Hatton Dry Dock to Saltisford Arm

Yesterday afternoon, after Rob had finished fitting the raw water intake and stopcock, I refitted the engine room steps which conveniently hide and protect the stopcock from accidentally being opened.

I then fitted the strainer to the wall and connected the pipe from the generator and used a short length of pipe to connect the strainer to the stopcock, the blue device hanging above the strainer is the special spanner for undoing the strainer.

This morning the dry dock was refilled, fortunately there was no leaking from the new raw water intake, which is good news.

We then waited for our friends Mike and Lynn, who we shared the locks with on Sunday, to come back down and we re-joined with them for the remaining 18 locks back to our mooring in the Saltisford Arm. We moored the other way round so that Jo can do some repair work to the paintwork on the portside.

Keith.

Raw Water Intake for New Generator

Jo and I finished blacking this morning, just in time for Rob turned up to fit the raw water intake for our new generator. A hole had to be cut through the hull as viewed from outside.

The inlet fitting was fitted in this hole, again as viewed from outside.

Inside the engine room with the new inlet fitted.

The stop cock fitted to the inlet. All ready for leaving the dry dock tomorrow morning.

Keith.

1st Coat

Jo and I were up early this morning applying the 1st coat of blacking before the weather gets too hot!

Halfway there on my side.

All finished, now off to the Hatton Locks Café for lunch.

After lunch Jo applied the 1st gloss coat to the tunnel bands, followed by an ice cream each.

Keith.

Into Dry Dock

Hadar went into dry dock this morning, the stop planks went in and the paddle was drawn and she soon settled down.

The dock very quickly emptied.

Jet washing the grime off.

Jo and I alternated with the grinder to take the worst of the rust off, this is the first time we have have to use a grinder on the hull in 10 years.

Blacking first thing tomorrow morning before it gets too hot.

Keith.

Saltisford Arm to Hatton Dry Dock.

Moored in the dry dock near the top of the Hatton locks, ready for dry docking tomorrow for blacking over the next couple of days.

Keith.

Radford Semele to Saltisford Arm

Following a brief stop for some shopping  at Aldi (Jo likes their cheese) and Halfords (engine oil and antifreeze for the new generator) and an even briefer stop at Tesco’s we moored above Cape locks and had lunch and a pint each at the Cape of Good Hope.

After lunch we returned to our mooring in the Saltisford Arm.

Keith.

Blue Lias to Radford Semele

Now moored at Radford Semele.

Keith.