Squirrel problems again (not really)

No, not the wood burner this time but one of the grey, furry variety. We were tied up at the Old Boat House at Astley Green on Sunday, a spot we've used many times previously. This time, however, there's acorns to be had and one little chap was going for it! As he laid waste to the tree above us we were the recipients of his debris. The sound of acorns hitting the roof was like someone letting rip with a small hammer!

 Still, it was a minor inconvenience as we sat on the rear deck, vino in hand. Later we were joined by this holiday wide beam, where a six night cruise from Manchester to Runcorn would set you back £1795 for six people! 

On Monday we headed off past Boothstown basin, going under the now complete bridge at Vicar's Hall Lane. I took a snap after passing through, capturing the Astley Green pit head gear in the background (I don't just throw this together, you know 😉)

Last night it was BBQ time

then fire pit time

then Gaz light time until around 10.30

Today we are in Sale after picking up this hitchhiker 

I'm not sure but I think that is a honey bee with some sort of tag attached?

Right, it's time to visit Tesco's to stock up on goodies for Wilson, who is having a sleepover tomorrow whilst Logan is doing the same at a friend's house. Last bit of babysitting as they both go to school next week. Poor Wilson!

I'm board (geddit?)

I don't know, but it seems there's a never ending stream of jobs to do on this boat. Rust treating, "grass" laying, flue replacing (that reminds me, I need to clean up and paint the chimney deck casting) and waxing. Latest on the list is replacing the forward locker covers because they looked like this

Despite numerous coats of edge protection they've finally given up the ghost, and that after only four years. Replacing them is one thing, obtaining the material is quite another! The material in question is a type of laminated board called Hexagrip and Travis Perkins want to charge around £170 for a 8'x4' board! As if! Last time I managed to get some offcuts from a trailer manufacturers for £35 or so but they appear to have gone bust. I did find a place in Nantwich that would have supplied an 18mm board for £84 and thought I would just have to stump up. But I was reckoning without Elaine's dogged determination to ensure we don't waste potential wine money!

She found a van lining business near Dewsbury that was selling small offcuts that were just perfect size wise, if a little thinner at 12.5mm. So, over we went and bought six pieces - for a fiver each! Lovely jubbly! We now have these

and materials enough for two more pairs. Should see us right for ten years at least 💷💷💷

On the move again

Having left the car at Charlotte's house (we had a great night over in Kirk Sandall with Dave and Chris!) we are free to move on from our spot here at Burscough wharf. Also, the grandkids are away with Dad this week so no babysitting duties 🎉. Only kidding! Actually we had a good day out with them last week in Worsley woods, racing leaves and sticks

before tackling something a little more strenuous 

Thankfully, it wouldn't take my weight!

Yesterday we got a bit active first thing - using the boat services, painting the new stove pipe, visiting the chandlers for supplies, fixing the roller blind Elaine tore from its mounting (she doesn't know her own strength!) then waxing the boat to get her gleaming again. After all this it was time to watch others being active so we called in to watch a bit of cricket just off the towpath (with the obligatory pint, of course).

After this it was carry on to the Ship at Lathom for one last scoop then back to LottieD for a top class Sunday roast - perfect! Actually, on our previous visit to the Ship we bumped into Paul and Clare who, it transpires, live locally. We last met thirteen years ago in Tahiti when they were honeymooners and we were celebrating Elaine's fortieth. Details were exchanged and we will arrange to meet up as soon as possible, probably when we leave the boat here and go to France (again) for our wedding anniversary. It's a hard life!

Ready for winter

With our new chimney installed I can't wait to light up!

The local welder had the new chimney made up and ready to go last Friday so Gary wasted no time in installing it. Before he got going, however, I got in first and tidied the satellite cables that had been drooping in their trunking for about four years!

Gary cut away a bit more of the roof as he was concerned about how close to the chimney it was then he packed the space with lots of fire rope.

With everything in place all that remained was to paint it in stove blacking and we are now good to go. Hope fully, that's a job we'll never have to tackle again but, if not, I feel confident of doing it myself next time.

Today we left the marina (get those lights switched off 😉) and are now tied up at Heaton's Bridge where we left the car yesterday. Tomorrow we'll drive to Burscough then walk back for Lottie, getting rid of the car after our trip to Doncaster on Friday for little (!) brother Dave's retirement get together.

After that it's slowly eastwards for us as we head to the river Weaver and the Anderton Boat Lift - should be fun!

Fixing the Squirrel.

The Morso Squirrel wood burner, that is. As I may have mentioned previously a component has dropped onto the baffle plate and I can't get it out, meaning I'll never be able to sweep the chimney. Also, the bottom collar connecting the chimney to the stove is badly cracked and is a health risk. The last straw, however, is that the chimney itself has rotted through.

Not good!

Work started today and the first job was to get the old chimney out in one piece as it will be the template for its replacement. Here we are, covered up and ready to go.

After considerable hammering by our professional Gary

the chimney eventually came away, leaving a hole in the roof

and revealing just how clogged up the chimney was

When you look at this it's a wonder the fire was still burning OK. 

Gary cleaned everything up and was able to remove the part of the stove that was causing the problem. In fact, it was a part that should only be fitted to chimneys in excess of 4m and should never have been installed 😡

Still, the good news is that all we need is a new collar and a new chimney, which is to be welded up by a local fabricator. At one stage I thought I might need a new stove like the one, coincidentally, being installed in the boat next to us.

It's quite a dinky little thing and only costs about £230, unlike ours which are now going for £800+ but, if anything, are too hot for our boat. I've been informed of a local guy who will cut firebricks to reduce the size of the firebox rather than buying Morso genuine (and ruinously expensive) accessories. Think I'll give him a call. We can have a smaller fire, burn less fuel and hopefully be able to keep the door closed this winter!