Previous Posts
- Maintenance - Engine 80hr Service
- Maintenance - Engine 50hr Service
- Maintenance - Engine 50h Service
- Christmas Message 2007
- A Journey into the Unknown - Part VI
- A Journey into the Unknown - Part V
- A Journey into the Unknown - Part IV
- A Journey into the Unknown - Part III
- A Journey into the Unknown - Part II
- A Journey into the Unknown - Part I
Archives
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Maintenance - Engine 80hr Service
Fuel System
Visal system check. All connections dry, Port tank gate valve, nip up 1/2 turn.
Bleed filters into glass, clean fuel. All - OK
Oil
Engine - Oil level at upper mark - OK
Gearbox - Oil level at upper mark - OK
Cooling system
Check system for leaks - all OK
Check level in header tank - all OK
Batteries
Crankset - (SG1740) fully charged. Good electrolyte levels - All OK
Domestic Banks - top up both banks (10 litres) (SG1720 average)
Stern Gland - Reservoir half full. Zero weep into bilge.
Visual checks - Alternator & dynamo belt tension - OK.
Run up engine in forward gear for an hour - 1000rpm. Oil pressure, water temperature, batteries - all within limits.
Observations:
Log entry for survey journey July 2010 omitted - Oops! Innocent oversite - rectify today.
Small amount of water in bilge, not surprisng after the winter condensation - 30 minute rubber glove exercise with a sponge. Estimate 5 litres.
Removed bilge pump and tested - OK.
Checked bolts on shaft including antivibration link - OK (torqued)
Changed engine room lights - 24v/60w x 2.
Labels: Barge For Sale, Gravesend, Vrijheid
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Maintenance - Engine 50hr Service
Fuel System
Primary cartridge - Baldwin FFRC 11861
Secondary cartridge - FFRC 11863
Drain and clean housings, replace worn banjo fitting, bleed system.
Oil
Engine. Drain and replace Gearbox - drain and replace.
Cooling system
Drain and replace (add anti-corrosion fluid) to normal level, check for leaks - all OK.
Batteries
Crankset - Electrolyte levels OK (SG1740) fully charged.
Domestic Banks - Annual electrolyte top up (17 litres) (SG1730)
Stern Gland - Refill reservoir (2litres)
Visual checks - Alternator & dynamo belt tension - OK. (small adjustment of alternator belts).
Run up engine in forward gear 1 hour. Oil pressure, water temperature, batteries - all within limits.
Observations: As log will show we have not taken VRIJHEID out to play in 2009 but with spring only a few months away and fewer commitments we intend changing that in 2010.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Maintenance - Engine 50h Service
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas Message 2007
Dear friends,
What a year onboard our Vrijheid. Ship has run like clockwork with only the odd problem of wear and tear maintenance to contend with.
Wishing you all a very special Christmas and looking forward to catching you all on the "otherside" !!
The very best for 2008 from us both. Send us an email as we are very mobile @ present. Always available on the mobile +44 (0)7879 400634.
Our best
We2, London
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
A Journey into the Unknown - Part VI
25th November
The forecast was terrible. The rain had started coming down in sheets and the wind was up big time. We were forecast to heavy driving rain with 70 to 80 knot gusts. Lovely barging weather! Vrijheid cleared Teddington soon after 0700hrs, neither of us excited about the days prospects ahead but were driven on by the realisation we were getting closer to home and also the prize of a clean hull survey did help us to rise to occasion.
The rain did abate by the time we reached Chiswick so we just had the wind to contend with. We were going to fly down the river down river again. The flow was ffffast compounded by an outgoing tide and by the time we had passed through London and checked in with London VTS for barrier clearance it was only 1104hrs. We elected to moor off Margaret Ness and wait for the full tide before entering the Creek. So time for another quick snooze.
1415hrs we slipped our lines and entered the creek calling forward to ensure Katie would be in attendance to open the barrage gates to let us in. Moored with engine off 1450hrs Time for a Cuppatea. Journey into the unknown, now known, and well over for another four years. Time to catch up on some sleep and the chatter from the moorings in our absence.
A Journey into the Unknown - Part V
23rd & 24th November
Early starts with more of the same except Friday Stephan arrived with the anodes along with Colin and between the two of them worked feverishly to get the anodes welded on before the dry dock flooding time.
Saying our good byes to Stephan, Colin, John, John the dry dock master and Tom we slid out of the dock at 1415hrs, moved up river to come about and head for home an hour later than planned but at least we would make Teddington before dark.
Rain during the week had further raised the river, the yellow boards were out and we later learnt the red board came out up river later that day. This was to be a hell-on-wheels, hairy fast trip, and it was. We were in Teddington, moored with the engine off at 1350hrs. That included two locks and the delay in buying the return licence at Sunbury lock. Physically drained and mentally knackered from concentration of helming a 42 ton floating missile, especially through Richmond we put all the gear away and returned to Chiswick to collect the car, Caroline had earlier taken there from EA Sunbury, and drove back to Barking. Leaving the car at the mooring we trained back to the ship close to exhausted and to bed.
A Journey into the Unknown - Part IV
Arrived 0715hrs and after a welcomed cup of Caroline’s hot strong coffees all round the hull survey began in earnest. By 1500hrs with the ultrasound and hammering complete we waited for the verdict. The chalked readings on the hull looked most promising but then historical pitting readings need to be taken and adjusted against the ultrasound readings for a final surveyor’s decision. A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. No over-plating required. We were close to tears with relief. We have a number of dear friends have not been so lucky resulting in thousands of pounds worth of plating being required to the min. of 3mm. Thank the Lord for anodes, regular surveys and a fine hull to start with. Such a relief. Saying our goodbyes to both John and Stephan John and I we got down to the dirty bit, applying two coats of tar around the wind waterline, over the round chine to underneath the ship. We would tackle underside the ship tomorrow. All in all great progress for the day thanks mainly to Stephan’s speed and invaluable help from John his yard lad of whom we would have been lost without. Again the light started to fade and as both of us were already feeling muscles that office workers have little calling for starting to ache, we closed up and left site for the day on real high.
A Journey into the Unknown - Part III
21st November
Arrived 0715hrs ready for action. The river was flowing and by its speed I would estimate it would not be long before yellow boards would be out. Fortunately the entrance to the dock is designed for an upstream approach but it is still tricky when your aft is some 20meters into the stream and Vrijheid does not have a bowthruster. I’m relying on Caroline’s fantastic fender work to offset the lack of bow manoeuvrability. As it turned out we entered the dock like professionals and after the quarter lines were equally secured, draining the dry dock commenced. Time for a cuppatea and a wait for an hour. Having been here before John marked the position on the ship for the last trestle to ensure we did not foul skege.
I had the hull water blasted by 1330hrs and a call to John Bowan the surveyor, as previously arranged, suggested we would be ready for him at 1400hrs and would assist in chalking up the hull and walk through much of the interior information gathering and inspections as required.
All the anodes at the aft of the ship were depleted. They were smaller than those we used on the remainder of the hull but at least they had done their work. Not helped by us now being in brackish water though as they were for fresh water. Stephan Fritz arrived to start the hull inspection and suggested we change to aluminium anodes all round. Order placed and with little else any we could do for the day with fading light we packed up and let the hull to dry overnight in preparation for the ultrasound and hammer survey tomorrow , all departing at 1530hrs for digs off site.
A Journey into the Unknown - Part II
20th November
Back onboard last evening triumphant. What a game, what a stadium, what an experience. The All Black won. OK we are biased! With the task ahead of us playing heavily on our minds we took solace from the boys at the Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat Station when we could see no change in direction of the flow with low water estimated at 0927hrs. Their view was we should proceed with caution as the draw-off compounded by the extra flow from last weeks rain would not change the direction of the flow until closer to high tide. It was now 1000hrs and we had places to go, so elected to push on toward Teddington relying on the echo sounder. Arrived Teddington 1246hrs, with plenty of water below the keel. Thanks Guys, what value is local knowledge, and so freely given.
There was only one high point of this phase of the trip that being Richmond Road bridge. The stream was so strong through Richmond and with this part of the river being narrower than upstream, the water height difference between the downstream and upstream of the bridge was astonishingly noticeable. On entering the centre span and under full power, the bow of the ship rose up as does a ski boat under acceleration. Our speed almost depleted to zero over ground giving me flashes of “what if”. (A fall back is to reduce power and slide back in the water to tie up to a steamer pile below the bridge and wait for the incoming tide. This manuover is tricky, for even the seasoned skipper but the stream would add an extra dimension I did not want to be forced to entertain). Our dry dock booking was for the following morning at 0730hrs and the full tide was after twilight so we both watched the wall of the arch for positive forward movement, willing Vrijheid on as we inched forward eventually clearing the bridge and thankfully gathered speed again. Huh!
1310hrs we cleared Teddington Lock and pressed on for EA Sunbury arriving 1500hrs to catch a mooring directly outside the lock gates ready to the next morning. It was great to catch a brief chat with John and Tom before we closed down the ship 1550hrs ready for an early morning start.
A Journey into the Unknown - Part I
Mention boat survey to any barge owner and note the immediate winced face best likened to one that of one who has just sucked a lime and most probably accompanied by a rapid sucking in of air at the lips. As a classic old barge you can possibly sympathise with us for you have already been though the experience. To the uninitiated arm chair barge owner, enter one of the few downers of living on water. Experiencing the wroth of the surveyors hammer, ultrasound instrumentation and the meticulous application of ever tightening regulations, they are also forced to work into the survey report it can be an extremely expensive activity.
As we barge owners know, most insurers demand a four yearly out of water hull, machinery and plant survey to renew cover. This is usually a costly “pleasure” of which the vessel owner settles all accounts including in our case the added cost of taking holiday allowance from our respective jobs to deliver the vessel to the dry dock and on completion of works return her to the home mooring.
Costs rapidly build having signed contracts with both the surveyor and dry dock. One is yet to add to this anodes and hidden underwater essential maintenance that is only seen in the dry dock. We were both present when the dry dock was emptied and as the water receded I likened it to loosing on my small bank balance. I digress. We would replace the anodes as the new mooring is in brackish water and we will also take the opportunity to re-tarring the hull to just above the wind water-line.
We have always booked the EA Sunbury dry dock for a number of reasons including it is one of the few facilities one can hire and carry out your own works not to mention it is also completely covered from the unpredictable English weather. John, the dock master, is most obliging, as is Tom his sidekick.
16th November
The day was overcast with little breeze, in Barking. The forecast was for scattered showers and temperatures around 13oC. We slipped our lines 0835hrs and with Katie already in attendance at the barrage gates we set off for Chiswick using the last of the incoming tide to suck us through London.
An uneventful trip of some four hours and we moored on the commercial pontoon at Chiswick Pier with engine off 1230hrs. Stowed the gear, packed for a few nights away in Paris to see the All Blacks play and put our heads done for a knap.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Kentish Sailing Weekend, Swale
From our home mooring in Barking Creek, we joined the Thames River to be swept toward the sea on the outgoing tide. The day was nothing to write home about with an overcast sky and a wind gusting from the North. At least we were warm and cosy in the wheelhouse tucking into our second round of Carolines' wicked bacon butties arriving up from the galley accompanied by a big mug of hot tea.
As with most of our outings we have extra crew. Sharing the ship seems to add to the fun and this time it was no exception. We again invited Katherine onboard. She had recently passed her French Canals proficiency certificate and bought along her GPS to get in some "real-time" chart practise. Traveling this part of the Thames is very much a bouy hopping excercise though it is always good insurance should a sea fog rolls in.
Katherine never needs her arm twisting to join the ship, she is good fun and enjoys ship life, besides this special weekend with the Kentish Sailing Associations Race would be her first of hopefully many especially when she owns her own barge.
Never requiring an excuse to "go sailing" in VRIJHEID, though an excuse is better than none, we decided to join the Kentish gang again this year to return the cup we won the previous year as the best turned out traditional vessel. (Thanks guys, the hours of painting and care suddenly becomes worth it)
Seven and a half hours later with anchor holding, engine off and the first of the day in hand we sat in the wheelhouse to enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the Swale always delivers. We decided to moor in the lea of the Isle of Sheppey directly off shore of the Harty Ferry PH to hide from the Northerly. All change, lower the dinghy and off to Hollwshore up the Faversham Creek to the skipper meeting for 1730hrs.
Saturday arrived with a beautiful sunrise, clear skies, little wind and the sound of distant voices the crews busying themselves on deck preparing for the race day. Over breakfast we could hear the sweet sound of the anchor winches in operation inviting the cameras out to start snapping. It still chokes me up to see these majestic vessels being helmed by skippers who can control a vessel from anchor without using the engine, WOW.
We put in to join other crews on the day but only one boat arrived and Caroline "jumped ship" to sail with a well restored classic sail boat for the day. Katherine and I decided after the fleet had gone we had missed our sail so Vrijheid joined the fleet. The light aires proved ideal for the old gaffers encouraging as must sail the locker could offer to be hoisted. On the home leg even the aft dinghy davit was loosened to catch extra puff..
Back to our anchorage we waited for Caroline to return, showered and changed, into the dinghy and off to the prize-giving and party again at Hollowshore. What a day. It just gets better every year especially after a few pints of Shepherd Neame (generous sponsors of the day). Prize-giving over and with fading light the band set the tone for the next faze of the evening. We decided with an early start in the morning we should depart so made our way back to the ship for an early night.
0530am, engine warmed up and we were off up the Swale to catch as much of the incoming tide as possible. We had to be in the Creek at 1130hrs or miss locking through the barrage. Punching the tide for the last 10 mile made us 30minutes late though we did get in – just.
To all our friends, to all the crews a BIG thank you for the invite, it remains a very special event in our yearly calendar onboard Dutch barge VRIJHEID.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Barking-Chiswick-Barking Cruise
16th June, Friday. The weatherman has promised a great weekend so we are out of here and off to our old stomping grounds @ Chiswick. Glorious day with little breeze full on sunshine and shaping up to be a real scorcher.
Katie was on time to lock us out 1500hrs and we made our way down Barking creek to the Thames which invited us with a power guilde up through London and on to Chiswick on the flood tide mooring @ the visitors pier, Chiswick 1940hrs. A Cracking afternoon sail.
Spent the evening catching up on all the gos' with the Chiswick RNLI boys. Hadn't realised how much we had missed their cheery banter. Great to see Mark back to work soon after a long illness. Check out their website http://www.chiswicklifeboat.org.uk - and by the way a donation could be an excellent conscious vote. They do work 24/7 on the river. Thanks Guys for a great evening our regards to the rest of the Team and we promise to catch you all again before too long.
17th June, Saturday. Our dear Kiwi friend Kathryn Doddington arrived +/- 0900hrs to be introduced to quarters and was obviously excited at the prospect of be part of the return trip. She had spent the previous weekend with Tam and Di Morrall on Friesland i nCambrai, France reterning with her French Canal Skippers Ticket. Well done that girl.
Propective buyers arrived for a viewing, yes the word is out we are selling up, and took them out for a spin to Wandsworth and return to Chiswick dropping them off around noon. Lovely people (Names witheld for obvious reasons).
Ken, Top brass for the Chiswick Sea Cadets dropped by to say hello. As did a few other old faces.
1415hrs - Eager to catch the remainder of the ebb we reluctantly slipped lines, heading down stream for Margaret Ness (Our overnight mooring).
Waved to Jack Pawsy and Sandra with friends on their sweet little ship taking the tide upriver. She is looking great Jack, Sandra too!. Centre of London heaving with tourists. It seemed as if every passenger boat available was out in trade. It was rather busy. Our pushing the tide made for a slower passage and the wake from the cats’ did at time make for heavy going.
After passing through Tower Bridge the engine started to flutter indicating dodgy fuel. Managed to moor on the pontoon just before Greenwich Pier and drain both tank sacks and the engine filter sacks. Diesel black and full of grit and water. Started the engine and with all checks complete sailed on to Margaret Ness having moored closed down the engine @1945hrs.
Beautiful evening meal lovingly prepared by 1st Mate (Caroline) and up the wheelhouse with after dinner drinks and music and long debrief on the day. Kathryn shot over two hundred pictures some of which I will add when they arrive. 1130hrs we all agreed time for bed with light out before witches hour.
18th June, Sunday. All up to greet a bright sunny morning. Coffee and short breakfast with engine start 0700hrs for the short hop to Creekmouth, Barking Creek entrance catching the last of the tide before the turn. A call to Katie assured us the lock gate was open. We moored with engine close down about 0900hrs.
Yet another exciting cruise enjoyed by all.
Just found my username and password so best bring you all up to date - briefly.
Experienced a very quite winter aboard snug and warm thanks to the Stanley. We had to think long and hard on such a huge price tag when designing this unit into the new galley, but on relfection it has proved an invaluable trouble- free investment. The climate control was so perfect the "house orchid" threw no less than 13 spikes. after so many years it still has not re-aclimatised from NZ!
1st April we moved home to Barking. "Moving house with a barge is such a doddle in comparison to a conventional house move". Experienced a few teething problems with the utilities but otherwise we are very happy with our new home and the community spirit as just super. Best of all there are no more aircraft overhead very 90 seconds, especially the 0447hrs red -eye every morning. No train or car noise on the odd duck quaking and after a short walk to the station the city is only 17 minutes away to be precise - great.
Now I have access again you can expect regular updates. My filing system was never that good!
For those friends outside UK our landline number is: 0044 2085911219. There is no change to the email address. It is still we2@lifeafloat.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
33rd Swale Match Voyage 2005
Friends Martin and Sue arrived evening before and after dinner, did a dry run of plans for the following days. All onboard sleeplessly excited but realised an early start will be called for so we retired.
Morning saw hurried breakfast "coffee" with the girls promising bacon butties all round when we were underway.
Two and a half hours later we pass West India Docks calling Sue King to say hello. Tide still on the ebb and now close to mooring for the rest of the day and evening (Cory barges at Galleons Reach / Margret Ness. (Thanks guys - mooring always appreciated and it use is respected)
M.V.ANGELUS - Edward and Pamela arrive and tie-up along side to convey with us tomorrow.
First mate and Galley boss (Caroline) has suggested a BBQ. Something to keep us boys busy we suspect. Great evening on the water, good comapny, great food and afterward much wine and playing music (Marting ascoustic guitar, Sue electric base and moir on the harmonica). What a jam session - WOW. All to bed agreeing life should be like this every day....!
Easy trip is this bouy hopping down the Thames, past Tilbury Docks and on out to the sea reach bouys to the Medway River. Later with the enterance to the Swale insight we travel around the back of Sheppy to Faversham Creek enternace. The supply of food coming out of the galley is endless. We all take turns at the helm except Caroline.
Martin and Sue own a traditional UK narrowboat and have never been this far out of into the Thames estuary. Its a blinder, with plenty of space. Suddenly one appreicates how small an otherwise large 28m barge is out here. Weather beautifully sunny,the sea slight and little to no wind. Vrijhied is treating us royally as she always does, with the exhaust burble clear and even. Angelus looks a real piture off to our port side. Two sweet old ladies (ships) out playing on the Thames. Engine and all systems running to spec. The girls decide sunbathing on the foredeck is in order. So the boys starve for a few hours!!
Poisitioned outside Faversham Creek and ready to let out onr of the anchors. With many of the Thames Barges already here so evenly spaced turning in harmony together with the tide and wind we had best keep to the high standrands and follow suit. Wind getting up a bit and the current is not helping but we manage to hold position allowing the ship to glide backward as they pay out approx. three ship lengths of chain. Caroline and Sue stow the lines and fenders while the ship settles on the anchor. No drag so engine off. Immediately ones ears are met with an earsplitting silence, a rare treasure living in London. No planes overhead, no trains, no hords of people, no cars. In the distance a few sandpiper are twittereing their lonely cry caught by the wind rushing past my ears, purring a welcome to the Swale, once more. It is that cosy warm feeling I seem to get every time I'm here. Does it for me - there is a God in Heaven. We eagerly await the w/e to begin for us and the ship, sharing the water in such claasic company of these irreplacable magestic Old Gaffers' the Thames Barges and Smacks. Oops! Bit of a deep moment there - sorry but this place has get my vote everytime.
30th July, 2005
Day cloudy and windy. Crew up at the smell of a greasy spoon breakfast and fresh coffee. PJ sit out in the Wheelhouse with knees as the table eating a classic full english enjoying the best view point to catch all the action of Barges and Smacks weighing anchor purely undersail and magestically coming about to head out to the race start line.
There have got to be at least 30 boats out today, what a turnout. Sues' digital camera batteries are definitely not going to last the distance in her efforts to capture as much of the action as possible. At least she can download the data onto the ships server and take them home on a CD. So shot away Sue.
We are all invited aboad Angelus for the day out among the sailing fleet. Vrijhied left at her mooring looking sad and very much about the only vessel in the bay. Rather pointless taking two "stinkpots" out among such lustrious company.
After the obligitory burger, a meal in itself and french fries that ressemble potato wedges the first beer (Shepherds Neame/Spitfire of course) we eagerly await the prize giving. Soon our ship name is called, with non of us registering until it was called again. Hell, we have win the Jenefer Perks Cup for Best Turned out Historic Vessel. Cannot believe it and suddenly embarrassed to be limelighted. Caroline jumped up to take receipt. We also received a coverted Kentish Sail Association bargie which will behoisted up the mast head on our return. What a grand bunch these people are at the Kentish Sail Association.
All agree it being close to dark and bearing in mind navigating the creek, let alone the mouth, in the dark is no picnic so we begrudgingly say our good byes and head for the dinghy and back out to Vrijheid to be followed by another great jam session, lots of wine, good company and a day to remember.
31st July, 2005
Called Whitstable Habour Master asking for permission to enter the harbour. We left Angelus behoind at the mooring, they were walking of going up the creek that day, close to the top of the tide heading for Whitsable, a small harbour about an hour and a half away toward Herne Bay. Infamous for its Oyster Festival and fish markets it is a very busy harbour at present with most of the vessel fleet working on the new build wind farm in the mouth of the Thames sheltering here during the weekend. We are informed they can "squeeze" us in so we turn to starboard and negotiate the bouyed bar entrance and moor against the seawall. All lines available are used to contend with a 7m rise and fall of the tide.
Time to investigate the shops and fish market before heading off to the Old Neptune Pub late afternoon to catch the Brendon Power Gig. The man is a real master the band is excellent as is the beer which is going down a treat. Back onboard for a meal onboard, all slightly subdued in the knowledge we leave tomorrow morning for the “real world”!
1st August, 2005.
OK sort of a day though the wind is picking up by the hour. Weather forecast offers 2 / 3 with scattered showers and sunny intervals. Best we go before the wind gets up. Out with the charts and pick our course back to the creek, through Swale to the Medway and on up the Thames. Outsidein the harbour the wind is really getting up with the white horses chasing us. Turning into the Thames at the Medway mouth presented some hairy moments but as soon as we had rounded the spit and were on our course up the Thames with the wind at our backs everything settles down onboard. Sue shot some fantastic photo's of the Sea coming over the bow showering the deck with spray sometime up to the wheelhouse – WOW.
Arrived back at the Cory Barge mooring at Galleons Reach early evening tired. The girls had been busy cooking a great hot meal on route so we eat and faded to bed, light out. Long Day.
2nd August, 2005.
Breakfast in the wheelhouse, this is becoming a habit. We slipped our mooring heading up river on the incoming tide passing Greenwich and on thruogh the pool of London for Chiswick. Reached Hammersmith Bridge passing under with a metre to spare (this is the lowest bridge on the river and still gives me the heebies).
Arrived Chiswick Pier slightly early so moored on the main pontoon to wait the turn to slip into our mooring. Job done all secure engine off. We are home again.
Shuffled Martin and Sue off as they had to drive back to Robin, we stow all the kit and went to bed.
Another Swale Match over and for the first time home with some sliver – what a result.
Friday, July 15, 2005
100 hour Systems Service
Ignition Switch Bosch 0 -342-315-001. £42.79 - Tested OK.
Engine service - Replaced oil, fuel filters, filled greaser
Gearbox - Replaced oil.
Crank Batteries - checked electrolyte and fully charged.
Water in Header tank. At normal level.
Check setting of anchor winch for emergency drop (just in case)
Run up all systems and engine for 30 mins. Close down - all tested OK
Guess we are ready for the Swale.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
25th May DBA Cliveden Rally 2005
Four Soles onboard - Martin Muckett, Sue Cole, and We2.
1520 - Slipped Chiswick - tide in float
1547 - Brentford - Grande Union Canal Entrance
1605 - Richmond
1645 - Teddington - Bought non-tidal Thames River License 25/05 - 08/06 = £179.30
1723 - Kingston - Moored Lewis's for grocery shopping
1745 - Slipped Kingston
1827 - West Mosley
1945 - Sunbury
2007 - Walton Wharf
Thurs 26th
0830 - Slipped Walton Wharf after breakfast
0855 - Shepperton
1007 - Penton Hook
1145 - Old Windsor
1245 - Romney
1255 - Moored outside River House
1550 - Slipped after lunch and some final measuring!
1620 - Bovney
1720 - Bray
1830 - Boulters - had to wait @ bray as power was off
1900 - Moored Cliveden Island beside Carl and Debs (Concordia)
1030 - Slipped Cliveden Island. Apolonia, Daybreak, Concordia remaining. Martin off to
work & Sue returning with us.
1115 - Boulters
1205 - Bray
1250 - Bovney
1340 - Romney
1430 - Old Windsor
1630 - Penton Hook
1645 - Moored Laleham Reach. Martin returned end of day and we went to theThree
Horseshoes for dinner. Martin & Sue drove back to Clivedon to Robin (the narrowboat).
1115 - Just us now, Flossie, the ship and me - We slipped mooring for
1200 - Chertsey
1310 - Walton Wharf. Spent afternoon and evening with Max & Linda - The Anglers Pub closes
Sunday for major refit.
June 2nd
0930 - Engine start & stop. Fan belt for water pump/dynamo broke. Nick (relief manager
the Anglers) lent me his car to drive to Slough to Wykos to order Powerflex Belt.
0930 - Borrow Nicks car (publican), again and go get belt from Wyko. Return and fit but now find the ignition switch is smoking / mullured but must get home so have to sail back to Chiswick with no instrumentation.
1200 - Slip Walton Wharf
1310 - West Mosley
1405 - Teddington
1445 - Richmond Draw Lock.
1650 - Engine off Chiswick mooring.
High point of the Rally had to be the Puppet show put on by the kids Saturday Night "The Sound of Music". We musicians (Marting, Sue, Bruce and Russ) decided to strike up a singalong as thanks to the kids, before they went off to bed with Peter Paul and Mary Classics including Puff the Magic Dragon and Morning Town Ride among others. Got Mike (M.V.Reliance) going, he bought out his playing spoons. The Puppet Show was so touching. They had spent all day building the set in a woody clearing on the Island, practising the songs and marianette moves right under our noses with few knowing the scheme. Pure magic. We are so lucky. These sort of moments can never be repeated.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Shot the Movie - Going Dutch
22rd July, 2005
Young Ben (Movie Director in the making) arrives with Terresa (current heart throb) with all his kit ready to shot the rest of his movie for college. A 20min documentary all about Bruce and Carolines' life living with Vrijheid.
Left Chiswick mooring with the tide in float and the ship decided to ignore skippers direction . The RNLI to the rescue. They held her nose in line with their bow until we had cleared the mooring. Should remember to never, never, never move n reverse against the float tide. Silly me.
1005 - Slipped Chiswick
1100 - Putney Rail
1111 - Wandsworth
1128 - Battersea
1315 - Call up West India for a bridge lift and permission to enter lock. Held off and at lift moved into the open lock. Last part of trip on the ebb helped our time.
1500 - engine and systems off and time to lower dinghy, add outboard and go for a tour of Blackwall and Poplar Docks. Coldish so all wrapped up warm. Stopped off to say hello to Marc and Marie Claude (Weatherlight) and invited back for dinner.
1930 - Off to Weatherlight for dinner. We supplied the wine and dessert. Marie Claudes cooking is a treat in itself. Caroline made her speciality, homemade cheescake with pineapple. Lucky non of us were on a diet. What an evening catching up on the river spake, much laughter and chat about past experiences and near missess. The evening drew to a close as Marc had his RYA exam in the morning, it was already morning - Oops!
2200 - Ben & Terresa retruned from their evening out at the Barbican. Coffee and night caps all round and to bed.
1000 - West India Dock control called to confirm our slot to clear through as 1100. Ben trying desparately to catch all the action and failing miserably. Caroline stows lines and power lead foredecks and Terressa helps me with a the wraps aft. Lock gates open and in we go. Said our good byes to Sue King (Manager docks) and Malcom and cleared the lock 1115hrs.
1437 - Arrived a little to early so sailed up to Barnes bridge turning in time to return to mooring on an ebb tide.
Engine off and Bens' smile says it all. Guess he has enough footage added to the interview he should have a unique documentary to submit.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
RNLI Rescue Practise Session 2005
We're off to Chelsea Bridge to hand over the ship to the boys from Chiswick and Tower for a practise on towing a larger vessel on the Thames.
0925 - Slip mooring Chiswick - tideon ebb
1011 - Wandsworth
1023 - Battersea
1025 - Albert
1041 Standing off on Chelsea Reach and call up RNLI on cellphone "to ask for assistance". Chiswick with us in minutes and along side. Tower arrived soon after.
Chiswick crew member onboard at bow to take the training video. Grotty day, cloudy, warm with drizzily misty rain.
1239hrs both teams had completed their trials. We headed back to Chiswick just making our mooring on the fallling tide.
Chiswick appear to have won the day for skill so with game over time to head off back home to mooring.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
A weekend away with Grace & Fraser
Grace & Fraser arrived in the evening and after one of Flossies ace dinners out came the cheese, busicuits and the Pussars and got down to the serious business of playing catch up on all the news. Wedding bells for these two love birds - WOW. Fraser still pinching himself that she said yes!. Poor girl. Seriously we are both dead chuffed for them and know the wedding will be a very happy crazy occasion to look forward to.
Had promised Fraser a weekend away on the ship and at last it is happening. Shall moor Galleons Reach / Margaret Ness for the night to return with tide the next day.
9th October, 2005
1130 - Slipped Chiswick - wind blew us off track but recovered - difficult exit.
1445 - Moored Greenwich Pier and went shopping in the markets.
1620 - Moored Cory Environemtnal moorings Margaret Ness.
2130 - Light meal and chiled out for the evening in the wheelhouse
10th October, 2005
1010 - Slipped for Chiswick on the incoming tide. Very windy and the Alternator is playing up. Overdue to service anyway. Plenty of power in the banks for invertors to operate until we get home.
1411 - Home mooring - wind blowing us off but managed to control entry without incident.
wicked w/e