A little weld here and a lot of filler there !!

And its Happy Birpday Jim Day so very fitting that a pair of aluminium cowls arrived from the very helpful Mark at Trinity Marine, suppliers of reclaimed marine stuff. These are needed to increase the airflow in the engine compartment as the Petter is air cooled.  Most boats have air grills in the side just under the gunnels, but Wildrose has about 12" drop from the gunnels to the back deck. Any grill would be too low and close to the waterline for Wildrose. So I thought that these would be worth a try.
Both needed a lot of cleaning off and so today I have been scrapimg off the cruddy coating and revealing patches of delightful polished aluminium.....unfortunately not enough to go for that as a finish for both ... one has too much pitting, so out with the Dinitrol (still some left from the roof !!) and I think they will look good painted. outside blue, inside red.

They will be seated on the back deck, connecting to a couple of bilge blowers under the deck with aluminium hose directing air to the air inlet on the engine..

A few snatched dry days have seen the diesel tank in place to fit the holding brackets. 10mm extra on any one dimension and it wouldn't have gone in !!!!! phew that was close.
And the tiller has had a new bearing and housing fitted. It had to be cut off in the end but has welded back together nicely with new bar linking it down to the rudder..and it now lifts off for security, excellent job.
a bit at a time eh!.........

Just downloaded the updated specs, January 2013, needed for the Waterways certificate requirements before going in the water, so now I have a checklist...and here's a scan of the old licence

By heck  well this year hopefully she will get a new one whoopydooo







and here's more from the archives ....

Navigating the Netherton Tunnel. Almost half way through you can just see the end in the middle of the picture.

 Beyond half way and its jolly dark down there just my sticky thumb print on the photo......messy me huh.
Hood up needed badly to save drips trickling down yer back brrrrr but oh what fun

Returning to Bumble Hole at Darby End one blustery night on our way back from  New Year in Birmingham moored at Brindly Place.

Fab times with treasured memories
Thank you Jim
xx