Spring Bank Week & The Alde Saga
May 2010
Chris noticed a couple of leaks on the Alde Boiler, looks like they may have been there for some time as the floor boards under the boiler were damp and the boiler was rusty in places! Extremely disappointing as only 4.5 years old.
Took out the boiler, disconnecting all the pipes etc and had it soldered in the two places, fitted it back in, just need to test it with water and anti freeze.
Saturday 29 May
Chris working in the day so set off to Coventina in the afternoon. Stopped off at Morrisons for some supplies for the week.
Put 10.5 litres of 66% water, 34% anti-freeze into the hopefully sealed boiler. So far so good, a few airblocks, however they should disappear overnight.
Had an Indian takeaway from the balti in Woodlesford , good tasty food.
Sunday 30 May
Slept in a bit, coming down from a mad week at work, need the rest. Left Woodlesford at 11.am, emptied toilet and filled with water at Lemonroyd. Had some lunch and then left Lemonroyd at 1ish.
Moored at the top of Kings Road Lock at 3.30pm. Lovely afternoon, a bit blustery, but managed to sit out for a bit. Light Sunday evening meal and early night.
Monday 31 May
Oh no the boiler is weeping!!!, poor Chris is too, I really feel for him, he has put so much work into locating the leaks, getting the boiler out which was difficult and getting it welded and back in….. Looks like we will have to buy a new one. Chris had contacted Alde last week to see if they just sold the boiler cylinder rather than the full boiler unit and they do for £325. Oh well we have no option! We would be interested to hear from anybody who reads this who has experienced similar problems with their Alde boiler, sorry colander!!.
Nice sunny pleasant day, had a nice chill out in the morning and left top of Kings Road Lock at 2ish.
Arrived at Stanley Ferry at 3.30pm, moored further down, away from the pub where it is a lot quieter. Went for a meal in the ‘two for one’ , excellent value, two steak meals and bottle of wine for £16, very nice too.
As a nice pleasant warm evening (for a change), sat out on the front with cheese and biscuits and some more chilled wine.
Tuesday 1 June
Slept in again till 9.20am!!! Caught the bus into Wakefield, quite a good bus service from outside the pub, there are 3 buses that go into town, 125, 147 & 157, only 13 minutes bus ride.
Had a look around and got a couple of bargains… Went for lunch at a restaurant called Qubana on Northgate, near the Bull Ring. They had a lunchtime special on, a choice of wraps and sandwiches and a drink, including small wine, half a lager or a soft drink, £5. Very nice indeed and the setting is nice with candles on the tables.
Bought some meat for a proposed barbeque tomorrow evening as the forecast is a good one. Got a taxi back to Stanley Ferry for £5. (amazing when the bus fares cost £4)
Stayed in, in the evening .
Wednesday 2 June
Left Stanley Ferry at 9.10am, with a boat called Ria? Or Rig?, thank goodness as we could all help at the dreaded Fall Ings Lock and Thornes Lock which is usually stiff.
Moored between figure of 3 locks and Mill Bank Lock. Weather absolutely gorgeous, really hot and sunny, even had shorts on Had a barbeque, sat out until late – great evening.
Thursday 3 June
Left at 9.20am, arrived at Shepley Marina 12ish to empty toilet, moored further up nearer Mirfield for the afternoon and evening. Wandered around the shops – early night
Friday 4 June
Moved a bit nearer the centre just before the bridge. Trevor and Joan came to visit, so did Maurice and Harry. Went on a short cruise on the river, Harry did most of the steering, he was brilliant. Made a light lunch for everyone, followed by strawberries and cream. Weather still glorious… Trevor and Joan took Chris back for the van.
In the evening had a meal at the ‘Kashmir’ . It was the best dopiaza ever!!, great as well as take your own drinks. Absolutely poured it down whilst we were eating thank goodness, stopped just before the small work back to Coventina. Finished off with a glass of red on the front deck.
Saturday 5 June
Another hot lovely day. Left Mirfield and went back to the moorings we were on Wednesday evening. Sat out again, my back bad, but managed to cook a Mexican meal.
Early painful night.
Sunday 6 June
Slept in again!!! Oh well will be up at 6am tomorrow for work, so making the most of it.
Absolutely poured down most of the day, luckily only went down two locks. Stopped at the Bingley Arms at Horbury for Sunday lunch. Not bad value, tasty and only £4.95p.
It is the end of another brilliant week, fantastic weather and a good time. Disappointing re the boiler, but hey, there are lots more people have a lot more to worry about in life than having a sieve as a boiler!
4 July 2010
Chris fit new boiler and so far so good, no more leaks. Yippee!.
Looking forward to our 2010 trip. We have decided to go to Ripon this year, roll on the end of July!