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Mick and Pauline

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About Mick and Pauline

  • Birthday 17/11/1946

Profile Information

  • Location
    N.E. Lincolnshire.
  • Interests
    Canals, Railways, Motorcycles.
  • Occupation
    Retired
  • Boat Name
    Ebinka
  • Boat Location
    Keadby

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  1. Hi Pav, You have our best wishes in this troubled time & know the feelings you are going through. We had those same feelings after the Heron collapse, which is now nearly two years ago. Has Gary mentioned in his reply, feel free to contact me if you need to know how we dealt with the same situation you are in now. I have sent a PM with my contact details if you want to talk it through. Take care, Mick & Pauline.
  2. Hi Speedwell, Came down this section of the L&L this Easter and we overnight-ed at Calverley Bridge, between Apperley Bridge and Rodley. We had a good meal and evening at the Railway pub next the moorings. Every other Thursday evening is a Bluegrass music night, it was on when we were there, it was fantastic entertainment. This is a good starting point for the morning drop down through Leeds. M&P.
  3. Mick and Pauline

    Ebinka shots.

    Ebinka from start to completion.
  4. May 2007 continued. Tuesday 8th May. The final parts of this long saga were now coming together with Pauline and I meeting our local carpet fitter at the boat. He had many years ago worked on boats being built in Nottingham, so he was keen to see our pride and joy, and help us complete it. He brought loads of sample books of carpet fabrics for us to choose from for the saloon / bedroom and cushion flooring for the galley / bathroom. With the final decision made over which pattern to go for, he said he could fit the new carpet and flooring a week later. Friday 11th May. Next was a run up to Ledgard Bridge Boats, to pick up the brass curtain rods and curtain rod ends. It was nice to see the guys and Marie, because it was now over a year since they took our boat in after the Heron collapse. We in fact have now known the Ledgard crew for far longer than the original builder of our boat. Tuesday 15th May. Just has promised, we met our carpet fitter at the boat and helped him offload the carpet and cushion flooring. Now the next question I had, how was he going to fit these rolls into our very narrow boat, "with difficulty", I was told. He was right, it was a work of art to see him work with these difficult rolls in such a confined space. Getting in the roll of cushion flooring took the two of us a lot of pulling and tugging, coming in through the stern doors, through the bedroom, into the bathroom. The front end of the roll was in the galley and the back still in the bedroom, it was like manhandling a giant snake. With the help of a couple of cups of coffee and some hard work, it was finally done and looked really great. It was now looking nice and cosy, it looked fantastic. Saturday 19th > Tuesday 22nd May. The final job to complete the boat was planned for a couple of days stay at the boat, this was delayed because of the bad weather we had been experiencing because I wanted to do some outside work on the boat. The first job was of course, the curtains, they had to go up to complete the boat and 21 months after we signed with Heron's, "Ebinka" was finally FINISHED. The dream was now ours, we and our family could now start to enjoy what had been so hard to achieve. I came back to earth with a bump because all those little bumps we had while getting used to our boat were showing signs of rust. The inside of the boat looked good but the outside was showing a few battle scars and I remember someone saying to me, that when you own your own boat, "there is always something needs doing". So with a couple fine days weather, I have now with the help of a paint brush, got "Ebinka" looking spic and span again. We are ready to take her on our first cruise.
  5. April 2007 continued. Wednesday 18th April. Went back to Thorne to talk through the gearbox repair plus some other teething problems ie the engine not heating the domestic water, first 50 hour engine service and the pump out. When we finished we brought the dinette seating foam back with us to be covered with upholstery by a local firm. Friday 20th April. Emailed PRM Newage to tell them about the gearbox leak and our boat had been left at Thorne Boat Services. Thursday 26th April. Rang the Thorne boatyard for a repair update, they said they had started working on our boat but not finished. I was asked to ring back on Monday 30th April, so the waiting goes on. Monday 30th April. Rang the Thorne boatyard for a repair update, they said they were test running the engine and no leaks were evident but they wanted more time to thoroughly test it. Another bit of good news was the upholster rang to say our dinette seating was finished and ready to be picked up. Then more good news, PRM Newage emailed to ask for details of the gearbox failure, so I explained what had happened and where the boat was. May 2007. Tuesday 1st May. Well the good news continued with the curtain makers ring to say they were ready for picking up. Wednesday 2nd May. Things were certainly looking better now, picked up the dinette seating from the upholster and the curtains. Then I rang the boatyard, they had finished the test runs, no oil leaks and were now sorting out the calorifier supply from the engine, then the engine service. Our boat would definitely be ready for the weekend but they would give me a ring on Thursday, 3rd May. Thursday 3rd May. The Thorne boatyard rang and it was the news I had been waiting for, our boat was ready to be collected. So the final episode of the very long journey home for "EBINKA" was about to begin. Friday 4th May. The big day dawned, cold and very overcast but this would not dampen our spirits. We drove the short distance down the motorway to Thorne and checked out the boat repairs, everything looked good. After settling up and putting on board the dinette seating, which looked really good, we set off for home. We were on the move again and made good progress, so we pulled over for a tea break and bite to eat at Crowle. Once on the move again it wasn't long before Keadby Power Station came into view and we both knew we were now very close to home. One final canal crossing to pass, the railway sliding bridge, this is a great piece of engineering, to watch the whole Scunthorpe to Doncaster main line slide out of our way was fantastic, it was so easy and quick. With the last obstacle out the way, it was with some emotion that we slowly cruised down to our moorings and did a 360 to finally pull along side. WE WERE HOME.!!!!!!!!!!.
  6. April 2007 Saturday 14th April. It was just before eleven o'clock when we left Clarence Dock at the Leeds Armouries and dropped down Leeds Lock onto the River Aire. This was the first of the mechanised Aire & Calder locks (BW key & push button operation) so Pauline said she would do the locks and I took the tiller. Now this was our fifth day of handling the boat and Pauline was doing a really good job at steering the boat in and out of locks because this was her first time at steering. We did not get very far, in fact to Knostrop Falls lock, when the engine overheating alarm sound while going down in the lock. When the gates opened, I very slowly moved to the lock landing moorings and shutdown the engine. Well at a time like this, there was only one thing to do, put the kettle on and have a cup of tea until the engine cooled enough to check it out. What I found was an empty header tank, so I very slowly added warm water until the level returned. Now the only thing we had changed since our Bingley trip was we had found the clarifier water connection closed and had opened them up, so to be safe we closed them again and continued on our way. Arriving at Castleford for five o'clock, we took on water but did not have a card for the BW pump out, which we would later regret. We decided to stay the night and had a good meal at the newly refurbished "The Old Mill" pub at the end of the moorings. Sunday 15th April. Away for just after ten o'clock and had a very nice surprise at the first lock, Bulholme Lock, when we met Dawn of NB Black Pearl (Forum member) coming the other way, she is a very nice lady and it was like meeting an old friend, a pity we could not stop to chat. Progress was good, coming off the river at Ferrybridge Flood Lock but nearly made a navigation mistake at Knottingley when we nearly missed the turn to Goole. We were going to go straight on when we noticed just in time someone had painted on the canal wall that we were heading for Selby. Up to this point BW had done a good job of showing the direction to be taken but I did not see a sign at this junction, so thanks to the boater who did the freehand paint job. Whitley Bridge Lock was passed OK but still looks like the contractors have just left site. At Pollington we pulled over to moor for the night above the lock, we had said to the electrician who had put "Ebinka" wiring in, that we would stop on the way home for him to see the boat now nearly finished. After Mark had gone we settled down to our second meal on board and watched a splendid sunset. Monday 16th April. Now the plan for this day was an early start and try to make Thorne or if possible our home moorings at Keadby. While we were just finishing breakfast, two BIG barge passed heading west, one being a Rix tanker, I was glad they passed before we set off. We dropped down into Pollington Lock but on the way out the boat lost all drive even with extra throttle but by a quick manoeuvre we got alongside the lock moorings and I checked the prop for fouling, nothing, because I had cleaned the prop at Leeds. I next checked the gearbox for oil and you guessed it, none in sight. Now what do you do in the middle of rural Yorkshire, miles from anywhere, I asked a BW worker at the lock, "Was there a garage nearby". The answer "No mate, nearest is Snaith", so got on my mobile and phoned Swiftcraft, explaining what had happened. They dually arrived with oil for the gearbox, checking around we could not see any evidence of a big leak but there was oil in the bilge. So with oil back in the gearbox, a quick check on the oil level and we had drive back, so armed with some spare oil we were on our way again, feeling a bit nervous about the condition of the gearbox. We did not get very far because while turning into the New Junction Canal, we lost drive again and pulled into the moorings just north of Went Aqueduct. With no roads in sight, I knew we had to get to a place with road access, so I put my spare oil into the gearbox and moved down to Sykehouse Lane Lift Bridge. From there I phoned our son, Richard, who came out and we went to find some oil for the gearbox, which was a lot harder than I thought in a rural area, no garages. Once we had the large container of oil, back to the boat, Richard went home and we moved to Sykehouse Lock to moor for the night, having a meal on board. The end of a very tense and nervous day. Tuesday 17th April. Next morning we decided to go very steady, at about 1,000 rpm on the engine, hoping this would not put the gearbox problem under stress. We got to Bramwith Lock and took on water but we were going from bad to worse because now the black water (toilet) tank was full. Then on leaving Bramwith lock we lost drive again, so using the last of the large container of oil, we set off again, pushing on for Thorne. It was a relief but still most frustrating to pull in at Bramwith Swing Bridge Sanitary Station and not have a card (again) to pump out the tank, DOH. On we pressed, Pauline becoming most concerned that we would not make Thorne but not long later we passed under the M18 motorway, we were not far now. It was a great relief that Staniland Marina (Thorne) came into view and just in time because we lost drive coming alongside. Going ashore, I found the marina owner, I asked if they could repair the gearbox leak and do a pump out ??. The answer came back "No mate, we don't do repairs and the pump out is broken", I could not believe it having only just made it there. The marina owner did say there was a boatyard just down the canal, so putting in the gearbox my last one litre of oil we set off through Thorne Lock down to Thorne Boat Services and moored up, "That was it, no further". A quick word at the boatyard confirmed they would check out the gearbox problem and also do a pump out. Now how to get home from Thorne was solved with call to our son, Jarrad who came out and rescued us. So we were home but "Ebinka" wasn't, so near so far but looking back over the last ten days it had been great and all what we thought it would be. We enjoyed every minute and the last two days have not put us off, it is just another set back but being an Heron boat we are used to fighting for everything. Forum boats seen enroute :- Lyra, Black Pearl, Minimoman and Lord Bensham.
  7. April 2007 Good Friday 6th April. The big day arrived, aptly being Good Friday, son Richard drove Pauline & I down to Swiftcraft with all our belongings. It was just like moving into a new house with pots, pans, bedding, clothes and hoping we had not forgotten anything. This was because once Richard had gone back home, we would be committed to travelling back home on OUR boat, Ebinka. The adventure had begun. Saturday 7th April. Richard stayed the night and after one final check we had everything we needed for the next seven days he left for home. Now it was our turn to try the boat, so we decided to go to the local marina for diesel (Engine & Stove tanks) plus a pump out to ensure an empty tank before setting off. This maiden voyage required a turn, first we tried a three point turn in the marina entrance, not very good. Then one of the marina staff told us to use a wide section of the canal just beyond the marina, where we could do a 360 turn. Now that was a lot better and back at the marina we were given our first bit of good advice, "Slow down and take your time, DO NOT RUSH". Sunday/Monday 8th/9th April. These were settling in days, checking out the boat plus its equipment to ensure we knew where things were and they worked. Son Jarrad and family came to visit, it was nice to have them on board, they had not seen the boat for awhile. Tuesday 10th April. Now ready or not it was time for the two of us to go for a two day test cruise up the L&L towards Bingley. This was the first time just the two of us had used a boat before we always had family or friends to help, so remembering the advice given, off we went. First thing encountered was one of the many L&L swing bridges, this was mechanised, so Pauline worked the bridge and I steered, we got through OK without causing too much traffic chaos. Following straight after the bridge was Dobson 2 staircase locks, this time Pauline steered, I worked the locks, we got through OK which settled our nerves. We set off again but not for long because the next thing was a hand operated swing bridge, Pauline gave it a try but it was too heavy, so I opened the bridge and Pauline steered. We now had a plan, I steered between and operated the locks / bridges, Pauline would steer through the locks / bridges. The cruising plan worked well, we arrived at Dowley Gap at tea time, moored up at the Fisherman's pub and had a very good meal there to celebrate our first day afloat, the magic was there. Wednesday 11th April. The first thing we had to do was turn, so remembering the marina turn we went up to Bingley and did a 360, then set off back to Swiftcraft. One thing was now becoming apparent from the previous day cruise, we were taking too long between locks / bridges so another point learned. We cruised back to Apperley Bridge with no problems in two hours less than going up, it was coming together. Thursday 12th April. Boat hand over date started with a few correction to make to the galley, RCD papers handed over and the boat CIN stamped on the stern. We were ready for off by tea time so a short cruise to Calverley Bridge, moor for the night and a good meal in the Railway pub. Friday the 13th April. The day dawned with thick fog so the early start to get through West Leeds was put on hold. By eleven o'clock the fog was lifting and despite it being school holiday time, we went for it, arriving in the Leeds Basin by mid afternoon. Now the Leeds Basin just now is like a building site, with big hoardings screening off the work but restricting canal side access, though you can still just about moor there. For this reason we decided to drop down to the Armouries at Clarence Dock and stayed the night there, having our first meal on board.
  8. March 2007 Things moved slowly forward during March, with mid month saw us ordering the curtain rods and brackets. The boat was now taking shape and we made a visit on the 16th March to the yard to check progress. The shower unit was now in, along with the now working stove and central heating. The unfinished Heron dinette / double bed conversion had been finished and worked fine but the stern canopy was still not progressing. This was a little concerning to me if the boat was going to meet the finish deadline of the end of the month. Another phone call to the yard on the 21st March produced some positive feedback about the canopy, it was being worked and would be made of steel on rollers not of aluminium has originally planned. So with ten days to go and at last the last major hold up were being worked on. Pauline was now buying boat items we would need to move onto the boat, a Forum member advised we buy a Tefal 3 in 1 rice cooker (Rice, Steamer, Slow cooker) and this proved well worth it. We were now looking at bits for the galley, fabric for the curtains and dinette upholstery, all the things you need for a new home, afloat !!!!!. Phoned again on the 27th March and the canopy was away for final alterations with finishing off work progressing on the boat. On 30th March, a phone call came from the yard, the canopy paint would not be dry for our visit next day to start moving things on board plus the pump out toilet had developed a fault and was occasionally flushing without being touched. This fault required a part from Lee Sanitation, so moving aboard was abandoned until the loo was fixed and canopy fitted. April 2007 Sunday, 1st April saw us, Pauline and myself plus youngest son, Richard and granddaughter, India visiting the boat to see if we could move on board on Good Friday, 6th April. The boat was looking and feeling good, the diesel stove had been put on and the central heating ticking over making the boat feel very nice and cosy. The final tiling in the bathroom had been done and the final coat of varnish applied. The 12v freezer was now fitted to it's support rails inside the dinette seating and by opening a small door, it could be pulled out and opened. It was looking good for Good Friday, that is, if the loo could be fixed and the canopy fitted in time. A phone call to Swiftcraft on Wednesday (4th April) confirmed that the canopy was now fitted and the toilet flush problem had been fixed, so all was set for moving aboard on Good Friday (6th April).
  9. Hi Gary, That could explain, how the previous occupant of your office was going to get my now non compliant gas hob through the RCD for our boat. Also just a point in passing, while you mentioned the previous occupant, a week on Tuesday (March 6th), it will be one year since "Black Tuesday" and the day he shattered his ten to be boat owners lives. A year later and only half of these boat owners have completed their boats. M&P.
  10. Hi, You do not say which way you will be coming into the River Trent from, the Trent & Mersey Canal or the River Soar (Grand Union). This section is not tidal but you do need to be very careful, because if the River Trent is in "flood" and if it is in "flood", you have no other safe option but sit it out until the river levels drop. To give a recent example, a 70ft narrowboat just last week tried to wind (turn) in the flooded river at Alrewas and was swept onto the weir boom by the force of water. It had to be rescued by a BW caterpillar tractor unit and following this incident, BW have padlocked the lock gates to prevent passage onto the swollen river. So stay on the canal section until the river conditions are right and then when OK go for it but keep a close eye on the navigation signs. These signs will keep you clear of the river weirs that you will encounter until you come off the River Trent at Beeston. You do not say if you are mooring at the Beeston Marina on the River Trent or going onto the Beeston Canal. M&P
  11. Hi Molli / Mike, If the large barge is coming towards you, first listen for any horn signals that will tell you which side he would like to pass you, left or right. If no horn signal, stay right and when the barge comes alongside steer into the wash to try to meet it square on the bow. If the large barge is following you, try to stay in front of it by speeding up if need be and at the next lock, pull over and let it through. The lock will be manned by a BW lockie so the barge should be able to go straight into the lock before you. If you are lucky, the BW lockie may stay back to operate the lock for you before he shoots off to the next lock to meet the large barge. M&P.
  12. November / December 2006. First job that needed doing on arrival at Swiftcraft was to find out why on the way from Ledgard Bridge, the boat batteries were not being charged properly, even after all day cruising. A quick chat with Gary at LB's traced the problem to a faulty inverter and he would change it for a new one, this was completed by the end of the month. This was another quiet period for "Ebinka" with only a small amount of work being done. This was because our Australian friend's ex-Heron boat, "Pendragon" was being worked on at Swiftcraft. We were willing to wait because there are only two guys working on boats at Swiftcraft. Our good news came with a Christmas greeting, saying that the "Pendragon" work was finished and work would start on our boat in the New Year. January 2007. Now the boat fit out work picked up a pace and things started to change, first a decision was made on the grey water system. It was decided to install a sump collection system, all drained water from the sinks (Galley & Bathroom) plus the shower tray pumped water would go into a sump and then pumped overboard. Mid month saw us delivering tiles for the saloon stove hearth and a check over the progress on the boat woodwork, which was now starting to take shape. A phone call on the 19th from Swiftcraft brought everything back into focus. The shower cubicle was too tall for the space in the bathroom and would need some big changes to the floor and roof. A decision was made to buy a shallower shower tray, the original one was 90mm deep and a 55mm deep tray would solve the height problem. Then on the 24th with the shower tray ordered, another phone call, this time, the gas hob was not compliant with BSS, no flame failure fitted. Now this was interesting because, we were told by Heron to buy our boat "white goods" and have them delivered to their boatyard. No mention about flame failure devices so I now wondered how the RCD was going to be passed if Heron's had continued with the boat build. There was only one way on this one, buy another gas hob that complied with BSS. End of the month saw my two sons and I delivering to Swiftcraft the last of the Heron equipment rescued just after the collapse, the washing machine. This machine was now fifteen months old and was still in it's packaging and served has a sober reminder how long things have been going on. February 2007. The first part of this month saw slow progress but work on the bathroom was being held up by the shallow shower tray being out of stock at the suppliers. A visit to Swiftcraft on the 22nd and still no shower tray but at least it was now with the delivery company. The boat by now was showing good progress in the galley and bedroom, with saloon work continuing on the stove area. Now with the shower tray on it's way we discussed a finish date for the boat and the end of March was set. This would then give us a week before Easter to check out "Ebinka's" systems, to make sure everything was working OK. Then if working, we could head for our home moorings over the Easter holidays.
  13. Hi, This 3-in-1 machine sounds like just what we are looking for to kit out our nearly completed boat but I can't find it on the Lakeland site. Could you give me more details, ie maker, price etc, to help find the right one. M&P.
  14. Hi, The biggest "Tog" quilt duvet they have got, would be good for right about now. Minus three for inland most of this week but on the good side it should stay dry. M&P.
  15. Hi Richard, The C&H actually starts at Fall Ings Lock on the east side of Wakefield where it leaves the river section on A&C (Wakefield Branch). This lock is a normal lock but the next lock after passing through Wakefield Flood Lock and going back out onto the River Calder is Thorne Lock, the one you mentioned. Now the C&H lock's are unusual and from your description you were using the "Handspike" mechanism built into certain top gates on this canal. The mechanism is built into the lock and only sit a couple of inches above ground level and could be missed or not recognised the be part of the paddle operation. The majority of the C&H lock's do have a combination of windlass and handspike operation, they could be ground paddles or gate paddles. The Thorne Lock top gate is, I think, a handspike operation for the gate paddle and windlass for the ground paddle. For those unaware of the C&H handspike paddle operation, it is a piece of hardwood about a 3 foot long, with a tapered end of 3" x 2" section. The tapered end of the handspike is placed in the socket on paddle spindle and by pulling back and the aid of the ratchet, you can raise the paddle slowly. Hope this help any boater new to the C&H locks. M&P
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