Solved.Why I have an interest in Narrowboats

Many years ago I used to cycle over to Linslade to go fishing in the canal and I always thought this was the reason for my interest in narrowboats and the canals until I came across an old family photo album.

My father never had a car and we always went cycling on days out. We had a tandem with a fitted seat on the back for me with pedals connected so that I could help with the effort of getting up the hills.

After finding this old album I now remember being taken to Linslade and Marsworth to watch the boats going through the locks on days out and this must be the reason for my interest and hopefully living on a narrowboat.

The following three photographs are the only ones that my father took which show me as a lad by the canal enjoying the sights and sounds of the working narrowboats.

 They were taken in June 1958 at Linslade.

Mother and me.

Me posing

The wonders of a lock

Isn't it strange that those early experiences should be forgotten yet somehow stay with you until something happens to make you remember, like these three photo's I found.

Yes I had blond hair then but it's white now and disappearing with every passing year.

Cutting the glare and insulating a polycarbonate roof

As promised I would detail how to cure the problem of glare and noise from rain and aircraft on a polycarbonate roof. My friend lives on the direct flight path of an airport runway which is 1.5 miles away so sound insulation was as important as cutting the glare from the roof. We decided on this option after he was quoted thousands of pounds for a contractor to do the job.

After cutting the Celotex insulation to size it was stuck to the polycarbonate roof panels with No Nails

Then battens were screwed into the aluminium roof joists through the plastic capping over the insulation using these screws...

Chrome tape was used to make a thermal seal between the joints of the insulating panels and then the plaster boards were screwed to the battens.

Picture showing the first line of plaster board fixed into position.The battens are staggered due to the varying lengths of the plaster board.

Picture showing the last panel to be covered.

They can now watch the television without having to wear sun glasses and the sound turned up.

My two girl friends. Pictures to make you smile.

Being a carer prevents me from seeing friends but when I can I try and make the most of it. Yesterday I went to see a very good friend and helped him put up a new ceiling, more of that in another blog.
When we had finished his wife said,"Dave go and have a look in the front room", and there were his two girls in these bags watching the TV. I just had to grab my camera and thought I would share the pictures with you.

Zoe

Abigail

But of course those angelic smiles never last for ever.......

Thief !

I like to put food out for the birds and have a tray right outside my window so that I can watch them feeding.
Just lately the sultanas that I put out for the blackbirds have been disappearing at an alarming rate.

One day last week I was sitting reading the paper and a large shadow appeared at the window, it made me jump and the shadow disappeared so I thought I would capture it on camera and here it is... during the day,

and at night

Where Mrs fox lives I don't know but she has become a regular visitor in the garden.

Now some people would want to stop encouraging them but in my view they are just a part of natures balance and have as much right as we do in populating the urban environment. I admire their ability to survive despite human intervention,so if you don't want them around don't leave food about.I don't mind them so I will continue to feed the birds and enjoy the delights that nature provides.