Let there be Light!

My attempts to wire-up the brass wall lights that I bought 2 years ago seem to be faltering, so I've bought two of these 

 

They are 5 metres long and sticky-backed, meaning that I can stick them under the gunnels to provide mood lighting. 

One is just a warm white, the other (pictured) can do all the colours as shown on the handy remote control. Can't wait to see them in situ.

 

Winterised

A suitable digestion time after one of Liz's super roast dinner - pork with lots of crackling - we headed for Debdale to put Quo to bed for the winter.
The decks were wet, making life a bit difficult but we soon had the engine running and the heating on. Lizzie hoovered whilst I cleaned out the storage area under the front deck and made room for the left-over paint.

Left-over paint for when I scratch it.

I also extracted my spare water pump, which was soon in action assisting the normal pump in draining the water tank. This took a fair while, as the tank was nearly full, but we got there after about 40 minutes, and I'm pleased to say that there are only about half a dozen small rust marks, that we can easily treat with Vactan and re-black.
Next, I put antifreeze in the shower drain, pumped a little through the drain pump (Gulper) and finally, emptied the hot water tank (calorifier).
The only way I have found to do this, is by connecting the outlet from the on-board pump, to the inlet on my spare pump, opening all the hot taps, then turning on the pump. This sucks all the water from the tank and pumps it overboard in about five minutes.
From now until Spring, we just use bottled water aboard when we go for a short cruise and take the washing up home.
We wiped down the sink, hob and worktops, closed the curtains and finally killed the engine and the batteries ....... job done.
Our timing was perfect, the sun was just setting as we walked from the boat, pausing at the top of the ramp to look back. The boats looked beautiful, some with smoke coming from the chimneys, some with Christmas light ... all peaceful in the afterglow.
What a sunset struck us as we turned out of the marina and drove up to Gumley! 
My camera phone managed to capture only a passable glimpse of it.  
Closer to home, the car headlights framed a pair of very startled looking Woodcock sitting on the road. I had to brake hard, then shepherd them off the road to prevent their early demise.

Just outside the Marina.

At the top of Gumley looking south

At the top of Gumley looking south west.

Back in the Marina

Looking good in the sunshine

We now have a shiny boat, but we are most definitely NOT "shiny boater"

At some time, I will polish and lacquer the mushroom vents to complete the makeover.

Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion

After a superb pub lunch at The Wheel and Compass, Liz and I shuffled over to Debdale to put everything back aboard Quo ready for her to be moved out of the shed.
We re-filled the gas locker with the spare gas bottle, the chimney and our extra fenders etc. refitted the stern rope and squirted as much spray silicone grease as possible into the bottom rudder bearing.
Liz tidied up inside whilst I re-fitted the centre and bow ropes and shut off the main water tank tap. finishing off by putting the newly painted poles and gangplank back on the roof and capping the chimney.
All that is left to do now is for Debdale to black the hull, sort a small diesel leak on the tank tap and the singing propeller.

This shows the extension to the front of the rudder that made a huge difference to the handling.

Ready for blacking.

Pretty

Lest we forget where we are.

Rob's finishing touch.

Can't wait to see her fully broadside outside the shed.

Ditto

Nice!

Very different here.

A different Boat

After a superhuman effort of 14/15 hour days, and sleeping aboard without heating or hot water, Robert has completed the re-paint. He finished at about 1.45pm by signing his work on both side panels. Liz and I are overjoyed at the result.

Cream handrails and a fancy hatch, now I have to polish the mushroom vents.

A very different look

To boldly go!

Celtic Compass Rose

Sun, Moon and Diamonds and a fancy water tank lid.

Celebratory Fish and Chips.

 

Day 4 of the Re-Paint

Cream rails and the hatch ready for it's Celtic Compass Rose

After 3 very long days, Robert thinks he's on course to finish by Sunday .... parts of Quo are starting to shine like never before.

Tricolour Tiller

Tunnel Bands refreshed

The beginings of a design where the name used to be.

Chimney cover gets it's first top coat.

Work in progress

After a late start (Quo didn't make it into the shed until 1pm on Monday) Robert worked until midnight, restarted at 7am today and was still going strong when we dropped by at 8pm!
You can certainly see where he's been :o)

The Boat with no Name

Chimney cover gets a makeover

The name has gone on this side too!

Very different back here, the red panel used to follow the raked line of the side.

Cream handrails and hatch, ready to take some artwork.

3 coloured tiller & red rails.

He's even painted the top of the rudder.

Unfortunately, the jet-washing means she'll need blacking again.