Took Iowner to Sutton Wharf to empty the loos and fill up with water, ten mile round trip. Back by half two. Caught the bus into town to pick up my prescription and a little shopping on the way back..

We've been at Nutts Lane a bit long as my chest infection precluded my doing anything energetic. Moved today, but not far, just far enough for my No2 to fill up with water.

Started on my rear steps, I don't like the existing ones so I am going to replace them with three boxes. The top and bottom boxes are just step sized. The middle box is step sized times two, so between them they make a three step staircase with storage in each box. The bottom one will hold some tools and also house the computer fan that draws air out from under the floor to help keep it dry. The middle on holds all my boots and shoes, the top one holds mooring and chopping tools.

Washed two more curtains - a bit of a break since I started but what with my chest cold and Christmas and all that the curtains got overlooked.
Progress on the steps but I need a little more timber.

Called in at my mooring and collected everything that might be of use but left all the 'rubbish'. Left a note for Richard to use or dispose of anything on site especially the dingy. Reasonable travelling, not too cold. My No2 now seems resigned to our new mode of travelling.

Rick Cooper died today. A sad loss for all the boaters that enjoyed his friendly and helpful chatter while making his fuel deliveries.
Had a break halfway due to heavy rain which lasted the predicted one hour. Got to the visitor moorings and once moored up caught the bus into Atherstone to do some basic shopping (which included some Borax substitute).

Quick trip into Nuneaton. Got a couple of note books for my No2 and the socket extensions that I was after for myself. The socket extension enabled me to fit the starter motor on the gennie properly and I raised the fuel tank a half inch at the same time. I need a longer fuel pipe now. Going to try the gennie sideways on to see if it gives me better access to the silencer. (I am going to try a second silencer in series to see if that makes it quieter).

Bus into Nuneaton. Got the diesel fuel pipe and a little note book.
Fixed the gennie, still loud, must get that extra silencer.
Bus into Atherstone during the afternoon so my No2 could get her flu jab. Got the Post Office details and ordered some stuff for delivery POSTE RESTANTE.
Roast chicken with all the trimmings on Iowner for dinner. Got two new hot water bottles. Not going anywhere in a hurry, frozen in.

Sorted the noisy water pump on Dennis. Replaced it with a spare I just happened to have hanging around. The one on Dennis was just noisy - it was the pump not the fittings.
New pump cycling every seven to eight minutes, then down to every five to six minutes then down to two to three minutes. must be a weep somewhere so tomorrow I will have to do it all again to find out where. Fixed the wash hand basin in the bathroom, it may be the source of the problem as I moved it around a bit.

Light dusting of snow on the canal this morning.
Dismantled the sink cupboard and the bathroom cupboard - no signs of any leeks anywhere. Washing machine recess full of water so that must be the source of the leek.
Ordered timber from Travis Perkins. Almost half the price I had calculated so I had to increase the order to get it carriage paid, due for delivery tomorrow morning.
Made a base for the aerial pole to sit in.

Travis Perkins delivered at about ten past eight this morning. The driver pulled in to the sort of lay by at opposite the CRT yard to offload, so I've got a whole bunch of timber to work with.
Shopping in Atherstone - got a couple of loaf tins as well as the food shopping. Did a washing machine load and worked on my steps some more.

Started gluing the steps, got the base and the front step varnished.
Investigated getting a bus pass for my No2, we need more recent documents to complete the application.
Shopping in Atherstone, collected two parcels from the post office. Home made Pizza for dinner.

Finished the rear steps, now I have some serious storage as well as a way in and out of the boat.
A little shopping in Atherstone. Richard visited.

With the rear steps finished I am at a loss as to what to do, need to find something to keep me occupied. Sorting out the LED strip lights and connections.
My No2 couldn't get Dennis to start, neither could I. Decided to call RCR, after all that is why we pay the membership fee.

Into Atherstone for eye test, all OK. Booked audiology appointment for Friday at 2:15. On returning to the boat and getting changed I noticed a big (the size of half a tennis ball) lump just above my knee. No pain or irritation, just a lump. Dennis started.
Into Nuneaton during the afternoon to get a heat gun and a few bits and pieces, including a steel to sharpen my knives.

Took a trip to George Elliot A&E to see what is going on with the lump on my knee. It is a lypoma - a benign fatty lump. I have to book an ultrasound scan through my GP. Shopping in Nuneaton whilst I am here.
Water pump stopped, checked it out, working again.

Nuneaton for A6 books and some maps for my No2.
Water pump stopped again. Removed it, took it to Iowner, tested it, it works fine. Returned it to Dennis. Re-fitted it re-making all the electrical and mechanical connections. Seems to work fine now.

Lazy day. Started on the pedestal desk for Dennis, made one side of drawer bit., shaped a pizza carrier for moving pizzas around, into and out of the oven, that sort of thing.
Spent some time playing on the computer investigating BC (Basic Calculator) a shell application.
Pheasant casserole for dinner. My No2 has run out of water so it's back to the water point tomorrow morning. Audiology appointment in the afternoon.

My No2 and I pulled Dennis back to the water point as Dennis would not start again. Filled up with water and then got the engine going. Need to have the throttle fully open to start and then gradually reduce it to a more sensible level.
Audiology appointment went well. Apparently the ear moulds are too loose. Replaced the hearing aid that doesn't always turn on. The new moulds should be ready in about three weeks, the ears change shape over time so what was a good fit ten years ago is no longer creating the air seal that it needs to.
Filled in an online appointment form for the lumpy leg.

Placed a Tesco order for delivery tomorrow, watched football (FA cup weekend).

Filled up with water, shower, washing. Tesco didn't deliver, £10 apology voucher. Placed order for delivery tomorrow. Made progress with pedestal desk.

Tesco delivered - hooray. Nearly finished the pedestal desk.
Actually quite a busy day, sorted drawer sliders for the desk. Pop riveted a couple of hinges together back to back to make a Z hinge, it works, so now I can reorganise my solar panels.

Glued the sides of the pedestal desk. Shopping in Atherstone. Booked Shingles Jab. Checked with the Hope Centre about collecting my post. EVRI deliveries go to TOFS (The Original Factory Shop).