Macy the cat and myself have had a few days on the boat moored up at Aston Marina. We did choose the coldest weekend of the year so far but we were snug and warm through out.
Helen had come up trumps in the draw for ticket for the 'Strictly Come Dancing' recording at Elstree Studios so I had delegated No.1 daughter to accompany here rather than meas a). she would enjoy it more than I and b). she lives in London to start with. The process of actually getting in to see the show is arduous and started at 0630 to queue to get the tickets 'validated' as they always give out more tickets than there are seats. The BBC seems to do this at all their shows, I suppose to ensure a maximum audience. This meant to be sure of a seat you had to validate the ticket whilst there was enough seats. Apparently the first in the queue started at 2100 the day before. That task was accomplished at 1030. You are then free for a few hours until you are let in around 1500. People started queuing again at 1300, but my girls turned up at 1445 and were in by 1515. You are then in a marquee until 1715. All your coats are taken plus you have to surrender your mobile phone too. You are then shown into your place and you are there until about 2245. What a day it was. Helen says it was great to see the show and how it all works etc. but she wouldn't go again. She had an email today saying that she had been unlucky in the draw for tickets to the Blackpool weekend show. She did breath a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile I was painting the deck heads (ceilings) in the boat and various other jobs. We got there to find everything was fine. The engine started first time and there were no leaks etc. The heating and water pumps started up and I soon had the stove flashed up and churning out heat. Another job I did was finish off the perspex secondary glazing on the kitchen window. I had done this to all the other windows and it works a treat, not only insulating but preventing the vast quantities of condensation that build up when it is cold outside, but warm inside.
Helen had come up trumps in the draw for ticket for the 'Strictly Come Dancing' recording at Elstree Studios so I had delegated No.1 daughter to accompany here rather than meas a). she would enjoy it more than I and b). she lives in London to start with. The process of actually getting in to see the show is arduous and started at 0630 to queue to get the tickets 'validated' as they always give out more tickets than there are seats. The BBC seems to do this at all their shows, I suppose to ensure a maximum audience. This meant to be sure of a seat you had to validate the ticket whilst there was enough seats. Apparently the first in the queue started at 2100 the day before. That task was accomplished at 1030. You are then free for a few hours until you are let in around 1500. People started queuing again at 1300, but my girls turned up at 1445 and were in by 1515. You are then in a marquee until 1715. All your coats are taken plus you have to surrender your mobile phone too. You are then shown into your place and you are there until about 2245. What a day it was. Helen says it was great to see the show and how it all works etc. but she wouldn't go again. She had an email today saying that she had been unlucky in the draw for tickets to the Blackpool weekend show. She did breath a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile I was painting the deck heads (ceilings) in the boat and various other jobs. We got there to find everything was fine. The engine started first time and there were no leaks etc. The heating and water pumps started up and I soon had the stove flashed up and churning out heat. Another job I did was finish off the perspex secondary glazing on the kitchen window. I had done this to all the other windows and it works a treat, not only insulating but preventing the vast quantities of condensation that build up when it is cold outside, but warm inside.
The Sunday morning dawned with a frost, -3deg on the thermometer, but little wind and a beautiful light and just the last of the mist over the northern entrance to the marina.
As soon as anybody steps outside 'Swany' is over to start his begging routine. Can you see the name of the boat. Ahh, poetic isn't it?
Monday night saw a beautiful sunset over Aston Church.
It just got better and better as the sun settled further.
Every day you can see and hear the Canada Geese coming into roost at the marina, whilst not my favourite birds they do make an impressive site and sound as the come in, and out.
Helen went from Hull to London and I dropped her off before coming on here. She caught the train back to Stone on Monday so she has had a night on the boat too before coming home today.
Fingers crossed that all is still well when we get back to the boat in a few weeks time.
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