Much Better!

I want the engine bay clean to accept the newly overhauled engine. This is a photo showing the swims clean and painted but the sides of the deisel tank and other parts decidedly dirty. I told the boatyard it wasn't clean enough.





So I suggested they get a cleaning firm in to do the work if it is too much of a dirty job for them. I had seen a van with the slogan "If we can't clean it it can't be cleaned!" They must be around somewhere....

They did and this is the result:




Much better.

Now the Best Mate says I have to clean the batteries before they go back or they will make the place dirty!

Banbury Canalside Consultation

I have just heard from the local IWA rep that the Cherwell District Council have issued a consultation of on their draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to redevelop the canalside to the south of Banbury Lock.

Full details are on their website and comment can be made here

There is to be an exhibition somewhere in the centre of town soon. When I find it I'll tell you all about it.

The Reason Why part 2

I haven't been blogging for a while because there has been litle to say. Here is the reason why. My engine bay is looking very clean and has a newly painted engine oily bilge but no engine. The engine is away for an overhaul at CB Marine at Calcutt Marina. The heart of the boat is missing!

Obviously, the time is now to have a spring clean of the engine bay to remove the oil film that has acumulated over the years of oil seal leakage. Matt (the boss) at Tooleys collared me yesterday to talk about 'three things' (i)agree that the only thing to do with the engine bay is to treat it with a rust preventor and paint it with hammerite or similar to keep it so. (ii)agree that the leaks on the deisel tank shut off valves needed to be fixed. The universally applicable Murphy's law ensures that the leaks are tank side of the valve and require the almost full tanks to be drained! (iii) agree an alternative site for the engine air intake vent (required by the out of water survey to prevent rain ingress into the bilges) somewhere other than in the control column where I wanted it.

How is it that every visit to the boatyard ends with another thing to pay for?

Photos of the boat's travels

The young people who borrowed SONFLOWER for the cruise to Norton Junction and back have put their photos on Facebook, as young people do. I am not sure whether the photos are public but this is a link to one of the albums. This is the other. You may need to be their friend to get a look-see. I am!

Ghosts and Ghouls

The theme of The Banbury Canal Day didn't quite fit with our idea of a fun celebratory theme so we dressed the boat up in home made fiery bunting that The Best mate had lovingly stitched, attached doves and attempted to portray The Holy Ghost. Here is a picture of the Best Mate herself next to our cratch with the illuminated Dove of Peace.



The day really was a brilliant time. We were representing the BCF once more and this year we had three of our members who formed a folk trio to attact and entertain the throng that passed by. The weather was kind and people were having a good time everywhere.

To be fair, the theme worked pretty well. Of course there were a few macabre exhibits (among the boaters) and some of the boats were decorated with a lot of imagingation. The Ghostbusters were prominant and on hand complete with a first response boat (a peddalo) that went up and down all afternoon. There was also a headless ghost at the helm of a tiny clinker dinghy who won the prize for the best moving exhibit.

The best charity stall went to nb Mr Badger who came complete with his own graveyard! He worked hard on behalf Dogs for the Disabled a Banbury based charity. His pork rolls also kept us very amply filled with food!

Sadly to say I was too busy all day to get any photos. Without them it is very hard to describe the colour of a very good day.

The Best Bit, the Best Mate says, is meeting with the lovely boaters with their diverse interests from IWA to Ecover, Tom Rolt's centenary to Gardner Engines the conversation was never dull.

Just like the IWA Cavalcade earlier in the year, I felt the festival really showed boaters having fun!

Where have we been?

SONFLOWER has been to Norton Junction and back. The young people who formed the crew had a wonderful time.

Where have we been:

Stoke-on-Trent to take Tigger to College.

Cardiff to see our new grandchild and leave the Best Mate there to help with the other grandson while Nathaniel was in hospital with his Mum and let our son go back to work for a bit.

Banbury, because School has started again and Piglet needs to be there. There are things for me to do in relation to the local Primary School too.

Cardiff to visit again and collect the Best Mate.

Stoke-on-Trent to visit Tigger who has had his nineteenth birthday while away at College.

A few miles for the car and the boat.

Coutdown now to Banbury Canal Day

Strange Crew!

We have heard reports from afar that there is a strange crew on board SONFLOWER. They have been challenged by some in case they were stealing the boat.

Fear not you gallant SONFLOWER spotters, they are harmless. SONFLOWER is in the good hands of the children of good friends and their mates. These are penniless and exhausted students from Exeter University who need a holiday before their next arduous year of study and are, hopefully, enjoying the North Oxford Canal between Banbury and Braunston.

If you spot them, give them the same cheery wave that you would give us and help them on their way.

Tell us if they are going too fast!

Anouncing Nathaniel

Well, isn't that what proud grandparents do!

As far as the boat was concerned, having a pump out and refilling with diesel paled into insignificance against the wonderfull news that Nathaniel had arrived at a weight of 4.0 kg.