The Journey -
Slow progress on Rosy

BOATY BITS

The installation of the engine progresses s l o w l y.  Having decided to dispense with trad speed-wheel control, I've been busy constructing a panel to support an instrument panel and the Morse control lever.  The panel will be hung inside the stern doors, immediately to the right, which, in the trad back cabin will impede access to the soap 'ole and cupboard beneath.  The panel will be reasonably well-supported, but how to paint/decorate it in a scumbled (wood-grained) back cabin? I thought about mirroring the outside colours (blue and red) but that could be a bit too powerful in a small space.  Scumble it? Two problems - 1:  I've never scumbled before and 2:  How to blend in my efforts with those that are already there? I couldn't hope to match them.  In the end I took the scumble route.  The underlying cream paint that I used is very much lighter than what is already there, and the comb work is much more linear than the rather 'naturalistic' original.  All in all the result is quite pleasing, though I guess Nurser, Tooley et al will be turning in their graves, and Phil Speight need have no worries about me setting up in opposition.  For wannabe scumblers - go on!!  have a go!!!!

Considerable help and encouragement was given to me over this project by Frank on the UK built barge Belle Etoile.  Frank had an nb near Napton, and had his barge built by Peter Nichols (?) at Braunston.  He then fitted it out at Braunston in between working for Peter.  Frank certainly knows the Woodings and Draco, and there may be other folk who know him.  He is very happy on his barge.  He went for a two or three month cruise this year, but he is just as happy moored here at Montchanin, and getting involved with things in the busy boat yard.

The engine room bilges on Rosy are now newly painted awaiting installation of the new beast, and we've been busy constructing engine bearers - two lengths of 100mm steel channel, and four 30cm lengths to box-in the bearers where the mounting feet will be.  This, of course, is August when France goes on holiday.  In the local steelyard there were two young men at work and they directed me to the Patron - they were the only people in the yard.  The steel cut and loaded, I returned to the Patron to pay.  He waved me away, suggesting that I merely give a tip to "les garçons".

LIFE STYLE BITS - DEATH OF A T-SHIRT

I have four all-time favourite t-shirts.

#1.  From Oman days, I still have a Sultan's Armed Force Beach Club one that reads on the back:

#2.  This is a particularly smart t-shirt, and is the one worn by the USAF 7th Special Operations Squadron based at RAF Alconbury.  Part of the design is the head on view of a C120 Hercules airplane (aka The Herky-bird).  It was given to me by some good friends in the Sqn, and reminds me not only of them, but of many ear- and mind-numbing Herk-bird flights.

#3 was custom built and dates from SCBA Diving days.  On the back there are some angel-fish.  On the front it says:

#4 has been cut up, and is the engine-rags bag.  It was a Mauritius 'Equator' t-shirt, of the softest cotton that felt like brushed silk.  The picture on the front (fish and coral) was not garish, nor was the writing obtrusive  - it said "if you take the coral out of the sea, the fish won't have anywhere to sleep".  RIP old faithful.

FANNY NEWS

Jess the Woof used to bark every time someone walked along the towing path.  I cured her of this when she stayed on Rosy by bringing her inside and giving her a two-minute side-lining each time she barked - it took a day for her to get the message.  I've tried the same system with Fanny the Wooflet, but with rather different results.  Fanny now barks twice at passing people, then immediately comes into Rosy and lies down.  After two minutes she looks at me for permission to get back outside!

PRODUCT PLACEMENT ON ROSY

I'm still ecstatic about the Vitrinox Tomato Knife as recommended by the Blessed St Delia Smith.  I've had it for a year, and never sharpened it, but it still cuts into tomatoes without slipping.  The only drawback is an aesthetic one.  The slice, although it produces a clean, sharp cut, feels a bit rakey, and doesn't have the silky, sleek feel of a Sabatier or Kitchen Devil - but then they need regular sharpening!

Toodle pip!

Bill