FRIDAY 27TH MARCH 2009
A final tidy of SKYY before Jacquie headed off to Leamington Spa to collect long time friend, Joy from the railway station. Joy, like most other friends and family who have visited us, had no preconceptions of what our life afloat was like, but as soon as she had got used to the floor moving about when one of us moved about, she was amazed at the feeling of space and the tranquility and all the ‘mod-cons’.
About Me
- Mac & Jacquie Court
- 70 now and our five wonderful years aboard our narrowboat Skyy seem along time ago. Jacquie, allowed me to build my replica three wheeler kit car, which was a great success. Now it's time to start on a bigger project and that is to make a good Triumph Stag even better, here goes.
Monday, 6 April 2009
THE BLACK BOTTOM
MONDAY 23RD TO THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2009
The weather wasn’t as balmy as last week, but I was determined to black as much of the bottom of SKYY above the waterline as possible. Firstly I used a stiff broom to brush away as much as possible of the weed growth and muck, above and below the water line. With the water tank nearly empty, an empty gas bottle and no coal stored in the front lockers the bow was quite high and using a foam roller I was able to apply the bitumen right down to the waterline. Sometimes the roller touched the water, but it didn’t affect the application of the bitumen, any water picked up just beaded on the surface and dried up without leaving any marks.
I poled the boat from my pontoon over to an empty space on the opposite pontoon, allowing me to do both sides. After a new propane cylinder was installed, the water tank filled and three bags of coal loaded on, the new bitumen extended below the waterline and until we take the boat out onto the cut and through the first lock the shiny black hull will look very smart. 
I also took the opportunity to repaint below the gunnels and the rubbing strakes and re-varnish the front cratch boards and now SKYY is almost ready to go, it only remains to get the ingrained paint off my hands, I really should wear latex gloves instead of using white spirit to get the paint off as it makes my hands so rough!!!
The weather wasn’t as balmy as last week, but I was determined to black as much of the bottom of SKYY above the waterline as possible. Firstly I used a stiff broom to brush away as much as possible of the weed growth and muck, above and below the water line. With the water tank nearly empty, an empty gas bottle and no coal stored in the front lockers the bow was quite high and using a foam roller I was able to apply the bitumen right down to the waterline. Sometimes the roller touched the water, but it didn’t affect the application of the bitumen, any water picked up just beaded on the surface and dried up without leaving any marks.
I poled the boat from my pontoon over to an empty space on the opposite pontoon, allowing me to do both sides. After a new propane cylinder was installed, the water tank filled and three bags of coal loaded on, the new bitumen extended below the waterline and until we take the boat out onto the cut and through the first lock the shiny black hull will look very smart.
I also took the opportunity to repaint below the gunnels and the rubbing strakes and re-varnish the front cratch boards and now SKYY is almost ready to go, it only remains to get the ingrained paint off my hands, I really should wear latex gloves instead of using white spirit to get the paint off as it makes my hands so rough!!!
Thursday, 26 March 2009
SMUG GIT'S HELPFUL HINTS
SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2009
Again a lovely morning prompted us to walk into the village of Stockton. A round trip, leaving the canal a bridge 21 and cutting the corner across a field to reach the village. We returned along Station Road, arriving back at the canal at bridge 20. Only two pubs in Stockton and not as pretty as Long Itchington, so not on our hit list of places we might choose to live in when our boating adventure comes to an end.
After Brunch in the sunshine on the stern, we cruised leisurely, back through the three double locks at Calcutt. We had learnt previously that when going up on your own in double locks, if you only open the top paddle on the same side of the boat, the incoming water pushes the boat neatly back onto the lock side. We felt obliged to impart this knowledge to a helpful couple who were waiting to come down and were keen to open both paddles as fast as they could. We prefer a slower but more controlled ascent. The other couple were thankful for the advice, or maybe they were just humoring the smug old git.
K & J took their leave of us in the evening with the promise that ‘they will be back’.
Again a lovely morning prompted us to walk into the village of Stockton. A round trip, leaving the canal a bridge 21 and cutting the corner across a field to reach the village. We returned along Station Road, arriving back at the canal at bridge 20. Only two pubs in Stockton and not as pretty as Long Itchington, so not on our hit list of places we might choose to live in when our boating adventure comes to an end.
After Brunch in the sunshine on the stern, we cruised leisurely, back through the three double locks at Calcutt. We had learnt previously that when going up on your own in double locks, if you only open the top paddle on the same side of the boat, the incoming water pushes the boat neatly back onto the lock side. We felt obliged to impart this knowledge to a helpful couple who were waiting to come down and were keen to open both paddles as fast as they could. We prefer a slower but more controlled ascent. The other couple were thankful for the advice, or maybe they were just humoring the smug old git.K & J took their leave of us in the evening with the promise that ‘they will be back’.
A BIRTHDAY CRUISE
SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 2009
Today was bright and beautiful, just right for a birthday, Jacquie’s birthday to be precise and after chocolate brownies and champagne in bed, it was smoke salmon, bagels and scrambled eggs for breakfast.
A short cruise was planned up the Grand Union just to the start of the Stockton Locks. It was straight ahead out of Wigrams Turn Marina and under the bridge and we were on our way. Kim & Jacquie decided to walk the towpath, to compensate the breakfast and they waited for us at a convenient mooring space just before The Boat pub were we intended to have dinner.
Long Itchington was a mile and a half away and as the sun was still doing it’s business and the girls were still up for some more walking, we strolled to this delightful village. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth the 1st stayed overnight in the substantial timber frame house, that is now empty and for sale, but we were not tempted. We were however tempted by the six pubs that the village boasts and The Buck & Bell, fulfilled our need for a lunch time drink. In fact the evening menu and the ambiance made us take the decision to book a table for dinner. 
A well deserved lunch on Skyy and a snooze and then all tarted up, we headed back to the Buck & Bell, but by taxi this time. A large party was in progress but the attentive mein host, who looked like a better looking Alan Sugar, found us a quieter table and the food did not disappoint, except the one desert and four spoons was disappointing, but was immediately knocked of the bill.
Today was bright and beautiful, just right for a birthday, Jacquie’s birthday to be precise and after chocolate brownies and champagne in bed, it was smoke salmon, bagels and scrambled eggs for breakfast.
A short cruise was planned up the Grand Union just to the start of the Stockton Locks. It was straight ahead out of Wigrams Turn Marina and under the bridge and we were on our way. Kim & Jacquie decided to walk the towpath, to compensate the breakfast and they waited for us at a convenient mooring space just before The Boat pub were we intended to have dinner.
Long Itchington was a mile and a half away and as the sun was still doing it’s business and the girls were still up for some more walking, we strolled to this delightful village. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth the 1st stayed overnight in the substantial timber frame house, that is now empty and for sale, but we were not tempted. We were however tempted by the six pubs that the village boasts and The Buck & Bell, fulfilled our need for a lunch time drink. In fact the evening menu and the ambiance made us take the decision to book a table for dinner.
A well deserved lunch on Skyy and a snooze and then all tarted up, we headed back to the Buck & Bell, but by taxi this time. A large party was in progress but the attentive mein host, who looked like a better looking Alan Sugar, found us a quieter table and the food did not disappoint, except the one desert and four spoons was disappointing, but was immediately knocked of the bill.
UNLUCKY FOR SOME BUT NOT FOR US
FRIDAY 13TH MARCH 2009
The time between my last blog and now, has been spent foisting ourselves on various friends and now it’s approaching pay back time. Our calendar for the next few months is full with planned visits from friends and family as we head out after Easter down the Oxford Canal and weather permitting, onto the Thames.
The first to visit, even before we cast off is the return of our so-called Chocolate Chums, Kim and John. They were last with us, late September, early October, when we were up on the Trent and Mersey. As usual they arrive bearing gifts of chocolate and booze and as the weather was a bit wet we sat tight in the marina enjoying their company and gifts.
The time between my last blog and now, has been spent foisting ourselves on various friends and now it’s approaching pay back time. Our calendar for the next few months is full with planned visits from friends and family as we head out after Easter down the Oxford Canal and weather permitting, onto the Thames.
The first to visit, even before we cast off is the return of our so-called Chocolate Chums, Kim and John. They were last with us, late September, early October, when we were up on the Trent and Mersey. As usual they arrive bearing gifts of chocolate and booze and as the weather was a bit wet we sat tight in the marina enjoying their company and gifts.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
MASTIC MAC
THURSDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2009
The biggest dump of snow so far this winter arrived overnight and the marina is looking very wintery. The previous few days had been sunny with only the lightest sprinkling of snow and we had been able to get out and about and go for some very pleasant walks, but now I think that our weekend travel plans will have to be put on hold.
Over the last few days I decided to attend to the water damage to the internal wooden window frames. The condensation on the inside of the windows, before we had the stove, had dripped down onto the wood and in places had got through the varnish and started to stain the wood, also the mastic sealing the joint between the aluminum and the wood had, in places split.
Cutting away the old mastic and rubbing down the five frames was easy peasy and re-varnishing with satin varnish was very satisfying, however I knew from past disastrous experience that reapplying mastic could be a nightmare. I decided to mask of the wood, but the masking tape was reluctant to stick to the cold and slightly sweaty aluminum, a quick flash of Jacquie’s hair dryer warmed up the metal frame and the tape stuck fast. My inexpert application of the mastic was not a problem as a damp finger smoothed it out to a regular filet and the surpass cleanly removed along with the masking tape. Not professionally perfect, but pretty damn close and no swearing at all, no mastic on clothes, in fact no mastic anywhere except were it should be, job done!!
The biggest dump of snow so far this winter arrived overnight and the marina is looking very wintery. The previous few days had been sunny with only the lightest sprinkling of snow and we had been able to get out and about and go for some very pleasant walks, but now I think that our weekend travel plans will have to be put on hold.
One of my Christmas presents was a weather station and I can smugly report that the outside temperature is minus 1 degrees, but most importantly our stove has got the temperature inside, to plus 23.2 degrees, very cosy. My advise to anybody reading this and intending to buy a boat, is that it must have a stove fitted, whatever else, don’t compromise on that issue. The purchase of an electric blanket keeps us snug at night, so anybody concerned about our well being need not worry.
Over the last few days I decided to attend to the water damage to the internal wooden window frames. The condensation on the inside of the windows, before we had the stove, had dripped down onto the wood and in places had got through the varnish and started to stain the wood, also the mastic sealing the joint between the aluminum and the wood had, in places split.
Cutting away the old mastic and rubbing down the five frames was easy peasy and re-varnishing with satin varnish was very satisfying, however I knew from past disastrous experience that reapplying mastic could be a nightmare. I decided to mask of the wood, but the masking tape was reluctant to stick to the cold and slightly sweaty aluminum, a quick flash of Jacquie’s hair dryer warmed up the metal frame and the tape stuck fast. My inexpert application of the mastic was not a problem as a damp finger smoothed it out to a regular filet and the surpass cleanly removed along with the masking tape. Not professionally perfect, but pretty damn close and no swearing at all, no mastic on clothes, in fact no mastic anywhere except were it should be, job done!!
Monday, 19 January 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR
MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 2009
A rather belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to anybody following my blog, on this, the official, ‘most miserable day of the year’. Apologises for not having had much to say of late, but having taken the decision only to blog about our boating adventures there has not been much to report since having our stove fitted in November.
It amazing when you receive a comment especially when it comes all the way from Taunton in The US of A, courtesy of Bill Rodgers, happy that you have enjoyed reading about out little exploits, I hope 2009 produces some interesting happenings I can report on.
Thanks also to Swampy for your comments and good luck with your hopes and plans to win the lottery to finance your boat and I remember our meeting on a beautiful day in deepest, darkest Aston.
And thanks also to Brian & Diana, from N.B. Harnser for your interest. Skyy is still tucked up at Wigrams Turn Marina and our new stove is great. I see from your blog www.nbharnser.blogspot.com that you are now boatless whilst having a repaint, hopefully you have got a cosy place to hole up in until Valentines Day.
In the meantime we have spent four weeks during November/December, in France, dog sitting for friends. Their huge log fire and deep bath helped in our decision to offer our services, but we didn’t reckon on thick snow and minus eight degrees at night, but lots of healthy dog walking kept us fit and warm.
A rather belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to anybody following my blog, on this, the official, ‘most miserable day of the year’. Apologises for not having had much to say of late, but having taken the decision only to blog about our boating adventures there has not been much to report since having our stove fitted in November.
It amazing when you receive a comment especially when it comes all the way from Taunton in The US of A, courtesy of Bill Rodgers, happy that you have enjoyed reading about out little exploits, I hope 2009 produces some interesting happenings I can report on.
Thanks also to Swampy for your comments and good luck with your hopes and plans to win the lottery to finance your boat and I remember our meeting on a beautiful day in deepest, darkest Aston.
And thanks also to Brian & Diana, from N.B. Harnser for your interest. Skyy is still tucked up at Wigrams Turn Marina and our new stove is great. I see from your blog www.nbharnser.blogspot.com that you are now boatless whilst having a repaint, hopefully you have got a cosy place to hole up in until Valentines Day.
In the meantime we have spent four weeks during November/December, in France, dog sitting for friends. Their huge log fire and deep bath helped in our decision to offer our services, but we didn’t reckon on thick snow and minus eight degrees at night, but lots of healthy dog walking kept us fit and warm.
Christmas and New Year was spent in Spain with Jacquie’s Brother and family, a great time was had by all. We extended to three weeks in total, obviously trying to miss as much UK weather as possible. In fact we arrived back on Skyy on Friday 9th via Birmingham airport, see below. Very soon the stove got the boat up to temperature, the Frost-Stat on the central heating having kept the boat safely above freezing whilst we were away. Amazingly by the following Monday morning all of the ice in the Marina, which was up to three inches thick in places, had melted, it and water supply to the pontoons was back on. One boat on the marina had not had precaution taken against the frost, sadly this boat filled up with water leaking from the fresh water storage tank which then refroze in the rear cabin Opps!!
We had our first experience of flying from Birmingham airport, via Ryanair. and were very pleasantly surprised. The parking at Airparks, an off site parking facility, was first rate, park up, drop of the keys and get on the bus and ten minutes later we were at the terminal.
Our concern about the strict weight allowance on Ryanair was not a problem as we had bought a luggage scale and ensured that we were within limit. Everybody was very friendly, from check-in to flight attendants, including a member of the security staff who tried to persuade me to let her taste the Tesco’s tinned Christmas cake that was in my hand luggage, to ensure that it wasn’t going to explode. Such a change from the indifferent attitude of the staff at Gatwick. The flight took off and landed on time and the car hire at Mercia couldn’t have been simpler. We will definitely be using Birmingham airport again.
I don’t expect that we will be going very far before April, but I hope that some friends and family might visit before then and a short cruise to a pub would be in order I think. We now need to start planning our 2009 adventure, and it is possible that we might start with the Grand Loop down to London via the Grand Union, River Thames and the Oxford, not sure which way round we will go yet, but I would love to cruise passed the Houses of Parliament and under Tower Bridge, now that would be an adventure.
Watch this space!!
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