Not a lot of boating to report today as we have been firmly tied to our pontoon all day - or at least the boat has. As the title suggests, we did not rush to get up this morning and it was around 11:30 when we were ready to drive into town.
Our main plan had been to visit Lidl, mainly to fill in holes in the inventory of our food larders - the usual stock items that complement whatever we have for a specific recipe. However, Mike spotted that there is a Hobbycraft store in Rugby. We may have mentioned in a previous blog that our main cabin clock had failed - over winter the battery compartment had corroded and no amount of trying a different battery would persuade it into life. We are rather keen on the clock (even if not an expensive one!) and had discovered online that the battery clock mechanisms are quite standard Plan A had been to order one on line to fix it when back home.
Fortunately Hobbycraft did have just one on its copious shelves - the range of crafts and supporting items was amazing. We noticed even a mug decorating machine that will imprint whatever colour or design you come up with! Special mugs are needed but once processed they are claimed to be dishwasher proof (more than set that `Christine acquired from home on the internet! At around £2.50 each in small quantities that seemed reasonable but, of course, special paints and transfers are needed. Alas, we were not tempted.
Our trip to Lidl found almost all of the items on our larder list and we returned to the boat with several rather heavy bags. A long lunch break followed.
Eventually Mike stirred himself to take a look at the clock. Although at first sight the new item looked a dear ringer for the original, it was only after removing the non-working part and starting to re=assemble that it became clear that the spindle on the new one was rather shorter than the old one and did not protrude through the cork face enough to allow the fixing nut to engage with the spindle thread.
As luck would have it, Mike found in his toolbox a suitable grinder to fit onto his power drill. Working very carefully, he gradually reduced the thickness behind the spindle enough to catch the nut and then he could fit on the hands. With some trepidation he fitted in a new battery and was somewhat amazed to see the second hand merrily ticking away. This was even a bonus because previously the clock only had hour and minute hands even though the mechanism could have driven one.
The main cabin now has its 'proper' clock back in its place. Of course, this meant that the clock we bought as a temporary measure now had to be hung in place in the front cabin where it was intended to live.
Another task on Christine's 'little list' for Mike to while away his spare tme with was to re-black the multi-fuel stove. A messy job.
Fortunately tonight's meal was planned to be a simple one.
And now, by special request, Christine's list of spring flowers and things in the hedgerows that we have already spotted this year, but no time to source pix, alas (the stove blacking calls . . .)
Daffodils
Coltsfoot
Celandines
King cups
Butterbur
Dandelions
Blackthorn white flowers
Cherry blossom
Catkins (some variety or other, forgot to make a note)
and some other as yet unidentified flowers on other trees
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