2008
- 3.2
17 to 23 August 2008
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- 17 August
Sunday Albert
in In
St Léger de Vignes, Canal du Nivernais. Me in Lymington,
- 18 August
Monday Albert
in In
St Léger de Vignes, Canal du Nivernais. Me in Lymington,
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- 19 August
Tuesday Albert
in In
St Léger de Vignes, Canal du Nivernais. Me on
the way.
- Left home 0630, and underwent the usual - Lymington-Brockenhurst-Waterloo-St.
Pancras-Gare du Nord-Gare de Lyons-Nevers-Decize- Albert (last 200 metres on
foot!)
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- Always seems strange - almost traumatic - the abrupt life-style change from
English bungalowdom in the early morning to supper and bed on Albert in France
comfortably afloat, with all those crowds of people, decision making, and travel between.
- Quick note - when buying tickets on French trains check price of 1st
class. Paid €6 extra on €25 for Paris to Nevers -
got airline business class type seats, plenty of room, air conditioning that
worked well - well worth it.
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- Arrival on Albert - disaster - I had not left
myself any milk when I pulled out in July (or was it June). Cannot
think why, as quite rigid about always leaving home and Albert with appropriate supplies for
at least 36 hours after arrival without recourse to shops. Remember
- apart from sore leg - taxi for Never arrived early and panicked me so I even
failed to lock up properly, and the boat was filthy!. There was,
however, plenty of gin, tonic, and beer, (no ice, of course) and the bed was made down with clean
sheets, and clean pajamas on the pillow. The dirty clothes bag,
however, was well heavy.
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- Very adequate supper, after moving boat back
within reach of water hose and electricity. Sorted water heater,
filled main water
tank, got gas, electricity and water going, supper of remains of sandwich rolls
(always make at least 2 5 times number required of nice squudgey bacon, mashed
egg, ham, sausage - (not tomatoes or lettuce - bits fall out on lap in public) and black tea.
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- 21 August
Thursday St Léger de
Vignes (Decize), Canal du Nivernais
- Best night's sleep for months, in spite of
traffic speeding round station roundabout.
- Moorings well full, although Loire has
been open for weeks.
- They have obviously had a lot of very heavy
rain - there was an inch of water in Albert's engine compartment, - there
was not even this amount in 2006 after he/she lay in the reeds for 18
months. However, the tarp wraps kept the cabin dry - no
leaks from windows, doors or hatch. Bit late now, pity did not
do this from day 1, the wall paper round all the windows is well ruined.
- Scratch breakfast, and off to le Klerk for
major shop. Knee now working splendidly. (By the
way, I was a little disappointed - it did not upset the metal detector thing
at Eurostar).
- Then start of major boat clean - one side and
top.
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- 22
August
Friday
St Léger de Vignes (Decize), Canal du Nivernais
- Another shop - this one bigger, better, forward looking, and complete with
list.
- Then back to the cleaning.
- Got bored cleaning boat, so went to pump out engine compartment, but this is
where Albert demonstrated that as far as he/she was concerned, once laid up
- even if only in June - that's it for the year, and there is no more
boating till next year. The pump repeatedly blocked itself, and
more time was spent cleaning cleaning the pump than the engine
compartment. Finally found the floor, and put all the kit away.
Then, inevitably, another
large puddle made itself known. At time of writing it is still there.
- Tried to start engine - nothing except a bolshie click. Know
batteries are fully charged, so carried out usual (used to this one) beating
of starter solenoid with hammer specially placed ready for the
job. (Does this quite often after lunch when travelling -
boring). Repeated beatings achieved nothing. Leapt
on bike to beg help from Crown Blue Line Engineer - 12.45, so not a
hope. Decided to go back and have one last try.
Fiddled with greasy wire terminals, beat solenoid again, engine started.
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- 23
August
Saturday St Léger de
Vignes (Decize), Canal du Nivernais to Bassin de la Jonction, Canal
Lateral a la Loire
- Albert's first trial trip with new prop shaft. Felt just
as if nothing changed for my £180.00, but convinced myself definitely
quieter, and great feeling of confidence concerning future terminal
breakdown in that particular area.
- Up to le Klerk/Champion, for first dose of diesel. Filled 3 jerrycans,
loaded into boat, but little contractors diesel transfer pump that has done
me so well for some years had got the Albert's season has ended
disease. As the French say, it wouldn't function.
Hot sweaty period tracing electric wires - my tester thing said it was only
getting 6 volts. Found a fuse covered in grease and damp,
cleaned it, and all functioned splendidly thereafter.
- So pleased, transferred first 3 jerrycan into boat's tank, and trotted off
for 3 more, stashing away 4 full cans, with intention of "topping
off" tank from CBL pump.
- Then major trial trip - motored over to Bassin de la Jonction Decize full
of beans, food and fuel stocks - on a boat that felt thoroughly "fit
for purpose".
- Most satisfactory - except it was drizzling.
- Moored up contentedly on the bit of pontoon that I have come to regard -
erroneously I am sure - as "mine".
- Very pleased to be back.
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- Pictures:- still
none - I have completely lost the habit - will try harder.
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- Last fiddled with 03 January 2009 and should be on axmw44.
