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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12月10日 Busy doing nothingSent the boat licence off with the best part of seven hundred quid. No other news on the boat. Christmas is cancelled on account of me being potless.
Apart from that I've been going to work and coming home and eating too many crisps and celebrating the return of my singing voice by spending way too much time on my favourite online karaoke site. How sad is that?
I hoped that by now I'd have a life. Sadly not.
Although that's not quite true. I've made two new friends this year and my old friends look after me very well, even though we are separated by physical distance. I've been invited to a New Year's Eve party in Bristol which will make me feel less like Johnny No Mates although it is a hard time of year, this being the second anniversary of me getting well and truly shafted by my psycho ex and the party season being the worst time to be without a Significant Other.
Never mind eh. Maybe next year will be my year - after all, I reckon I've had more than my fair share of crap ones!
12月3日 NauticaliaI had a great time at the BCUK blogmeet in Liverpool and on Saturday morning had a look around Albert Dock where to my delight I found a Nauticalia shop. I was pleased to find they had a special offer on the battery operated spider repellant units that I was interested in, so I bought three. I intend to put one each end of the boat, and one by my bed! The shop assistant assured me that if they don't work I can send them back and will be refunded. I will fit them as soon as possible so that hopefully the boat will be spider free when I move in. Apparently, the units also deter rodents, flying insects and other creepy crawlies. OK by me.
Nauticalia is one of those shops where I could go barking mad with my plastic, so just as well I had to get back to my car before the parking ticket ran out which stopped me browsing further.
11月28日 Think positive ... think positive ...The insurers are coming in to assess the boat (at last) and hopefully, having delayed matters by losing the claim form, they will now get a move on and repair the damage. Once that is done they can replace the stolen items and we can get the safety certificate. At that point I want to move in, if possible, as a precaution against further break-ins.
I'll be really glad when the doors are back on as the tarpaulin is not keeping the weather out. Bruce has reconnected the bilge pump, so at least that's something.
That poor boat looks so forlorn, she needs someone living aboard and some love. It's all hanging on the safety certificate and the valuation now.
Think positive ...
11月15日 Message from BruceBruce writes: "Took ballast out yesterday. Boat went back in today. Looks very good level wise".
Best news I've had all day  11月8日 A job well doneThird coat went on really quickly and just before it started to piss down! It looks good but I can't wait to get the top half painted. The pikies nicked the paint though. I'd like to start sanding it down but will have to get the paint first. So that will have to wait for the insurance assessors.
This time the boatyard workers complained that the choccy biccies I'd provided were past their sell by date. There's no pleasing some people.
Might go up there on Sunday to help Bruce put the insulation back in. Don't think it's flame retardant so will find out if there's a spray which would help. Can't afford new insulation when there's so many other things to pay for.
The boatyard has started me a tab. I'm not sure this is a Good Thing. 11月7日 Paint it blackWell who'd 've thought it? The boat came back on time! So the first coat (technically the second as one coat had been applied by the repairer) went on today and if the rain holds off tomorrow we'll slap another on.
In order to replate the sides the whole interior up to the gunwales had to come out, and it's all been dumped in the middle of the boat. At least this gives me the chance to make sure all the T&G goes back as well as it could, as it was a bit iffy before and actually coming away in places. But it does look one hell of a mess and it's quite disheartening.
Good news - the mooring is now in my name.
So, next step is to finish the blacking, then sand down and paint the rest of the boat (despite the fact that the pikies stole the paint - if you see a newly painted boat in this particular shade of green please let me know) and finish off welding off the redundant holes. Then the refit needs to be done, and then get the insurers in to refit the applicances, etc. When that's done the safety certificate needs to be obtained of course. I may at that point get another few little jobs seen to which are not strictly necessary but would be advisable. The windows, unfortunately, won't be replaced until I can afford it - and it could be some years before I can!
It's a slow process, but we're getting there.
Oh yes - Dylan at the boatyard helped himself to my chocolate biscuits and subsequently claimed he had done so to protect them from the ducks, and anyway the first three were damp so he had no choice but to eat them. Justified then. 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. 9月28日 Work commencesWell, the boat's gone off to have it's bottom replated, and I think Bruce took some photos of it being loaded on to the lorry, so I'll see if I can get copies. I heard on the local radio that there was an 'unusual load' causing problems on the M5, and wondered if it could be all my fault! It all seems so daunting I can't bear to think about it at the moment. Coming on top of my contract at the Uni ending, which leaves me technically unemployed, it's all a bit unnerving. I doubt I'll be working next week, but hopefully the temp agency will come up trumps for the week after. I should hear from the solicitors about the job I applied for by then. I think they liked me, but whether they can afford me is another matter. Still, I'm seeing my counsellor on Monday (I'm having ongoing cognitive behavioural therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but that's another story), and I expect the two day RYA Helmsman course (canals and rivers) will keep my mind off things on Tuesday and Wednesday. 9月25日 No news is good news?I'm still waiting for confirmation of mooring situation and news of progress on boat. I've been offered a second interview for the Civil Litigation PA job I applied for, which is located nearer the mooring I was hoping for, but which will be a nightmare to get to from where I'm currently living or if I have to settle for a mooring in central Birmingham. I was hoping to be moving in next weekend, and the boat's not even back in the water yet. It's all too much pressure now and I'm finding it very hard to concentrate on anything or sleep. I just wish I could win the lottery, buy a brand new boat with a marina mooring, give up work forever, and get this one done up and give it to my sister. Some hope of that - I'll have to buy a ticket first! At work today they bought me a cake and a leaving present (a book on the history of narrowboats). It's just a shame that I couldn't take up their offer of a full time job. Never mind, look on the bright side - at least I have a home of sorts and there is no pressure on me to move out. 9月20日 The deposit is paidWell that's it, I'm committed now! Paid over ten grand last night, subject to a few conditions. However, one thing is worrying me. The terms of the mortgage insist on a residential mooring agreement, and although I was told the boat had a residential mooring it turns out it is a BW longterm mooring. Although BW do not seem to have a problem with liveaboards on these moorings, provided they are well behaved and discreet, I am now worried that the mortgage company may not accept it. What to do? It's a bit late in the day to be looking for residential moorings, which are rarer than hens' teeth. I'm thinking perhaps I should get a bank loan rather than the mortgage, then I can moor where I darn well please. On a brighter note, the vinyl transfers with wrens on that I won on Ebay came yesterday. They are very pretty, and I'm very pleased with them. The catalogue arrived from the boat name decal company; they do stencils as well as vinyl transfers. I'm wondering if a stencil might be a better investment, seeing as the boat will have to be repainted regularly. Hmmmm. 9月19日 Pets Overboard!I've just been looking on the internet for doggy life jackets. My border collie Flossie is at least 12 years old (not sure exactly because she came from a rescue centre) and is getting a bit blind and deaf. I therefore think it would be prudent to protect her should she walk off the side, even though she can swim, because there's always a chance she might bang her head on the way down or wear herself out trying to climb out of the water. I've found the K-9 Float Jacket, which costs about £40. It's quite smart too! She should be ok with it as she quite likes dressing up. If I want to calm her in a thunderstorm or when there are fireworks going off, I wrap a huge elastic bandage around her chest and over her back and it works a treat. So having the jacket on will probably feel comforting to her. Or else she will sulk big time and try to wriggle out of it. We shall see. My only concern with Widget the Mothslayer is that she curls up and goes to sleep on someone else's boat which then ends up miles away. She is far too smart to get wet, I think, but I may invest in a landing net just in case. She'll still be far safer on board than she is presently amidst all the traffic. 9月18日 What's in a name?There is no way I can live with the current name of the boat. I'm sure that 'Lilo Lil' is certain to attract unwelcome attention from locals who assume from the name that I am a lady of loose morals. I certainly do not wish to find a queue down the towpath every night after the pubs shut! My father has forbidden me to call her 'Far Corfe' which, I thought, was in keeping with the traditional 'roses and castles' theme. So I'm calling her Songbird. I'm a singer, and a bird. What could be more appropriate? I have researched boat renaming on the 'net and found a very fine ceremony to perform which includes an invocation to Poseidon (whom I hope is now recovered from his Adventure) and an address to the Gods of the Winds. Unfortunately, this ceremony does involve slopping quite a lot of Champagne about, but I intend to be as economical as possible here as it does seem an awful waste of good bubbly. On my budget it will probably be supermarket Cava in any case. I have discovered that it is most important to expunge all traces of the name from the boat and its documentation, so as not to incur the wrath of the Gods and the most devilish bad luck. Although you'd think I'd had all the bad luck up front really, wouldn't you? 9月17日 Survey - The SequelReturned from work to find the written survey, and it makes grim reading. There is a list of eight things that need attention before the boat even gets a safety certificate.
 It seems that the interior was fitted badly and all the tongue and groove will eventually need to come out, the linings replaced, and put back together again. It could all just fall down if left too long.
 The worst of the corrosion will be dealt with by the rebottoming, but the sides will need painting and henceforth annually to keep it at bay.
The steel forward doors need refitting, thanks to pikey scum.
The electric cabling is too small.
The engine compartment needs cleaning and repainting.
The window frames could do with replacing, sooner rather than later.
The forward edge of the skeg needs chamfering - don't ask me
 An inspection hatch needs cutting into the floor to give access to monitor any water lying beneath, forward of the aft cabin bulkhead.
There are also many other things that need doing, many of which I might be able to tackle myself.
As it stands the boat is valued at a third of what I agreed to pay for it. However, the surveyor reckons that if the recommended work is done it could be worth up to £20,000 more than the price agreed.
So, having given it considerable thought, and after discussion with the vendor, I'm going ahead. A lot of the problems are the result of the break-in and therefore covered by the insurance policy. The vendor and I are having a meeting whereby we will discuss who is paying for what, then I will list all the things I am prepared to pay for and get a quote from the boatyard. I might as well get what I can afford done whilst it's out of the water.
Luckily I know three carpenters and an electrician, and my sister is very good at DIY. She has already agreed to go in and clean it for me, a job which entails spider removal (both dead and alive), which is something I'm not good at. But I'm not afraid of hard work, and I think that without too much expenditure I could turn it into a nice little boat.
Additionally, if I do opt for a refit (possibly a section at a time as it's an expensive business, especially on such a large boat) I could then do it more or less to my design.
I'm either doing something really stupid, or really clever. Time will tell.
 Progress reportThis blog is a record of my new life, living on a narrowboat In Warwickshire. I'm buying the boat from a friend of a friend. Like me, she's seen better days. Unfortunately, the boat was broken into a couple of weeks ago; they took the cooker, the new fridge, the toilet and spare cassette, and a drawer full of cutlery, amongst other things. Luckily the only damage was where they ripped the plumbing out removing the bath, which they couldn't get through the door. The survey's done and I'm over the shock and the boat is getting a new bottom (the vendor's paying), I'm also paying for the skirt to be replaced whilst it's out the water. The mortgage application is approved but I need to submit a copy of the mooring agreement, survey and insurance policy. I'm now £1700 over budget and I still need to get the painting done and the name changed. I need to get a licence and re-register her as Songbird as she's currently called Lilo Lil. The boat will also need a Safety Certificate once the insurers have replaced the items stolen by PIKEY SCUM and repaired the damage they did ripping the bath out. Bastards. I also need to buy a duvet as I ditched mine when I moved, and I have a long wish-list of things which will have to wait a while. I'll probably be moving as soon as the boat's back in the water, in case the PIKEY SCUM returns to steal the replacement appliances and have another go at the bath. My dog will be waiting, and she loves to eat pikey. This is turning out to be a whole lot more troublesome than I'd anticipated. Why didn't I just rent a flat like any normal person? Check it outCheck out my other Space at Witchy Hetty Bodyshop's Cottage.
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