First task for Mike was to re-attach the fuel cap: last time we filled up, at Sawley, the cap had come detached from the chain that secures it in case it is dropped when off the tank. We tried to mend it then, with the help of a piece of wire gifted by Black Swan, but the small piece of metal that actually holds the end of the chain had deteriorated beyond use. This is not a problem when the cap is in place.
We did later find an old cap (not sure how we came by it!) and planned to cannibalise it for the holder. Today we did just than and in the end it did not take too long, even though the retaining bolts were not the same size! Indicated is the offending tiny piece of metal. The idea is that the cap can rotate without twisting the chain.
After coffee, the next task was the bathroom washbasin plug which, for several weeks, has not been retaining water. We did ask Black Swan to look at it when doing the other tasks but not a lot changed. So, it was over to the fount of all wisdom, Google, where we did found a very useful video on how to replace this type of click-clack plug. Unfortunately the one thing we did not find out was what can lead to this kind of failure.
The way to operate the plug is to push to close and push again to open. But it is obvious that the seal is not made by the top disc. Not until this morning did Mike work out the answer (probably!) but also what the chap at Black Swan meant when he said he had fitted a new o-ring but not the right size. It was never going to work!
Looking Google Maps we spotted City Plumbing on the edge of Rugby, about 12 mins drive away. When he arrived at the service desk, Mike immediately professed his total lack of knowledge, so please help! The chap was most obliging but said that they do not stock parts, only a complete replacement. Gulp, but at £18 inc VAT it is obvious why they do not stock parts.
He also explained fully the process of replacement. Ideally, it needs a particular type of spanner for basin fittings. (To tighten the black part at the bottom of the long threaded part) They did not have one in stock so directed Mike to a nearby Tool Station. They too were very helpful but only had smaller sizes in stock. Try Screwfix (they were opposite City Plumbing) Again, exactly the same story but try Wickes. This store is different in that customers browse the whole shop rather than have the requested item brought from shelves behind the front desk. Nothing apparent - they did have tap sized ones but not basin ones . . . Well, we do have a large Stilson wrench, perhaps we might use that and it may not need much more than finger tightness anyway.
Back at the boat, Mike took a good look at what he had bought and found that it was the same design as the original and he could unscrew the top from the new unit (which does have a seal at the bottom of it) and fit it instead of the old one. Yes, it fitted! Time for the consumer test - does it hold water? (as it were, sorry for the pun) remarkably, for the second time YES.
Meanwhile, Christine had made a start on cleaning and laundry - one load of washing complete and now for a second one. She also discovered that the marina have large dryers - £4 a go, that would take both wash loads at the same time - but she needed Mike to be the pack horse and carry the large bag across to the service block. The laundry is coinless - either an app (especially for permanent moorers here) or a contactless device on the wall.
Time now for lunch and then back to collect the well-dried laundry. It was also bed change day, the previous set of sheets having gone in to the wash.
Christine had been pressing for at some window cleaning. Mike was reluctant (not just because he's idle) after seeing how dusty the care windscreen was following a week's stay here since the car shuffle. However, he did admit that by far the worst were the top hopper panes which at least are removeable from the inside. When left unclosed for some time they do come to resemble an insect graveyard! So he cleaned them.
Meanwhile, Christine completed the clean of the front half of the boat - the rear section is best left until tomorrow or even first thing on Monday just before we leave.
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