For our overseas viewers...

Tobias in Denmark mainly, who asked about the lack of updates. This is more due to lack of time than any other reason. Also the progress seems a little slower now that we're working on more detailed things like the electrics. On this subject, here is the competed distribution center (not sure what else to call it) with the inverter/charger, batteries, isolation transformer and AC changeover switch all connected. Now we just need to connect the rest of the electrics to it, but its taken a while to get this far as I was being very careful with mains AC electricity.

Not that exciting to look at, but I was pleased to get this far.

Another minor but important job was constructing a handrail around the stairs. This was done using metal poles and fittings for a suitably chunky feel. Its very solid - I managed about three chin-ups on the cross bar after doing it. As I had the mag drill out, I also moved the steering wheel to a higher location. This'll suit us better due to our height, but it also looks more at home in its new position.

The river is running very high and fast again, this picture shows how much so....

 

Snow

Its been cold and snowy in the UK these last few weeks, and we're not setup to cope with it. There has been widespread chaos on the roads, rail and air travel networks, but 'ole man river' just keeps going. Very fast, although at least the level is down which makes getting on an off easier. It was too cold to get much done this weekend, I did a bit more wiring and added some insulation to the hatches, which should make things a little warmer.

A couple of pictures of Misterton in the snow.

The last picture is quite nice, Misterton is almost hidden from view.

I also started my car which wasn't going anywhere in the snow. I've driven it in deep snow before (see 'Winter Wonderland' on this page), but its not the ideal winter vehicle. :)

Hello Sailor

Happy New Year to all!

I'm writing this from Misterton, we've been spending Christmas on her (in between visiting friends and family), its minus 2 degrees outside, but getting warmer in here.

In between socialising and present buying, I managed to get a little something for the good ship herself - a Sailor VHF radio. I've seen these before and they used to be quite popular with commercial boats as they're pretty rugged and reliable. I know there are more up to date ones (and we haven't even got our VHF licenses yet....) but I like the style of them.

It'll be a while before this gets installed, so its decorating the flat in London - its useful for seeing if dinner is ready yet. Speaking of Mary, here is part 27 of her views.

Yuletide

We did a few more jobs on Misterton this weekend. Mary stained the last of the skirting board and had a general tidy up to get ready for Christmas.

I did a variety of smaller jobs and even did some electrical work.

One thing I'd been looking forward to was putting a christmas tree on the mast of Misterton. I'm sure I've read somewhere in the past that this is a tradition in the Nordics. Anyway, good enough for us.

Looks quite festive. Shame the lights are solar charged, they don't last long at this time of year!

A few more things

A bit more progress last weekend, as the weather was good (and the stove had pretty much gone out overnight) I decided to finish off the top part of the flue. The part of the flue that goes through the roof was wrapped in heat retaining tape as used on engine manifolds. This is to provide extra protection as it passes through the roof, but also to retain the heat so the stove gets a better 'draw'. And it looks groovy too.

I made a little box to better support the deck fitting, its not the finest piece of work, but it'll do for this winter (no doubt it'll be there for years, there is nothing as permanent as a temporary fix after all...)

I also replaced the mushroom vent to the right of it, as the original one was leaking. It rained on saturday night and both items seem to be leak free.

Mary and I took a trip to local recyling center, as we had a load of cardboard and packing to remove and more importantly, I had about 45 litres of oil, grease and water from the engine bilges that needed disposing of correctly. I think (hope!) that this was accumulated over the last 60 years, so I won't need to do this on a regular basis. The idea is to get the bilges clean so that any water pumped over the side doesn't harm the environment.

I mentioned to Mary that this was our first trip to a southern recycling center together, 'oh the romance' she quipped, rolling her eyes. I like to think I haven't lost my touch.....

During the evening I started running the conduit for the lighting on the port side, going for a slightly industrial look as it is an ex-working boat after all.

Note the christmas tree, ex-Narrowboat IRIS from last year.

Sunday afternoon was quite sunny and warm, so I broke out the mag drill and made some holes for the shorepower connection.

Doesn't look much, but one of the small holes on the right went through an old rivet so its about 3cm deep. The drill is pretty powerful, so it didn't take too long to do. One of my better ebay finds. :)