tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34118754538263718302024-02-08T00:53:06.912+00:00One Thing After Another...A diary about two lads and Eddie the dog who are fitting out, travelling, and generally enjoying life aboard their narrowboat, One Thing After Another. Follow us through the good times, the bad times and not to mention the fact that life on this boat really is...One Thing After Another!One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-91203933325092824922018-05-01T23:05:00.001+01:002018-05-29T20:59:39.019+01:00I Wonder If Anyone Still Reads This...<br />
It's hard to believe we've been 'off' the boat scene for just over three years, with our last blog post nearly four years ago...<br />
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It's amazing this blog still has somewhat of a ranking on Waterways World.<br />
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<b>Stay tuned if you're out there.</b>One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-45842577205616261462014-11-10T18:12:00.001+00:002014-11-10T18:12:48.195+00:00The days really do seem to go by so quickly these days. What happened to the times when I was younger, when it seemed like forever between Halloween and Christmas? <br /><br />Does time really go faster the older you get - I'm sure my Dad used to say something like that! <br /><br />Yes, it's been over a week since I last updated, but there's not all that much that's been going off. We're still doing a very slow cleanup of the engine room. We're not rushing it - it's not a living space so it's not impacting on day to day life on the boat.<br /><br />Last week, we cleaned all the engine room floor boards and all the appliances that had a film of oil all over them(!) We also used an oil and degreaser solution and diluted that and threw it into the bilge where it's still sitting - hopefully working away. In the next day or so we will go in there and give it a good scrubbing with a bristle brush and hopefully a lot of the grease will be cleaned up and we can think further along the lines of getting it all painted up.<br /><br />Pawel was off on Bonfire Night - we didn't really do much though and didn't go to see any firework displays. We just had a movie night in and dinner and even had toffee popcorn ! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15573469027/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15573469027_59123729c5_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's really easy to make, but really addictive too. I'll post the recipe soon - it's not difficult, better than buying it and was definitely a good bonfire night snack! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15138676694/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15138676694_d218b97164_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />For once, it was actually proper bonfire night weather too - cold, dry and misty! I haven't remembered a bonfire night like that since I was a kid - we even had a festive walk outside around 10PM just to take it all in!<br /><br />The riddling grate broke on our stove the other day. I noticed when I riddled that suddenly all the coal seemed to disappear into the ash pan! Another worry! (And bill!!)<br /><br />We let the fire die out the day after and took a look - the grate had actually snapped in half. We've ordered another one which came on saturday but haven't fitted it yet.<br /><br />In the meantime, it would mean that we couldn't really empty the ash and the ash and the coal would all be in one pile meaning that within a day or so, the efficiency of the stove would decrease. <br /><br />We decided to do a repair job on the grate while we were awaiting delivery of the new one. It was dead easy!...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15573470537/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15573470537_516795d1b9_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We got a wire coat hanger and literally used the wire to bend around the two parts, pulling them together<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15572795109/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15572795109_86c3f44114_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Its not perfect but it's done the job and meant we could keep the stove going. I think we're going to let the stove die out tonight and drop the new one in tomorrow! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15138679144/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15138679144_fc322aab11_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-11428352239923649012014-11-01T18:01:00.001+00:002014-11-01T18:05:23.194+00:00A Little Bit Better...Yes, we're feeling a little bit more positive about it all today and we've even been cracking a joke or two about it all as well. Today, we didn't get up until late - nearly 11, despite planning an early start to run the engine beforehand to charge up the batteries so we could let it cool enough to work on and fix the exhaust.<br />
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It left us a bit short of time, but we definitely needed the lie in- with everything going on, it's just drained us - plus I didn't sleep that well last night either due to the local party scene outside!! <br />
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We had a bit of breakfast/lunch and then Pawel set off on attempting to apply the gum to the exhaust. Here's how it was looking:<br />
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It's a bit awkward to get to as well as it's the top of the silencer, so it has broken away right on the opposite side to where you can get to - nearly against the side wall of the hull.<br />
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<i>Poor Pav!</i><br />
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He had a little hand held mirror and a torch to help and applied it as best he could. It doesn't look perfect, but who cares about that?? As long as it does the job - that's the most important thing.<br />
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<i> Gum applied:</i><br />
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My only concern looking at the pictures, is that it hasn't been applied thickly enough - there weren't any instructions on the tin really as to how thick it needed to be applied. Anybody have any ideas?? <br />
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I did also get the bandage too, so I might get Pawel to slap another layer of the gum on tomorrow and then also wrap in the bandage - should be good to go then! <br />
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We still have the clean up to do as well - oil all over the deck boards and all over the washing machine and tumble dryer that's in the tumble dryer.<br />
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I got something called "Swarfega Oil and Grease Remover" yesterday from Halfords. I haven't tried it yet, but my plan is to clean all the obvious up first (deck boards, tumble dryer, washer) and then literally throw shit loads of it down into the bilge and maybe use a coarse brush to scrub and just keep rinsing it out to clean up. My master plan is to then use Owatrol on the bare steel and paint all the bilge so we can get it all properly tidied up and looking smart.<br />
<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-65965534048854338642014-10-31T18:31:00.001+00:002018-05-06T23:54:41.990+01:00The Great Depression!Well, after a lot of delays - irritating ones at that, we finally got away from Stretford Marina this morning. It wasn't a triumphant journey, nor did we have anything to feel pleased about really despite the engine having been fully re-mounted.<br />
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<i> Here are the new engine mounts - x4 at £50 a piece!</i><br />
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Whilst the engine has been fixed into place and is working, we are aware now of the exhaust silencer having a split in it - apparently where the engine moved forward during it's divorce from the base plate, and has slightly torn away from the main exhaust pipe. This is going to cost us a further £250 ++ on top of what we have already paid - it's seriously depressing. <br />
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<i> The work in progress - engine disconnected from exhaust and propellor shaft:</i><br />
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Not only that, but of course we also had to pay Stretford Marina for the pleasure of mooring there for the last 8 or 9 days. The whole thing has been a nightmare - and the boat still looks like it's in pieces. There's a hell of a lot of oil all over the paintwork outside and I just really feel like our boat has been torn apart - all our efforts to always try and improve upon it and make it something special - our home - seem to have backfired spectacularly. <br />
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Yesterday, I couldn't bring myself to even wash-up a cup - just the thought of where to start with the mess everywhere just makes me want to close all the blinds and go to sleep. I'm hoping that we will both snap out of this in the next few days.<br />
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<i>The mess:</i><br />
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I have to admit that it was good to get back to Castlefield - Stretford is really not a great place to be at all and I think that contributed to the depression! <br />
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Not only that, but it's nice to have some sort of a view again - the leaves are really coming down around here now - it has a magical autumn feel to the place, although we can't fully appreciate it due to the stress and worry of everything... We can try I suppose.<br />
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I popped to Halfords this afternoon as apparently you can get a bandage which can go round exhaust pipes - I found a bandage type thing and a paste - I got them both as I'm not really sure what kind of hole/split it is as I cannot get in there due to the problems with my knee. These "aids" are for cars though - I'm not really sure if it will work on our boat exhaust. <br />
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I hope it does as right now, having the engine on, the exhaust fumes fill the engine room and you can smell them in the bedroom which is right next door - I don't want everything stinking in the bedroom of diesel and getting ruined. <br />
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For now, I'm just not going to run the engine, not even for battery charging as I don't think it's really safe either despite what the RCR guy and a few others have said. I'm hoping the bandage/gum will work as we are not having someone come to <i>look </i>at it until Tuesday, never mind having it fixed. Thats a long time with no hot water or electric! <br />
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<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-74455659184166459202014-10-27T16:16:00.001+00:002014-10-28T12:27:15.779+00:00Getting it Together!With some good food last night (and red wine, of course!) and a lovely comment from a reader, as well as texts from boating friends, I woke up today in a much more positive frame of mind. <br /><br />Pawel is off work today too, although he still isn't feeling the best about everything. We called the guy from RCR this morning to check if he would be coming today, and as I suspected , the answer was no. He did tell me though that he will definitely be coming tomorrow.....we'll see! <br /><br />In the meantime, with Pav being off, we headed into town this morning to get a few bits and pieces so we can get the clean up started in the engine room. <br /><br />We left our 'wet n dry' vac back on our mooring in Poynton which is a bit of a pain as we have a lot of water that has collected in the engine bilge after the incident last Wednesday! There's also a lot of oil that's discharged - not sure where that has come from still at this stage. There doesn't seem to be any leaks or splits anywhere but it needs cleaning out anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15643709492/"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15643709492_88a1f189e4_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="425" /></a><br /><br /><br />We first thought we would get a mop to dry it all out(!!) - it is possible to completely dry a bilge out with a mop and bucket alone - we did it years ago when a twin tub incident filled the engine room! It's bloody hard work though!! Then we found a siphon pump in Clas ohlson - perfect, especially for only £11.99!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15457305890/"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15457305890_f714d01ed0_o.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="425" /></a><br /><br />It kind of looks like a big syringe and is nearly as tall as me but it should do the job! It's handy to have I suppose as well incase of emergencies like this and it's small enough that it can live in the engine room after we've finished using it. Not only that but it is suitable to use with oil too and it means that we can pump the oil separately into a container for safe disposal.<br /><br />I've also got some white spirit to give the engine body a bit of a clean over so it should all be looking smart. <br /><br /><i> The current mess:</i><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15456233109/"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15456233109_45c2d50a41_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="425" /></a><br /><br />Does anyone want to paint my engine bilge though??! <br /><br />Not a lot else to report right now. Steak and matchstick potatoes for dinner and again, plenty of good wine - hopefully that will sort us out and fingers crossed we really should be sorted out engine-wise tomorrow!<br /><br />We had the third replacement carpet delivered the other day too (more about that in a blog post in the future - it's the other issue I was ranting about last week!) It's currently rolled up and on the bedroom floor until I can get the fitter back in again - access to the bedroom is now very difficult and everything feels a real mess but it's not the end of the world is it?! The boat is just shrinking in size that's all! <br /><br />Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow! <br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-72040378842416142062014-10-26T16:32:00.001+00:002014-10-26T16:37:32.384+00:00The Stop OverIt's not great being in Stretford - the marina and surroundings are nice but the place in general isn't that great at all - it's making me feel really depressed!<br />
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Every day now I've come into the city centre just to get away from it all - the boat, the problems and Stretford. Not only that but we only have shoreline on during the day which is switched off at 4:30PM so I'm also trying to reserve electricity where I can, so if I come into Manchester and get a coffee from Costa, I can bring the iPad and phone here to charge them as well as do a blog post!<br />
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I'm hoping that the guy from RCR comes tomorrow to complete the work and we can be on our way, but I've just got a funny feeling we'll have a call telling us he can't come and it's likely to be later on in the week.... My gut feelings are usually spot on, but I really hope not this time. I just want it done and sorted now! There's nothing like being in limbo is there?! <br />
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I have a list of jobs that need doing still on the boat (doesn't everyone?) but I'm not sure if it's the stress of the engine or being in Stretford or a combination of everything (probably) - but I just feel so washed out, lacking in energy and literally like I can't be bothered to do anything. The place is going to rack and ruin! Even making breakfast right now seems like a right chore! Hopefully I will snap out of it in the next couple of days - especially if we <u>do</u> get the engine sorted tomorrow and can be back to doing what this life is all about - boating!<br />
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One of the jobs I have planned is to re-oil the worktop again! I only did this the other month but I wasn't quite happy with the finish. It's much too glossy and a little accident Pawel had on the worktop(!!) meant that I had to do a patch-in job which never looked right. I tried using a super fine wire wool to dull the existing finish, which it did, but it also gave it a greyness which makes the finish look clouded.<br />
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The pictures actually don't show what I mean and the clouding only looks so in the direct light/sunlight.<br />
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Seeing as I've used wirewool on it already, I'm hoping now that I can just go over it in some fine sandpaper in the places that I'm not happy with and then just go over with the oil and get away with one coat.<br />
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The only problem now is that I like to use Rustins Worktop Oil which I can only find in the DIY shop in Poynton - I looked all over Manchester for it a few months back and couldn't find it and ended up using Danish Oil in the interim - reminding me how much I hate using that!<br />
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So it looks like a trip to Poynton on the train, but it will have to wait until we are back in the city centre I suppose, otherwise it's just too much travelling for a bottle of oil! <br />
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Remember, I can't be bothered??!<br />
<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-23493797731225051292014-10-24T17:57:00.001+01:002014-10-26T16:38:25.652+00:00Stationary!There's always a problem isn't there? Especially when it comes to people working on your boat! Basically, we were told this morning that the guy wouldn't be returning today to work on the boat as his van had broken down.... Hmmm.<br />
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Now we must wait until Monday or Tuesday before he can come back which isn't great as it means we will have to keep making a nuisance of ourselves at Stretford and I hate laying things on people really who don't really have anything to do with it. Poor Malcolm! <br />
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The good news is that during the day, we have got access to shoreline and I managed to sneak a wash load on today, so that's one plus. Another is that the marina is actually really quiet so we're getting some good sleep!<br />
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We also topped our water tank up today too and it's in a really handy place - right next to the deck of our boat! Bonus!<br />
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I'm already thinking of the next job to do (and fork out on!) I want to replace the deck tiles on the front well deck. We currently have wooden ones but they're just a pain - they're in a gloss finish which looks bad, and they keep needing to be recoated if you scratch them etc, plus they're always covered in mud and dog hair. <br />
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I think We'll get some of the plastic deck tiles that we did on the back deck last year - easy to clean and wash off as well as lift off when you need to. It also means that it looks tidier and is one less thing for me to have to bend down to everyday on my poor knee to clean!<br />
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Here are the ones we installed about a year and a half ago:<br />
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They're brill and I'd definitely recommend them to people - non slip too!<br />
<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-51572687156843920052014-10-23T17:05:00.001+01:002014-10-23T17:18:38.521+01:00Engine UpdateYesterday, Malcolm from Stretford Marine had managed to get hold of a guy that works for RCR who said he would be coming this morning - we thought he'd be here just after 9 so were up quite early to get breakfast out of the way and get tidied up in time.<br />
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I think the shock of it all had finally worn off by morning as last night we both just felt completely numb. Not upset, angry or anything else, but just numb. So many things have gone wrong this last month, it's unbelievable! People say it would be the same in a house, but I'm not so sure. I've never had so many things going wrong in the house or apartment in 10 years of home ownership all at the time same, like on the boat!<br />
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However, I suppose I'm starting to feel a little more positive. After all, everything that could possibly go wrong, really has by now. So, clean slate, right?! I suppose the only other thing that <u>could</u> go wrong is a flood or the place sinks - perhaps I shouldn't jest - knowing us, that is on the cards next!<br />
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Anyway, the RCR guy eventually came at 11 and told us he could come and remount the whole engine tomorrow - as well as replace the gear box rubber and re-lag the exhaust pipe for us - at a cost of £500!! He said he'd never, ever seen an engine mounted so badly. It had basically been mounted on top of the mounts, so the whole weight of the engine was on top of them rather than the bolts going through the engine and sitting mid-way between (if that makes sense) <br />
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Still, I'm looking forward to it being done, so it's sorted of course and also because we <i> should</i> have a super-quiet engine then! He is going to re-align the prop shaft too and basically make sure it's mounted as best it can be. He sounds confident and seems to know what he's doing so all should be well. The downside is that we will be brassick for god knows how long!!!!!<br />
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Hopefully this time tomorrow it will all be done and dusted. We can then get everything cleaned up and sort out all the dust and oil spattering from whatever explosion happened at some point and it should all be as good as new! <br />
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Check your engine mounts regularly folks - and never travel if even one had broken - it simply puts too much strain on the other three!One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-19600596559051545632014-10-22T18:12:00.001+01:002014-10-23T17:17:00.021+01:00Dunham Drama!Yesterday was our final day in Dunham Massey before we had to head back and the day started at 5:30AM! I woke up first at that time to the sound of heavy rain and the side of the boat "crunching" against the towpath - usually a sign that the ropes aren't tight enough.<br />
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Anyway, after waking-up fully, I could heard the sound of strong wind (it wasn't Pav!) but like it was high above, rather than affecting us directly. Things soon progressed and before we knew it, the boat was moving around like a really turbulent plane flight!<br />
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That made the crunching/banging even worse so we had no choice but to head outside to re-tie the boat. We decided to cut the ropes completely and move the boat forward along the towpath a little bit as there was more of a bank there for us to gain a bit of protection from - the wind was horrendous! Seriously eery too as we were the only ones moored there and it was absolutely pitch black, with the high-pitched whistle of the wind made only more noticeable by the solitary surroundings. <br />
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Not only that but the mooring at Dunham Massey is quite high up and you're totally exposed on both sides - completely vulnerable. The blowing of the trees in the distance and the open, dark landscape made it a scary yet exciting experience. <br />
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We took everything off the roof, and all the plant pots off the gas locker and deck and just put them on the deck floor, went back inside and tried to get a bit more shut-eye! We awoke again just after 9 and it was still the same - the boat rocking about and the wind horrendous. <br />
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To be fair, at this time there was a bit of sunshine! <br />
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The rain set in later on and we had everything else inbetween - mist, hailstones, even thunder and lightening! So it was definitely an indoor day - even Eddie didn't want to head out.<br />
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It was great to have a day to ourselves like that though, just watching TV, eating and generally doing nothing with a bit of turbulence for onboard entertainment!<br />
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Everything finally calmed down about 10:30 last night.... The calm before the storm I suppose....<br />
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We left Dunham Massey this morning just after 9 and it was perfectly calm and sunny. But as usual in our life, it wasn't long before disaster struck! We noticed that the engine suddenly started vibrating really badly and the engine room was suddenly filled with black smoke! We already knew that one mounting bracket had broken as we had arrived in Dunham Massey on Sunday so thought it was something to do with that.<br />
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We moored up quickly and switched off, lifting the engine room floor up to take a look... Nothing obvious as such, but we did notice that the whole engine had moved forward about 2 inches.<br />
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We weren't far from Stretford Marine so pulled the boat to them to see if they could help. We had a look again while waiting for someone to come and take a look at the engine for us and discovered that the 3 other mounting brackets had snapped! <br />
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The engine is totally disconnected from the base plate and could haves snapped the prop shaft and god knows what else - that would have meant water just pouring in and then we'd have sank!<br />
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<i>Engine mount - the circular bolt thing next to the red wires:</i><br />
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Luckily we were that close to Stretford Marine, who have been brilliant and let us stay overnight, as well as call round all manner of people to try and get it sorted for us. Malcolm really helped as did a guy called Dave who is on the marina. <br />
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Between them, they have arranged for a guy from RCR to come to look tomorrow morning, but it won't be sorted until the coming days - and at what expense i can only dread... I know the mounting brackets are around £40 quid each and we need four!<br />
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The only good news is that we didn't do any further damage by the looks of it and at the end of the day, it's only the engine mounts. The engine room and bilge looks like a bomb has hit it as a lot of excess water did come in and there's dust and crap everywhere after having to lift all the boards and crap we keep in there.<br />
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I can't do any battery charging but Stretford have provided shoreline during the day time and a gennie incase we need further power in the evening. What happened to our own brand new generator I hear you say??! <br />
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THATS PACKED IN AFTER 6 DAYS AND 15HOURS MAX USE!! <br />
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One thing after another?? Too bloody right!One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-73405502212801133452014-10-21T19:04:00.001+01:002014-10-21T19:04:13.497+01:00An Autumn CruiseWe decided last week that we would go away for a couple of days on Sunday as Pawel had Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off and isn't back in work until tomorrow afternoon.<br /><br />We set off mid-afternoon on Sunday despite there being heavy showers and a strong wind. We were just desperate to get on the back deck and get the boat moving...We were determined that nothing would stop us!<br /><br />We were headed for one of our favourite places of all time - Dunham Massey - and were quite excited as we had never been here at this time of year before. I love Autumn and I couldn't wait to get up here to see all the changing colours of the trees and the falling leaves on the ground and floating on the canal like confetti.<br /><br />It hasn't disappointed. We really have had a lovely few days - even the cruise up here on Sunday, despite being chilly and a bit wet,was really memorable.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15570183516/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15570183516_313e039be6_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><i>Our mooring:</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15407767068/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15407767068_529ba44e9f_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We did have a few problems once we arrived on Sunday though. For a few weeks now, we've noticed that the engine has been incredibly noisy and I had put it down to needing an oil change, but once we'd moored up here, we had a look under the engine room floor and noticed that one of the metal mounting legs of the engine has literally snapped off. So it's obviously excess vibration caused by it not being secured properly.<br /><br />Hopefully it won't be too expensive to sort out, but you can see Pawel wasn't happy!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15407250579/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15407250579_701da1ed1b_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We didn't really do much on the Sunday as it was about 530PM when we got here so we just moored up, had dinner and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of our surroundings.<br /><br />Yesterday, we went for a walk around the Dunham Massey Park. I couldn't wait as it's fantastic in Summer, but I knew at this time of year it would be even more magical. I was hoping for a bit more colours in the trees, but I think everywhere is still so green because of all the mild weather we're still having.<br /><br />Anyway, I'll let the photos speak for themselves...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/14973723473/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/14973723473_b333ed39ce_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15407772678/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15407772678_df461df047_b.jpg' border='0' width='476' height='635' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15591216311/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15591216311_252c3a0d62_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15591218371/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15591218371_4c52c51ece_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/14973139594/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/14973139594_b712f7010a_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The deer were out and about which was a stark contrast to last time we were here as it was breeding season and they were all cordoned off and not walking about as they usually are. A the park was so quiet, it was easy to get some up close shots of the deer too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/14973140594/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/14973140594_95fc70e725_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15407264349/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15407264349_d721f1909a_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15570200826/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15570200826_63945f4682_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We left the park after having a coffee (and a homemade granola bar that I managed to sneak into the coffee shop that I made yesterday morning!) at about 5PM and just took a slow stroll home, taking in the fantastic scenery.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/14973737643/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/14973737643_7bb85ccc51_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15594724312/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15594724312_6e56b705f5_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15407270599/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15407270599_09e31275e6_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15591230281/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15591230281_ea014d795a_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15593889175/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15593889175_47c2686806_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Autumn definitely has to be my favourite season...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/14973152664/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/14973152664_b1b462e9c0_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15407790918/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15407790918_4a333f7144_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Will tell you more tomorrow about today and the big storm that woke us up at 5AM! For now, I have to head off as I want to get dinner started - I'm making a Chinese dish - sesame chicken....It's sweet, sticky, crispy and gorgeous! <br /><br />Tomorrow, we head back so the dream is over for now. I'd best make the most of it tonight....<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-44447518288416098712014-10-16T18:54:00.001+01:002014-10-16T22:22:47.392+01:00Bad Week = No Blog!I haven't felt like blogging really this week, although that's not entirely true, it's more a case of I've not had much time for it either as I've spent the week arguing with people! There'll be more about that later...<br />
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On a positive front, we have finally, FINALLY bought a generator. It's not ideal, lugging it in and out of the engine room but it means we can now use our washing machine! Since we've been away from the mooring for nearly 6 months, we've been wandering the streets with bags and suitcases of washing hunting down launderettes and it was getting depressing! Not only that, but I felt that walking around with socks and dirty tea towels sticking out of the bags was only contributing to the "gypsy central" stereotype boaters get labelled with all the time! <br />
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Enough was enough so we bit the bullet and decided to buy a generator. We decided that seeing as we don't always have shoreline it will also double up as an extra security for battery charging and hot water too. You can never have too many options as a boater - be prepared for everything! <br />
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Originally we were going to go with an unbranded one I saw on eBay with electric start and remote control for only £375 rated at 2200w.... However, it was one of those things where you thought about it and had a gut feeling something wasn't quite right - generators just aren't that cheap, especially pure sine wave ones which the seller said it was. <br />
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In the end, we found a Hyundai branded generator (for nearly double the price mind - but with electric/remote control start) and decided to go with that one as it's a good name and has a 2 year warranty. You also know if you take it into a repair place, they are going to be able to get parts for it! <br />
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I ordered it on Monday for delivery on Tuesday. I ordered from a company called Tool Net and specifically asked which courier would deliver it and was told UK Mail and paid what I thought was an additional £16.99 for delivery... When a confirmation email came through, despite me paying for the additional delivery charge on the phone they'd charged me £19.99, failing to tell me on the phone that they would also then add VAT on the delivery as well.... So that was the start of "GETTING PISSED OFF" week. <br />
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The next blow, was that suddenly it was now being delivered by TNT. I HATE and I mean really <u>hate </u>TNT as they just can't deliver when they're supposed to - they're neither on time, can't provide delivery timeslots, lose things - I've had it all with TNT! <br />
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That's why whenever I order anything online I ask which Courier they use - and if they mention TNT, I'll buy elsewhere. I just don't know how they are still in existence, they're that shit!! <br />
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Everything delivered is also so much harder when living on a boat and we're using either a business address or Pawel's work address - so TNT is always out of the question as it just causes too many problems! <br />
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Anyway, despite me having a massive bust up on the phone with them regarding sneakily adding VAT on a delivery charge and not telling me and then changing couriers, TNT did actually deliver (quite early) on Tuesday morning! Wouldn't use Tool-Net again though in a million years as they don't know shite about customer service. <br />
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Anyway, it sounds sad, but we did get quite excited over this as well as quite anxious, knowing if it would power the washing machine or not. We unboxed and topped up with petrol and oil as per the instructions in the manual.<br />
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The other reason we went with the Hyundai, is that it came with a lot of accessories, including a shoreline cable (fly lead), engine oil, an oil jug/filler, spare bulbs and battery cables - all these things would have have been an additional cost, as we'd have had to go running around for them before being able to use it. It was much easier just to buy something, a little more expensive, but just be able to use it right out of the box.<br />
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<i>Larry(!) looks happy!:<br /></i><br />
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<i><br />Unboxing:<br /><br /><center>
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<br />The key fobs, which we were really excited about using, as sad as we are!!<br /><br /><center>
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<br />Opening the maintenance door:<br /><br /><center>
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<br />Ready to top up with oil and prime:<br /><br /><center>
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<br /><br />Filling with oil:</i><br />
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<i> the control panel</i><br />
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We then filled up with petrol and plugged in the washing machine. We only have a little 3kg Zanussi but it is rated at 1900w which is quite close to the rated load of the generator (being a maximum of 2200w)...<br />
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....we switched the generator on and then started it by remote control (feels really clever to start it with remote!) and held our breath as the washing machine started to fill with water...<br />
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.....IT WORKED!!!! <br />
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The first wash load was on! No problems with heating the water up or spinning or anything. It was fantastic.<br />
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What's even better is that it is really quiet! It revs a bit when the washing machine is heating water - but that's because it's using maximum wattage, I guess. But if we have the shoreline cable plugged into it for battery charging and have the generator on 'econo mode' it's so quiet both inside and out. <br />
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Actually, I didn't notice when I was inside that it had switched off at one point - it had run out of petrol! We can also switch it off using the remote control inside - anything for an easier life! <br />
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It's definitely a solid, well built piece of equipment which I hope will help us out for a few years.<br />
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Shortly after getting all that going, my second delivery of the day arrived - the replacement carpet. That's where it all well and truly kicked off but I won't bore you with that today... Instead, I'll dedicate a whole post tomorrow to bitch about how stupid some people in this world are! You know you can't wait! One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-11338823842605980722014-10-07T18:49:00.001+01:002014-10-07T18:55:47.490+01:00Back to Normality...Almost!It's certainly been a busy week. There's been plenty of jobs as always onboard as well as a Royal visit! Well OK, almost....but not quite! I had my grandmother over for a visit as she has never seen the boat before in the 4 years that we've had it, so it was quite an exciting time, if a little nerve wracking, bearing in mind she is 84! <br /><br />Anyway, we had a really good few days together and plenty of quality time on the boat with good food, wine and conversation - and what can be better than that?<br /><br />However, as always, it's good to get back to normal and Pav and I are still a bit worn out. Yesterday and today have seen us just chill out, apart from popping into town for a bit of shopping or taking Eddie out for a walk. <br /><br />Just before the visit, we had a new carpet laid, but there seems to be a defect with it whereby right in the middle, there is a huge line running from side to side - it almost looks like a join, but upon closer inspection, you can see it's where the machine that shears the carpet has cut too far down into the pile and created the "line" or "crease" <br /><br />After a lot of conversations with the manufacturer, we are finally getting it replaced - although the re-fitting bill will have to be footed by us. <br /><br />And we already went through all this:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15470526692/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15470526692_f6d41086a2_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='238' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15284247297/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15284247297_615284b428_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='238' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Ugh!!<br /><br />It was a complete nightmare, as I think it was a lot trickier for the fitter than he was expecting ( we have had the carpet extended and fitted right up to the front doors and around the stove). It took quite a while for him to fit and it also meant we had to be out of the way for most of the day. Now we have to go through it all again! Not happy! <br /><br />I also need to find a few minutes this week to list our old Dometic Vacuflush cassette on eBay seeing as we now have the new toilet. Hopefully it will fetch a bit on eBay as you can only buy them from the US now and when we were looking at getting a spare one a while back, it was over £200 with delivery! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15447723486/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15447723486_e308a04e7c_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='238' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />If anyone knows someone who needs a spare cassette - point them in this direction ;)<br /><br />The weather has turned "autumnal" now too with plenty of rain(!) and the stove has been in constantly now for the last few days with the night time temperatures dropping to around 6c... I really need to get moving with the double glazing sheets as I'm starting to notice the condensation creeping up on the windows, especially in the back(which I hate)!! <br /><br />Everything like this is always a hassle though when you need to get it delivered and live on a boat. Im sure I will figure something out though! <br /><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-79714493719007017152014-09-26T21:56:00.001+01:002014-09-26T22:00:34.430+01:00Doors, Worktops...Bits and BobsIt's been a busy few days. Although it would seem that not a lot has been done aboard the boat. That's the funny thing though...be it a boat or a house, bungalow or apartment, the smaller jobs are always the jobs that take the longest. They're also usually the messiest and frustrating! <br /><br />I finally managed to get a final coat of varnish on the front bow doors yesterday. I'd done 3 coats in danish oil and the final coat had dried grainy - a quick sand and wipe over with white spirit and I decided to do a final "top coat" using an outdoor varnish - at least I knew that it wouldn't dry grainy, gritty and white again. Ideally, I suppose I should have completely sanded them back and re-done them in the varnish alone, or I should at least do another coat of varnish, but I think they should be fine and have enough protection. Next year I will completely strip them and re-varnish.<br /><br /><i> Just the masking tape to remove and white spirit the windows to clean up...</i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15340034926/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2949/15340034926_2af12a4b38_b.jpg' border='0' width='357' height='635' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15176465588/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/15176465588_9127a1cc4f_b.jpg' border='0' width='357' height='635' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Of course, the other job was to seal the sink in the kitchen after the granite worktop was put in. I ended up doing it today, finally!! It only took me a week to do, but at least its done now!<br /><br />I have a new trick for a mess-free way to put on a perfect bead of silicone too - mask up! <br /><br /><i>Apply masking tape on either side of whatever you're planning to apply silicone to:<i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15176291669/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15176291669_399849a293_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='357' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15176292299/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/15176292299_4b736d3553_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='357' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><i>Apply the bead of silicone, followed by dipping a finger into white spirit and spreading across to smooth it over:</i><br /><br />(Have lunch in-between masking up and applying silicone - leave dirty pots in sink. After all you can't wash up and risk splashing the silicone!!)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15176367780/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/15176367780_fdf6398d0c_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><i>Finished!</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15340046526/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/15340046526_f16060c654_b.jpg' border='0' width='635' height='476' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Other jobs coming up include measuring up for acrylic sheeting so I can "double glaze" the windows for this winter and Rob should be coming back soon hopefully (our joiner) to fit some new porthole liners and a new bedframe.<br /><br />I also want to re-varnish the side-hatch doors ready for winter and paint the internal cabin doors. I'm thinking of painting them in cream satin, as the doors look a bit dark and dated and I think it would brighten the place up a bit and make it look a bit more modern - we'll see...Maybe I'll lose momentum before I get to that!<br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-42639562103882991742014-09-23T19:14:00.001+01:002014-09-23T19:20:10.823+01:00Granite...As always, work has never really stopped on the boat even in all the time we weren't blogging - there's always something to keep on top of or... something that we want to change or enhance upon (more likely!)<br /><br />I suppose you could say it's our "hobby". Whereas some people like to eat out, or go on holiday....collect classic cars or buy handbags and shoes(!) we <i>love</i> doing stuff to the boat and <u>trying</u> to make it as nice as we can!<br /><br />We've had this job booked in for a few months now and it had always got delayed - at one point the company who was doing the work had broken what they were supposed to be fitting - a granite worktop! But finally the day had arrived! <br /><br /><i> Removing the sink, ready for the fitting:</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15333534172/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/15333534172_5b9049fc08_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15147253618/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3866/15147253618_e5c90ff9a1_b.jpg' border='0' width='239' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We originally decided last year that we would have the wooden worktop around the sink replaced or veneered in Granite as it makes life easier. The worktop was sound but wood and water is never a good mix! Not only that, but I'm fed up with oiling and varnishing woodwork - so it's one less thing to worry about if it's finished off in granite.<br /><br />We opted to just have a granite veneer by a company called Granite Transformations - I'm not linking them(!) as despite them doing quite a good job in the end, there was a lot of sneakiness, sloppiness and not so great customer service in the build up to it! <br /><br />However, as I say, in fairness they have done a top job but they just need to work on communicating with customers better! <br /><br />We were originally going to have both sides of the kitchen done, but for the opposite side, where we have the breakfast bar "bubble" they quoted £2400 apparently due to the shape of the big round end on the worktop - ouch! So we have kept the Iroko worktop that side and had the granite only on the sink side.<br /><br />We opted for a granite design called "Amarone" in the end. It's a dark chocolate, and goes quite well with the brown mosaic tiles we have in the kitchen as well as with the darker Iroko worktop we have on the other side.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15330681221/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3908/15330681221_e075fb6eba_o.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I didn't know, but apparently "Amarone" is a type of red wine (perfect) and the word "Amarone" translates as:<br /><br />"...the great bitter one"<br /><br />Couldn't have made a better choice - definitely bitter and love red wine! <br /><br />The day of fitting finally arrived and the fitter was supposed to arrive between 11AM and 12PM. He finally arrived at 1:20PM(!) but did get straight to it.<br /><br />The overall shape had already been templated and the fitter started off by bringing in the pieces to see how they fit...<br /><br /><i>...it looks good already!</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15333853365/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/15333853365_99b1f7ef3f_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15147263658/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/15147263658_87853b597e_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />For the fitter, it was then a case of cutting out the aperture for the sink and tap. The worktop was in two pieces, so both pieces needed to be cut!<br /><br /><i> Cutting the sink aperture:</i><br />(Pav's busy as usual!!)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15330690071/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15330690071_d31982f690_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15147141930/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/15147141930_501fba3bbc_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><i> Final angle cutting:</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15310824226/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15310824226_0f2783b5d0_b.jpg' border='0' width='239' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Finally, by around 4PM it was all done and dusted and looking really good. I was nervous about the top being in two pieces as I was concerned about the dovetail joint being really obvious but you can barely see it - you only know because I've told you! The front edge was bonded on in one piece and then rounded off and it all looks really immaculate.<br /><br /> <i> Can you tell how happy I am?!</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15147148450/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/15147148450_096afc3cd5_b.jpg' border='0' width='322' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />As you can see above, I connected the sink and tap back up, but I still have to run a bead of silicone around the sink. It's a couple of days later now and I still haven't done it - I have been careful and made sure I haven't been splashing too much water about though!<br /><br />I did go to Wilkos today to get a white silicone sealant so will do it tomorrow, but I've also been busy with re-oiling the bow doors on the outside ready for winter as they were definitely needing some attention<br /><br />The only problem was the danish oil has done its usual trick on the last coat and dried grainy and with a white film - but more about that tomorrow!<br /><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-62771633335162467212014-09-21T17:42:00.001+01:002014-09-21T17:42:01.923+01:00Troubling Toilets Pt. 2We finally got the toilet finished off the other day and super-smart it's looking too!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15124003897/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5578/15124003897_169d77d234_b.jpg' border='0' width='239' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />All we really had to do was put it into the final position and bolt it down, replace the boxing in and then fit the service hatch (on the bedroom side of the wall). All the service hatch consists off was just a lockable plastic frame, where you can put an insert into it to match your wall etc. <br /><br />These toilets are predominately designed for caravan use, so usually the service hatch would be on the outside of the caravan or RV (whatever they're called these days!) and is also lockable to protect theft of your cassette! Either way, it came with the toilet, so was perfect for us to fit into the wall to give it a clean, smart finish<br /><br /><i>The access hatch to the cassette from the bedroom before the service hatch was fitted: </i><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15287512916/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/15287512916_cff35cd68a_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><i> After fitting the service hatch</i>:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15307405311/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/15307405311_c77a81467a_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />As I was talking about in my last post, the old vacuum cassette was sat in the area where there is no carpet in the picture above! Originally there was carpet there and the cassette docking platform was sat on a piece of oak ply on top of that, but when the whole thing malfunctioned on me, the result meant removing the carpet due to half the contents of the cassette leaking onto the floor!<br /><br />Obviously we will have to fit a whole new carpet in the bedroom now (more expense damn it!) and the batons on the walls will need removing as they aren't needed anymore in addition to more boxing in etc. to make it all look good and smart. I think we will probably now fit a small corner desk or something in that corner in time.<br /><br />For now we will just have to put up with it all and wait until some more money grows on the trees I planted out on the deck a few months ago...<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-42637967549861959852014-09-18T12:01:00.001+01:002014-09-18T12:01:40.559+01:00Troubling Toilets!!!We're still here after fitting the toilet - just about.... No walls came down, there was only 3 or 4 miniature floods(!) and the toilet is more or less in and just needs fixing into place properly!<br /><br />For a few different reasons, we didn't get started on it yesterday until about 3PM. We started by removing the old toilet 'throne' first followed by the vacuum unit that was in the bedroom. I've always hated having the vacuum cassette in the bedroom, not only because it's not a nice idea (toilet contents in the bedroom! Eww!) but because it was hideously boxed in and was in a place that was basically in the way! <br /><br />The new toilet is a Dometic CTS4110 and the cassette sits directly underneath the actual toilet, which means everything is in the bathroom - where it should be! <br /><br /><i>Old toilet just behind the new one:</i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15273685911/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/15273685911_8d123ab56a_b.jpg' border='0' width='239' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />If you have a look just behind Pav's shoulder, you can see what looks like a brown leather box - thats where the old vacuum cassette lived. <br /><br />Anyway, all that will go now and will be replaced with a nice miniature corner desk. Of course, it also means that we will need a new piece of carpet in the bedroom as the carpet we fitted in there was put in after the toilet, so when we remove all that boxing in there'll be a missing square piece of carpet. It's not ideal, as everything like that costs money! Not only that but the carpet in there now is a really expensive, thick carpet that hasn't been in too long and is in perfect condition.<br /><br />Back to the toilet fitting....<br /><br />- After removing the old toilet, it was a case of trying to knock off one of the wall tiles as we needed to make an access hatch that we can remove the cassette from on the bedroom side<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15090236608/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/15090236608_485517f7f0_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15090102210/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/15090102210_66fcd3c1d2_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- I then templated the wall in the bedroom so I could cut a square in the wall which I will fit the service door into. <br /><br />Look at the concentration in my face in this pic!!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15090102910/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/15090102910_a268294fea_b.jpg' border='0' width='239' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I was absolutely bricking it as I built the dividing cabin walls in the boat and I couldn't remember where batons and screws were that supported the actual wall! Not only that but I'm....erm.... Not really confident in my wall building abilities!<br /><br />I was convinced I was going to put the jig in and literally have the wall collapse on us! We got there in the end, I couldn't believe it - but there were no batons at all in that section I'd cut out, but directly either side of the cut out! That's what I call "PURE LUCK!"<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15276804755/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/15276804755_10b9b3e3fc_b.jpg' border='0' width='239' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />(Sorry for the quality of some of the pictures, but it was nearly 11PM when some of these were took.)<br /><br />Luckily, we also only had to remove one tile as that leaves plenty of room for the cassette to be removed. All that was needed after was to connect the electronics and water supply.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15090057699/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/15090057699_c091d7e13c_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The water connection leaked several times and ended up going under the lino about 3 or 4 times in total which meant we had to keep lifting that up and drying it - total nightmare! I think lifting the lino and drying it took more effort and time than the actual toilet fitting! Finally at 12:30AM, it was all in place and we were all tidied up, vacuumed, dusted(OCD!) and washed up from dinner! <br /><br />Today, we just have to bolt the unit into place, cover some fixings up, fit the service door and see if we can get a small piece of tile to cover an area just at the side of the toilet where the wall is exposed.<br /><br />All that shouldn't take too long, so today shouldn't be as manic as yesterday! Look out for part 2 and I will take more pictures too!<br /><br />The only thing I'm nervous about now is what it's actually going to be like to use etc. Our old vacuum toilet had no smell at all or anything because it was vacuumed. I'm not sure if ordinary cassette toilets smell or not as everything is just in the box below!?<br /><br />If there are any cassette users out there - leave me a comment and let me know!<br /><br />Great to hear from Carol, Adam and Sue yesterday. Thanks for leaving a comment guys, it's great to here from you and gives me motivation to keep posting!<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-76418501354752998272014-09-16T22:30:00.001+01:002014-09-16T22:30:44.149+01:00Where Can I Begin?It's been nearly 9 months since I last blogged and I can't actually believe it's been that long - feels like it was just a few weeks ago really.<br /><br />At this stage then, I'm not sure if there'll be any readers out there, but I suppose if I want to carry on chronicling life on the boat, I need to make a start somewhere! <br /><br />I think the reason for the lack of blogging is, in part, because I was boring myself (never mind anyone else that reads it!) and it was starting to feel a bit too personal. I seemed to be detailing my life over the internet for anyone to read and I suppose in some ways, I was starting to get a little uncomfortable with that. However, that's what blogging is, I know! It's a diary of sorts, which is obviously only one 'facet-of-a-diamond' in terms of "our life", but still somewhat a diary and not what I initially thought would be just a way of referencing what we had done or had fitted (etc) in the boat.<br /><br />I have missed blogging sometimes and definitely miss being able to look back at what we've done or achieved, or where we have travelled etc - and its a shame as we really have done some travelling this summer! Thats also another reason for not blogging - time has just been flying by and there's always something that needs doing, appointments And just general "life" that gets in the way of finding time to dedicate to a proper blog post!<br /><br />So what has been happening over the last few months.....?<br /><br />- <b>January</b> - Rob came back and finished some bedroom work for us ( mostly trims and beading as well as boxing in pipe work etc) although we have a long list still of things we want him to finish! He is due to come back soon hopefully to alter the cross fit bed frame and new porthole liners etc.<br /><br /><i>Some new sapele gunnel trims in place before oiling:</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15261465032/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/15261465032_3fab8d9f03_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- <b>February </b>- saw us take to a bit of DIY tiling! Our fire surround still had no firedboard ( I know! Don't shout or tell me how unsafe that was - we know and we should have done something sooner). Well, to make up for lost time, we decided to go all out on being "safe" and got the latest 25mm fireboard and did a spot of tiling ourselves!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075159250/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/15075159250_292d0bede1_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We basically, made a template of the walls at the back and side of the stove and then cut the fireboard into that shape. Then literally tiled on the top with fireproof adhesive - it was actually easy as you could take the boards and tile them at your leisure whilst sat down! <br /><br /><i>One board up:</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075107839/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/15075107839_4a63b8e71c_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><i>Completed:</i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075294707/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/15075294707_9c3aba96cc_b.jpg' border='0' width='318' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We couldn't believe what a good job we'd done!<br /><br />We got so carried away, we decided to throw a few tiles up in the kitchen too as I was fed up of the wall getting stained all the time. Pav thought we'd balls it up royally but even he was impressed with how well we'd managed to do it. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075164690/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/15075164690_b8a4e69a0d_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- <b>March</b> - saw us cut the ropes for a trip to Manchester, onto the Peak Forest followed by the Ashton Canal! We had to do it that way due to timing regarding work etc, and we were dreading it with everything that had been said about the Ashton! However, I have to say, it was one of the most pleasant canals (in terms of people) that we'd ever been on. Lots of people chatting and offering to help with lock gates , so we were really pleased that we'd done it. Our trip for Manchester was to have the boat blacked which we were having done at Preston Brook in...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075167460/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3884/15075167460_3ee60480ec_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='239' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075300458/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/15075300458_ca7da58dc5_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />-<b>April</b> - We've always had fond memories of the Bridgewater Canal and the Trent and Mersey, so it was nice to be back on the two canals and great to see Tim Leech up at Preston Brook who did our blacking, fitted new anodes, painted us some new tunnel bands and straightened our propellor! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15258778531/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/15258778531_6e018e1584_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />-<b>May</b> saw me get to work on giving the roof a paint as well the handrails in Rylard Gloss (hate working with that stuff but actually did a good job!) <br /><br />The roof was cream, but was peeling off after abusing it by chucking bags of coal and other stuff on it, and I ended up hating the cream as it was so difficult to keep clean - so we went back to a Royal Mail Red! It took us nearly a week just to sand and prep for painting, but definitely worth it:<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075176370/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/15075176370_47da1c4fb6_b.jpg' border='0' width='318' height='425' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><i> I even painted a stripey design on the tiller and the back doors had a fresh coat of green gloss on too:</i><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075177970/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/15075177970_fd2c380967_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15261875655/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/15261875655_95c8e3c13f_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='252' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><b>- June</b> - saw us turn attention to the decking. Sanding, scrubbing and re-staining and lacquering<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/15075308518/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/15075308518_025828bc2c_b.jpg' border='0' width='425' height='318' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />So the boat is looking ship-shape(!) and tidy! However, jobs on the boat never cease and our toilet packed up last week, so our new one arrived today which we hope to fit tomorrow (it'll be a drama I can tell as it involves taking a section of wall out!) and I've recently spent 10 days oiling a work top (don't ask!!!)<br /><br />The last few months we have been cruising around the Bridgewater and Trent and Mersey and we are still out and about now. We still have our mooring in Poynton but not sure when we will return yet - isn't that what living on a boat is all about anyway?! <br /><br />Being in Manchester has been really different for us but we have definitely loved every minute of it, made plenty of new friends and basically absorbed a whole new lifestyle.<br /><br />Will try and post about how the toilet fitting goes tomorrow! Wish us luck! <br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-23611900010921370442013-12-18T18:25:00.001+00:002013-12-18T18:25:25.919+00:00Blustery!It's about 530PM as I write this. Pawel is off today and we headed over to the garden centre this morning after an early start. It was a little bit blustery but this evening has seen it get a lot worse.<br /><br />Our weather station has read wind speeds of over 41MPH - the highest I've ever seen on it, and it's actually getting quite scary, but entertaining, on the boat tonight. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11438558843/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/11438558843_d130d03685_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We've moved all the plant pots off the gas locker and off the roof and are basically sitting it out. I popped out before to move a few things about in the "garden" and felt like I was about to get blown off my feet!<br /><br />I think it's even worse here than if we were in a marina, as firstly, Higher Poynton is really high up (!) and in particular, our mooring is incredible exposed - there's nothing either side except for rolling hills and open fields. <br /><br /><I>This gives you an idea:<br />(I took that picture when we first came to this mooring in April this year)</I><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11438426634/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/11438426634_91947a5b66_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The trip to the garden centre was nice. It was all kitted out for Christmas and it just generally was a nice trip out. We went to get a few more bags of slate chippings - as we want to extend the chippings that we put down earlier this year on the mooring. The problem is, where we keep going to the log store and to chop wood, the grass is just turning to sludgy mud and I'm fed up of muddy shoes and a trashed deck!! Not good. <br /><br />We got the garden centre to deliver and they should be coming tomorrow afternoon - that's if they can find us, I did draw them a map of where we are, and I think the delivery guy knew where I was talking about! We only got 6 bags as that should be all we need really.<br /><br />I also had a parcel from my brother today - it's a chunk of his Christmas cake that he made. It was beautifully packaged and looks really good. Haven't tried it yet, but can't wait!<br /><br /><I>Christmas cake in a box:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11438560053/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/11438560053_c340263651_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11438461376/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/11438461376_af9e29de66_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11438428494/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/11438428494_d2593d50d1_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /></I> Thanks for going to the effort, D!<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-66661634643818432942013-12-13T20:18:00.001+00:002013-12-13T20:18:01.430+00:00GasBig day today.... We had the gas guy coming at 8:30AM To fit the new hob and make the gas line safe. Drew didn't arrive until about 9 but got to work pretty quickly.<br /><br />We left him to it while we popped out and unloaded the 2cubic meters of logs we had delivered last night, into the log store.<br /><br />It's such a relief to get it done and know now that its safe and sound! Here's how the pipe work was looking before: <br />(note the joins and the lack of support for the pipe!)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357307374/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/11357307374_64206003fe_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />One of the welded joints that are a no-no on the boat!:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357210395/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/11357210395_227737d602_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The pipe work along the cabin length also wasn't clipped adequately enough, so Drew sorted that also - did a really good job and it looks really smart now. Here's the pipe work to the hob now:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357212005/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/11357212005_5329bafe6b_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Definitely looks a lot more professional!<br /><br />We also had to have the hob replaced as that was leaking slightly. To be honest it was due out anyway, it was really looking shabby:<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357365273/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/11357365273_d92ddd6d11_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357314124/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/11357314124_853bd50970_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357216985/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/11357216985_84f8dab5e8_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The aluminium surround was bad was badly scratched and it just looked quite dated too. The fact is was leaking was also a massive problem! Luckily we had the hob from Ikea originally and they had a similar two burner hob, just more updated from when we first bought ours over 2 years ago. <br /><br />The new hob has a glass surround and is nearly flush with the worktop and looks really modern, smart and clean:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11357329524/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/11357329524_d874d4674b_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The only down side is that its another piece of glass to keep clean :)<br /><br />Drew had finished up pretty much just after lunch, so it was a case of a clean up again. It wasn't too bad to be honest, no dust or anything, mostly just putting things back and moving the chairs in the saloon back into place.<br /><br />Not a lot else happened today as that really took up most of the day . Big relief! Can relax now!<br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-5346876675488290762013-12-12T18:07:00.001+00:002013-12-12T18:07:57.020+00:00It's Nearly Christmas!Well, we've had a couple of days off and it couldn't have been better in terms of getting things ready and sorted for Christmas. We finally headed back to our mooring space the other day. It was good to be back, but we do love being out and about as well - even if it is just down the canal!<br /><br />Yesterday morning we got up really early and it was such a gorgeous sunrise. I took the picture below out of the bedroom ("cabin") window. You can see everything where we are - no obstructions view wise and the sunrise or sunset always looks really gorgeous. It makes you feel really lucky you live on a boat.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341461804/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/11341461804_f81645dbde_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I always love really early mornings when everything and everywhere is still quiet and you can just hear the start of the birds beginning to sing...<br /><br />We headed off into town quite early as we wanted to go food shopping, DIY store and also to place an order in the butchers for meat for Christmas. For Christmas Eve when I have company, it's going to be roast beef and thanks Carol for the suggestion....However, its not going to be a traditional roast as such. It's going to be a slow roasted rare beef with a Basil Parmesan mayonaisse and breaded Parmesan green beans. So I will cook it on the day as I find the day after, its just not the same and I want it rare, rare, rare too!<br /><br />We trialled the meal the other day and it was gorgeous!! So fingers crossed that it'll all come out fine on the day!<br /><br />So, yes, we headed into the village on our local bus and even that has been decked out for Christmas. I think its the first ever bus that I have seen that's had its very own Christmas decorations!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341501573/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/11341501573_f6ceb1041a_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341365525/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/11341365525_6f31761166_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We headed back around lunch time and the engine room was cleaned and sorted as it was in a real mess plus there was quite a bit of water in the bilge that had somehow overflowed from the bowl that the bilge pump is in. Luckily, we have a wet-vac so that made a quick job of it!<br /><br />Next on the list was to decorate the Christmas tree! We are quite late this year putting it up so to get us in the Christmas mood, I made my first batch of mince pies, we got a bit of Michael Buble on (Christmas album) and got to work...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341474744/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/11341474744_6cd20c6512_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It took us a while to decorate the tree as we're both perfectionists(!!!) but we enjoyed it and it's done for another year now.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341476134/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/11341476134_7b7abd54ac_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341458736/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/11341458736_8e0d77bd0f_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341518913/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/11341518913_70cb6bd8ca_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341482714/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/11341482714_00d7c10c33_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11341384815/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/11341384815_3d83bb0d1f_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Dinner tonight and bed early as the gas guy is arriving tomorrow at 7:30AM to rejig all the gas line, install new hob and make it all"safe"! <br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-89152238078189042552013-12-07T21:07:00.001+00:002013-12-07T21:07:30.480+00:00Craftwork! It's been a busy week - so busy that there hasn't been any time for blogging. It's coming up to that time of year though isn't it where everything gets really manic! Christmas!<br /><br />I have to say, I LOVE Christmas, but don't feel the excitement much these days and the last few years, I've only ever really felt Christmassy (that's such a terrible word!) on Christmas Eve, by which time, its almost all over!<br /><br />This year, I have my parents coming over to the boat on Christmas Eve as they are spending Christmas in Manchester city centre this year. We won't be joining them on the big day but will make up for that on Xmas eve anyway, I'm sure! The scary thing is, I'm contemplating making a roast beef on the boat with 4 of us on board?! Have I lost it??!<br /><br />Well, like everyone else, it was incredibly stormy here the other day. We nearly lost a plantpot or two (! ha! the drama!) before we managed to rescue everything off the roof just in time. We secured all the solar panels too and then literally just sat it out. The boat was moving around a hell of a lot but nothing compared to what I remember when we were once moored in Castlefield!<br /><br /> Eddie was on edge the whole day, his face was pretty much like this the whole time:<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257936453/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/11257936453_311cc57c68_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyway, going back to Christmas.... We still haven't gone back to our mooring yet as we are still out and about. It's nice to move around and just remember you ARE on a boat and it does move! ;)<br /><br />Today we moved a little bit further out and are completely in the middle of nowhere with not even any other boats nearby. I love it! I can't stand having people next to me - never understood why boaters have to moor so close to each other when they're out on the cut...<br /><br />Anyway, we moved the boat late morning today and then tried to get into the Christmas spirit! We decided we wanted some kind of decoration on the "bubble" this year, so decided that instead of having flowers over the Christmas period, we would make some sort of festive twig display. We went out and cut some twigs/sticks yesterday, and I got some glitter and glue from a toy shop yesterday afternoon. <br /><br />I dipped each twig end in the glue, then in the glitter. I also covered some plain snowflake decorations in the glitter which we've hung on the twigs too<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257883454/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/11257883454_d2281b0c0e_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We arranged the twigs in the vase, and just hung dried slices of lemon and lime as well as whole ones (dried)....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257939083/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/11257939083_06ed85d27a_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I got Pav to do the threading ;) <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257846755/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/11257846755_ecb615fe0e_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257847655/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/11257847655_03aac53a4c_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I think it looks really good and cost next to nothing to make!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257881896/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/11257881896_cc006f4326_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11257945973/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/11257945973_98270ef9b4_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-80253103571717778802013-11-30T20:03:00.001+00:002013-11-30T20:04:58.579+00:00Lack of Coal...Lack of a Secure Gas Connection!We took the boat out today! Only down the canal just so we were near to the chandlery so we could stock up on coal from Andy. We're staying on one of our old moorings too as we have a gas guy coming on Monday. <br /><br />Seeing as we were here and closer to the bus stop, I went into Poynton this afternoon to do a bit of food shopping but also picked up this little chap:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138318106/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/11138318106_dbfeee4ae5_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It's not the clearest picture I know, and i should have took it closer up - its the heather on the gas locker Im talking about! In one of the local florists they were selling them - only £2.95 and quite big, with really nice bright purple flowers on them. I needed something for the gas locker as all the autumn bedding plants have had their day already. Looks fab I think and adds a bit of brightness over winter.<br /><br /><br />So, on Monday we have a gas guy coming but our normal mooring - it's difficult, if not impossible, for people to access it by car if they don't already know the place. Even giving the postcode (we've got one of those!) shows up as somewhere different on most SatNavs and Google and ends up taking people to a completely different place!<br /><br />Anyway, the gas guy is coming Monday, as we have known for a while that the gas connection isn't secure or safe really. There's welded joints on the gas line - and firstly, that isn't allowed by BSS and also it's a risk as a boat vibrates/shakes/moves and so the joins could split. It's all a bit scary really. At the moment, we're switching the gas bottles off when we're not cooking just to be on the safe side!<br /><br />I tried phoning the guy who originally did the gas for us - he was on Gas Safe Register and was listed as being competent to do work on boats. He was quite an old boy, and when I called last week, his wife picked up ( Im guessing it was his wife!) and told me he was dead!! Trust me to put my foot in it! I apologised to her and put the phone down but then couldn't help but have a little laugh - trust me to pick a gas guy that drops down dead! <br /><br />Insensitive? Maybe! But I'm pissed off he took £250 off me and didn't know what the hell he was doing and now I'm going to have to pay again! <br /><br />It was a great day to go cruising that's for sure. Sunny (a bit blinding at times!), still, and with just a hint of a chill in the air. I wish we could have gone further... Lovely autumnal feel to it all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138353914/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/11138353914_e14af4decd_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138279965/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/11138279965_96e74f0e6d_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138322696/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/11138322696_85f32c4164_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138325556/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/11138325556_3a84274ec0_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138361624/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/11138361624_3201d9f556_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Smile!!! <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11138363414/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/11138363414_aa3f21519b_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-40503215784463217592013-11-25T19:48:00.001+00:002013-11-25T19:48:27.628+00:00Well Oiled!Well I finally got the worktop oiled and sorted now. It's iroko and still quite light in colour - I've seen some that turn almost mahogany coloured with age and light.<br /><br />Anyway, it took six coats of oil in total.... Sanding and tacking off between coats, it was a bit of a nightmare to be honest but its definitely worth it as it really does look fantastic. I just have to keep it that way now - I guess that means Pav is banned from the kitchen ;)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11054619746/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/11054619746_15cd6bbebe_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11054621866/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/11054621866_03e986f085_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Rob also made an extension that we can 'bolt on' to the 'bubble' (ha! Love that name - I mean the circle that curves out on the worktop). <br /><br />Basically, it turns the worktop into a larger area and makes it square shaped, meaning we can have people for dinner or even cake and coffee if we want to - there's easily enough space for 4 people. <br /><br />I haven't got any pictures to hand tonight but I will take some tomorrow and show you show it all works. <a target="_blank" href="http://narrowboatjoinery.co.uk"> Rob</a> came up with the idea and did an amazing job on it as usual. We only originally wanted him to make a piece for us to add on - but he went all out as usual and fitted it for us too on some slide out supports.<br /><br />There's not a lot else been happening today really. Spent most of it writing really but also managed to fit in a bit of baking - a cherry and marzipan cake. <br /><br />It was really nice - perfect for a cup of coffee in the afternoon....<br /><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-20057135982284678422013-11-24T20:43:00.001+00:002013-11-24T20:43:46.882+00:00Peek a Boo!I got busted trying to take a picture of Pav re-tying the ropes today! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11035593084/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/11035593084_8e4c1540db_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11035598424/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/11035598424_7d6472691c_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Ha doesn't he look impressed. I think its one of is favourite past times - pottering about on the mooring and inventing jobs for himself ;)<br /><br />Anyway, not a lot has been happening really. I went searching for some wallpaper today ( it's a surprise, I won't tell you where it's going yet!) but I couldn't find any that I actually liked, it w really a wasted journey! The only one I did see that we both liked was an 'online exclusive' and not available in the shop! Annoying or what?!<br /><br />We found a place for the new weather station too - on top of the log store, and this means (hopefully) that it won't end up in the canal this time!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/11035566976/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/11035566976_7a120d67ac_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We've used way too many logs already too! Think we will have to plan for another 2 cubic meters to be delivered soon - we won't go cold though, as we always have plenty of coal too.<br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411875453826371830.post-31672598308318257222013-11-22T19:18:00.001+00:002013-11-29T15:19:38.742+00:00Authentic TiramisuI've had a really busy day in the kitchen today. I make bread most days ( I get up too early for my own good!) and am currently addicted to my crusty white rolls/baps/cobs/barms (however you call them, depending on which part of the country you're from ! )<br /><br />The crusty rolls are a variation on my basic white boule ( which can be found on <a href="http://narrowboatbaker.com">My other site - The Narrowboat Baker</a> <br /><br />It's mostly the same but uses a little bit more water and uses a folding technique rather than just kneading , however, the wet dough can be 'beaten' in a food mixer using a flat beater to achieve a similar result and is a bit quicker and less messier on the 'ole hands! <br /><br /><I> Proving done and ready for the egg glaze and oven:</I><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998047875/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/10998047875_9b36dd0fb8_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998208794/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/10998208794_3526ddf6ea_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />The good thing about these rather than a huge loaf, is with every bite, they're really crusty and they cook in half the time too, meaning you can make them really quickly. I'll be posting the full recipe soon.<br /><br /><I> They are so good!!</I><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998266703/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/10998266703_744c2bff43_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998134186/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/10998134186_d6e8ba0d30_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Lunch time was good - what's better than a fresh, crusty roll with warm egg mayonnaise and cress?! MMmmmmmm!!<br /><br />Can you guess what else I was making?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998213514/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/10998213514_c88f319bd0_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='319' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />A cocktail?<br /><br />Nope....<br /><br />A tiramisu! It's just the two of us so I always make a half recipe and just layer it up in two martini glasses - it looks really nice, makes it feel really special and means I have to buy any other bowls that I've no room to store! Martini glasses double up for drinks and deserts!<br /><br />****************<br /><font size="5"><B><u>Authentic Tiramisu </b></u></font><br />Serves 2 - easily enough for 3<br /><br /><I> I love tiramisu - it's got to be one of my favourite ever deserts, but I didn't make it for years because it always seemed really daunting. It's actually not though when you break it down step by step.<br /><br />I think most people are put off by having to temper the egg yolks and making a custard base - but it couldn't be easier!<br /><br />I always make mine the real italian way - using egg whites instead of cream - but you can always replace the egg whites with double cream if you've got a bit of a hang up about using raw egg whites - however, it is only the same as making a mousse! <br /><br /><font size="4"><u>Ingredients:</font></u><br /><br />* 80ml of very strong coffee, at room temperature<br />* 3 tbsp of either rum or brandy - use what you have!<br />* 1tbsp of Tia Maria (optional but enhances coffee flavour)<br />* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />* 3 large egg yolks<br />* 3tbsp of sugar <br />* 125g mascarpone cheese <br />* 3 egg whites <br />* Around 10 Boudoir biscuits (trifle biscuits - the hard ones that need soaking)<br />* Cocoa powder and/or dark chocolate for grating in between layers<br /><br /><Font size="4"><u>Method:</font><br /><br />For the coffee syrup:</u><br />1. Using 80ml of boiling water, add a good teaspoon of instant coffee, 1tbsp of brandy/rum, Tia Maria a tbsp of sugar and vanilla. Leave to cool to room temp.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998136596/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/10998136596_4390c200c8_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><u><for the cream mixture:></u><br />1. In a bowl, add the remaining brandy or rum, 2tbsp sugar and egg yolks. Place the bowl over a simmering pan of water - do not have the bowl touching the water though. Now, whisk continuously until the egg yolk mixture thickens - don't stop whisking at all - it'll take a few minutes to thicken up nicely.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998055685/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/10998055685_eb7f3cc1bf_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998056755/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/10998056755_61d30a255e_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />2. Take off the heat and whisk in the mascarpone until you have a smooth, thick , hazelnut colour cream. Allow to cool<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998274423/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/10998274423_a5d292eaf1_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998141526/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/10998141526_9d7b3ffc58_b.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />3. Whip the egg whites until stiff. Whisk a good heaped tablespoonful into the egg and mascarpone mixture and them carefully fold the remainder of the egg white into the mixture. It will deflate - that's normal and don't over stress it - it'll be fine!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998142906/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/10998142906_6f9e40303a_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />4. Now, take your serving dishes or glasses and add a couple of teaspoons of the coffee mixture into the bottom of each. Then start soaking your biscuits in the remaining coffee mixture. Hold each biscuit for around 2 or 3 seconds and then line the bottom of your glass/dish. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998221704/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/10998221704_94c7588d73_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />5. Add some of your filling - judge by eye how much you will need. For my martini glasses I do 3 layers - traditionally its only two I think, but the glasses are very thin at the bottom and widen at the top. Basically, just judge how much you will need depending on your layers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998222964/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/10998222964_7384b10efe_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998147296/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/10998147296_e4501e7099_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />6. Add a layer of cocoa powder on top of the cream and the continue the layering process until you have finished.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998067065/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/10998067065_a3cdb155eb_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />7. Finally, on top of the final layer ,finely grate some dark chocolate - or, like I did today - use white chocolate. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998149456/'><img src='http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/10998149456_3dee19e92c_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998150466/'><img src='http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/10998150466_67680fb3a5_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/91011407@N07/10998151856/'><img src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/10998151856_9ca38f6e5b_o.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />8. Chill for at least 6 hours in the fridge! Enjoy!<br /><br /><b> if you want to replace the egg whites with cream, use 100ml of cream , whipped until light peaks form but not quite fully whipped. <br /><br /><br />One Thing After Anotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755719345954435758noreply@blogger.com6