Even more on going lievaboard

So we've made it through January and half way through February. During the Christmas holidays Sally and I had a week kid free so took the opportunity to install . . . . (dramatic pause) . . . The washing machine !

You may recall that we went to lengths to measure things very carefully and researched the subject before parting with our hard earned. We even went so far as making a scale model of the boat door to make really certain we could fit the washing machine through the door. Come the chosen day we loaded the washing machine up, transported it to the boatyard and then moved it to the quay side. The boatyard then became like Gopher City, heads popped up from all directions to admire the upcoming spectacle. Two of them regretted this instantly as they were 'recruited' to the 'get the washing machine aboard' experience. It was a snug fit, less than 1 inch to spare, had to take the drawer and door fronts of the cupboards, but it's in.

It is at this point that I remember the generator gets a bit upset after 45 minutes of running and cuts out as it overheats. When we first got the gen set I built a very nice wooden home for it, solid front and back panels (front hinged to allow access to controls) and louvre panels on each side to allow what I thought would be enough ventilation plus a nice wooden top we can use as a seat when steering or a table for eating out when moored. Decide to cure the overheating by making the back panel removable and inserting a metal mesh to prevent anyone accidentally touching it. Cue Jason and half an hour later job done ! A test run on a full wash shows the gen set runs everything on the boat without a problem.

In an act of frivolity the sun appeared for more than an hour one day and we set to with paint brushes. This paint job we accept is a bit of an intermediate and was really to 'de-hire' the boat which still looks every inch the ex Black Prince she is. So out with the cliché transfers of roses, out with the old name and make a start on the sign writing. The logo in the middle is what we are going to end up with, based very closely on the Wychwood Brewery logo and used with their kind permission.

Introducing Sid, well, we say Sid but it could of course be a lady swan as it's a juvenile and therefore hard to tell without taking them out of the water and turning them upside down (only kidding). Sid appeared one day and decided that the easy pickings at the marina suited him so he put roots down, well as much as swans have roots anyway. A happy few weeks were had and Sid was out all hours, failing that he had a double and they did 'tag begging', (similar to tag wrestling but with more food involved). No matter what time you went out Sid was there and as soon as he saw you he was making his way in your direction.

Then one day he was gone, not seen him since.

Remember Oliver ? Well the fresh water system packed up the other day, turn on taps, no water. Try all of the usual tricks, turn the boat to face East, stamp feet, beg etc. but to no avail. Water systems are pressurised on boats and normally have a small accumulator tank. The idea is that the water pump runs, pressurises the system and some of this pressure is stored in a small tank that takes the surges out of the supply so when you switch a tap on you don't suddenly get drowned. So all we had to do was decide if it was the water pump, the pressure switch or the accumulator at fault. As with most essentials on a boat the water pump is easy to get to. Just empty all the hanging rail, take the chest of drawers out, remove two panels, lay on your side, body in wardrobe, legs in corridor and jobs a good 'un.

By shorting out the pressure switch I can make the pump run, thus removing the blame from the pump and the accumulator. Out comes the pump so that I can get to the pressure switch and into the kitchen for some open switch surgery. I take the switch out, clean up the very pitted contacts, test and reassemble, where once back in situ it all fails to work again. Try two local marinas for a spare and end up driving into Derby where those nice people at Maplins sell me a 99p switch that cures our problem.

And on the subject of memories, remember the washing machine ? What a marvelous thing that has turned out to be, quiet, efficient and a real time and money saver (were spending £15 and half a day a time at the local launderette). Problem is of course it weighs a bit, so we developed a list to starboard, This makes all the drawers in the kitchen self closing which is handy, but also means Robert who sleeps on the port side rolls out of bed at night which isn't quite so good. A recent search for small heavy things revealed half a dozen concrete edging stones which are now secreted under various cupboards / shelves along the port side and we are now listless !