It must be Christmas Again!

No… not because of the snow.  Some local has started to decorate the tree on the towpath beside Waiouru with small black plastic bags containing ‘gifts’!  Perhaps they contain chocolates?  Or maybe the owner forgot to take them home.  We shall keep our eyes open and if we can identify the owner we’ll try and give them a pleasant surprise by posting their missing chocolates back through their letterbox! 

Smartbank Advanced Error Message

I may have solved yesterday’s Smartbank Advanced problem.  The display was reporting an ‘E11’ error code which indicated there was a potential cable problem due to different voltage readings between the domestic and starter batteries.  The first step in attempting to solve this was to clamber around inside the garden shed engine bay checking cable connections.  You have to be a bloody contortionist to peer into some of the nooks and crannies.  Trying to hang upside down and peer over one’s right shoulder at some cable connections is damned difficult.  Particularly when you only have one eye and your spec’s keep falling off your face.  In the end I couldn’t find anything that indicated there was a problem.  I then attempted to start the engine….. NOTHING….. The entire Beta panel was DEAD!  Now it was working yesterday,,,,,,,,, so why wouldn’t any of the panel lights illuminate? 

Reading the Beta Marine manual didn’t help.  It might be that I accidentally knocked off a wire or pushed a lever in the engine during my earlier trapeze act.  Back down the engine compartment with multimeter in hand.  Nothing appeared out of place!  The next step was to start fault finding from the source.  The engine starter battery is located in its own plastic container in the cockpit locker.  On opening the locker doors I noticed the battery isolation switch had been knocked to the half open position when the windlass and club hammer had been removed after starting the engine.  I turned the isolation switch fully on and the engine panel lights illuminated.  It was then possible to start the engine.  On checking the Smartgauge display the error message had disappeared.  So the starter battery may have been disconnected yesterday when I removed the windlass and hammer but the engine would have continued to run.  Because the starter battery wasn’t receiving any charge it would have a different voltage reading to the domestic bank as the latter would have been on charge.  The mystery may have been solved!   

More efficient use of the solar panels

I’ve noticed something about the solar panels.  If we don’t have the engine running and the domestic battery bank is less than 100% charged the solar panels will send electricity into the domestic bank (they are only connected to the domestic bank).  Because we haven’t seen much sunlight and when the sun does appear it’s quite low on the horizon, we have only been getting <1 amp.  I’ve been able to slightly angle them towards the sun by tilting up one side with an inflatable fender and this increases the panel output to 3-4 amps.  However when the engine is running to charge the batteries the panels normal don’t contribute any power.  My assumption is the solar controller has a “cut-off” voltage level which is lower than the output voltage from the engine.  After downloading and reading the Tracer MPPT Controller manual I’ve noted the controller Boost Voltage is 14.6V and the Float is 14.6V.  The low voltage reconnection is 12.6V.  The engine alternator voltage is 14.8V.  My assumption is the moment we start the engine and produce 14.8V the solar controller thinks it’s in an “over voltage” situation and disconnects the solar charge from the batteries.  It then doesn’t reconnect the panels to the batteries until the voltage drops to 12.6V which is about 90-100% charged.  However the batteries will show up to 14.5V immediately after being charged whilst they “recover” from the charging. 

What does this mean it us?  If we are going to get the maximum benefit from the solar array we should avoid running the engine whilst the panels are charging the batteries.  They may not fully charge the batteries in the time available so we need to monitor the battery state of charge and, if necessary, allow sufficient time at the end of the day to top up the batteries using the engine. 

More Snow

I guess, like all other boaters, we woke to snow falling.  The rental car had to be returned to Newbury by 8:00am which made it an early start to the day.  I generously allowed myself 30 minutes to travel the 11 miles.  All went well until the outskirts of Newbury.  From there on the queue of traffic backed up and crawled along slowly.  Fortunately I made my deadline with a minute to spare.  It was then a case of killing time until 9:30am so I could use my plastic friend (seniors bus pass) to get back to the boat.

A trip into the 99p Shop proved to be very fruitful!  I purchased two tie-down ratchet straps.  These will be used to secure the plastic 20 litre diesel containers to the collapsible sack trolley.  There was a 14” steel jemmy bar which might also be useful.  And finally there was a length of plastic “cable tidy”.  My plan is to use it to tidy up the wiring to the Empirbus nodes.

Once back on Waiouru Jan and I had a discussion about the potable (drinking quality) water left in the tank and the weather.  The tank was quarter full and Jan wanted to use the washing machine.  Do we stay where we are and risk the weather deteriorating even further and potentially running out of water.  Or do we move the boat in the snow and fill up the water tank.  Upon checking the services in the pound we identified the water point was occupied by two moored boats.  We would have been prepared to breast up against one of them to reach the water point but considered it might be rather risky for a couple of novices the attempt such a manoeuvre in the snow.  The alternative was to go down the lock and through the Aldermaston lift bridge to the second water point outside the cafe.  Could we do it in the snow?  Well there was only one way to find out.

A shivering couple finally managed to get Waiouru to the cafe water point.  Of course the snow then ceased and the temperature rose by a few degrees.

The cafe water point has only recently been reconnected.  We discovered it was very similar to our 3 Mobile ‘All you can eat’ internet data plan.  You can take as much water as you like but the speed is dismal.  It took 90 minutes to fill the water tank.  Still, that gave us time to sit inside, warm up, and have lunch.

Whilst there do not appear to be any boats currently moving, we didn’t want to loiter on the water point.  Another decision.  Do we go down one more lock and wind (turn) to return to our original mooring, or should we reverse all the way back.  It started to snow again so obviously we had to take the more difficult option (for us) and reverse back under the lift bridge then up through the lock.  It actually went rather well…… With liberal use of the “girlie button” (bow thruster)!

The only significant issue during the entire process was the error message that appeared on the Smartbank.  The display was flashing the code ‘E11’.  This code isn’t in the User Manual?  I suspect it’s part of the ‘Advanced’ part of the Smartbank and we didn’t get a User Manual for that part of the system.  Google tells me the code means ‘Relay or Battery Cable Problem’ so I need to do some further investigating to identify the exact problem and then a solution.

Rain all day!

No photos because the connection was so slow!

We woke to a cold and rainy day so I was slightly put out when I phoned dear old mum in Perth first thing this morning and was told the temperature was 37ºC at her end!  However the novelty of four seasons hasn’t worn off and we would have been prepared to do some boating except the day required us to drive to Stanwell (near Heathrow) to meet an old friend for lunch. 

The towpath was already covered in water and it was only going to get worse during the day as there were a large number of canoeists and their supporters about to use the stretch of the towpath we’re moored on as the start point for an event.  You have to admire the determination (or is it stupidity?) of these enthusiasts.  Who would want to go canoeing on a cold and rainy day.  Wet head, wet arms and a wet backside <brrrrr>.  As we drove east on the M4 a group of Sunday runners jogged over a pedestrian overbridge in front of us.   More crazy brits!

We had lunch at The Bells in Staines.  It is located very close to the Thames River Path and we could probably reach it on Waiouru if we could find a mooring.  The food was excellent.  Jan had the roast beef and I had the roast lamb.  For dessert we both chose the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. 

On the return journey the weather was even worse with the cats & dogs being replaced by lions & hyenas.  Our concerns about the condition of the towpath proved well founded as we had to almost wade down a river of mud and water to get back on board.  I had unsuccessfully attempted to start the Hurricane heater remotely by text message so I need to go back and look a the configuration file.  It would have been nice to return to a warm boat but it wasn’t to be……. Perhaps next time!

Another early start tomorrow as I need to get the car back to Enterprise in Newbury.

See Woo

Jan had been talking to John, one of the local boaters who mentioned he liked cooking Asian food and shopped at a chinese supermarket in Reading.  After living in SE Asia ourselves we both enjoy chinese food.  A Google search produced See Woo which claims to be the largest supplier of oriental food in the Reading area.  Having a rental car obviously placed a visit on the itinerary. 

However the first task this morning was a visit to Thatcham to purchase more red diesel.  Unfortunately it was raining when I pumped the diesel from the containers into the Hurricane tank which meant I needed my left hand to hold and activate the new 3v pump and my right hand to hold the pump nozzle in the tank filler point.  My middle hand was used to hold the umbrella over the operation to prevent any water entering both the 20 litre jerrican and the boat tank.  As I only have three hands it wasn’t possible to take a photo of the pump in action.  Maybe next time!

Our folding sack trolley has been used to transport the 20 litre diesel containers between the car and the boat.  Thus far it’s proven to be very good.  However we don’t have any ratchet tie-down straps to secure to the containers to the trolley so I was forced to transport them individually.  The trolley is rated at 80kg and with tie-down straps we should be able to move two at a time.

We had a chuckle after entering the post code for See Woo into the gps.  It’s located around the corner from the Enterprise Rental Car office in Reading and is only a short distance from the canal.  I mentioned to Jan we should consider looking for a temporary mooring and make another trip to the supermarket on our way down the Kennet & Avon to the Thames!

So many sauces to chose from……..

We decided against buying any frozen frogs legs but did purchase some oyster sauce and soy sauce.  No 100 year old eggs in stock… maybe next time!  However Jan was able to buy a large bag of ginger, so ginger cake is possible in the offing?  I’d like her to bake ginger gems but can’t convince her to buy the iron!  

Dinner tonight was steamed dumplings and dim sims.

Top taken off the bamboo steamer for the photo

More conventional shopping followed with trips to Aldi and Sainsburys.  Jan was particularly euphoric when she discovered a £2 voucher in the bottom of the empty Sainsburys shopping trolley!

Having the car meant we could shop in bulk.  36 litres of milk and countless bags of flour made manoeuvring the trolley a challenge.  Oh….. It’s not fresh milk; long life!  The rubber wheels on Jan’s little shopping trolley were almost worn to the rims by the number of trips it took to get all the food from the car to Waiouru. 

The tread has worn off the soles of the shoes I bought when we started fitting out Waiouru.  They are a hazard and have gone into the bin.  I could use my summer ‘All Terrain’ joggers but they are expensive and it would be a waste of money using them as general ‘knock about’ shoes.  We called into Sports Direct to look at what they had in stock.  It must have been our lucky day because the prices had previously been reduced and today they were advertising a further 10% discount.  Finding a pair my size (8½) provided somewhat problematic but eventually Jan found a pair which fitted me; had a good sole; and were the ‘right’ price!  

Tomorrow is the last day with the car……

A little cheesy

After collecting the rental car from Enterprise I decided to maximise it’s use by going to Thatcham and buying some red diesel for the Hurricane heater.  At 90p per litre it as worth a journey.  Back at Aldermaston Wharf Jan walked to the marina office to find the 3v battery powered fuel pump had been delivered.  We decided to purchase one after Ray and Diane (nb Ferndale) showed us theirs when they visited last Saturday.  It will be used for the first time tomorrow and I must remember to take a photo. 

Jan and I had discussed where we might want to go whilst we have the car.  Obviously somewhere far from the canal network as we plan to see everything near the canals during our life afloat.  Last time we were in the UK we’d included a visit to Cheddar in Somerset but we ran out of time.  So we decided today’s destination would be Cheddar.  The gps route took us along the M4 motorway to Bristol and then south to Cheddar.  Not the most scenic route, but the fastest.

South of Bristol the worms in the stomach had turned to snakes and after checking the time we realised the snakes were overdue feeding.  Jan spotted a pub with a “Two for one” sandwich board out the front and it seemed as good a place as any to stop.

I rather like the ambience of English pubs……  The beer is a different matter!

So we had lunch at the Stag & Hounds

Jan had the Somerset Chicken whilst I had the Somerset Pork.  It’s the first time we’ve had new potato's in quite some time.

The service was good, the meal ok, and the value excellent. 

We arrived at Cheddar around 2.00pm to find the place almost dead with more than half the shops closed.  Guess it’s a seasonal thing!  Jan purchased a miniature pottery cider jug as the first item in her planned collection of UK souvenirs.  Not much room on a boat so they have to be small.  This will go in her empty display cabinet above the TV.

There’s not much point in going to Somerset if you don’t buy some scrumpy.  The lady in the shop had either sweet or dry cider.  Jan decided on medium and the lady kindly sold her a 50/50 mix.  I suggested Jan purchase a litre.  You can see why in the following photo.

Yes…….. That one litre plastic container will make an ideal header tank for the battery automatic watering system.   Get drinking Jan!

A few photos around Cheddar Gorge

Entrance to the gorge

We didn’t want to return via the boring motorway so had a look at the road map and decided to take secondary roads via Midsomer Norton (to catch up with Inspector Barnaby & Sergeant Jones), Andover and Newbury.  We were half expecting Midsomer to be almost stripped of people and have a large cemetery.  But apparently not!   Actually we couldn’t find anything worthwhile to photograph.  On the way to Andover we passed road signs pointing to Boscombe Down which I confused with Porton Down where the MoD do research into chemical and biological agents.

Tomorrow isn’t likely to be nearly as interesting…….

I was sure there was an elephant!

This afternoon Jan and I wrapped ourselves up to keep warm and walked the towpath back the the farm to see if we could find the elephant that I’m sure I had a glimpse off whilst walking at dusk yesterday evening .  Despite comments made after yesterdays post, my observations were not the result of  recreational chemicals induced hallucination or excessive consumption of strong liquor.  Jan can confirm there is an elephant as we both saw it on today’s walk.  Moreover I took the camera and have a photo to prove it.

The poor bugger has been chained to a mooring bollard!

Part of the walk took us beside the River Kennet.  The water level has fallen and the current isn’t as fierce as last week.  However with more rain forecast that situation could reverse.  The fields are still saturated, although the early spring crop is making a valiant effort to avoid drowning!

Jan has tried a new bread recipe.  No sugar or salt.  Actually there are only three ingredients; flour, yeast and water.  It turned out to be delicious, especially as I got to eat the end crust covered with a thick slice of butter <yum>!

This afternoon I spent some time tidying up the wiring behind the TV in the saloon.  Most of it was urgently thrown in when fitting out Waiouru and I now need to go back and unravel the “birds nest” and clip the cable runs neatly.  Jan carried on knitting her cardigan whilst simultaneously watching TV.  Unfortunately, being a fella, I can’t multi-task!

We have taken advantage of a special weekend hire rate from Enterprise and booked a small car for the next three days.  It will be an opportunity to purchase some bulky items on our “required” list, plus allow us moles a brief respite from the steel tube.  No doubt we will find somewhere interesting to go!

Waitangi Day

As every New Zealander should know, today is Waitangi Day (wye-TANG-ee).  On this day in 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by Governor Hobson as the representative of the British crown and numerous Maori chiefs.  The treaty made NZ part of the British empire and guaranteed Māori rights to their land along with the rights of British subjects.  There were two versions; one in English and the other in Maori.  Of course they aren’t the same and the Pakea (Europeans) and Maori have been arguing about its interpretation ever since.

Apparently kiwi’s in London usually celebrate it with a pub crawl that finishes with a Haka in Parliament Square.  Don’t bother looking for us… we’re not that daft!

Back to more mundane things.  Postman Pat delivered a package today.  Another piece of cruising equipment.  Again they are multi-functional and can be used when going down the weed-hatch; completing a pump-out; or assisting in the delivery of any calves en-route.

Changing the subject.  Whilst out for an evening walk I’m fairly certain I saw an elephant through the hedgerow.  For the life of me I can’t think why a farmer would have an elephant on his farm, but tomorrow I plan to go back and check.  This time with a camera.  If I’m right then there should be a photo of it on tomorrows post!

Thinking Multifunctional

We are slightly late with tonight’s post.  I became engrossed in efforts to record wifi hotspots near canals on our Google Earth canal template.  The wrists are stiff and sore after all that clicking and dragging of the cursor.  Of course many of these hotspots may not be free and there will be many more still to be identified as we progress around the network.  But it’s a start!  I’ve been doing something similar with laundries.

Jan decided we should do a washing cycle today.  Storage space is at a premium on a narrowboat and we’re constantly looking for ideas on how to save space.  One of the great ideas we read on Sue’s blog (nb No Problem) was to use the washing machine as the dirty laundry bag.  It would be a waste of space if left empty!  Why didn’t we think of that!!!  This was the first occasion we’ve used the machine without being on shore-power.   The domestic battery bank needed charging so it made sense to run the washing machine whilst charging the batteries.  It only took slightly longer to get the batteries up to 100%.  Water usage was quite minimal as we used less than ¼ of the tank.  Actually it was more an eighth of the tank. 

Another thing we have attempted to do is make the boat multi-functional as much as possible.  The stern post is a storage location for the anchor. It Is somewhere to hang fenders.  Can be used as a bicycle rack.  And today we fitted the clothes line on it.

It’s an idea we stole adopted after seeing a very similar setup on Kevin & Sue’s boat (nb Meander).  I was concerned the strong winds might lift the clothesline pole out of the stern post so I’ve drilled a hole through both and locked them together with a bolt.

Just after lunch the sun put on a very good show which provided an opportunity to experiment with the solar panels. When they were laying flat on the roof we were getting 2-3 amps.  By moving them to the edge of the roof and placing an inflatable plastic fender under the high side it was possible to tilt them slightly towards the sun.  The amperage immediately rose to 4-5 amps.  I confirms my belief about the need to make a suitable swivel and tilting frame and mounting for the panels.

Around 3.00pm the temperature plunged and the forecast is for a sprinkling of the white stuff tonight.  If this occurs it will resolve the mud problem but will again create issues with the K&A water levels.  And here we were thinking a cruise in the next few days might be possible!

Sounds more……

When Waiouru was fitted out we ran wiring for six speakers in the saloon ceiling.  Whilst the speakers were installed during the final stages of the fit out they were not connected into the media system.  Actually they need to connect to the external sound sockets on the TV.  After some research I found a small 12v amplifier on eBay for £6.99, including free delivery.  The only error was failing to read the seller was located in Hong Kong.  However after a short (two week) delay the amplifier arrived and has been connected into the system.

It has been mounted vertically in the cavity behind the TV where it’s out of sight.  The location is rather fortuitous because the amplifier has dual coloured flashing leds which illuminate the knobs when turned on.  It also produces far more power than we are ever likely to need inside the boat. (well at our age).  I still have to tidy up the wiring.

We are apparently the proud owners of a second Samsung Galaxy S i9000 smartphone.  Our first phone was purchased as a “parallel import” from Malaysia whilst we were living in Australia and is our communications “lifeline” providing both voice and unlimited internet.  The model has already been superseded by the Galaxy S2 but it does everything we require, so why purchase something more expensive.  Eventually the current phone will ‘pass on to phone heaven’ (component failure) which is why the second phone has been purchased.

How did this happen? Well I noticed a new Galaxy S i9000 was for sale on eBay with about six serious bidders vying for it.  The bid price was steadily rising and there were two days left before bids closed.  Then I noticed a second phone with a starting bid of £99.  This was more expensive that the current bid on the first phone (£60), however the bidding for the second phone was scheduled to close before the first.  I decided £99 was about the right price so rather than get into a bidding war with the other six bidders (and potentially lose), I opted to watch the second phone and placed the only bid 20 seconds before the auction closed.

As it stopped raining this afternoon I took the Kipor generator out of storage and decided to give the domestic bank a thorough charge.  It wasn’t really necessary as we’ll be on shore power in a couple of days, but I want to ensure the Kipor is empty of fuel and also complete an oil change.  The generator ran for three hours and by then the Smartgauge was showing 100% and the Victron BMV display showed the batteries were accepting 0.8A.  No doubt we’ll improve on that when the batteries are on shore power over winter. 

I had a “seniors moment” when the generator was running thinking that we might accidentally flatten the batteries if the shore power 240v supply was to fail without us realising it.  Then I remembered if we switch the Victron to ‘Charge’ the 240v side of the boat is supplied by the shore power and the batteries cannot supply the inverter.  It will actually be a good way of identifying the shore power has failed and enabling us to switch back to running the engine and using the batteries.

Sore Feet

After looking at the weather forecast yesterday the idea of a walk today was off the agenda.  However the day turned out to be cloudy and cold, but dry so I went on an impromptu walk.  During the previous week I compared the OS and OSM maps of the local area and identified a number of footpaths that were not shown on the OSM.  The objective of today’s walk was to walk as many of these footpaths as possible.  It was obvious the ground would be saturated therefore to minimise the amount of mud that would have to be traversed footpaths on higher ground were selected.

Recorded footpaths in red

Whilst recording the last footpath I realised I was relatively close to Thatcham (left in the screen dump above) so I phoned Jan to see if she wanted anything purchased from the supermarket before heading back to Aldermaston Wharf via the towpath.  Order received, I headed into the town centre. 

On the way I passed this building.  We have both passed it on numerous occasions whilst traveling on the bus.  But this was the first opportunity to have a closer look.

Not a good photo as it was taken with the gps camera.

The building looks old but also sits rather forlornly surrounded on three sides by busy roads.  It appeared to be some type of hall.  However there was a plaque with more information.

Built in 1304??????  I don’t think so……!   Scratch around in the foundations and there might be the odd original rock.

Half way back down the towpath towards Aldermaston and my feet and hips started to give me some grief.  Never happened walking for this length of time in Australia so I can only assume the cold is getting into my bones.  Not that I’m any older of course!

Back at Waiouru Jan had run the engine for 3.5 hours to charge the batteries.  There was just enough sun for the solar array to keep the domestic bank at 100% provided the inverter was left off.  That will change tonight when the TV gets turned on.

The last chore for the day was to edit and upload the gps traces to the Open Street Map.  Jan whipped up a tasty sweet & sour chicken, rice and fresh vegetables for dinner which scarcely touch the sides of my throat such were my hunger pains!  Now showered with the feet up waiting to watch “Call the Midwife” and “Ripper Street”.  I’m so tired the blister on the sole of my left foot won’t stop me from a deep sleep tonight. 

A Meeting

Today we had a lovely visit from Ray & Diane (nb Ferndale).  They had kindly visited George & Carol (nb Rock’n’Roll)  to collect the self pump-out kit we had purchased from them.  I don’t expect we will use the kit except in an emergency as the tank on Waiouru is rather large and Jan doesn’t need arms like a gorilla.   What……. you though I was going to do all that pumping?  <hahahah>

Jan (who hates having her photo taken) Ray and Diane

It’s likely there is a better photo of Jan on Ray and Diane’s blog.  It was interesting to hear Ray and Diane discuss their 2013 cruising plans along with wintering over in a marina.  Of course we also had to discuss toilets. Once we start cruising we will hopefully meet again.

All too soon Ray & Diane were on their way to their hotel!

First thing this morning I went down to the boatyard and filled two 20 litre containers with red diesel.  This was brought back to Waiouru using a sack trolley.  The diesel was then syphoned into the Hurricane heater tank using the recently purchased syphon system.  Unfortunately the syphon is incredibly slow.  The problem is the internal diameter of the plastic tube is so small it seriously restricts the rate of flow.  How it did transfer all the diesel from the containers to the fuel tank.   After mentioning the problem to Ray he showed me a battery powered syphon pump they recently purchased from eBay.  It looks a much better choice so Jan ordered one late this afternoon.

The fine weather has resulted in boats starting to move.  It was immediately apparent the edge of the bank is very soft and our mooring pins were starting to loosen.  I decided to try out two of the four anchor plates I made from some scrap steel.

Initial indications are this is a much stronger ground anchor.  Then some time was spent on the three fold gangplank.  The ends were reversed and I found a short length of 4x2 timber dunnage to place under the boat end.  The idea is this will protect the paintwork.

We have been discussing buying a few more pieces of Dri-Dek interlocking matting for the roof of the boat.  The ladder would sit on it when in storage thereby minimizing the likelihood if the aluminium ladder frame scratching the paintwork or causing micro blisters.

Last task for the day was to rearrange everything in the bow thruster locker to make room of the pump-out kit.  No doubt the next thing required out of the locker will be at the bottom!

The future of blogging

First, from an Irish/South African friend living in Australia

JUST IMAGINE … 

If you had bought $1,000.00 of Qantas shares one year ago, you would have $49.00 today! If you bought $1,000.00 AIG shares one year ago, you  would have $33.00 today! 

If you bought $1,000.00 worth of Lehman Brothers shares one year ago, you would have $0.00 today! BUT ... If you purchased $1,000.00 worth of beer one year  ago, drank all the beer, then returned the aluminium cans for recycling ... You would have received $214.00!!!

Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily and recycle! 

And, did you know ...

A recent study found that the average Aussie walks 1450 Kilometres a year !!!

Another study found that Aussies drink, on average, 100 litres of alcohol a year!!! 

That means that, on average, Aussies get..... 14.5 kms to the Ltr.

Back to blogging……….

Our youngest son is involved in the technical side of internet marketing and made some interesting observations and predictions about the future direction of social media.  He believes Facebook will go into decline, exacerbated by the proposed introduction of additional advertising between posts.  He also suggests blogging programs such as Wordpress and Blogger have reached their zenith.  His prediction is Google will incorporate Blogger into Google+ to provide one Google social media platform.  Interestingly, whilst he likes using Google applications; from a professional perspective he doesn’t like doing business with Google.

Meanwhile my frustration level has gone through the roof attempting to leave comments on other blogs.  What is that number and is that an i, l or a t?  Yes, it’s that process you go through at the end trying to work out the number and letters… its not even a word!!  But people in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones!  So last night I removed this requirement from our own blog.  We don’t receive many unwanted “junk/spam” comments anyway.  Now I feel free to whinge!  

But wait…….. this morning the email inbox was full of blog comments…….. All rubbish from anonymous senders!   So I have changed the blog comments settings so anonymous comments will not be accepted.  Do any of our readers have a problem with that?

Our future blog plans included a potential move from Blogger to Wordpress on our own piece of server space.  Should we now spend the time and money doing this or wait to see if youngest son’s prediction on the future of blogging is correct.

With more cold weather forecast we may have to relight the Refleks stove.  It was only turned off two days ago.  When using the Hurricane we’ve had to dry the condensation two or three times daily whereas using the Refleks results in less condensation.   If the cold weather becomes more persistent we will probably experiment by combining the use of both stove and heater.   If we can get the Refleks stove to run on a setting low enough to provide a “base level” temperature throughout Waiouru then use the Hurricane to “top-up” the temperature using it’s thermostat control.

Two steps forward and one backwards

The wind and rain buffeted Waiouru around during the night which resulted in Jan again rising early.  Around 9.00am the weather cleared so we moved Waiouru onto the water point to fill up the tank and dump the rubbish.  Part way through the process the heavens opened so we both raced inside for 20 minutes whilst it passed over.

It was then time to do the next 100 yards of our journey around the network.  The wind had again picked up so any cruising was going to be more difficult.  That’s why I decided to move from the facilities up through the lock and onto our new mooring in reverse.  I just love a challenge!  I wonder how long it will take us to get around the network in reverse?

The plan was for Jan to work the lock whilst I reversed Waiouru into it and then back onto the new mooring.   The first problem was to get the blunt end around.  Of course the slab side of the cabin makes an excellent sail and as a result we (me) kept going sideways.  In the end I had to resort to using the “girlie button” to get to pointy end around.  Thank goodness we specified the largest 12v bow thruster available.

Paul (nb Apache) noticed our efforts and kindly came to assist us with the passage through the lock.  Just as I started to reverse out of the lock another boat came around the bend.  For weeks we’ve hardly seen a moving boat and today whilst commencing my first serious bit of reversing one has to appear…… Joneses luck!

After much wrestling with the blunt and sharp ends we finally manoeuvred Waiouru against the towpath in between two moored boats.  Mooring pins in and lines tied.  Next it was time to try out our experimental folding gangplank.

Only two of the three folds required

The hole drilled in the checker plate provides a good anchor point for the mooring pin

However a few modifications are required.  The original concept involved securing the end on the boat to the base of the tiller with the same bicycle security cable used to secure the ladder on the roof.  My error was in not thinking of a method for securing the ladder when only two folds are used.  It needs another hole in the middle section!  We also need to think of a way of protecting the paintwork on the stern deck.  If we purchase a few more squares of “DriDek” matting for the roof it will eliminate the direct contact between the ladder and the roof paintwork.  The gangplank is currently temporarily secured using the “spare” mooring rope and an offcut of carpet.

New mooring above Aldermaston Lock

The second positive step is I’ve been able to get the user customised text communication system between us and Waiouru to work.  It was my error/omission.  I had erred in my judgement and logic.  A simple change in the configuration enabled me to send a text message to remotely start my test device (the satellite dome).  Another text message turned it off.  After realising what was required it was a very quick task to configure the commands for

• Hurricane Heater On/Off
• Bilge pump(s) On/Off
• Fridge On/Off
• Engine Imobilizer On/Off

However, as I don’t know how much money is left on the SIM card the new configuration hasn’t been validated.  Hopefully we can do this tomorrow.

Now the step backwards.  I phoned Vodafone Customer Care today (yes I’ve finally named the mobile network phone provider) in an effort to resolve our inability to create an online account.  Straight through to the dreaded options…..

• Press 1.   Discuss our plans, bonuses, etc
• Press 2.  Discuss your problem
• Press 3.  Explain why you are leaving Vodafone.

Like a bloody idiot I chose the most relevant…. Option 2.   The canned voice informs me the call will cost us 20p.  Then I wait….. and wait… and wait for 30 minutes listening to canned music and a canned female voice apologising and telling me everyone is busy at the moment.  I refuse to let them have our 20p without getting a response to our problem.  I’d almost be willing to bet money that I’d have received a very prompt response if I’d selected Option 3!!!!!!!

Eventually, (30 minutes later) a human asks how he can help?  I explain we have been unable to create a user account on the Vodafone website sand query whether it’s a problem with the “system” recognising our mobile phone number.  I’m quickly advised they (Vodafone) are having a problem with their website and the technicians are working on it!   I first attempted to create the account on 20 January and 11 days later they still haven’t fixed the problem!

Newbury… Again!

Wow…. did we ever get bounced around by the wind last night.  Jan claimed to have received very little sleep whereas there isn’t much I won’t sleep through.  Temperatures have been very mild so we decided to turn off the Refleks stove and rely on the Hurricane.  It seems a logical move.  The Refleks can run 24/7 when it’s sufficiently cold to warrant a continuous source of heat.  In milder weather the thermostatically controlled Hurricane can switch on/off as required.  Hopefully this strategy results in less fuel being burned.

Some essential supplies have started to run low so it was yet another trip into Newbury.  Whilst it’s a nice town we didn’t come to the UK to live near Newbury.  However there’s not much we can do about the situation but accept we will have to wait until conditions change and we can move on.  After receiving the following email from CaRT it doesn’t appear this is likely to happen in the near future.

Wednesday 30 January 2013 until further notice
Heavy rain is forecast toward the end of the week (1 February)that is likely to cause difficulties to navigation and may make the river sections (the River Kennet and the River Avon)of the waterway impassable.  The Waterway Manager does not recommend navigation in these conditions.

Whilst in Newbury we were fortunate enough to be able to visit Bill (Towpath Bill) in his new apartment.  Bill is a very interesting character and always manages to surprise us with some nugget of canal information.  He has suggested a return towpath walk from Newbury to Hungerford this Sunday.  I shall have to watch the weather before deciding to take up his offer!

Back at Waiouru and the TV reception was awful….. nothing but “soapies”!  Then I realised I was watching the washing machine.   Jan had decided to do the socks and “smalls” knowing we plan to fill the water tank in the morning.  I’m still struggling working out the intricacies of the Empirbus User configurable TEXT communications.  It would appear I have the physical wiring correct, but the software configuration is challenging the old ‘grey matter’.  Fortunately I’m receiving excellent support from Atlantis Marine.  My feeling is that I’m almost there………  Or perhaps I’m so lost I think I’m found.

The saga with the mobile phone network provider continues.  Last time I went to the store in Reading they arranged for my user account on their website to be deleted as I thought the problem was it had been corrupted when I had a network outage during the creation process.  I was told to wait 3 days and re-create the account.  Last night I tried and the system again reported an error.  My guess is it’s still a problem with the SIM card number.  One part of the mobile phone providers system allows the SIM to work (the SIM will send and receive), however there is another part that believes the SIM number is inactive.  My assumption is it’s this half of the system that is preventing me from registering the mobile phone number on the website.  Today I went into the store at Newbury and explained the problem.  They told me there was nothing they could do about a problem with the website account and I’d have to contact ‘Customer Care’.  You may recall last time I tried communicating with Customer Care three different “carers” told me the SIM was inactive and the phone number had been recycled.    It looks like I’m back full circle!

No photos today as the internet is sloooooowwwww!

Another 100 Yards

Yes, we’ve moved again.  This time it was through the lift bridge and into the pound where we moored at the facilities block to fill the water tank.  Managed to do it in between showers! 

Jan very kindly waited whilst all the vehicles crossed the lift bridge over the A340 before raising it.  This tested my ability to keep Waiouru ‘hovering’ in midstream waiting for her to raise it.  Chewed my nails to the quick but got there in the end without damaging anything. 

You may have noticed the bright yellow mooring lines in the photo above.  They are the original ropes that came with the fenders and I spliced the lengths together to make two lines which we plan to keep should we require any cordage in an emergency.  I’ve been testing the strength of my splices and they appear to be satisfactory.

Jan now has a new view from the side hatch which has pleased her no end!

Next stop is another 100 yards up through the lock .  There is now no water flowing over the upstream gates of the lock so obviously the water level has started to drop.  But more rain is forecast which means we’ll have to keep and eye on the river conditions before deciding to head west to Newbury.   Later this afternoon I walked downstream to Ufton Lane with the purpose of examining the river conditions.  The canal and River Kennet converge immediately downstream from the twin bridges and therefore is a good location to compare the two.  As you would expect, the canal looks quite calm.  However the level and speed of the water in the river is greater than I’ve previously seen.  Much as we would like to cruise, risk aversion dictates we stay where we are.

A nothing day

Overnight an email arrived from Brisbane with answers to the questions I’d asked of the supplier of the automatic battery watering system.  The major question was of the minimum ‘head’ the system required between the batteries and the tank.  The ‘head’ is the difference in height between the tank and the top of the batteries.  The greater the head the higher the water pressure (which is why there are water towers).  It wasn’t an optimistic reply as the “official” minimum head is 1.5 metres.  At that height I’d need to secure the tank to a mast!   The supplied tank has a capacity of 20 litres which is probably fine in a static environment but is too big for the cockpit locker on Waiouru.  The supplier went on to explain that ‘unofficially’ the system had been known to work with a 6 inch head.  Moreover there is another option.  The system can be pressurized by connecting a bicycle pump to the sealed header tank.  A return email has now been sent with some additional questions.  However it’s likely we would only purchase the battery caps and look on eBay for a suitable automotive radiator header tank.  I’d try it as a gravity feed system with a natural 6-8” head and if that didn’t work then I’d make the header tank into a pressurized system.  We would probably only need to pressurize the system on a weekly basis.

Thoughts have also turned to what other cruising equipment is required.  In four hireboat holidays we’ve (me) only twice had to go down the weed hatch becoming the owners of a fishing net and a religious (holey) grey T-shirt.  But you only have to read other boaters blogs to realise we might just have been lucky.  Obviously we don’t want to buy something expensive; although I did research ‘cutters’ that can be fitted to the prop shaft.  It seems anything with ‘boat’ included in the name is expensive so the net has been cast wider.  Of course there is always Jan’s expensive bread knife but using that might also include subsequent gelding!  Current thinking is to purchase a patio paver weed cutter. 

Some modification would probably be required.  All the steel edges on the blade need to be sharpened and a longer handle to get down the weed hatch without having to immerse my beautiful soft pink hands in the dirty and freezing canal water.  The back of the blade could be used for cutting and the hook for pulling and ripping.  Of course this is all theory on my part and there may be far superior options!

The other tool is a small folding saw.  Probably useful for cutting any timber caught around the propeller but more likely to be used to trim back branches when attempting to moor up in some obscure and overgrown location.

I’ve even thought of purchasing a petrol powered whipper-snipper (strimmer) with a detachable mast and head.  It could be used to cut back long grass and vegetation adjacent to the towpath.  Perhaps Jan would like one for her birthday this year? NOT!! <last word added by Jan>

Another potential solution

Moses…. did it ever rain last night!  Unlike me, Jan couldn’t sleep and eventually went off to the saloon whilst I slumbered on.  Eventually she decided to walk me a 7:30am by creeping back to bed and placing her cold feet on my lovely warm back.  The day appeared to be shaping up to be very miserable when to our surprise around 9.00am  the sky cleared and the sun appeared.  It was still rather cold and windy but this didn’t prevent me from taking a long walk.

There was a solo boater coming down through Aldermaston Lock into the pound so I stopped to help with the lock gates.  He had passed through both Newbury and Woolhampton so I asked about the conditions.  Apparently exiting Newbury lock was very scary and Woolhampton even more so.  However he said “I am a boater… so I had a second beer and went for it!”. It’s also the first time I can recall seeing the water flowing over the top of upstream gates of Aldermaston Lock.  Later in the morning I walked to Woolhampton Lock and decided it would take more than two beers for me to attempt it

There is a problem with Widmead Lock near Thatcham and it can only be transited on Wednesday’s with the assistance of CaRT.  So I walked to the lock to get a better idea of the problem.  There is a significant volume of surface ground water either side of the canal and the river is running quite fast.

Widmead Lock – Water over the upstream gates and the landing is flooded.  The tops of the landing bollards are just visible.

It appears the water has worked it’s way behind the brickwork and leaking out below the 5th course

Now for what might be more positive news.  The domestic battery bank is under the stern counter and it’s rather hard to check the electrolyte levels so I started searching for an automatic top-up system.  The price of them was frankly… frightening!  £200+ for 12 cells.  Our net has been cast wider.  No joy in Canada or the USA!  But to my astonishment we may have stumbled upon a supplier in Brisbane, Australia.  The price quoted for the system is A$148 works out at around £90 (plus postage).  I’ve written back with a query regarding the minimum height of the header tank and if that answer is satisfactory we may have a solution to managing the electrolyte levels.