Painting and Planting – May 2014

Now back on berth, we have come 'bow-in' to enable its painting.
The marina pool is alive with Spring including the latest feathery additions.

Pigeon Box prised off and being sanded down 

 

Bow masked up - ready for the first diamond

The period of warm, sunny weather allows painting (and ballooning)

With the red diamond on, the third one is masked up

The finished pattern!

Next - painting the Registration Number again

This week, as the rain comes in, painting in the hold - the pigeon box

New planters for the bedding plants and herbs - with new Aldi solar lights

 

Summer is here?

Rode Hall Silver Band – May 2014

Rode Hall at Astbury Village May Day

Our Silver Band led the May Day Parade from the school down to the Parish Church.
After the march back, we played for the Rose Queen and then the May Pole Dancing by the school children.
The weather was perfect this year - and the Band sounded good!
Tea and cakes in the marquee rounded off a great day!

The Band leads the Parade

On the rear rank - solo cornet

 

A trio of cornets play the Fanfares for the Crowning of the Rose Queen

 

May Pole Dance - The Spider's Web

 

Boat Maintenance – May 2014

Now we are back at the Marina from our Kent extended stay, it's time to get some boat maintenance done before we go on our Summer Cruise.
This year, I want to get the roof painted up, including the toplights and aft hatch as they are looking 'weathered' – even after only a year!

We have brought the boat over to the Wet Dock area in the marina and have a 2 week period to get as much of the work done as possible here.

 

Berthed at the wet dock – with the flower tubs on the bank

With the roof cleared onto the the decking and 'temporary' plywood boards covering the roof openings

 

Sanding down to hopefully provide a key to the new paint

 

Using zinc rust proof paint on the worst sections

 

Followed by a primer/undercoat

 

Front hold acting as a 'temporary paint shop'

Having dodged the rain showers and been frustrated by the weather – there seemed to be a period of dry, if somewwhat windy weather coming in on Friday.

With two new tins of Craftmaster Raddle Red, I set to with a small roller and got the job done.

Roof painted up til next time. My records in the Log Book show that it was last done in June 2011, so we have had 3 years 'worth'.