It is quite normal to uncover massive problems when indulging in a spot of narrowboat maintenance! Deadlines make matters worse, and its very useful to have reliable contacts in that illusive and rare group of canal characters known as "Marine Engineers".
A spot of wire brushing on "Shropshire Lass's" back deck has led to large sections completely disintegrating. Peering down the new hole expecting to see Alice having a spot of tea with the Mad Hatter...... all I see in the murky bilge water is another attempt by one of these individual and quaint craft to induce despair and hopelessness in the silly person who has had the audacity to try and improve it!
The whole deck where it joins the back bulkhead is completely corroded, and needs sorting out sharpish.
Cue the arrival Barnaby Reeve. Skilled engineer, good friend, and veteran of the battle twixt boat and person.
With the naughty boat being taught a good lesson at Barney's hands I am free to get on with a bit of preparation. A comprehensive range of punishments have been prescribed for this disobedient craft.... including but not limited to electrocution, heat torture, abrasion, and being chastised intermittently with larger and larger hammers!
Super Job, thanks Barney!! Follow the link on my homepage to see more examples of unruly boats with behavioural issues that have been rehabilitated at Barneys hands!
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All this commotion seems to have attracted the attention of another, albeit extremely illusive and rare member of the engineering fraternity.....
We were treated to a fleeting glimpse of the "lesser spotted Ricardus Blackhandius" (aka Richard Milligan). It is very rare to see this species emerge for any significant length of time due to his attraction to oily engine 'oles and high productivity levels.
If you see either of them be sure to approach them cautiously and not offend them....... you never know when you may need them!!
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