Another "rest" day for us - you just know when I say rest, that it really isn't that, but at the end we both needed one.
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| Sun streaming in - enough to make everyone happy |
The right-hand side of the boat (some would say starboard, but I need to keep it simple for some), was the side away from the pontoon over winter and consequently was unable to be polished as much as one would like (read as neglected).
As a result it needed a good dose of T-cut to get the oxide layer off and then a damn-good waxing after that.
When we were in Aldi last weekend we noticed a good price on a 240V polisher (generally for cars, but boats are just a bit bigger and without wheels), so I bought it for her - after all I need to make life a little easier for the girl - and she appreciated too!
So she was now able to give it a try.
Firstly apply the T-cut with the polisher, then take it off with the polisher.
We thought we would give it a go without turning the engine on - instead relying on the power input from the panels.
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| collecting the sun and charging the batteries |
The sun was out in full force and the amps were just flowing uninterrupted to the batteries, the voltage increasing just nicely - the polisher seemed to not be using a great deal.
Diane then thought she would hand apply the wax before buffing it up.
Midway through this, I made the mistake of going out way too early and almost put my foot in it - when asked the question "can you tell where I am up to?" , I gave an answer which suggested that the waxing part of it was having less than the desired outcome.
It simply was that the T-cutting had brought the gloss up so much from a low point that when viewed at a sharp angle it all looked good - viewed front on and it was much better after the wax.
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| spoilt girl! |
A brilliant save - if I do say so myself.
The end result is a great finish; the polisher worked well with only a small power usage; and best is that the service life of the user has increased - which means that Diane keeps polishing and I keep out of her way - gotta love an outcome like that (I do)!
She managed to get her own back later on with her pointing out that the blacking needed some attention since she had last done it - I was sensible not to point it out that she had done the majority of locks since then due to her sore knee; needless, she pointed out that because her knee was sore from her doing the blacking she wouldn't be able to do it this time - no way out of that.
So on hands and knees and the starboard side (right hand side) was reblacked - and it looked good - I even had the extra set of eyes to tell me where I had missed - I didn't need Paul to tell me.
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| hard at work - you can see the effort by Diane earlier with that reflection |
After all of that we managed to take it a little bit easy in the chairs outside - it had been a pretty good day.
The solar panels had done their job, but we suspect that the polisher may have taken a bit more out than we first thought. Given the amount that it needed to be used this time we were pleased not to have to start the engine.
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| Later on, it seemed that we were all out enjoying the late afternoon sunshine |
The prospect of rain for Thursday suggested that any window of opportunity should not be overlooked - we needed to fill the water tank at Yelvertoft - to keep it topped up, especially after the on-route washing cycle that had been set in motion shortly after our release from the moorings.
The weather held, and so we decided that that last 2+ miles to Crick would be set as behind us as we headed to our mooring space and catching up with Sur and Undie (sorry that should be Sue and Andy).
Two smiling faces on Festina Lente greeted us - not sure if it was that they were glad to see us or they were happy with their upgraded moorings - hoping it was the former, but I suspect a bit of both.
They did wander down with Diane to our designated spot - which did seem closer to Braunston than Crick; we pulled
The afternoon was a chance to do the necessary things like elsan duties and a general tidy up.
Later on we ventured up into the village for a meal at The Wheatsheaf - the ale was very nice indeed as was the meal and the decor of the pub. The menu was a bit limited for those who did not fancy beef, lamb or pork variants but we managed - managed well enough that we couldn't fit any dessert in (except for Andy, who declined to be the only one indulging).
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| Peek-a-boo |
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| who's that there! |
In order to balance things up, we popped into The Red Lion on the way back for a quick pint - it was agreed that there was more atmosphere there and a look at the menu showed a lot more variety.
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| there seemed to be a bit of unusual colour to the sky |
Friday came and even though we are in a fairly shaded spot, the light outside was bright enough and early enough (on a cloudy morning) to let us know that morning had arrived.
Work beckoned; Diane slept until it was coffee time; we both decided on a reasonable time for breakfast and also agreed on a bit of a walk.
The first part of said walk being along a public footpath through fields (some shared with cows) and on into Crick - we also were seeking out a third pub which the Nicholson's was telling us was there. We found it and found out there was a craft and fayre market there on Sunday - so no doubt what we will be doing then.
We managed to find our way back via another public footpath and the towpath, with coffee at The Moorings - one of us enjoying a bacon and sausage bap in the process.
Our neighbours for the next few days all showed up this morning - the boat on the outside breasted up; the boat behind got themselves into the inch-measured spot with a little bit of jiggling and as boaters do when they get together stopped for a chat and in the process both batteries and toilets came up.
Sue, Andy, Diane and I were off for dinner over toWest Haddon to a pub called The Pytchley - SdandA having sampled the fine dining there last year.
Only problem was the getting there - at almost 3 miles it was too far to walk - so only way was to bus it there and taxi it back.
That would have been all fine and good - but the 20 minute wait for the bus just happened to coincide with the skies opening up and luckily there were a couple of umbrellas; the bus was late and just after we had given up and crossed the road to head back it appeared.
Frantic waving to the driver and he stopped - there were also some passengers getting off - we boarded, he knew where we wanted to go, the bus stopped outside the pub for us - all was well again.
The meals were all excellent - Andy and Diane enjoyed there steaks and Sue enjoyed her salad interspersed with some lamb chops and all at a reasonable price.
So taxi it back to Crick, and by this time the rain had stopped and it was a reasonable evening.
Off to the beer tent and the start of the entertainment for the boat show.
With 46 ales and 9 ciders on offer there was only one way to approach this - methodically, which is how Andy did it - from the top; Diane started the ciders from the bottom; Sue and I were randomly picking numbers.
We were joined by another couple Diana and Roger - there was room at the end of the table and they were in need of some seats.
They are not yet boaters but wish to be, so a lot of the conversation was about what we liked best, what we would change, what we would add, places we had stayed, problems and I seem to recall there was some talk about toilets - welcome to the club.
No doubt we will see you both over the next few days.
All the while the entertainment was going on, but not without us also appreciating it all and of course another ale in hand.
Eventually at a time past our usual time, we headed back to the boats.
Here's to another three days of the same.
10 Miles
Totals: 2491 Miles, 1796 Locks, 79 Tunnels, 32
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