Virtual Shakedown Cruise

We came back to the boat yesterday, arriving around noon after a straightforward drive with few delays. This was meant to be our usual start-of-season shakedown cruise where we find out what facilities need fixing before setting off on a major summer voyage. We had hoped to be off a few days ago but other things found their way into the diary so it was not until yesterday, Friday that we finally got away.

A couple of weeks back we spent a couple of nights in a small apartment made from an old wharf building in Gloucester Docks. The initial purpose was to attend a special service at the cathedral but we also managed to tack on visits to a couple of long standing friends from  our time in Cornwall. One now lives in Dymock and the other in Cheltenham.

Alas, as we were walking from the apartment to the cathedral, Christine tripped on the rough cobble stones and fell heavily on her left arm. Helped to her feet with the aid of several passers by, she thought that it was only bruised but by the next morning there was no avoiding the fact that something more was amiss. Monday morning and we presented ourselves at Gloucester Hospital A&E where Christine was  very speedily triaged and x-rayed. Her upper arm was broken - together with a now horrendous bruise to her elbow and lower arm. The only treatment is rest and she was given a sling to bold the arm in position. At least we were able to complete our planned visit before returning home.

It is clearly boing to be at least the scheduled six weeks before she will be able to have reasonable use of the left arm but we opted to come up to the boat and to see how things move forward. At least it will be a change of scenery.

After lunch yesterday Mike  had some work to do on the hob - mainly to attempt to replace the thermocouple on one of the rings. All four of them had been taking a long time to latch on and maintain the gas flow but as each  thermocouple is just under £30, we did not want to splash out on four until we could be sure of our ability to make the swap. This model from Thetford is no longer manufactured and newer ones have a very different foot print for setting into the worktop. We thought we had found one on a camping/caravanning website but after first taking our money and confirming the order, they eventually said that they could no longer supply it! A repair was about the only sensible option so we ordered one thermocouple for the worst offender. At the same time we also found a source for replacement screws that hold each burner in place. One has needed replacing for some time.

Mike tackled the screw issue first, thinking it to be the easier and more obvious task. Wrong! The main part of the screw/bolt was still in place and resolutely resisted removal. After a lot of aggravation an adequate repair was made but it could do with a little adjustment later. On then with the thermocouple, helped by a short video someone had posted on line. Of course, these always tell you how easy it is when in practice it requires some special knowledge, skill or equipment. In fact it was just about spot on and the task was properly completed in a much shorter time than the first! Then Mike had to reassemble the protective shelf under the hob and put the cupboard doors back on. Time then for a rest before preparing the evening meal!

Today we spent the morning sopping at Morrisons in Banbury and, at the same time, charging the car battery,

In the afternoon we drove a short distance to the National Herb Centre where we were promised (by staff in the marina office) that they did tea and good cakes!

We will be taking each day as it comes - one arm out of action means that Christine will not be able to steer or help with locks so, until it is back in action, we may just try and single hand just a few locks - we have to be back home Tuesday after Easter anyway.