Wednesday 29 December 2010

Warmer weather

Who would have thawed it?

The ice and snow have been repelled by a warm front for a few days and im glad for the respite, even though its still cold enough to need the warming properties of Idris my stove.

For those of you who maybe live over the pond or in a time warp, Idris is the dragon in a cartoon called Ivor the Engine, and Idris lives in the firebox and heats the steam. You can see Idris on the side plates of the stove but due to his magical abilities, he will appear as a Squirrel. (its more realistic if your pissed and have a vivid imagaination)

Ok, I confess, ive been drinking and can only offer gibberish. Its been another busy week, constructing the shower stall and the other bulkheads which form the head (bathroom). Ive bought a wash machine online from Tesco and whilst it might have been cheap, it sure raised my blood pressure trying to navigate my way through the bollox website which must have been designed by a retard. So I emailed them to complain and today received a reply which did nothing to address my email but simply to offer a standard reply which directed me to engage in further time wasting. Grrrr

Untill the machine arrives next Tuesday, I cannot move forward as I need the exact dimensions, so Ive diverted my attentions to the bedroom wardrobes. I will take some pix when there is sufficient daylight.

So, we end this year in a very different place to which we started. 12 months ago, I hadnt a clue what I was going to do with my life, one door had closed and I couldnt even find another through which to take a look.
Now look what ive gone and got myself into. As one cheeky sod put it, I own a dredger. He would say that as hes the owner of a new Oyster 46, but he does admit I have more value for money.

My dream is growing more real every day.

Sunday 26 December 2010







My blogs are like buses, - nothing for a month, then three come along all at once.
Although its deathly cold down on the faaarm at the moment, it stops me from standing still for too long and ive been getting loads done.
When I woke this morning it was minus 13c and the condensation on the inside of my double glazed beedroom windows had turned to ice. Im glad it was w slightly warmer -11 at the boat and now ive got the hang of lighting the stove, it soon warms up.

Today, ive mostly been making the shower cubicle. Framed out with 3x2 and ply covered, it has the plumbing coming through from the engine room and a hole cut ready in the floor for the outlet to run into the Whale pump beneath.

Other bulkheads are taking shape, incorporating hobbity style doorways.

Friday 24 December 2010

Stove







You can tell work is slack as I finally have time and patience to post some more pix.
Its Christmas eve, the darkness has decended, rather warm outside compared to temperatures of late, a respectable minus 2c and about 7 inches of snow. Its been the nicest day of the week with clear blue sunny skies.

Im chilling out with a glass of vino rosso, listening to Don Giovanni, wishing I was somewhere warmer, but sat here with an oil lamp for company instead.

So, here are some pix of the Squirrel stove. Ive made a steel base and corner piece with masterboard behind for peace of mind. The vent grill will allow ducted air from outside to meet the ventilation needs so I dont have to sit in a cold draught.

I had to drill out holes in the backplate for the back boiler pipes to pass through, and I also made 4 bolt on feet so the stove can be fixed to meet safety regs.










Ive given up trying to add more posts. Ive written so many and this useless net connection has lost the lot, so here are some pix. Ok, seems like they are finally going. Ive included some winter scenes just to show you softies what minus 10 celcius looks like, certainly no fun to work in, even with the assistance of my trusty boat stove.

Finally got the canvas roof fitted on the wheelhouse. Colin and Steve delivered the pair of doors and its taken me a week to fit them but they finally fit the holes and keep snow out, just need some architrave around them. Door locks wouldnt fit in the door stiles so ive mounted them in the steel door frame, just to be different. So now the door handle isnt in the door, im sure that will confuse anyone hoping to break in.

Ive had some stainless channel folded which not only provides a frame for the canvas pop studs to clip to, it also stiffens the whole structure and makes a door lintle with rain gutter.