Tuesday 23 July 2013

Window shattered, right-handed kettles and thunderstorms

Saturday 20th July to Tuesday 23rd  July 2013

Whilst it was nice and comfortable moored in the shade and not really a problem with the heat, the plan emerged to move a short distance and spend a couple of days in Willington which allows us to miss Burton on a weekend – not something of which we had any warnings, but about the only place out of the full sun is also near a couple of pubs and we thought it best not to tempt fate.

In any event we want to visit B&Q as well as Brewers – the latter being for some Timber Bleach as advised by Elly and Mick (nb Parisien Star) – Monday would be better than the weekend.

It also gave us time to get the front corner ready for the fireboard to be installed.

So we moved the short distance – about a mile and a half – Diane making the final decision on where exactly.

Fortunately the weather for the weekend is a lot cooler with a bit of cloud cover.

Immediately after mooring up I went for the paper – the Saturday ritual for Diane; upon my return Diane shows me the remains of the lounge hopper window – it had been reduced to a pile of shattered safety glass – there was no mystery surrounding it.

We had seen another boat with hopper windows placed in the channel of the window for safe keeping – problem with this one is that whilst the engine was running the harmonics set up a rattle on that window and whack – it went.

Now for finding a replacement one.

After a bit of paying work we set about the lounge corner – please to say that we have the base down and fixed to the floor; the panelling is back in place and supporting the battens for the fireboard; window and other trim back in place; all of the wiring now out of the way; and a plan of the final look

Saturday was certainly a day of achieving – we were both pleased with the result.

Whilst we are on the move cruising along, the electric kettle is unplugged and until recently had a spot inside the cupboard to be stored so that we didn’t use it from the inverter; one of the other kettles was then on the hob for regular use – yes, I know – “one of the other kettles” – we have three in total and that will be the maximum number.

I have discovered this week that the smaller of the two hob kettles – as they are used – is a bit strange.

Whenever I make the morning coffee for D to have in bed, I have usually poured the water in whilst holding the kettle in my left hand – each time the copious balloon of steam rises rapidly and burns my hand – this week I use my right hand and interestingly there was the usual volume of steam but my hand escaped unscathed.

Careful study of the slow motion replay and using hawkeye it was easily observed that the passage of the steam plume follows a different track when pouring with a different hand – a bit like the path of smoke in the wind tunnel when testing a new aeroplane design.

The makers stamp proved the clincher – stating quite clearly that it was a right-handed kettle and not to be used by molly-dukers.

So when making a new kettle purchase check the makers mark and buy accordingly.

With the rising humidity and the change of wind direction the weather forecasters have been predicting a chance of rain or a chance of cooler conditions – all weather-speak for we are not really sure about what you will get.

This morning, moored up in Burton however, they got it correct and the prediction of thunderstorms came true – we haven’t had a good loud thunderstorm for such a long time – we were both happy about it – poor Banjo on the other hand hates them and was shivering with fright.
He found comfort on the bed snuggled in between us – it took about an hour for him to calm down, but for us, the sound of heavy rain on the roof, the flash of the lightning and the boom of the thunder was all very pleasant.

Have just finished watching the telecast of the new royal baby leaving hospital – no name as yet and with all of the speculation about what it might be, here are a few that it will definitely not be used – Ebenezer, Brian or Bruce – probably also none to do with any wartime leader from Germany.

6 Miles, 1 Locks

Totals: 1930 Miles, 1412 Locks, 61 Tunnels, 29 Lift Bridges, 141 Swing Bridges

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