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Archive for the Uncategorized Category

Christmas Visit a comedy of errors

1313/1212/2011201120112011 by admin.

Zaandam December 3rd.

It all started so well we were on time for the train and made the Airport with time to spare. The baggage was deposited into the automated system and we went through security with plenty of time for a relaxed cup of coffee. We boarded the plane on time and had a decent flight with KLM landing on time at Birmingham.

This is where the fun started! We phoned our son in law to say we were just off to get the baggage and he said he had just seen us land and would meet us in arrivals. we stood with all the other passengers and waited, and waited, all of us watching the belt going round.Nothing! then came an announcement, will all passengers from Amsterdam please go to the desk in front of belt 14. We arrived to be told that non of the baggage had been loaded on to the Aircraft as the automate system in Amsterdam had broken down. Well you can imagine the result of this as some passengers were there for connecting flights all over the place. forms were being handed out to be filled in but no one had a pen! All of our Christmas presents were in the luggage: we were told that it could take up to 5 days so we let instructions that they be sent to our Daughters not the Hotel in case we were back in the Netherlands. So after getting to our Daughters picking up her car and booking into the Hotel it was off to buy shirts underwear etc for our stay. The luggage eventually arrived whilst we were preparing the Christmas meal so at least we were able to dish out the presents.

The Flight back was even more eventful. The Taxi was early so we set of for the Airport, on arrival we were told they could fit us on an earlier flight but that was delayed due to high winds at Schiphol we got our boarding cards and headed for the security check in. Well this is where the trouble started Carol set off the alarm so back through she went again the alarm sounded so the wand came into use. It turned out to be hairgrips and bra strap. Meanwhile I sailed through and was collecting my hand luggage when we noticed Carols had been taken to one side. Out came the knickers in which she had wrapped a present from my Brother and sister in law. embarrassing! it turned out that they were looking for organic blocks they thaught might be cemtex that had shown on the xray four of them, on getting down to the blocks it turns out that our new buisness cards look like Cemtex so we were allowed on our way and the armed officers withdrew. We had now to wait for the delayed flight again and again the board went to five minutes gate open and then bounced up to ten. eventualy we were boarded and told that we were to wait on the tarmac for a slot into Amstrdam airport which had all but one runway closed. We took off after about 40 minutes and landed very bumpily 40 minutes later in very high winds

Birthday Girls! Grandaughters Bekky 18 and Freya May 1

Blow Hard!

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Update at Last July 29th Reims

2929/0707/2011201120112011 by admin.

Hello to all

It has been sometime since I updated the Blog and the reason for this is the cost of connecting to the internet. Once we have arrived in the Netherlands we will take out a contract with a service provider or use Wi Fi at the marina if they have it and then I will be able to put up some Pictures as well. However we left Teddington on June 14^th destination Dunkirque with a Pilot and did not stop until 20 hours later we arrived in the outer harbour. The trip was uneventful with only a small swell and very little traffic in the channel. Our route took us straight out of the estuary and directly across in a straight line to Dunkirque after a few days we joined the canal system having bought a VNF licence for 30 days our first trip was to Burgues a delightful town at the end of its own canal. It is well worth a visit from here we went back to Dunkirque and on to Watten mooring in the port l’ Emitage this proved to be very susceptible to passing Commercial traffic causing an inrush of water which then leaves just as fast. Care must be taken if mooring here otherwise you could find yourself adrift. We have visited Armentieres a short trip into Belgium for fuel at Barge Neptuna,Warneton,Lille,Harnes’, Bason Run on the Canal St d Quintan and we are now in Reims where we will stay for a couple of days before heading off through the Ardiens and on through Belgium and the Netherlands to overwinter near to Amsterdam.

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To Dunkirque and Beyond

3131/0505/2011201120112011 by admin.

Hi since my last Blog things have taken a change of Direction. As you know we were going up the Kennet and Avon Canal to Bristol and on up the Severn to Sharpness and Gloucester but the story of the Alternator that would not charge has changed all this. By the time the problem was identified (bear in mind it has only taken 19 months ) which was that the alternator that charges the engine starter batteries was telling the Domestic bank alternator that it did not need to charge anything as the battery was full. The solution was simple cut the wire conecting the two and insert a relay now all is fine and the Domestic alternator works . Dont ask why it has taken so long to find this out!!. Anyway as I have said by the time this was done there was not enough water in the K&A for us and the River Severn is on restricted Locking with water shortages. We then met up with Fred and Tony on Bertilac who said we are going to Dunkirque and the Benelux countries why not come with us. This was just over two weeks ago ! It has been manic we have had to open a bank account in Malta so that we have a Euro Account arrange a Pilot change the Insurance to cover the trip apply for an EIN a European Identification Number that was another £45 obtain spares as the Pilot wanted at least 5 spare fuel filters for the crossing , we have had a duel fuel filter fitted bought extra Charts and made a dash down the Thames to Kingston as we are due to start out Tomorow 1st June. Passage plans have had to be done the boat packed up and secured for sea and the List goes on . I will endevour to take as many pictures of the crossing as I can and will post them as soon as we get an oportunity. For those of you reading this that we converse with by email bear with us as it will cost us £10 a Day to connect to the web to deal with our mail so we will restrict this to at the most once a week to make the most of the cost. I am going to try and connect via Wi Fi where at all possible and will use the oportunity to update you all when we get the chance.

Bertilac the Dutch Barge we will be crossing with

Dragon Boat in Henley

Nuns having a water fight I kid you not

Alternative Transport on the river

Rock Stars Recording Studio near Hampton Court

French Brothers River Steamer

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Were Out

2525/0404/2011201120112011 by admin.

Well! We finaly managed to get out of the Marina though not with everything fully functional. we now find having got a working battery moniter that the alternator for the domestic battery bank does not work! It is cutting out after about a minute so we are having to use the generator to charge the batteries even after a full days cruising. So we are again waiting for an engineer.

We spent the first weekend in Pangbourne so that we could replenish Meat supplies. and took the first few pics.

Turtles on the Thames

Fed Up Heron

Drying out after a dip

In Marlow now and a lesson in how not to overload your boat.

Swim for it!

Down to Windsor for Easter to find an easter bunny running wild. Lovely weather very hot we will leave on Tuesday to try and meet up with the engineer before guests next week end.

Steam yacht Alaska

Three Men in a boat

Eaton Collage Quad

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Getting ready to Sail.

0303/0404/2011201120112011 by admin.

As you will see from the latest pictures We have been a little busy of late. This is why I have been remiss at updating the blog. I have made a set of steps that hang from the side to make it easier to board when we moor alongside places such as Kingston upon Thames where the hard is at water level. After the man over board demonstration at the Dutch Barge Association Rally where I took part I have been pondering on the ability to recover someone who may be unconscious or otherwise debilitated. The solution I have come up with is to make a small add on modification to the Gin Pole I made for raising the mast so that I can use it over the side as a crane to winch a casualty to side deck height for recovery. We have now a rescue sling three rescue ladders of various types as well as all the normal life-rings and throw lines etc. Although we have jack-stays so persons working on deck can clip on so hopefully I will never have to use the crane/winch in anger.

I have started to make the boat sea ready by fitting cargo netting to keep my tools and spares stored in the lazonet( back of the boat) in place and I am waiting for some fixings to go into the floor of the Saloon into which I can screw strong eyes so that we can ratchet secure the loose furniture for sea.

We are waiting for two engineers to come before we leave the Marina The first who should be with us Monday to wire in the extra navigation, battery management and communications systems which will integrate with our existing gear making the Radar more efficient at plotting other traffic, and the other by the end of the week to fit new twin fuel filter/water separator’s in stead of the single one I have at the moment. This is a safety feature as when you go to sea sediment can be stirred up in the tanks which can lead to engine failure this I do not want. The result will be that I will always have one filter in service and one spare ready to be swichen in if needed.

Cargo netting

New improoved Deck Coating

New Heading Sensor and Mast

Detail of footing for MOB recovery system

Gin Pole/ MOB crane recovery system

New Nav and Communication gear

Step for Carol!

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Christmas

3131/1212/2010201020102010 by admin.

Hi everyone

Since my last posting we have had some more snow, I have slipped and fallen in to the Marina but luckily the ice was thick enough to hold even me! so I escaped with just injured pride. We have had guests for Christmas week and though our intention was to get out on the river we still had a great time which seamed to just fly past. Anyway we hope that you all have a prosperous and happy new year and look forward to meeting our friends out and about in 2011.

Bah Humbug

Lights

Nanook of the North

Ice on the inside

Views of the snow all iced in

Christmas Tree

Not impressed

Excited

Happy Hampshires

Fire Engine Gloves

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New Grandaughter

1515/1212/2010201020102010 by admin.

Hello everyone!

Well we are again Grandparents meet our new Grandaughter Freya May and proud Mom and Dad she was born weight 7lb 14 oz on 13th December at about 4-10 pm and was in a bit of a hurry! Well done to Mom and Dad

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At Last a moment to give you an update

0505/0909/2010201020102010 by admin.

Hi!! We have done a lot of cruising, Carol has gained her International Certificate of Competence Inland to helm the Boat and passed her CEVNI over two days with Bisham Abby Sailing School. the course was great and a lot of fun, we both learnt a lot and I ended up with The ICC coastal and CEVNI. It was worth making the time to attend the course and would recommend it to anyone no matter how long they have been boating you can always learn from other people. We attended the National Waterways Festival and Dutch Barge Rally at Beal park. We have met up with some old friends and made some really good new friends as well. it has been a ball I have never laughed or drunk so much since my teens. The show itself was a bit of a Disappointment as there were not as many stall holders as there could have been but the displays were entertaining. The real benefit was in making and renewing friendships and catching up. It was also great to have so many Dutch barges and their owners there to network with and gain from their experience and knowledge.

More tomorow

Rowing Gig at Kingston

Making an Eaton Mess

All Dressed up

Bertilac and Josephine ( Pipers together)

Lucy Bea and Inevitable

Lady Dill

A Ball-less Ollie

Get that Dog out of my ear

About to st off on an Adventure

Run out of fuel!!!

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July

2424/0707/2010201020102010 by admin.

Hello everyone We have been very busy of late which is why it has been so long since my last post. however I will start by putting up some more pictures on our various escapades and then later on will fill in the gaps with an essay.

Inevitable at Hampton Court