Knitting Blankets

 

Back in February I wrote about Jan knitting blankets <link here>.  Subsequently a number of comments were received asking for more detailed instructions.  Recently we received a comment on the same post from Deidhre telling us she had worked out how to do it and had posted additional details (plus photos) on her own blog <here>.

So if any of our readers are struggling with Jan’s instructions or gave up.  Do have a look at Deidhre’s blog and you may be enlightened!

Meanwhile I’ve been monitoring the online price of solar panels and today we placed an order through Ebay <here> for two 100w monocrystalline panels at £89.95 each.  We’ve also separately purchased some MC4 solar connectors.  The panels are coming from Europe which will allow me to do some preparatory work to the wiring.

There are some essential boat items I failed to include in the contract specifications so we have been busy scouring the internet to source them at the best price.  The current list includes

• Fenders (ordered and received)
• Mooring ropes (received)
• Life Ring (supplier identified)
• Lift Jackets(supplier identified)
• Anchor (received)
• Shackles (received)
• Aluminium Ladder (modified for use as a boarding plank)

Then there is the list of non-essential items

• 2 way radios
• Solar panels (ordered)
• Vacuum cleaner (purchased today)
• Cratch mats
• Ecofan (purchased)
• Security cables and padlocks (for the ladder and solar panels)
• etc, etc

I managed to purchase some suitable machine screws and bolts for the modified aluminium ladder at B&Q only to subsequently find some better (and cheaper) in Wilkinsons <grrrrr>.  However I did managed to avoid purchasing the expensive aluminium ‘checker plate’ in B&Q.  It’s significantly cheaper on Ebay. 

Jan happened to notice Robert Dyas were selling Russell Hobbs vacuum cleaners at a heavily reduced price (£39.99).  It’s very compact and ‘box’ shaped which will make it easier to store.  The other advantage is it’s ‘bagless’.  At 1800 watts the inverter should have no problem supplying power.

Over the last couple of days we have been inundated with officials from The Environmental Agency, CaRT and Thames Water.  A very large diesel slick has appeared on the water around the marina.  Initially we were concerned that we might be the source having only recently gone into the water and filled the diesel tanks for the first time.  However it quickly became apparent Waiouru wasn’t the source.

The EA brought in a floating boom which was placed across the canal.

One of the hire boats was used to get the boom to the far side of the canal.  The far end was then bought back in an effort to trap the majority of the diesel.

Diesel absorbent mats were then left floating on the surface inside the boom to soak up the diesel.  The EA appears to have captured the majority of the diesel with just a few traces left around the moored boats.