I drove up from Kent to the marina to spend a few days over Christmas on 'Bracken'.
I would have driven up before Sunday but i was waiting for a parcel to arrive- last of the Christmas presents.
I arrived around 4 pm as the light was fading, unloaded the car, and loaded up like a packhorse made my way down the pontoon to the rear deck of the boat. After unlocking the door and sliding the hatch back i proceeded to reverse myself down the steps into the saloon, and promptly tripped 'tip over apex' over the mop handle Graham and i had left propping in place a wooden batten whilst the glue set! I'd forgotten no one had been on board since my last visit to do the 240 volt system and therefore the place still looked like a 'work in progress'.
First job, clear the saloon and replace the seating boards and cushions, next job light the fire, then kettle on whilst bringing off the rear deck all the stuff I'd brought from the car.
Shortly after a cup of coffee, Graham phoned to say there was a roast dinner being prepared for me, so, never one to turn down a free dinner, i made my way over to Graham and Jackie's. We had a lovely evening of catching up and chat until around 9.30ish when i made my way back to the boat. Thankfully the fire was still alight so it was nice and warm inside and after a nightcap i made up the bed in the bottom bunk and turned in.
Monday 23rd.
Not a good nights sleep...... the bottom bunk is just not big enough for me, some alterations are going to be necessary, But then i already knew that.
Monday was windy, very very windy. Its quite sheltered in the marina being surrounded by trees and also being moored between boats helps, but even so there was a definite rocking motion, not unpleasant but enough to remind you that you are afloat.
Fire stoked up, coffee and toast on the go, what a nice way to start the day.
After a visit to the shower block and WC i turned my attention to the first project.
In the above picture behind the flue pipe is plain black.
In the picture below you can see there is now a reflective sheet of stainless steel.
Putting the stainless steel behind the flue pipe not only reflects the light but is also a handy mirror.
Also notice we now have a reading light and a phone charger plugged in, all mod cons eh?
Jenny popped in for chat but as it was blowing a gale she didnt stay long. It was very rough out, and not a day to be driving the country lanes round Fradley. I spent the remainder of the day clipping cables back and generaly tidying things away.
Tuesday 24th.
I had a better nights sleep, i made up the double pull out in the saloon. It only takes a couple of minutes and its also at the warmer end of the boat :) I was woken a couple of times by the wind howling through the trees, obviously another rough day ahead.
Graham came over later in the morning and we set to removing the top bunk on the starboard (right) side of the bedroom area. This is the first step to altering the bedroom area in an effort to make it more useable, and is definitely a 'work in progress' area. What would have taken me hours to do, Graham soon had it sorted, his energy and enthusiasm amazes me :)
Christmas Day 2013
What a lovely morning, crisp and dry hardly any wind and some lovely warm sunshine.
I had the front and rear doors open on the boat and allowed the fresh air in.
Jenny came up for breakfast of bacon and sausage butties and coffee and we sat out in the small well deck at the front enjoying feeling the warm sunshine.
Jenny popped in for chat but as it was blowing a gale she didnt stay long. It was very rough out, and not a day to be driving the country lanes round Fradley. I spent the remainder of the day clipping cables back and generaly tidying things away.
Tuesday 24th.
I had a better nights sleep, i made up the double pull out in the saloon. It only takes a couple of minutes and its also at the warmer end of the boat :) I was woken a couple of times by the wind howling through the trees, obviously another rough day ahead.
Graham came over later in the morning and we set to removing the top bunk on the starboard (right) side of the bedroom area. This is the first step to altering the bedroom area in an effort to make it more useable, and is definitely a 'work in progress' area. What would have taken me hours to do, Graham soon had it sorted, his energy and enthusiasm amazes me :)
Christmas Day 2013
What a lovely morning, crisp and dry hardly any wind and some lovely warm sunshine.
I had the front and rear doors open on the boat and allowed the fresh air in.
Jenny came up for breakfast of bacon and sausage butties and coffee and we sat out in the small well deck at the front enjoying feeling the warm sunshine.
not good photo in bright sunshine.
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| Looking towards the stern the trees give some protection from the gales |
After breakfast and a nice chat, Jenny left to have Christmas dinner with Peter and Sam (my nephew and fiance) and i made my way to G & J's for Christmas dinner, and what a veritable feast it was!!
Boxing Day
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Woke up to thick frost everywhere. |
After the cold shock of coming out of a nice warm saloon into minus 4deg of frost what better to do but go back into a nice warm saloon and make bacon butties!
Later Graham arrived and we set about starting the engine as it hadn't been started since we moored here at the end of November.
After some preheating with the blow lamp it fired up and once warmed up it ran quite sweetly. I left it running for a good half hour to put some charge into the batteries although i do now have a battery charger fitted to the 240 volt system just to keep them topped up.
My nephew Peter and his Fiancé Sam came to visit me and have a look round 'Bracken', good to welcome them aboard and hope to see them again soon, next time i must take your Photos you pair!
We made our way down to G&J's where we were meeting Jenny for a bit of a family reunion and an evening of chilling and chatting.
On returning to the boat, alone that evening i sat in front of the stove sipping a nightcap and watching the flames flicker, tomorrow, Friday, i have to return home to Kent.
I have a hospital appointment on Sunday and need to get back to sort out transport etc.
Not sure when i'll get back to the boat but hopefuly not too far away.
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