Preparation continues….

I’m still busy getting the boat ready for it’s repaint, concentrating on the cabin top initially.
After sanding, cleaning, de-rusting and priming, I was able to apply the first of two coats of the grey gloss which will outline the roof panels. I’d got the finish coats of ivory white on the mushrooms and pole rack a couple of days ago.

New paint…

After the second coat of grey and a few days to allow it to harden off, it will be masked and a coat of sand beige Interdeck applied over the whole roof. But it’ll have to be done in two stages; the top box will have to be moved onto the new paint as soon as possible to get to the remaining panel where it’s currently sitting.


The roof in general was pretty good, some chips caused by carelessness, but the biggest problems were found under the feet of the box and the magnetic base of the internet aerial (above). Here the paint had blistered and rust had formed underneath, probably due to the paint becoming porous with the close contact holding damp in. I think, from a maintenance point of view, just moving said items a couple of inches on a regular basis will allow the paint to dry and recover.

I’ve been working my way around the rest of the shell as well, scraping back blistered paint with an old chisel, applying Trustan to kill the rust then several coats of primer to raise the level back to that of the surrounding sound paint. Consequently we’re looking a bit spotty at the moment. But It’ll get worse before it gets better….

It looks like the weather might be against me for the next few days, too damp for painting, but there’s always something to do.

On Friday we moved the short distance to the new moorings at Dutton Hollow, installed when the bank was repaired following the breach last September. First, though, Ann and I took the dogs for a circular walk, taking in the river and returning back along the towpath.

Dutton Railway Viaduct crossing the River Weaver

Dutton Locks from the wooden footbridge over the weir stream

Tug Kennet moored above the lock

Built in 1931 at Faversham, she was used to haul barges on the Thames, and general maintenance work. Rescued from a scrap yard in Iver in 1973, she was restored and used as a pleasure craft on the Thames, with occasional “serious” work. She’s gravitated to the Weaver, with a period in the museum at Gloucester Docks (where she was used in the children’s programme TUGS), and a time on the Trent at Sawley.
Just beyond, MV Chica is slowly returning to nature.

Back up onto the canal at Bridge 211, it was just a short walk to the new moorings.

Breach Moorings at Dutton Hollow





Fantastic views across the Weaver Valley, previously obscured by the wooded embankment.

They’re still doing groundwork on the offside, levelling of the excavated soil removed during the reinforcement of the embankment

We moved up to here for the weekend, there’s room for half a dozen boats here, and it was full on Saturday night. It’s going to be a popular spot in the summer….

Chas and Ann had to move to Barnton on Sunday afternoon to meet a parcel at the Post Office today, we followed on about lunchtime today when my paint had touch-dried.

Two tunnels….

Into Saltersford…

….out of Barnton

We pulled up at Anderton, on the 48 hour moorings between bridges 199 and 198.

Mum and Dad brought the little one around for tea…

Then later Mum cruised past in “kiddie carrier” mode.

We’ll stop here tomorrow, then drop down onto the river on Wednesday. That’ll give the paint a chance to harden a bit so it doesn’t stain with the muddy drips from the gates on the boat lift.

Locks 0, miles 5