Day 43 – Tuesday 29th August – It’s back in the water for The Plot and…

This is late again! One day i will catch up and have my blogs scheduled a week in advance! I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine today – Tuesday 5th Sept, it’s been a hot one that is for sure… okay, now let me take you back in time…

I cannot believe it happened! ((OH I can Peachy. I didn’t get very good odds on the fact it would be you who went in first! I did not laugh, I promise I didn’t – well not until after I knew you hadn’t sunk to the bottom of the canal)) The day started well as we were due to leave the dry dock and finally be back in the water again.  ((Oh you were back in the water alright!))

We adjusted the fenders ((The ropey bit that stick out on the bow and the stern to protect the boat when they play dodgems with other boats and the canal sides)) as the stern one was a little too close to the rudder. All good, we do a final a check over before Dan and Vikki arrive to refloat her. All went well and Chris cruised The Plot out of the dock and did a perfect reversing manoeuver so we could fill up with diesel. Then it was over to the water point to fill up.

After chatting to CRT it seems all is well on the Erewash after they had a stoppage on one of the pounds for a day. I think as the water levels are low so we are going to be brave and stay here to do jobs – this could be a stroke of genius or a bad mistake! ((I know which one I’m routing for. I mean if you want to increase your YouTube followers you’ve got to create more drama!)) Actually I think I’ve had enough drama for the day as not long after filling with water we moved the boat to the other side of the canal to moor up and as I was pulling the boat in, I slipped between a gap which I couldn’t see as the grass was overgrown and straight in I went ((I have to point out again that I laughed after I knew you were okay)) in. Luckily my Yorkshire hips ((I’m saying nothing. Might have been more your backside blocking the gap!)) stopped me from sinking right in but I did have a panic at one point when I thought I was going under as my legs had nothing but water beneath them, so I had to push up with my arms! But with Chris watching helplessly from the boat ((Oh I bet he enjoyed watching that. People would pay him for that footage)) unable to get to the side to help, I hauled myself out. Assessing the damage I only ended up going in just up to my thighs and with pulling myself out in time I still had dry pants! Lol. Oh well, it could have been a lot worse at least I didn’t hurt myself although apparently it doesn’t count as I don’t have it on film! Dan at the boatyard said he would check CCTV but so far I think I’ve gotten away with it. I do have achy legs for the following few days but other than that all good.

Finally, we moored up and I had my second shower of the day and then it was onto the washing which has been piling up. It was 2pm by the time this had all been sorted and then it was coffee time and decide if we should tackle the fire or the painting. It was supposed to be a nice day but it’s been drizzling on and off so we will see!

Chris decided ((After much nagging. Even i was glad when he got up to look)) went to look at the fire and found it was rotten so the option to paint the stern was a no go. Thankfully Dan and Vikki from the boatyard came to our rescue and with a lot of pushing, pulling and hammering they managed to get the pipe out of the stove as it was wedged in tight. Dan then took away the pipe and returned later with a new fabricated one! Talk about lucky and right place, right time!

We only intended to access the fire but then it all went from there and by the end of the day we had a new pipe ready to fit and then to decide if we were going to change the tiles whilst the stove was out.

It was a long old day what with all that going off and it was topped off with an amazing review someone shared for Power of Nature which I’m well chuffed about!

Until tomorrow… x

P.S. ((I think Peachy waited to upload this one hoping people wouldn’t read about her mishap. But never fear I made sure it was uploaded ))