I had noticed that my batteries were not charging sufficiently to run my refrigerator properly and after checking that the ‘Halfords single battery car charger’ hadn’t become dislodged it was obvious that either a) the charger, which is inappropriate anyway, had broken or b) the batteries were borked due to ‘a’.

It was B.

I took my annual trip to replace my gas bottle – how great is that where my gas lasts ONE YEAR!  Anyway, whilst as Spencers Boatyard I struck up a conversation with a group of men discussing a new coal called snow something and asked them for a recommendation for a boat electrician.  Within 10 minutes I was back in the car armed with my gas and a telephone number.

I called him and 15 minutes later he was on board (a very handsome young man too!).  He confirmed that the ‘battery charger’ I had was inappropriate (I knew that) and that the batteries were not recoverable due to insufficient/bad charging over the two years I’ve been on board.  Plus of course, I didn’t know how old these actual batteries were as they were insitu when I bought the boat.

So, next week sees me part with a considerable sum of moolah to replace the battery bank and for the installation of a proper 3 stage battery charger.

However, I’ve not had that much expense with my boat ownership.  Not like they talk about on Forums saying you’ll need a never-ending money supply to own one.  I’ve come to the conclusion that these reporters either don’t know what the fuck they’re talking about or that they simply OVER-exaggerate to be noticed.  Who knows – and who cares.

Hope everyone else in Boatyland is well.  No snow yet or iced waters.  Hope we get that soon; my favourite weather conditions as it’s so romantic!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Can you believe it; this’ll be my 3rd Christmas aboard NB Towpath Townie!

I am, like all liveaboard boaters I guess, ready to welcome whatever the Winter has in store for us this time round.  I soooo hope it’s snows!

I’ve not kept in touch with the previous owner of my Boat, which I’m a little annoyed at myself about.  I hope you’re ok on your new Boat Jill

Yes, everything is still absolutely pucker; perfect!

Any how, I just wanted to wish all fellow Boaters a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous, healthy New Year.

Here’s our newly blacked stove… and Zoot, the Ship’s Pup stretched out trying to cool off.

The Stove Paint is very odd; it’s like ink.  And it doesn’t ‘arf’ smoke for the first fire.  As it’s so thin I ended up with black freckles up my arms and over my face

Comes off easily though so no biggie.  I’m definitely all set now so Winter, do your best. Hope it snows! :w00t:

I think we’ve still got some clement weather to enjoy before the real Winter comes so I’m trying to persuade Lottie that we can fit in a long weekend cruise before we settle down until the Spring.  Happy Boating :heart: