Workshop Project.

Saturday 12th of August 2017

A lovely warm sunny day - a day for unpacking from the trip and finishing the long bench seat for Scott.

First job was to run to Screwfix to buy re stock the screw box - good value !

When I returned I framed up the bench supports and backrest - glued and screwed the joints  - then fitted all the backrest boards - clamped them all tight and screwed them in place.

The backrest is able to lean back towards the fence behind it - it will be more comfortable that way - to get the best angle - I fixed it with one row of screws at the bottom as a pivot - then it will be fixed in place on site when the best angle is achieved.

Scott dropped off some LED lights for me to fit in the base but I need a 65 mm hole saw to mount them - now ordered from Ebay.

So - now the bench is ready for first fitting on site - Wednesday next week - it splits down into three sections - flat pack style - to transport it on the roof of my poor little car.

Next job - I bought a set of used - temporary building site lamps on EBay for just £5 and they arrived today.

I knew that they needed to be connected up because someone had cut the set up at some stage !!

That's why I got them very cheaply.

I sorted out the best ones - plus a few connectors - now I have 7 bulb holders with bulb guards all fixed around the edge of the workshop - all powered by one plug - great - I only had 3 low wattage bulbs - 5 more on order from Ebay.

A good day in the new workshop.

Mike.

Back to Derby

Thursday 10 th and Friday 11th of August 2017

Thursday we ran out in the car to Maldon - walked through the town - took a quick look at the Thames Barges - the weather dry but not sunny.

Friday was a nice sunny day and we decided to pack up and head for home.

The trot boat doesn't run until the weekend so I had to use my new / old dinghy to get back from the mooring when I left Blazer - it worked fine - but needs some work to sort out bad cracks at the transom - no leaks - fairly stable - not bad.

We had lunch at the ferry boat and then hit the road - home for about 7.30.

A great week.

Mike - Jackie - Zoie + Penny.

Rain-Rain-Rain

Wednesday 9th of August 2017.

The forecast for the day was rain from mid morning for the rest of the day and night !

I got going early and erected the cockpit tent - very cosy - just in time - it started to drizzle the minute it was up.

We decided to visit Southend on sea by car and set off as soon as we'd had breakfast.

It didn't take long to get there with the sat nav guiding us - it was busy by the pier in pouring rain.

We selected a small cafe for fish and chips - it had a good awning to keep the rain off  - ( we sat outside with Penny )

Zoie asked if the chips were frozen - yes - and decided not to order - we had already ordered - I ate mine - Jackie Left her chips - not good .

Ice creams on the way back to the car - great - I had dough nuts with mine - really poor - I should have complained and taken them back but it was still raining hard.

We decided to visit Leigh On Sea - we have never been - straight to the old town - lovely - but closing up as we got there.

The old town is right on the beach - the sea was flat calm - scores of tiny dinghy's - full of kids trying to sail in no wind and pouring rain !! - not much fun.

We decided to return on a dry day and sample the sea food at the open air restaurant.

Shopping on the way home and then we got tucked up on board - the girls watched a film while I snoozed - lovely.

The forecast for Thursday is better - no rain - but not much sun.

Mike - Jackie - Zoie + Penny.

Back To Fambridge

Tuesday 8th of August 2017

Having checked the weather forecast for the week , we decided that we would have more options if we had the car with us - rainy days - we could visit the attractions in the area instead of being cabin bound !

We left the berth at about 09.30 first calling the harbour master to ask for fuel - he said come straight away because the police boat wanted fuel soon.

We got to the fuel berth to find it occupied with a motor cruiser ! - we had to manuver onto a waiting pontoon.

When he left the fuel berth the harbour master called us over  - you are next !

It was raining hard - the girls had gone to the toilet block - I managed to let go my lines and as I got half way over the Police launch shot in front of me - straight into the fuel berth!!

The harbour master lifted his arms up - no one listening to him !!

I did a neat about turn and moored up again on the waiting pontoon !

They were ages taking fuel, but eventually, they left and. Let go again and neatly moved over to the fuel berth - at last.

We took 36.5 litres of fuel - tank full - for £28 - very good!

We motored in no wind and rain for a few minutes - the rain stopped - still no wind - so we motored back with the tide pushing us and in no time we were moored on the inside of the visitors berth at Fambridge.

We went shopping to ASDA in South Woodham Ferrers - warm sunshine - lovely - we fitted the window vents and left the sun roof wide open for Penny.

At the check out the cashier said that it was chucking it down with rain !!

We could not believe the down pour - a cloud burst - I shot out - got soaked - shut the roof and the windows - bailed out the car and dried the seats with a big towel.

We also realised that the fore cabin hatch was propped open a bit on Blazer !!- the bed would be wet through !

When we got back - we could see that the rain had missed the yacht station - amazing - lucky.

We spent the rest of the day on board - a great home cooked meal - and had a musical evening with all kinds of drinks - wow !

A great day all round.

Mike Jackie - Zoie and Penny.

Sailing Down River

Monday 7th of August 2017

A good sunny and warm morning on the visitors pontoon at North Fambridge - we got ready and decided to push the tide for an hour or so and sail down to Burnham - I have never done that - purely under sail.

We left at about 11 - a breeze on the starboard quarter pushing us along under the foresail only - nice and steady - no tipy angles today.
Engine off - kettle on - WONDERFUL !!

A good way down river we passed Pagan heading home at North Fambridge - from their summer cruise along the South coast as far as the Isle of Wight.

The wind stayed good and in our favour right down through Cliff Reach and then died off.

Motor on to Burnham.

We were a bit early to head into the marina - so I suggested we go down river to the Roach and up into Yokesfleet looking for seals - BAD IDEA.

The tide had turned to the ebb and as we turned into the Roach we slowed to one knot !
We carried on but hardly made any distance - so we abandoned the side trip and made for Burnham Yacht Harbour.

The river Crouch was running fast now - against us and we were barely making one knot over the ground.!!

I edged over to the right bank shallows to get out of the main stream - no improvement at first until we went to 3 metres deep - now we made 2 knots !

I followed the three metre contour right up to moorings - threaded our way through them and called up the marina.

We were directed to berth C26 - Jackie and Zoie got prepared - port side to.

I slowed right down to get into the tight berth - next to a brand new motor cruiser ( it looked mega expensive ) - I slowed a bit too much - stopped short by a metre - drifted onto the cruiser !!

Jackie fended us off well - I put on some power and we went back in properly !!

No contact - No marks on it - Thank Goodness !!

A meal on board - a few drinks and I crashed out early - not good company - tired out !!

Overall - a good day sailing in warm sunshine - heaven.

Mike - Jackie - Zoie + Penny.

Sailing at Last

Sunday 6th of August 2017

All packed - car loaded - Penny in the back ( more space than any one !! ) - we picked Zoie up at 10.00 and drove down to Essex with one stop to stretch our legs in three and a half hours - good.

A lovely warm sunny day - we shopped at ASDA in South Woodham Ferrers - 10 minutes from Blazer and arrived at the busy yacht station at about 14.30.

The water taxi ( trot boat ) runs on Saturday and Sunday so no bother getting out to Blazer on her body in the river.

She was in good shape  - started OK and I made my way to a recently vacated spot on the inside of the visitors pontoon where the girls where waiting to help moor up - perfect.

We soon had three trolleys full of stuff squared away on board - then a very welcome rhubarb gin and tonic ( or two ) thanks Zoie.

A nice meal in the cockpit of cold roast chicken - salad - and hot Camembert cheese with crusty bread

We finished the day off reading with oil lamps on in the saloon - lovely.

I plan to go down river today - Monday - possibly to Burnham Yacht Harbour.

No photos today - I will try tomorrow - Mike

More roofing.

Saturday 5th of August 2017

It was supposed to be a rainy day today but at the last minute the forecast improved - so I jumped at a chance to finish the second layer of roofing felt.

I quickly laid the next roll - full length ( 8 mtrs )  x 800 mm - got it a touch too hot at the last bit and struggled to lay it - no problem - I cut it back 6 inches and patched in another piece.

I cut the last piece - 15 feet by 2 feet - the go across the front edge and lap onto the ends of all 5 rows of felt.

That laid better - all looking good - just the edges to finish off.

The big burner is too fierce for small stuff and my smaller burner is almost the same power - I will try to find a burner / gun with a more controllable flame for the edges.

The rain was due at lunch time so all packed up and tidy - no rain !!

I planned to build a garden bench seat for Scott this weekend - so I launched straight int that job after lunch - a simple construction - a big box made out of decking.

The first project to build in the workshop - wonderful.

By 20.30 it was just about finished - I ran out of screws !!

Sunday - we are driving down to Essex - Blazer - with Jackie's sister Zoie - for a week.

The next blog will be sailing - at last !!

Mike.