Fags

"Tobacco, divine, rare superexcellent tobacco, which goes far beyond all panaceas, potable gold and philosopher's stones, a sovereign remedy to all diseases." ~ Robert Burton (1621).

From :- The Anatomy of Melancholy

Bad Luck

Estoban (Mv 'Gutsy') got turned back at the thames barrier for not having..

1. Two propellors.
2. VHF Radio.
3. A Crew.

Peter (Wb 'Big Baloo') was lucky or unlucky, depending on the viewpoint. His bowthrusters packed up at Marlow (the first lock), and he fell in at Sonning (the last lock). He was in the water for 30 minutes before somebody came out to help him. It must have been a terrifying ordeal, because his engine was still in gear, and it was sucking his legs in towards the prop. Thankfully, he managed to grab a mooring line as he was falling, and held onto that. Though it must have been a truly awful experience for him, I'm relieved that he didn't bang his head on the lock wall; because if he'd been unconscious, there could very well have been a fatality. He's safely berthed up at Reading marina now, which is something to be grateful for.

All of the marina dwellers miss you, Peter.
It's a different place without you.
Everyone is glad you're OK.

Both Estoban & Peter reported seeing only two lock keepers for their entire journey. Which gives some credence to the rumours that they are working to rule because of the pay and conditions. Hopefully, when we set off (on April 15th) the locks will be fully staffed.

And, "set off", we must. Because the marina has increased it's prices. It's now £43.50 per meter per month. As dogma is 17m, it would cost us £8.8K a year to stay on here. And that doesn't include electricity! Doubtless, they'd do us a deal, but we don't feel very comfortable with making a multimillionaire even richer. The naked greed is a shame. But, I suppose that is how a person gets to be a multimillionaire in the first place. You have to wonder if any narrowboats will be able to afford to stay here now. But I guess the big boss doesn't care, because he can squeeze three small plastic boats into the same space we occupy.

Now that our boat is fully operational, I guess it's time for us to get out there and use it.

Sumo is Seven

Well impressed with his stuffed cuddly and birthday B-O-N-E.

One of his female admirers popped by to say hello..

I think he had a good day.

Rinnai

It's taken well over a year, but I've finally got to grips with igniting our 'instantaneous water heater'. It wasn't easy to overcome my unease with things that go 'boom' inside the cabin, but it's just a smaller version of the one that was inches from our head in the house we used to own. I've cleaned out the flue of dusty old spider's webs, and make sure the mushroom vent is fully opened before use. Now I feel quite safe with it.

Departures

This year's boating season is nearly upon us, so I guess it's inevitable that this is the best time for people to get going to where they want to be.

It's sad to see the marina start to thin out, and familiar faces that i've got to know well over the last year, dissapear. Estoban (Mv 'Gutsy') departed on sunday. And today, Peter ('Big Baloo') set off singlehanded for his new mooring in Reading, before anybody had the chance to get up and wave goodbye. I know they're setting off for new adventures, and nothing stays the same forever; but I will still miss seeing them around. Alan & Sue (Mv 'Latitude') are staying until the end of April, so it looks like we'll be the next liveaboards to shove off.

In a remarkable contrast to yesterday, today is a cold grey day, so me and Sumo are taking it easy with some first class chillage. Sheena is due back this afternoon. Big shout out to Richie's uncle 'Gramps' for turning up with his chainsaw, and making light work of our logpile. Cheers..

5%

Knocked up this battery chart, with 5% divisions. Bit fuzzy on the font, but it will do, until I can next get access to a colour printer.

Downstream

Sheena is back for a few days. Not quite enough time for us to make it down to Runnymede and back, so we're currently moored up in Windsor. Enjoyed lots of sunshine on the way down, complete with the added bonus of avoiding the Bourne End census operative; who came sniffing around the marina. ohdearhowsadnevermind.

Just before Boveney lock, we got mucho free wood from some generous workmen who said we could take what we wanted. They're laying the foundations for an olympic bridge. It will span the river, enabling rich people to walk across from Windsor racecourse, to the Eton boating lake. It's due to be knocked down two years later. Which sounds quite insane to me. But I guess somebody will benefit from it.

Sour point of a beautiful day, was walking around the park with Sumo. I was glowered at by followers of a religion that does not like dogs. Especially black ones. Sadly, we get this regularly. Almost every time we bump into them, in fact. I find the attitude quite depressing. Not an event I am proud to record. But as the blog is also "thoughts, feelings & impressions", I feel I must.