SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2009
Today, one year ago was the day we vacated our home to move permanently on board. The year has flown, but it has certainly given us the time to enjoy time, whether it has been cruising the canals, driving around Europe and catching up with so many good friends and relatives or just spending time at the marina and living life, almost like normal land based folk. SKYY has now really become home to us and sometimes when I refer to the roof storage box, I say “I’m going to put it in the loft” and the engine room has becomes the cellar. I will soon be parking the boat up instead of mooring it.
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 JOY OF FRIENDS
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’.
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’.
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!!
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