Cruising Log 2014

January 13th 2014

Arrived at Blisworth late morning. Checked with Blisworth Tunnel Boats where they wanted me to tie up (opposite the workshop) then on to the marina. Checked everything over, disconnected the shore-line and fired up. A lovely little shuffle down to the boat-yard on a mild sunny morning with hardly a breath of wind. A bit of fun trying to tie up single-handed on arrival but managed it in the end. Left the keys at the yard and Mac gave me a lift back to the marina. They will deliver the boat back later in the week when its ready (no extra charge for delivery - that's nice). Borrowed a few magazines from the marina library and set off for home.

3/4 hour

Blacking and engine service £500

January 26th 2014

Stopped off briefly on the way to Buckingham. It was pouring with rain. Mick Barrett came over to say he had experienced some trouble getting the engine to start. I tried myself and just got it to fire before the battery gave up. The engine ran but the tick-over was fast and it sounded slightly lumpy. Something not quite right here; I'll ask Blisworth Tunnel if they can have a look at it before too long.

1/4 hour idle

February 4th 2014

Arrived with Malcolm mid-morning. Did various odd jobs. Fired up the engine - it started more or less immediately and idled smoothly at 850rpm - so I'm a bit in the dark as to what the earlier problem was. Phoned Mac at Blisworth Tunnel Boats and apologised for wasting his time! nothing more to do so left at lunchtime. A 'fish and chip' lunch at the Greyhound in Milton Malsor and thence to Baldock - where we had a lovely evening and supper with Malcolm and Suzy and a fairly late home.

1/2 hour idle

March 3rd 2014

Andy is moving aboard for a couple of weeks while NB Isis is re-painted at Blisworth Tunnel - so off to the marina to get things ready for him. We started the central heating (fired straight away with no problems), turned on the gas to check the cooker and re-charge the gas system; Andy laid and lit the fire in the Morso as it's him who will have to keep it running! We re-filled with water, replaced the Paloma drain valve and opened the taps, starting at the kitchen sink and working back through the system. Once all the air was blown out, we shut off the taps and the water-pump stopped - the usual big sigh of relief - no leaks! The new loo worked fine; the Paloma fired up fairly easily and ran happily once the residual air had cleared out of the pipes. All nice and straightforward. The bilges are completely dry and the dehumidifiers didn't need to be emptied. Dipped the diesel - half-way between the 1/2 and 3/4 full marks. We repaired to the Royal Oak in Blisworth for an outstanding mixed grill lunch (and Greene King IPA at £2.80 a pint!). A final check-over back at the boat and I left Andy to get on with things!