Nearly there... anything else I need to do?

Murv

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So, after consulting the many experienced Thames cruisers locally, I think we're pretty much ready for the upcoming invasion at the end of the week.
So far I have:



  • Safely stowed anything shiny safely down below
  • Removed all fenders and replaced with tyres
  • Replaced mooring warps for short pieces of badly knotted string
  • Lined various potted plants along the decks
  • Installed net curtains
  • Fabricated a half-passable river license thingy
  • Prepared "strictly no rafting" and "only here for a week as broken down" signs
  • Pumped some of the oil/diesel sludge from the bilge (the pumps will do the rest)
  • Set tickover to give 8 knots (for economy and make jumping the que at locks a bit easier)
  • Installed 8KW sound system on flybridge
  • Got the RNLI on speed dial in the event a glass of pernot should topple onto the carpet
  • Fabricated a 12m measuring stick to ensure correct spacing between boats on moorings
  • Installed smokey 10KV turbo diesel gennie on swim platform set to switch on at dusk/off at dawn (to run new stereo system)
  • Downloaded "101 summer swan recipes" to my kindle
  • Adopted a sense of deep injustice and a slightly pained expression


Anything I've missed?
 
I have some carp recipes..........they are all in Polish but Google should sort that.....

Err .....just thought,do they have the interweb up there,probably dial up ? :)
 
Sacks of coal on the fore deck
A previously white string vest
A 3 legged dog with bad toilet habits and a winning snarl
A TV aerial that used to receive but hasn't caught up with Free View
A prosaic name for the boat Lady of the Lochs. Or Afternoon Girl.
Various fresh water collecting butts, broken of course
 
I have some carp recipes..........they are all in Polish but Google should sort that.....

Err .....just thought,do they have the interweb up there,probably dial up ? :)

Excellent, we can BBQ the World's first Thames variation of surf 'n' turf then :D

Boaty selfie-stick?

Sacks of coal on the fore deck
A previously white string vest
A 3 legged dog with bad toilet habits and a winning snarl
A TV aerial that used to receive but hasn't caught up with Free View
A prosaic name for the boat Lady of the Lochs. Or Afternoon Girl.
Various fresh water collecting butts, broken of course

Excellent suggestions, and I have most of those :) (except the selfie stick...never going to happen)

Contact Boatone to get some TMBA stickers....

Actually, that is a good idea. I've joined the TMBA but probably won't get the stickers in time. Am also now too scared to contact Tony as will probably get a clip around the ear for starting this thread!!
 
A clear night can be a bit chilly, so be sure to remove the silencer from your eberspacher/webasto.
And don't forget to pack the BBQ. A heady waft of cheap cuts and thick smoke drifting into the neighbours V berth and scenting their duvet is a great way to meet new people:encouragement:
 
So, after consulting the many experienced Thames cruisers locally, I think we're pretty much ready for the upcoming invasion at the end of the week.
So far I have:



  • Safely stowed anything shiny safely down below
  • Removed all fenders and replaced with tyres
  • Replaced mooring warps for short pieces of badly knotted string
  • Lined various potted plants along the decks
  • Installed net curtains
  • Fabricated a half-passable river license thingy
  • Prepared "strictly no rafting" and "only here for a week as broken down" signs
  • Pumped some of the oil/diesel sludge from the bilge (the pumps will do the rest)
  • Set tickover to give 8 knots (for economy and make jumping the que at locks a bit easier)
  • Installed 8KW sound system on flybridge
  • Got the RNLI on speed dial in the event a glass of pernot should topple onto the carpet
  • Fabricated a 12m measuring stick to ensure correct spacing between boats on moorings
  • Installed smokey 10KV turbo diesel gennie on swim platform set to switch on at dusk/off at dawn (to run new stereo system)
  • Downloaded "101 summer swan recipes" to my kindle
  • Adopted a sense of deep injustice and a slightly pained expression


Anything I've missed?


The sense of deep injustice and a slightly pained expression will increase tenfold if you enquire about a mooring at St Kats:)
Ask OG,it just happens:)
 
All good stuff, thank you :D


The sense of deep injustice and a slightly pained expression will increase tenfold if you enquire about a mooring at St Kats:)
Ask OG,it just happens:)


I did that once before, not sure I've really quite got over the shock!
 
H,mm.....Friday 29th.
http://www.iossc.org.uk/weather/?sn=prediction&link=8day :)
Anybody else think that the Thames boaters have got friends among the weather gods ?
....now have grande total of ten (10) fenders......will that be enough ?
Oh fo Gods sake Fred stop carping on about the Thames as if it's some parallel universe- you don't have to visit us if you don't want to ! We do need the money though as the coffers are getting pretty low and we may not be able to pay the tea lady next month. Don't worry about pump outs and the like, in fact you could leave your holding tank behind and use shoreside loos if you just plan a little. If the odd lock keeper or volunteer tries to assist you give them a nice smile and a thank you, please - we value then greatly and would like to keep them happy. ��
The river isn't so busy these days but you may come across a few Thames resident boaters managing to enjoy themselves, even in our reduced circumstances. Don't worry too much about illegal moorers, they're more of an eyesore than s nuisance - unless, of course, you want to shop at Tescos in Reading. I know the absence of Pound Shops will cause you some anguish but I believe there is a new IKEA in Reading which may compensate.

have a good trip and let us see lots of positive comments and nice pics.
 
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Showing your Sticker entitles you to 50% discount in all Pubs, Restaurants, Marinas, Moorings, fuel etc. etc. If anyone doesn't give you said discount don't worry, keep the bill and Tony will refund you.
Forget poxy discounts - Wondering if the TMBA shouldn't set up a "Friends of the Thames" charity fund to raise money for the river. The more i try to discuss funding issues the more bleak the future appears to be. Anyone for crowd funding?

Semi serious suggestion - at least we'd be able to allocate 100% to specific purpose without EA taking 45% in overheads.
 
Sadly I forgot to include a supply of sixpence and half crown pieces to reward those locals who render any small service and remember to touch their forelock.
 
I was going to suggest that you bring a pensioner to stand in the rain collecting for the RNLI Murv.

Then I remembered you will have Oldgit with you...... :)
 
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