Lest We Forget

We Shall Keep the Faith

'Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.'

Moina Michael

Biding our time.

0 Locks 6 ½ Miles. Now moored at bridge 4  Middlewich Branch.

As we had been on our mooring at Nantwich for 48 hours it was time to move so we cruised down to the winding hole at bridge 91, winded and worked our way back to our current mooring. We try to abide by the rules but we notice plenty that don't.

After lunch I did an oil change on the engine and changed the oil filter so we are all set for winter. I also had to tweak up the stern gland as it has now bedded in after re-packing it recently.

We plan to stay here for the weekend when we will return to Nantwich so that I can attend Leighton hospital on Wednesday for further tests. Dot has an appointment for a haircut on Tuesday and then for her annual flu jab.  We were lucky the local doctors accepted us as temporary patients as our own doctor suggested that the supplies of flu vaccine may have run out by the time we get to see her in December. In the meantime I have a few small jobs on the boat that I have to attend to which will keep me occupied over the week-end.

1515 locks, 3199 ½ miles, 51 Tunnels, 42 swing bridges and 39 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Red Diesel Minefield

4 Locks, 3 Miles. Now moored at Nantwich.

Today we travelled down through the Hurleston flight to leave the Llangollen Canal and return to Nantwich. There was a mist hanging around making things damp but other than that it was a good day to cruise. There are still a few hire boats on the move but most private boats are now snugly tucked up in their Marina's for the winter.

Reading the various weblogs that we follow it would appear that there is a lot of confusion around regarding the new taxation of red diesel. It would seem that some boat yards are insisting on the 60/40 split which HM Customs have only put up as a guideline NOT a hard and fast rule. The boatyards are missing the point that boaters can self declare their own percentage rates as every case is different and that the responsibility lie's with the boater, NOT the boat yard. In actual fact the boat yards are committing an offence by not allowing self declaration. We will carry a copy of the document with us when refueling as a reference. For a copy view here.

One yard has come up with a rule that they will only sell at the 60/40 rate unless you have a separate tank for heating which is a bit unreal as very few boats would actually have been built that way.

What I would suggest is that all boaters with weblogs publicise what yards they buy from and what price, problems or feedback they experience so that we can warn each other of problem yards and boycott them. Once their sales start dropping off they may change their attitudes.

1515 locks, 3193 miles, 51 Tunnels, 42 swing bridges and 39 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Back in the water on the Llangollen Canal

0 Locks, 1 Mile. Now moored by bridge 4 Llangollen Canal.

Well seven days has flown by and today was the day we were going back into the water. We more or less got everything done but it would have helped if our paint had arrived on time, the main thing is that there is now 4 coats of blacking on the hull. The paint finally arrived at 11.30 this morning so at least I now have the paint to touch up with in the future.We spent the morning putting all the gear back on the boat and tidying up the shed and the trailer finally arrived just after lunch.

Once back in the water we moved across the marina for diesel, pump out, gas tank and settle the account for the shed and power. The latter worked out quite reasonable, 7 days in the shed plus lift in and out with power came to £340.

We were the first customer to buy diesel at the new taxed rates but not before we had some lengthy discussion over the percentage's. The marina had a form with the 60/40 split on it and their computer was set to charge out at this rate. We told them that as we have an all diesel boat we were claiming a 90/10 split as majority of our diesel was used for power generation and heating. Eventually they conceded to changing the form to the 90/10 and charged us accordingly.

After hosing all the dust and dirt off the boat we finally got underway and just travelled a short distance from where we are in a handy position to make a short run into Nantwich tomorrow.

1511 locks, 3190 miles, 51 Tunnels, 42 swing bridges and 39 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Today's the day!

Swanley Marina DIY shed.

Will they, won't they. who's to know. Yes it's "D" day for red diesel derogation but from what we have heard HM Customs have not been forthcoming with any paper work for the boat yards or diesel retailers to administer, control or what ever, the sale of red diesel so as far as the yards we have spoken to, it's business as usual until otherwise notified.

If we find any retailer trying to work a swifty with red diesel pricing they will be politely told thanks but no thanks and I would suggest all boaters do the same. The rip off merchants will soon get the message.

Regarding work on the boat things are progressing well but I have been let down as my paint has not yet arrived. I was told it would arrive on Thursday or Friday but as of yet there has been no sign of it. Luckily I have enough on hand to do the important bits before we return to the water on Tuesday and the rest may have to wait.

He's hard at it!

That wasn't on this weeks agenda.

Swanley DIY Shed.

A few days ago we discovered some unwanted moisture under our bed and upon investigation found the calorifier to be leaking. We were aware that if it needed to be replaced it would cost us at least £400 including fitting. I had contemplated the job but not knowing which pipe did what and no instruction sheet to help I flagged it away and called in Fred the Plumber.

It turned out that one connection had been cross threaded and the seal was distorted and another seal had split. The biggest problem was how to drain the damn thing of approx 12 gallons as the drain cocks were under the bed, no thought went into this build design. Solution, disconnect the shower pump and run a hose from the drain cocks individually and connect the other end to the pump. Bingo, it worked a treat and not a drop was split inside the boat. I found a drum outside that had been cut in half and with a borrowed trolley we caught the water as it was pumped out and disposed of it outside the building.

Fred then went to work checking all the connections and repairing the faulty two. Once he was satisfied that all was well he left with strict instructions to ring him if the leaks persisted once we get back into the water with the engine and central heating working again. Fingers crossed. If he's got it right it will have worked out cheaper than a new calorifier.

In the meantime I have now put the second coat of blacking on and done a bit more sanding. As I have nearly ³/₄ of a tin of blacking left I will put a third coat on and below the water line for added protection. I am still waiting for the weather to warm up before doing too much more painting but it doesn't look promising.