Cribblog 2017

   August

You may have been wondering why we have not had much action on cribbit.net lately. Well its partly because I have hit a rather busy period with trips to Stoupa in Greece, Cape Town, South Africa and a short cribbit trip with Margaret, Terry and their grandchildren.

Another small problem has been that cribbit sank on her moorings on the 7th of August. She was moored by Mill Bridge, Great Bedwyn and the combination of a stuck bottom paddle and a very leaky gate caused the pound to drain completely. The profile of the canal bottom where she was moored caused her to fall over onto her side and then when the pound was re-watered water was able to gush in through the scuppers and then into the cabin.

She is re-floated now with lots of help from Dave and Tom from ABC marine in Aldermaston and a large petrol driven pump. She is in a big mess with lots of work needed inside and out. The engine was completely covered by water and has now had an oil change and the diesel tank which was half water has been drained. To-day, I have been over to Calcutt boats to get a new starter motor and alternator. Once they are fitted will have a go at starting the engine.

Lying by Bridge 97, Mill Bridge.

Inside, water up to the gunwhale.

2017 log floating around the debris.

CRT oil boom and oil absorbing pads.

Genny on the bank to power my mains pump.

Pump on the bow step to keep it clear of the water.

The stern gunwhale, water not quite flowing in, and then it did!

Sooo close!

Somehow the bilge pump kept working even with the battery under water.

Got the winch on the side rail but it wouldn't budge.

Lively pedestrians did a limbo dance under the winch line, others took it a bit more gently..

The power pump arrives.

Slowly she comes level as the water level goes down and the winch begins to bite.

Inside without the water.

Dave and Tom pump out the what's left of the water.

Next day I heard heavy footsteps on the roof and was convinced that there were looters in action, so poked my head up through the roof hatch to come beak to beak with this [zombie] muskcovy duck.

The debris.

Still deep water under the bed.

Rosemary came out to see the damage and declares 'I've come to loot not to salvage!'

So glad I didn't wash the floor after the grandchildren's visit.

Meanwhile, in the engine room.

Engine was completely covered.

Fuel tank was half water.

At home, trying to rescue the logs.

Ironing each page.

A few rescued xdecs.