Winterising, testing, and looking forward

We paid a visit to Kantara yesterday. What with all of the conflicting weather forecasts recently, and the distinct possibility of a plague of spiders and/or flies such as we've experienced before when we've been away from her, we thought it best to go and give her a bit of TLC. Furthermore, we'd been alerted by Neil, the marina manager that something unusual was about to happen.

Not far from the marina exit onto the canal is a culvert carrying drainage pipes under the canal and down to lower ground on the other side. The CRT are scheduled to repair this, and that requires the installation of dams on either side of the work, and the draining of the canal water between them. This will take around five weeks to complete, starting on Monday, and a large team of workers.

In the unlikely event of either of the dams failing, our marina would empty, along with the rest of the summit stretch of the canal. To prevent the marina from being affected by such a disaster, a barrier can be created across the exit using stop boards. These are lowered one onto another into slots at either side of the exit. We think the barrier won't leak! There was a team of moorers out with Neil yesterday, practising the procedure.

Neil had to do a walk around the marina recently to find out which boats were still out on the cut. There were only two. Having already sent out an email to all moorers some time ago, giving advance notice of the works, he contacted these two again to make sure they were aware that they would have to stay out if they couldn't be back before the end of Sunday. One of the boats said there would be no problem, they'd be home in time.

The other one asked if the work could be delayed for them, so they could stay out longer! 

Back on Kantara, there were no spiders, webs or spider poos, nor flies. All we had to do was run the engine up to cruising temperature, (thus checking oil pressure, the cooling system and battery condition), top up our mains electricity meter, put the greenhouse heater on the bed base, above the calorifier (water tank), and switch it and the dehumidifier on. Water pipes had been emptied the last time we were aboard. All was ready for even the coldest weather. The roof was suffering from green algae, but we weren't inclined to clean it in the inclement weather. It would only grow back again in a couple of months. I felt bad about it, though.

Since the marina pond is to be cut off from the canal for some time, there is a possibility of the water level rising and falling with the rain or evaporation. To allow for this, we lengthened our mooring lines some three feet or so, allowing her to rise and fall freely. We hope it'll be enough, though there will be several friends keeping their eyes on her for us.

And so, home we went. See you next year, dear old Kantara!