Crick

I went down to Crick Boatshow to see what bargains I could get. I made a mental shopping list on the way down, Heater, Cooker, Solar panels, Fridge, Freezer.  That would complete the capitak purchases that I need to finish the boat.

The boat show was great for looking at boat builders and new boats, but I thought there seemed to be fewer "bits" traders there this year.  The weather was fantastic, and I thought it was much busier than last year. Its amazing what a bit of sunshine can do.

Well, my shopping didn't go exactly to plan, but armed with an expansion tank and a solar panel, I set off back to the boat. It was late in the day now, so I thought I will just unload the car and have a quick planning session ready for next time.  Having tidied up most of the wiring at the rear of the boat, I was almost ready to start building the bed. I counted just three small jobs to do before the bed went in, the Expansion Tank, wire up the immersion heater, and wire up the domestic bilge.

Mayday

Mayday weekend took us back to Sherwood forest, with trepidation after the blizzards of last year.  Not the same this year as we put the beer tent up in almost pleasant weather.

On Sunday the sun came out and Sunday and Monday were quite enjoyable sunshine, other than the 50+ hours of work we had to get through this weekend.















On Thursday night we had a great time at Union chapel, where Lau were playing, and Q found some amazing malt to drink (as it was my birthday). A great evening.

Then it was up to the Old for the charity Folk festival, and some more Beer, and an occasional glass of port.  £2000 raised for SARDA and the Air ambulance with a great, if wet, weekend.

Over T'hills

The beginning of April found the first day that both myself and Derby had been off work since October last year.

Derby arrived at the boat with his mobile welding equipment, and within a few hours, I had the rear hatch fixed, and the doors fixed, with nice stainless hinges, plus storm flaps so that the engine room would not fill with water every time it rained.  Now all I need is a nice warm day to spend painting them.

We had a nice leisurely journey over the Pennines, starting at Stalybridge Buffet bar.  Superb braised brisket in a bun, and a couple of pints of beer.

Next stop was Marsden, over the canal and down the hill to the Riverhead brewery tap. I think this is the first warm sunny day of the year, and it is great to be out in the countryside.

We stopped next at Dewsbury and the West Riding refreshment rooms.  I was surprised that they only had three beers on on a Friday.

Last stop in Leeds, we went down to the canal where the L&L finishes, and chatted to people with a boat, a dutch barge and two kittens before trying a couple in the Osset brewery Hop.  Just in time, and serves me right for thinking about the weather, as it threw it down for ten minutes while we were having a pint.

Next we called in at the Leeds brewery tap.  Our food order never appeared, and the barman who took the order said he was too busy to do anything about it.  If you have a bar, the people you employ are the "face" of your company.  So when you employ staff who do not give a toss about customers, then this reflects on your company.

I wont bother going to the Leeds Brewery tap again.

I managed to get the shower sump box in and connected. The problem is that the entry into the box is near the top of the box, so the water sits in the pipe between the shower tray and the sump.  This is probably designed for people 5 foot 8 or shorter, so you can put the shower tray a few inches above the floor.  I will have to think about this.
I started on some lining out of the Engine Bay.  I built up the set for the door, and started a wooden framework for the removable flooring panels which will hold soundproofing to enclose the engine.  Hopefully this will leave the engine on tick-over as a nice quiet murmur.

Breakdown

I finally got back on the boat! Having earned some Money, I now have a calorifier and Waste tank.

I have also now wired up the engine bilge pumps (three, as the bilge in this boat is in three sections!), so at last the water in the bilge is ejected.

Speedfit fittings mean it only takes a couple of hours to complete the plumbing of the boat.

 I've just spent £160 in plumbing fittings though, so it isn't cheap, but the speedfit are the best, and I don't want to have to come back and repair this later.

All the tails are in place ready for the sink, washing machine, shower, etc. In addition I have also put a hot and cold tap in the engine room.

I was supposed to see Steeleye Span at the Lowry, but my car stopped on the motorway.  It was too late to get there by public transport.  The following day I found that a Turbo Hose had split.  £4.00 for a short length of pipe and the car was good as new.  It cost me £18 in Front Row Steeleye Span tickets though :-(







I got back to Manchester on the Thursday evening and wandered down the canal to Dukes for a couple of pints before going to the Lowry to see the amazing Sad Cafe.  Brilliant.

Footpads

Back up to Clapham for the Festerers reunion and the New Inn was in chaos, as new people had taken over the pub only the day before.  They coped well though and we had a great time.
On the Saturday a few of us walked around Ingleton through the woods up to the top of the waterfalls. I have a new phone, and didn't realise it was on min resolution for the pictures!

At the top we were accosted by the criminals who demand £6.00 before you can walk to the main road, so we turned around and went back.
 I always thought that England was a free country, and I am sick of these thieves posing as companies who will charge you to walk through part of the countryside. Lock them up.


Had a couple of days in Sheffield for the BeerX exhibition, stopping at the Holiday Inn Express (fantastic hotel - just refurbished I think) just opposite the old canal basin.

. There is a great brewery tap on the station platform, with the brewery right next to the tables in the bar, and with useless bar staff. "Oh yes, this beer is cloudy because that is how the brewer brews it". I suppose it is supposed to be flat and oxidized as well!

 I found remains of one old brewery, not part off the police station I think.

The exhibition was at the Ponds Forge centre, All new buildings on an old site.
Even with all the modernisation there were still a few old buildings remaining.

A couple of us went to the Fat Cat and by lucky chance, found out it was Pie and a pint night.  Had a superb Steak and mushroom pie, and flat beer.  Have they not heard of sparklers in Sheffield ?

Racheal Sermani was back at the met for a short concert in the studio with Pete Roe. I love the studio at the Met, it is small and has a great atmosphere.

Animals and whistles

We went to the Grand at Clitheroe to see the Animals and Friends. This is a great venue and has completely changed since I was here for school presentations many years ago. The ever fabulous Stumble were on first and they were on fire - literally. During the last song, the fire alarm went off.  Everybody just ignored it because the music  was so good.

 Cam later told me that one of the amps had blown up, setting the alarm off.
To be honest, after such a set, the Animals were ok, but the Stumble were just so much better.


We had the Big Whistle Folk Festival at the Met mid Feb, but I only got chance to see the fabulous Rachel Sermanni on the Saturday Afternoon as I was too busy making beer!

On the following weekend we set up the 2nd Ramsbottom Beer Festival for the RNLI. This was a bit quieter this year, probably due to being in the middle of the month.  46 hand-pulled beers were on , and we raised £1200 for the RNLI.  Not as good as last year, so next year we will have to do better.

Jack is a dull boy

January is here, and I seem to spend all of my time working.  Hopefully I will earn enough money while I'm busy to be able to work on the boat next month.