More Western Depot Notes.
by: Buffs
What felt like the first real day of spring saw the yard
filled with hi vis waist coats. Gone were the heavy winter coats and bright was
the head gear of at least one stalwart of the team. If Wednesday’s forecast is
to be believed we look forward to bright red heads and faces by the end of the
day.
Today’s big task was to move Mole from the yard to her home
on the water. But first we had to move the water on Mole. When the bottom
boards were lifted there was rain water to the top of the frames. The small
whale pump was put to work while the electric pump was brought out. After
several false start the pump responded to the cajoling of the team and being
primed with half a bucket of water.
Followers of the blog will know that a tilting trailer for
moving our small workboats has been under construction in the yard. Today boat
and trailer were finally introduced and brought together.
Boat and trailer were brought to the slip by Pike lock. The
trailer was reversed into the water and tilted. Mole proved very eager to
return to her natural habitat and raced into the canal to be brought to a halt
next to her sister Ratty.
Later in the day the new cover
for Mole was fitted for the first time on the water. Many lessons were learnt
and will make future fittings more flowing.
Ratty has lain open to the weather for longer than was
expected and was beginning to look a little sorry for herself. She is indebted
to Jill and John who spent much of Saturday giving her the TLC she deserves.
