Pat's Progress

We had the usual brief team meeting first thing to set our best intentions and priorities for the day.

Painting was one of them, but there was the threat of rain showers later in the day.  Again, girl power stepped up to the challenge for what is a filthy job, grinding off the old paint on the cabins.  50% of the area was prepared by 3 o'clock, when we had to get on and start applying paint. 

Shortly after filling the rollers, there was some rain.  I counted 47 drops!  All the prepared areas received a coat of red oxide before home time at 5 o'clock.  If we can repeat the process on Wednesday, the top will be ready for SVCC purple.

At the stern, the rudder assembly was positioned to check how the flange connection and steering components were to fit.  The flange had been cut off and now requires welding back to the post.  The relationship to the hydraulic actuator all looks to be good.  We need some gland packing before final assembly can take place.

The water tank is now fitted, together with its plumbing.  There is a feed connection inside the engine room and the filler point to assemble before it is complete.  This also permitted the re-assembly of the hydraulic motor pipes that run over the top of the tank.  

Due to access limitations, the first of the new bilge pumps is now in place along side the tank (right of tank).

Finally, we took a look inside the hydraulic tank to check for sludge and perform a clean-out.  A check of the level ensured that there would be no puddles when the side inspection hatch was removed.  The plate had a baffle welded to it, but it also revealed a filter mounted on the outflow pipe.  This was a metal gauze type and was removed and thoroughly cleaned.

Over tea break, it was suggested that we could use our new fresh water pump to lift the sludge from the tank!   In the end, it was a syringe and fuel pipe combo that did the job.  With the tank essentially empty, it was finally cleaned out with a cloth. (I think this has now been returned to the kitchen).

A great days work by all involved.  A few more jobs to tick off the list Bob.

A new tug!

by: Dave Irving

More progress was made this week, preparing the cabin exterior by rubbing down the multitude of rust spots and scratches showing through the paint, removing the old name and phone number on the cabin sides.  A first coat of red oxide primer was applied then left to harden over the weekend.  She’s looking a lot better than when she arrived!

The paint for the next stages has arrived, and the nameplates are on order.  We’re also thankful to J E Clarke Motor factors, who are kindly supporting our purchase of a new battery and filters for the engine.  http://www.jeclarke.co.uk/

As before, we'd love you to join us - if you're interested, please let Dave Irving know at Dave.Irving@CotswoldCanals.com, or Myron Burak at myron@hamshill.co.uk.

SDC Thursday Gang

by: Ian Moody

Thursday saw more sunshine and a bumper turnout of folks.  We headed over to Bowbridge to continue the ramp.  We’re pretty much there with the big earth moving so we’ll be starting to get the edge boards in next.

As well as having a pub close by this work site also has the benefit of a nice grassed area complete with picnic tables so lunch was a very civilised affair. We need more work sites like this!

The Morning after the Night Before

by: Buffs

And so to the Western Depot on a cooler, more grey morning and there standing proud above the new beach was Patricia. Resplendent in her newly painted battleship grey hull all that was missing was the pennant number D6 painted near her bow. A moment’s reverie crept in with a vision of the boat’s team mustered on the quarterdeck, the Bosun at the gangway with his call waiting to pipe the side and the Yeoman at the mast waiting to hoist the Commodore’s pendant to the yard arm. In the background the massed bands of the CCT (kazoo section) was playing ‘When I was a lad’ from HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan to greet the project manager as he arrived to mount the gangway and inspect his team.

A good finish by Patricia’s team of helpers

A cry of “tea’s made!” broke the spell and it was on to the day’s briefing.  A smaller attendance today befitting the cooler weather.  Tasks allocated; small groups left to collect a bench for repair from Saul, to raise the pole for the solar panel at Gough’s Orchard and to lubricate the lock paddle gear at Blunder and Newtown. 

At Newtown the team started a bonfire to dispose of a mound of clippings and weeds removed from the canal. The fire was reluctant to burn and  started to smoulder.

They then investigated the fastenings on the lock gate walkways as these are to be replaced as they have started to rot quite badly in places. Finding that the nuts on the bolts nearest the lock wall were seized in place plans were discussed as to how the timbers could be removed whilst still retaining the bolt holes intact. Back to the yard to collect some more tools and the grease for the operating gear. Returning to the lock after a short sojourn in the new accommodation they were greeted by the sight of the first two planks already removed by our carpenters. It was with a little gleeful smile that the chippies explained that the only two bolts they had trouble removing were the two tested earlier and the rest had all but fallen off.

Meanwhile the bonfire started earlier smouldered on.

The planks were used as pattern for the new planks. After lunch, which was taken to the novel musical accompaniment of a planer and electric saw rather than the usual grinder the new planks were taken to be fitted to the gate. This was accomplished after some onsite adjustments were made. Large hammers were not required.  As ever with jobs on the canal lessons were learned and will be applied to the reaming three gates

And all the time the bonfire refused to leave its hiding place and sat sulking and smouldering, lost in its own world.

The afternoon threatened to become sultry but the sun sat sullen behind the veil of cloud refusing to come out when expected and the day began to drift away drawing the volunteers behind it.

SDC Working Party last Friday

by: Ian Moody

Last Friday we had a visit from Thomas Keble School. Ten pupils and two teachers arrived at Bowbridge, eager to get stuck in to the fencing and path.

A couple of hours later the fence post holes were dug, one length of fencing was all but complete and the first part of the path had been levelled. A short session but enjoyable and very worthwhile.

Pat's Progress

The forecast had threatened rain, but fortunately, it did not veer close enough to Gloucestershire to cause us a problem.  The preparation rehearsal yesterday meant that we were far slicker in getting paint from tins to metal.

Today, it was the turn of the black stuff.  With the temperature some 10 degrees lower and no sun, the rate of curing was much slower.  All the paint we had to hand provided two more coats on top of the two applied yesterday.

Progress was good and with spare time later in the day meant that quite a number of the deck plates were given a coat of red oxide primer, addressing the bare metal shot blasted ones first.  

Tea time

Once we were happy that dust was not going to stick to the fresh paint, two vacuum cleaners spun into action to remove the fallout that had penetrated the various covers and sheets.  Fortunately, not a lot had got in.  We were most concerned about the engine room, due to the fact that the covers were blasted off the grills, but again, only a light covering was visible over the engine and other components. A pleasant surprise.

Two late jobs were firstly, the fitting of the domestic water pump in the engine room and secondly, removal of all the screens that had been erected around the site prior to shot blasting.  We were also informed that the machine shop (thanks guys) had completed a full set of pins for the spud leg mechanisms.

Our Project Manager, Bob, is heading off on holiday and leaving the team to complete the renovation of Patricia.  He generously dragged us all up the pub for a drink.  'Many thanks old boy'.  'Leave it with us'.

We're all very happy with the results and Pat is starting to look quite smart now, however, there are plenty of jobs still to do on the list.

SDC Tuesday Team

by: Ian Moody

Yesterday we had a big push to exit the Brewery Wall site. The scaffolding came out last week so we were finally able to finish the picket fencing and get the grass seed down. The site is now clear but will remain fenced off whilst the grass gets established. The skip will be removed in the next few days.

 Finally, here is a picture of our illustrious team leader at lunchtime. Caption competition anyone?