The Great War Day

Saturday was another duty at Crich. I now only have three more left this year.

Today our friends Roslyn and Graham came as well and all these photos are theirs. 

I was driving the Recruitment Tram, Chesterfield 7. 

There was lots going on today. 

The star attraction was probably the Battlebus. 

Lots of teams in service today. 

Sheffield 74. 

London 106. 

And totally out of period, Blackpool 166. 

LUT 159 was also in service but it ran over the yellow staff token and was subsequently withdrawn. 

Rotten luck

One piece of furniture had become uneven so I decided to remove the carpet tiles and have a look. 

Oh dear. 

The green patches just crumble when touched. 

We immediately called Gordon of Gordon's Narrowboat Services and even though it was Sunday evening he called us back within 15 minutes. 

He came over the next day and pronounced it not as bad as first thought. 

He thinks there has been a historic plumbing leak which has left water in the bilges. As the carpet tiles were rubber backed and formed a pretty good seal, the wAter has sat there for a long period of time. 

The carpet tiles have been thrown away. Holes have been drilled in some boards to allow ventilation. Gordon has patched up temporarily and will fix after the summer cruise. 

He has assured us that this is from before we bought Magpie II but we were extremely deflated by it. 

One more thing to worry about. 

Sunday lunch with friends.

Today we had a visit from Maddy, Alan and Aiden.

The last time we had seen them all together was in Dessau over two years ago. 

We decided to cruise to Dunhampstead and eat at the Fir Tree. 

The weather was awful before we set off, but it came out lovely in the afternoon and the photo above shows us moored up for lunch. 

Alan had a go at steering. 

And Aiden was a superb skipper doing loads of jobs. 

Everybody helped with the locks and a thoroughly good time was had by all. 

We have (yet again) had to dig deep in our pockets for the benefit of our creature comforts. 

We decided to get a new cooker. More importantly we decided to get it fitted by a gas safe engineer. All ok so far. But to fit the cooker he had to condemn our Paloma water heater. It drew the air from inside the bathroom rather than outside the boat which is no longer acceptable. 

We thought it was on its way out anyway and as soon as it went wrong anybody trying to fix it would have to similarly condemn it so a new water heater was purchased too. 

Here is our new double flue chimney. 

It only took us three hours to learn how to take the chimney off for the low bridges and refix it. That's five minutes to take off and two hours fifty five minutes to put back!

Anyway, we mastered it we think!

Just as we were setting off for home we then found the floor inside the saloon at the stern has gone rotten aghhhhhh! More on this when I have calmed down. 

A day at Crich

Today I was on duty yet again at Crich.

I only have another four left this year, so enjoyed another fine day and a chance to drive a lovely tram. 

The boat was out doing the ultimate tram driving experience today, so I chose Blackpool 166.

All did not go to plan, because I jammed the sand pedal in the depot, requiring engineering to hit it with a big hammer, whilst the sand spilled all over the depot floor.

Not the best start to the day.
Nothing else bad happened, it was a busy day with virtually every trip full, but bizarrely on the last trip we didn't get a single passenger!

I have often wondered what the duty inspector does whilst my tram is up the line, and on a drinks break I managed to find out.

Other trams in service two day were Glasgow 1068, and of course it's a Saturday so Chesterfield 7 is out. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, although I am tired having finished it.
There is something very special about achieving one's childhood ambition of being a tram driver, and I cherish every moment of it.

Staff Trip

On Saturday we had our first, and last as I am leaving, staff trip from Swanshurst.

We did our normal one day cruise down to the Bridge Inn at Tibberton.

As I was at the tiller all the time, not many photos, I really need to improve this aspect of my blogging.
Here we have a picture taken in the lock, and you may think Iain is wearing strange clothing for leisure cruising. 

The reason for this was that he had decided to come in his kayak, which he dutifully paddled behind us for some of the way, but mainly in front of us.
He arrived at the pub so early that Freya got a chance to try it out. 

A great time was had by all.

Today turned out much worse than we had expected. We spent the first three hours trying to un-fit and then re-fit the chimney for the new water heater. Once we had the knack it was fine, but it did take a bit of practice. We will need to remove it regularly as it is quite high and most bridges quite low. It was pointed out that it might be self removing if we forget, but not an avenue we wish to explore.

Just as we were about to leave tonight, I decided to investigate why the furniture seemed to have a position about an inch lower than it had been.
What greeted me up on removing the carpet tiles has left us both in a state of shock. The floor has gone rotten in two or three places all around the electric cupboard. So rotten it just crumbled when we touched it and it was a horrible green mouldy colour.
We hope it won't affect our summer cruise, but as there is now a hole where the steps to the stern stood it is a giant leap for mankind and an even bigger leap for Alison to get out.

Gordon, the man who we turn to for everything to do with Magpie II is coming to have a look in the morning and we will go from there. We are now drowning our sorrows!

Tramming again.

I was duty 4 driver yesterday, so no choice of vehicle, Chesterfield seven is advertised as being out every Saturday, and the others didn't choose it so I had it.

As it turned out, because it had to run, I got a full day crewing, whereas the other trams didn't.
Other trams out were 236, 167, and 510.

It was a nice fine, if windy, day. Just time for a couple of photos.

Crich Tuesday 26th May

I was meant to be just driving lunchtime reliefs today, but we were short of crew so after doing a trip on Eric the access tram I had to drive Glasgow 1068 for the rest of the day. Not much chance for pictures which is a shame as it was "Beside the seaside" event. However did get four of the children on the carousel.