3 Angels on the Full Moon

This is the rear right hand side of the boat (starboard stern). This is where the toilet is going to be when it's outside (I will move it inside at times). I decided to insulate the deck for a bit of comfort in winter while I sit and contemplate my life.

The insulation was cut off-site so the measurements are not perfect. The cracks are from when I stomped the insulation in and it didn't like it.

I then removed the floorboards on the portside stern to reveal the barrel that lost its metal strapping on the infamous collision that took place in Camden. Both straps had been sheared. I removed the old strap and with great difficulty attached new stuff. The barrels can support 200kg each so pushing them down to slot the strap through the gap is quite difficult. All while lying / keeling on the joists (the underside of the deck cannot support my weight.

No strap.

I didn't insulate the stern port-side because it's going to be an outdoor area so it's low priority. If it turns out we have enough insulation, I will take up the floor and stomp them in merrily.

While doing the strap, a 20kg piece of plywood fell on my back.

Before...

After. Attaching board to the outhouse. It is notoriously difficult doing this 1. with irregular bits of wood 2. without the proper set-up (ie. a moving boat) 3. with limited land access. Ideally I would have constructed the toilet cubicle in the middle of the deck for 360 degree access. However, moving the cubicle on my own would be impossible due to the weight. I decided instead to secure it in situ and work on it there.

Fittingly, the entire time I was furiously working on the cubicle, I needed a pee. I was against the clock as the sun was going down and I needed to re-moor so I slapped on a tarp and initiated the toilet.

Inevitably, the tarp got a gust of wind under it just as boat-full of people having a jolly day out was going by.

I set sail at around 8:15pm on my first solo outing.

The handle of the engine somehow came off when we were unloading it at 3am on its previous outing but I bodged it in and set off anyway. The handle was loose from the housing which made it a rickety ride and the motor was being temperamental. I was passing a group of smiling older folk who started a conversation with me- they were intrigued by the boat. I told them I was having trouble and a guy named Owen fetched his allen keys and leant them to me. I managed to fix the handle of the motor, incredibly grateful for the help. I offered him a pint of Strongbow to say thanks but he refused, saying he's got plenty of his own.

While passing through the first lock, I strung up the boat inside the lock while I raised the sluice gates. This releases the water, lowering the boat to the lower level of water that is in the direction I wanted to go. I was being careful and paying full attention to what I was doing. I only opened one sluice gate (there are two) to give myself time to check on it. Inspecting it as it made its descent, I was surprised at how much the toilet cubicle weighted as it was dipping down a hell of a lot on that side. I looked at the other side and realised to my absolute horror that it wasn't the weight of the toilet that was tipping the boat; the deck was caught on the towpath. I ran across the boat in complete panic and tried to push the boat off the side. The water was lowering quickly and the weight of the boat caught on land was not shifting. I pushed with all my weight to get the boat off the concrete but it was unbelievably heavy. I lost my footing and slipped and crashed headlong onto the boat, scratching my wrist on some wood. I was in such a adrenaline-fuelled panic it barely registered. I shouted, in genuine panic: 'HELP!!'. A guy who was having a picnic right next to where it was happening with a group of friends had been kicking the boat to get it off the side and he really put his back into it. I reset and pushed with all my might and miraculously freed the boat. It plopped into the water. The corner of the boat now has a chunk gouged out of it. When you come and see it, make sure to take a look.

I shook the guy's hand with genuine gratitude and asked his name: Archie. Fucking hell, that was terrifying. Archie is a hero and he wouldn't even accept my offer of a drink to say thank you. I don't think he could have appreciated how much his help meant.

I have been hit by a car and broken my back in a skiing accident and this experience was the same intensity of terror. My senses were maxxed out and I accessed a pure survival mode instinct. Jesus. What a day.

I carried on on my merry way through post-apocalyptic Hackney or wherever the fuck I was.

As I approached Victoria Park (bona fide), I saw a spot right next to a grand entrance to the park. There was a guy hanging about his boat who I asked whether there was any reason I shouldn't park there. He casually replied 'no..'. So I moored up. He helped me out and really enjoyed the boat and the whole project. I stayed and chatted with him for an hour or so. His name is Dario. I really liked him. I asked him whether I could store my motor on his boat overnight, which would mean I wouldn't have to lug it back (it weighs about 35kg). He was fine with it. I was a bit apprehensive as there has been a lot of interest in the motor. Mainly from men. They ask 'What's that motor?', 'How many horse-power is it?', 'Is it electric?'. Men are a funny lot. It being such a focus of interest has made me paranoid and it feels like its a target for thievery. I decided to put my faith in Dario. We will find out later today whether I was right to do so...

Having moored the boat, I am experiencing a great relief: I am no longer wedged dodgily between four narrowboats (whose owners we probably annoyed when creaking about at 3am when we parked up). Subject to unknown factors changing my mind about it, fingers crossed, I have also found a spot that will work for the opening.

This is where I am moored and where the opening will be:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Victoria+Park+Canal+Gate/@51.5349657,-0.0525586,3a,75y,55.68h,81.24t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgICE2-Os1AE!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgpms-cs-s%2FAB8u6HYkRg4NCMXRHrlNWoWL72SMoWKxbNkzLba4GOR3i2quwY7_qrbMhX4TC3-ZyJhI4NS1KsmWNs5cPECGH8FJqrJwMX0B7zfRZeXwL_9puvRyrCN1JiwZtYYa_j-oMrmBmnEPnY06DQ%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi8.763645184628885-ya200.64133085987146-ro0-fo100!7i5376!8i2688!4m6!3m5!1s0x48761cde0b92c787:0xe926d30e2733f198!8m2!3d51.5349951!4d-0.0524313!16s%2Fg%2F11g9q7pkyb?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Full moon.