went into a bit of a feeding frenzy and purchased not only WW but also the slightly cheaper (by 15p) 'Canal Boat'. Well, what a treat that was! Not as thick as WW but then that probably onbly means less ads for new builds. 'Canal Boat' seems cosier, somehow, with just as much useful advice and even a recipe page.
Now I shall probably have to choose which to take on subscription. At the moment 'Canal Boat' is winning for me; which do you think is the best? 10月17日 What a conI've received my "certificate" for the RYA (Inland Waterways and Rivers) Helmsman's course I attended.
I am underwhelmed.
It's a pathetic tear-off slip - about the size of a lottery ticket - on an A4 letter which suggests that if I want a frameable certificate I could either pay twelve quid, or get a free one by joining the RYA at a discount of £5.
What a joke.
Considering I paid over £300 for the course I think it's a bit tight of them not to include a proper A5 or A4 certificate which is going to cost them next to nothing to produce.
10月15日 Grrrrrrr!I just wrote a really long post and MSN just dropped it. Bugger.
Never mind, I was only having a moan.
I need my own space. Soon. 10月8日 Woe Woe and Thrice WoeVery disappointed today
 as I was all set to black the bottom of the boat - been up to B&Q and stocked up on rollers, brushes, etc., bought myself a boilersuit (sexy!) and even made the sodding sandwiches - when I got a text from Bruce saying it would not be back from repair for another TWO WEEKS!!*sticks head in oven and screams*
What the hell????
 Why was I told it would be this week??? I turned down a week's work yesterday because of this. If I don't work I don't get paid. And I need all the money I can lay my hands on to pay for all these repairs
 Shall I laugh or cry?
 10月5日 RYA 2-day Helmsman Course (Canals and Rivers)Well, I passed and will therefore be certificated! I thought maybe everyone passed, but apparently people have failed. I arrived at 9am precisely, having got hopelessly lost when I took the M40 instead of the M42/M6 to Rugby. I managed to right myself in Coventry, but more by luck than judgment. If this course has taught me anything, it is that I need to buy myself a SatNav and sooner rather than later. On arrival I was introduced to the instructor, Andy, and my fellow pupils Erica and Mike. We were then given some basic theory instruction, and then taken onto the narrowboat. Luckily Erica, who had hired holiday boats in the past, volunteered to go first which was a relief as the moorings were very crowded and I'm not sure I could've got away without hitting something. We then took it in turns to get used to steering with the tiller (I was oversteering considerably at first, and kept turning the tiller the wrong way), and practiced various manoeuvres such as turning in a winding hole, springing off and coming in to the bank and, as soon as we had reasonable control of the boat, locks. I was pleased to find that the knots I learned as a climber came back to me reasonably quickly, and I learned a few more including the lighterman's (or canalman's) hitch and the OXO knot. By the end of the day I was much more confident, although I'm glad I'll be taking delivery of my boat during the winter when I can get lots of practice in whilst there are no holidaymakers in the way! As the light began to fade I realised I should've brought my driving specs with me, as the end of the boat got fuzzier and further away! We arrived back at the marina where Erica and I unloaded our gear and Andy and Mike set off for the Mill. Erica and I, at Andy's expense, took ourselves off to a local pub for a very good dinner (I had lasagna, chips and salad). Afterwards we did some revision then retired exhausted (Erica in the fixed double, me in the made up double which was hard as the floor). I didn't sleep too badly considering there were spiders about - I'm ordering some battery operated spider repellers for my boat! In the morning the boat was not as cold and damp as I'd feared, despite the fact that the radiators did not appear to be on. Erica and I tucked into breakfast (bacon sarnie in my case) before leaving for the Mill. We hadn't been advised the whole course wasn't in Rugby, and it was a good job I had my car as Erica had come on the train. Lucky for me she was there to navigate as our destination was in Northants (practically in Bedfordshire) and the route was quite complicated. Despite her help, we still got lost and were therefore about half an hour late. On arrival at the Mill we were given some theory on rivers (we would be cruising on the River Neme) and the different problems we would encounter. Then we were led out to a cruiser which was covered in spiders. Despite the constant fear and crawly feeling I found the cruiser very easy to drive, the only problem being that it was difficult to steer, operate the throttle and find the gears with my feet, all at the same time. Nevertheless I soon picked it up. We soon encountered our first guillotine lock. These are fine when hydraulic, but not so much fun when manually operated. The manual variety is controlled with a wheel and I think it took about 120 revolutions to raise or lower it. This, combined with the usual v-gate arrangement, is completely exhausting. Luckily I won't be encountering any of these in the Midlands! We finished earlier than expected, and then I drove Erica back to Rugby and on up the M6 to home, all in all about 93 miles. The course was great fun and Erica, Mike and Andy were great company and I hope we will keep in touch. I would certainly recommend Willow Wren for their training courses (they also provide boats for hire) and also, if you're looking for somewhere to stay, The Old Watermill - the building and decor is outstanding, and Andy's partner is a great cook if her cakes are anything to go by! You couldn't meet a nicer couple. |
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