Measured is a word often used to indicate a pace or an action as being slow and steady, unhurried and thoughtful.Cleddau, now 35 years old, underwent an out-of-water survey in December. All was well with her hull and steerage. Just a few actions to internal systems were advised…The list was short and straightforward but yet completion took an age. The details were:Recommendation

• Careful consideration should be given to the continued future maintenance of the hull. It is recommended that the hull should be well coated with a proprietary hull coating system at the earliest opportunity, and re inspected regularly with a coating re applied as required to mitigate against further corrosion and material loss.

Advisory

• • The gas locker base would benefit from appropriate preparation and repainting.
  • Maintain manufacturers service intervals to ensure continued engine condition and performance.
  • Secure ventilation to inverter.

Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)

• Domestic battery terminals must be correctly insulated or protected. (BSS 3.1.3)
• The solid fuel stove should not be used in its current state. While not tested, it should be serviced and the flue collar re sealed.

It was in January that Boatwif noticed a leaking radiator and a sodden floor in the airing cupboard - and then, two months later, another different radiator leak was spotted ..!Meanwhile, as February crept into March and then into April, Boatwif measured her steps as she struggled to rid herself of crippling sciatica pain. By the end of week 5 cautious optimism was in the air.  A walk to the Post Office (200 metres each way), then a round the village stroll of about a mile were real measures of progress..IN April the ELSA nurse arrived, in full measurement mode.  Every two years Boatwif and the Captain get interviewed for a long-running study into how participants are aging (ELSA: English Longitudinal Study of Aging) .Every four years the ELSA study involves a medical check. In came the ELSA nurse, laden with kit to measure 8 separate areas of these (still living and breathing) participants.Blood tests: “Don’t eat after midnight unless you’re on blood thinners,” she’d advised.Then came blood pressure. “Sit there for ten minutes,” she said, “and don’t talk and I won’t talk to you…”There was a grip test: three pulls with each hand on the grip meter (a gadget that’s officially called a hand-held dynamometer). Hmm, did the boaters still have strength for ropes and tiller?Next measurements were of height (what? shrunk?) and weight (depressing numbers).“Show me your balance,” the nurse said next, demonstrating how feet should be arranged as she timed each pose.On went the measurements – lung function next. Why was it so hard to follow the instructions to blow, blow, blow while gazing at a line travelling on a computer screen?With the final test completed (a tuft of hair cut from the crown to measure cortisol/ stress levels) a free gift was proffered, the comb used in the evidence gathering.It had been a long session, a multitude of measurements taken in a very measured way.“Can we make you some more tea?” the Captain asked the nurse, seeing her mug still half full of cold brown liquid.“No, no,” was the nurse’s firm response. “I am a nurse, nurses are used to drinking things cold,” and she swigged the last drops back before reloading her car.

…..

There were fine memories of grand boating days on 19^th April. Nb Chouette’s Patrick Marks (fellow Wash Crosser in 2014 – reminder here: and here: )  gave an illustrated talk to the Macclesfield Canal Society. His topic, the joys and challenges of boating in the South of France, made for a very enjoyable talk – and it was great to meet fellow Canal Society members in person again rather than via Zoom.The following day an inspection of Cleddau revealed that the internal boat jobs were finished at last. Many many thanks to Colin!¹With heating now assured (various repairs to the Webasto and the solid fuel stove, two 2010 installed radiators replaced), the gas locker cleaned and painted, and a new non-leaking galley tap to provide appropriate water delivery and water pressure, perhaps a Sea Trial should be planned…?The calendar was checked: after bookings for Covid boosters and a National Theatre Live cinema screening² there was a five day gap.Then, up to Crick.Car unloaded, fire lit,  engine started and out of the marina Cleddau crept. This was her first opportunity to move on open canal water in six long months. The familiar sight of Crack Hill (remember that very hot walk up there one morning last summer? ). Onwards, past Yelvertoft Marina and along the twisty canal route boat and crew cruised, to pull in after about an hour, just past Bridge 20. It took a while to transform the boat’s interior from its winter hibernation mode to something like a place of residence. But warmth from the stove and exhaustion encouraged a good first night’s sleep³.Onward the next day, under the busy A14,  past sizzling yellow oil seed rape fields, the boat licence checked by a C&RT enforcement officer, onward, to test how crew and boat would perform on a longer journey…Showers didn’t materialise and within three hours Cleddau had reached Welford Junction, taken a right turn, ascended the one lock and found a top favourite Welford Wharf mooring. The ' bug hotel' in the Pocket Park   probably has lots of residents now (new signage) , a couple of butterflies were focused on the spring flowers, Postman Pat looked as cheery as ever and the Warwickshire River Avon makes its first public appearance as it descends from Naseby Moor right here in Welford. As on a previous occasion the wharf-side mooring proved an excellent spot for clearing the clutter off the bow deck, to give it a good sweep before returning picnic chairs, brooms, mops, anchor and other vital kit to their places. All seemed well and early analysis of the trip so far deemed boat and crew as ‘fit for purpose’.Then, late afternoon, an emergency visit from RCR (the waterways answer to the RAC…) was followed by The Fuel Doctor…  A diagnosis of contaminated fuel proved an expensive and inconvenient business…More on that next time…

Crick to Welford; 11¾ miles, 1 lock

 ¹Colin Rowe, a brilliant marine engineer CB Boats Marine engineer (mobile) 07801 081395  colin.rowe@icloud.com^{2 ‘}Nye’, the story of Aneurin Bevan, NT Live³ Plus a pair of cosy bed socks, a present from Senior Sis a few years ago