Yes, as the title suggests, East unfortunately met West this evening! Lottie and I decided to celebrate my first interview selection with a Curry. Lottie enquired “what if you don’t get the job?” to which I replied “we’ll be eating out a lot!”

I thought it would be a super opportunity to sample one of the many restaurants in our new Home Town and it’s always a must to find a decent curry  house isn’t it.  Thanks to Google we agreed on a visit to The Maharaja, close to the Kennet & Avon Canal.  Their website conjures romantic images of opulence, sophistication and royalty.  In reality it was a pretty shabby ‘front room of a house’ establishment that probably sees more ‘take-away’ customers than sit down patrons.  That prediction was based somewhat on fact as we sat there for an hour and a half eating our spoils of celebration.

Initial first impressions aside, let’s order food!

We shared some plain and spicy poppadoms together with the chutney tray.  I also partook in a starter course; Prawn Puree.  I hadn’t had that in years and love it so much.  We all but finished off the chutney tray so that was good value for money LOL

Our main courses were Korma for Lottie and a Cocktail Massala with additional birds-eye chilli’s for me accompanied with their Special Rice and a round of Peshwari Naan.

The food flavours were passable although completely lacking in artistic flair for the presentation.  A case of ‘plopped on a plate’.  The food presentation pretty much complimented the cheap décor, crockery and soft furnishings.  Our somewhat short stay was ruined by the Arctic temperatures and bristling breeze through the room.  There was no more than 6 small tables so you can visualise the size of the room.  It also housed a small bar in the corner.

Our puddings were collected from upstairs – how novel!  After taking our order he disappeared behind a wind-driven faded velvet curtain that had frankly seen better days.  We heard him plod up the stairs appearing our side of the curtain again with puddings in hand.  He passed our table, with our puddings, and Lottie broke out into a whimpering chuckle as she witnessed him defrosting our desserts under the hot tap behind the bar.  Nice!

As with most Indian restaurants, the pudding selection is a mass produced frozen ice menagerie.  Mine (a mango slush and coconut ice-cream) was pretty bland but Lottie’s Lemon sorbet, in a lemon (how original… yawn), was ever so refreshing and I wished I had ordered the same.  Hindsight can be so cruel!

So, 47 quid and a pregnantesque belly later I thought I’d tell you all about it.  I wont go there again and wouldn’t recommend it either; we’ve only been back home for 20 minutes and already there’s a rather nasty bristling breeze of my own brewing!  3/10 for the restaurant. 8/10 for the fart-factor!  Yes, a high score there and one that makes me cautious when opening my stove to give it a stoking tonight

What a pleasant day today.  A wee bit of rain but that was soon over and the clouds parted to reveal a beautiful Winter sun.  Lottie had an itchiness about her today… a cleaning itchiness.  She’s off school due to an hospital admission where she was discharged yesterday.  Nothing serious in the end but suspected appendicitis to start with hence the admission.

Anyway, up onto the roof she goes giving it a bit of a clean.  Reappearing about half an hour later asking for the Brasso.  “Our mushrooms are black!” she exclaimed.  Reminiscent of expensive Truffles I’d say

I was inside the boat when I heard Lottie talking to our neighbour.  I popped out to mingle and he said that our mushrooms were way beyond simple Brasso treatment alone and nipped off only to return with a little box of magic under his arm.

After a lot of rubbing, both abrasive and non-abrasive, he brought one of them up a real treat.

I’ve now ordered the products he recommended and bought them online from Miracle Leisure.  Once my supplies arrive I’ll send Lottie back onto the roof to sort the remaining mushrooms out!

As we’re not able to use the standpipes to clean the boat I’ve had a brainwave.  I’m going to wait for the next ‘downpour’ and wash the roof off.  Free water and a rinse as well.  Sorted!

I had a good old natter with my neighbour.  He’s a very experienced boater and has lots of handy hints and tips – plus he’s a really nice bloke.  I tried to absorb all the info he offered to store for a later date should I need it.  Which of course, I more than likely will!   We discussed our chimneys and old boiler flues along with secondary double glazing, window seals and condensation.  I’ve been put off replacement double glazing as it will come in at around £5k+.  I certainly need to replace the rubber seals though as they’re perishing before my very eyes.  I will now try to find a tradesman that can do the seal replacement for me.

All in all it was an hour very well spent.  Thank you neighbour

I also had my last visit from Chris Berry who came to furnish me with my boat safety certificate. I’d passed some weeks ago but was having a bubble tester installed so he came to pass that off prior to giving me my certificate. All done now and no recommendations either. Pucker!

Although I only know Chris by way of my safety certificate and full boat survey, he’s a boating expert. And that’s for all types of water craft including sailing. He was very interested in my Helmsman’s Course and if he decides to go into that line of business too it’ll be a good thing as there aren’t any ‘employable’ instructors in this area hence my having to employ someone from up North. If you’re in the Wiltshire area and need a survey or safety certificate and of course, tuition, then give Chris Berry a call on 07710 175871.

I’ve included some more photos from the top of my boat including the offending boiler flue, chimney and dirt

Before I take to the waterways I think it’s responsible and ’safe’ to undertake a course of some kind.  Yes, anyone can jump on a boat and take it out but if you don’t know what you’re doing it can all go horribly wrong I’m sure whether you’re laden with oodles of common sense or not.

Therefore, as I am not ready to die a watery death just yet, and do not want to see my gorgeous Daughter harmed in any way, I’ve booked a two day course with Terry Robertson of T R Boat Handling.  I’d had a recommendation about him from the previous owner of my boat plus I’d seen good things written about him on various canal web sites.

Not only does he ‘qualify’ us at/in/for good helmsmanship but also equips us, hopefully, with the knowledge and knowhow to confidently maintain the engine basics and other necessary regular checks etc.

In readiness we went out to buy supplies today.  A windlass and key together with a couple of nice new shiny tethering poles!

So, by 21 March Lottie and I will be the proud holders of an ‘ Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate’!

If you’re on the K&A on 20 or 21 March, you’ve been warned!

YEEHAAA