Walked to Aldi being the nearest supermarket to us. Called in to the local pharmacy to see about getting some covid test packs. It seems we need to go online to
get a code to take into the pharmacy to get some. Called in at the hardware store where my travelling companion got some new wellies, hers had developed a split and were letting in water.
On the way back I called in at the boat yard to enquire about blacking charges and slots and managed to get Iowner booked in for 21st. When I told my travelling companion she decided to
have Dennis blacked as well so I got Dennis booked in for 21st. Another worry out of the way.
9th
My 4G WiFi router has been acting up recently and today when I was re-starting it I noticed that it was swollen.
I managed to get the battery cover off and saw that it was the battery that was swollen. I guess that
lasting 10 years is OK but I was still a little worried that it might burst into flame like what I have heard
Lithium batteries can do from time to time.
I know that I can use my phone or either of my tablets as a WiFi hot spot but none of them had the
range to be effective for my computer. Ordered a new battery fro delivery to a local post office.
10th
The mirror that I use on Dennis for shaving is against the wall in a corner and I cannot
see one half of my face in it to get a clean shave so I decided to make a corner cupboard with a mirror on the door
and led strip lights either side to illuminate my face and the mirror.
I haven't fitted the lights yet as it fits beautifully and I will find out if it needs them next time I shave on Dennis.
11th
Today I got my 4th jab, my second booster halfway through the morning. I was fine during the day but around four in the
afternoon I started getting wheezy and breathless, but that might well have been because I had been vacuuming the floor
with the short pole on the cleaner so I was close to the floor while doing it.
Went to be at eight with two paracetamol, shivering.
12th
Bed at 8 pm with two paracetamol and still feeling shivery. Slept till 1 am, got up for an hour before going back to bed when I then slept through til 9 am. When I got up I felt as though I had been punched in both arms but I did have nice dreams while asleep.
14th
Busy day today. Audiologist at 9:30, Optometrist at 10, appointment with Hope 4 Rugby at 11:30.
Audiologist did all the good stuff and agreed that I need new moulds for my ears as the ones I am using are getting on for 30 years old. Took
impressions and the new ones will be ready in about three weeks. A mild annoyance as we had hoped to be off on our travels by the beginning of March
and this will make us a week late starting.
Optometrist went well, I don't need a new prescription, the first time that I can remember this happening.
Had a good meeting with Phil at Hope 4 Rugby. Hope 4 Rugby is a charity that helps homeless people.
I found out about them through the HSBC scheme providing bank accounts for the homeless.
I am now registered with Hope 4 Rugby and can use their address for any and all (important) post.
This includes the bank, the Department for Work and Pensions, the NHS, Bus pass, fishing license, mobile phone,
in fact anything that needs a post code for contact.
Having said that I don't think they would appreciate it if I got loads of junk mail sent to them so
by and large if I am ever asked for my address I will be saying that I am officially homeless and have no post code.
15th larger.tomato.craters - 5 miles - Brinklow
Processed all the wood on top of Iowner, ready for the off.
Changed my address with my bank, all the supermarkets that I get deliveries from, my Doctor, CRT and the DWP, hope that
covers everyone I need to inform.
16th scrub.tourist.unloads - 21 miles, 1 lock, Basin Bridge picnic area
Collected my pole lathe for Paul. Collected my solar panel from Mark at Ashby Boats and picked up the plans for the panel frame.
Organised a shopping delivery for 6:30 to 7:30am tomorrow.
17th resettle.helpful.marine - 20 3/4 miles 1 lock - Cathiron
With a big, early food delivery out of the way we had a long days cruising to get to Cathiron before dark, which we managed.
18th 5 miles - Hillmorton
Delivered the pole lathe to Paul, he was delighted. In return he is going to make something for me.
21st
Into the dry dock at Hillmorton today. Arrived at half seven just to make sure I was in time
and that took an hour or so.
Once it was full they removed the two boats that were in there out and replaced them with another
boat and Iowner, ready for blacking.
Drained the dock, carefully manoeuvring both boats so that
they sat nicely on the supports and positioned as centrally as possible to make access all round good.
An hour or so later pressure washing started. I had a quick look and decided that I would need four new
anodes as the ones currently in position were all but spent.
I can have a line of electricity while in there so I cobbled together a cable to connect to their land
line. Took full advantage and turned twelve bar stool legs. I had intended to do more but they
declared that I was all finished by Wednesday and would be coming out on Thursday to make way for an
emergency, OK by me, I remember when I needed an emergency docking to plug a leak.
22nd
Walked along to Houlton Bridge to take the drawings for the solar panel frame to the fabricators. He tells me that they will be about £200 and will be ready in a week or so. A bit longer than I had hoped for but nonetheless it is progress.
24th
Peter Died today.
Iowner came out of the dry dock all done. Took her to Brownsover to get my prescription and collect
the solar panel frames on the way back. Ready much earlier than anticipated. Back to Hillmorton.
25th
Tried the frame on the handrails and the legs for the solar panel frames need bending ever so slightly to perfectly fit on to my hand rails.
26th
Wandered up to Grantham Marine who did the blacking on Iowner to see if they have my invoice ready yet and to have a mooch at the
various bits of scrap they have laying around. Found a short bit of angle iron two inches on each side of the angle and a bit of bar, just what I want.
No invoice ready yet, and, yes I can have the bits of scrap I found.
Cobbled together a wooden frame to hold the angle iron and the rod, making a bending machine that works a treat.
Bent all the legs to fit.
Tried drilling the frame to take M3 bolts to fix them but broke three in quick succession, I think I need to use M5 instead.
28th wins.moving.pills - 2½ miles - Brownsover
Took Dennis in for blacking then took Iowner to Brownsover because I did not want to overstay the 14 days mooring limit. Walked in to Arrow Fixings and purchased some countersunk M5 bolts for the frame and a drill bit the correct size.
Did a bit of shopping in Tesco and got some spade end electrical connectors in Range.
