...Home again.

Bacon sarnies for breakfast and then it's back to the marina. Dieseled and pumped, all cleaned and vacuumed, everything and the cat packed into the car, and then the hectic sprint home.

Arrived safely!

Varnishing - turned out nice.

This morning turned out to be quite pleasant weather wise, so I got to work sanding the rear door panels ready for varnishing. With both doors prepared I opened the tin of Yacht Varnish and applied a coat to the first door. It goes on really well and brush marks disappear in no time leaving a lovely smooth finish. With the first door finished I happened to look up to the skies and there looming from the horizon was the blackest cloud you've ever seen. Quick, get it all under cover, and just in time, there were some big spots of rain, and that was all. So onward, and the other door varnished, and both fitted back in place on their hinges. They look good but they need another coat of varnish. I'll get it done over Christmas.

The photo doesn't do it justice.

I looked at doing something about replacing the draught proofing around the rear hatch, and I have a cunning plan neat idea! I'll order some bits and pieces and see how it goes.

Cruising day.

After heavy rain this morning I carried out the daily checks, started the engine (first time) and we slipped our moorings at around 10:30 and continued our journey toward Braunston. Stopping at the water point we filled the tank, and then winded and headed for the empty mooring we spotted on the way outside the The Boathouse. Lin posted a parcel and then we had lunch, well, having moored here it would be rude not to. We had Steak and ale pie, chips and peas, and very nice it was too, all washed down with a pint of Hob Goblin.

With lunch firmly packed away we headed off up the Grand Union toward Hillmorton. The intention was to find a mooring spot on the way to the winding hole just the other side of Bridge 74, turn and moor up. By this time daylight was getting in short supply and we just managed to find a spot near Br. 75 before it became too dark.

Decided to take a last minute.

Arrived at Wigrams at around 09:15 and transferred Lucy first to get her settled in before the rest of the gear. Then it was bacon sarnie time, and after a cup of coffee I got down to fitting the galvanic isolator. These tasks look really easy in the instructions, but when it comes to it there's far more than first meets the eye. First I had to trace the mains lead from the rear socket inlet to the three way switch. Then decide where to mount the isolator, and this had to be very close to the mains lead in order to keep it all simple. With the isolator screwed to the rear bulkhead, the earth wire in the inlet lead was located and cut, a ring terminal fitted and connected to the isolator. Next an extra length of earth wire supplied was fitted with a terminal and connected to the isolator and the other end connected to the previously cut earth wire with a tubular crimp. With all remaining wires properly connected and checks for tightness in their terminals, the cover was placed back on the rear of the three way switch.

It's the finned black box.

Stray current monitor

Later we decided to move out of the marina and cruise toward Braunston. Did the engine checks and turned the key to start her up and "Click". Aha! so we still have the intermittent starting fault as before the starter motor refurb. More work needed here I think.

So we find ourselves about half way between Napton Junction and Braunston Turn Junction, Pasties in the oven, beer in glass and Pink Floyd's - The Endless River on the iPad - Brilliant.

What's going on here?

Lovely day today, so I cycled to Bridgwater again. Things are changing along the B & T, not only with the season but also physically too. CaRT have been up to something, don't know what this is all about...

Bollards!

So this prevents/discourages cyclists and pedestrians from using the tow path. There is an alternative nearby route via the country road for about 0.7 miles, but at the other end of the diversion...

Nothing, not even a sign to indicate what lies ahead.

So coming from Bridgwater you could cycle or walk all the way along the tow path only to find you have to cycle or walk all the way back. I suspect many are not fit enough to lift a 15kg bike over a five bar gate on their own, I certainly couldn't do it, and I bet many walkers would find difficulty in negotiating it too.
Perhaps it's just for the Winter as the unmetalled path is quite muddy in places.

And what's going on in Albert Cutting?

Inspection work

...and further along.

Apparently all the wooden beams put up in the 1960's are badly rotting and they're investigating to find whether the wall can maintain what lies behind without them.

On the way back I spied Mother Earth...

Tiny compared with the Sun.

It's the dot in the question mark!