The BFG ready

Here's the BFG, our new generator. First, he hung at the ready, prepared to move in next to Belladonk, the engine. BFG is a pet name for either the Big Friendly Generator or the Big F**off Generator, depending on which name you prefer.

Between Colin, Pete and the fork lift truck (oddly un-named), BFG settled in nicely. We've got new deck boards to protect him and await the final box for his head which sticks out a bit. Well, he is big. Next, Colin will be back to connect the plumbing and exhaust.

Why the BFG? He'll mean that we will be utterly independent and won't ever have to plug into electricity unless we want to. Washing clothes as we travel is now possible. We can keep up our battery power without running the engine all the time. In the summer, we can iron (in the winter, we've used the flat irons on Squirrel when we're travelling).

We're pleased.

April Showers

We are now celebrating two days of Bella rocking at her moorings after a long period of having been predominantly sitting on the mud. More rain is still needed to replenish the reservoirs. Within a month we should be cruising after Bella has been out of the water to fix a shaft problem and for the hull to be re-blacked.

Fame in Hillmorton!

Here we are in a feature on UK-boating.tv. we had a great time, even though the reporter was a little earlier than anticipated :-)

Since we're still resting on mud as a result of the drought, it's good to have a little excitement.  We're about 6 minutes in.

http://www.uk-boating.tv/videos?vid=109

Pete pulls the guest room into mooring

Here is Hector. He was our guest room a year or so ago and just a few weeks ago when James and Kelly visited. He's come alongside again as he's still a bit of a project and Elizabeth's been commissioned to make him new cushions.

What fun!

First snow of the winter

It's just a dusting, but seen on top of the frozen canal, it looks amazing. It's hard to believe that by this time last year, this had been a usual site for over two months.

New Cooker

Bella is the proud owner of this new cooker

Jule's fuels keeps us toasty

Here's Jules, pictured so many times on our blog. This time Towcester breaks ice to see us. Richard pulls her in, once the main sheets have been moved. Such a good service! www.julesfuels.co.uk.