It has been unseasonably hot and sunny here for the last few days. I took the opportunity to get some chores done. My wardrobe and drawers are now tidy with summer clothes out and winter clothes packed away. I changed the oil this morning for the first time all by myself.
For those who do not live on a boat, imagine: lifting the hood (bonnet for Brits) of the car, climbing inside next to the engine and squatting down, laying everything out on top of the engine, turning sideways, and then pumping the old oil out into a container, cleaning up the drips and removing the oil filter with a tool that looks like some modified gynecological surgeon's instrument. The filter is located on the side of the engine so it drips out and makes a mess; I clean up the mess, rub clean oil on the rubber gasket of the new oil filter, screw it in place, hoist a 5 liter bottle of clean oil up and pour it in without spilling it all over, remember to put the oil cap back on the engine, gather up all the gloopy detritus into a garbage bag, remove my rubber gloves, lay clean bed liners under the engine, wipe everything down with Huggies nappy wipes, wait for the spasms in my neck, arms and side to pass, untwist my pretzelated self and climb out from under the hood. Job done!!!
I needed a shower so I stripped down and while I was showering several boats rocketed past at the speed of sound and suddenly I was bouncing off the shower walls like a fart in a skillet, my eyes squeezed shut, shampoo running down my face and the entire boat rocking like a mechanical bull in a Texas bar! A passing boat pulled my back mooring pin out and the rear of the boat went AWOL from the tow path, all unknown to me. I rinsed off, shut off the water, climbed out of the tub like a decrepit drunk on a three day bender, threw a towel around myself and opened the bathroom door to the sound of a mooring pin being hammered in very close by. I had left the rear hatch open for ventilation and sunshine. Just as I dropped my towel to slip on some undies a shadow appeared looking down my hatch and a deep male voice called, "Hello??? Hello???? Your mooring pin came loose and I pinned it back in oh god sorry!!!"
We both got more than we bargained for...and there you have it-- the perfect sunny spring day in England.
20 comments:
No good deed goes unrewarded! :-)
Great post Jaq, made me laugh out loud and I'm sure that after the shock it made you laugh out loud too. Les would have been in stitches with tears rolling down his face I'm sure. Love to you. xx
Tom and Jan I am sure that is what the poor bloke was thinking!!
Love Jaq xxx
Hi Carol,
Yes indeed Les would have been bent over in spasms of laughter. I am over the shock of it now but I fear for the poor bloke was only trying to be helpful. It isn't often you look upon a naked woman and think, "My god it's a bloodhound in a shower cap!" Or something to that effect... actually he was moored behind me and I spoke with him later to thank him for re-pinning the boat. I had the front double pinned but I actually only had one pin for the back as I was unmooring last week and due to the blasted Shroppie Shelf I couldn't get the boat quite close enough to toss the pin back in the bow. It ended up in the cut. I need to pick up another one from the chandlery.
Hope you and G are well and happy to cut loose to cruise once again.
Love and hugs,
Jaq xxx
Indeed .. no good deed goes unrewarded. LOL Good to hear you are in sunshine again. But the oil change sounds Very daunting. Weather just settling down to spring here in Pullman. Karen
Hi Karen
I'm glad I made you laugh! The oil change is more messy than anything. It is actually very straight forward barring the small space I am working in.
Wish I could scoop you up and bring aboard for a couple of weeks. I know how late spring arrives in the PNW; especially Eastern Washington. It always snows on the red tulips.
Love and Biggs big hugs,
Jaq xxx
Jaq you really made me smile 😊
Nothing like a good laugh to brighten up my day..... and the man with the hammer of course. I'll bet he will dine out on that story over a few drinks for a while! Off next week to Cannie Cavalcade at Little Venice, then into the Midlands and Brum - can't wait. Hope to see you again on your travels.
Ray
That made me laugh out loud. I especially like the image of your pretzelated self.
Love Pip Mick and Tilly x
Hi Elsie,
Good I'm pleased because you have a glorious smile. We should get together soon. Whenever works for you both. come to lunch aboard NBV.
Love and hugs,
Jaq xxx
Hi Ray,
Lovely to hear from you mate. I am so pleased to have been able to add some mirth to your morning! I should think having to wait out the end of winter and part of spring before getting back on your boat and cruising would be sheer torture. I know it would make the already interminable winter seem endless for me. It would be glorious if our paths do meet this summer. I can already see the glasses of wine in the late afternoon sun and the Cobb fired up with something yummy for dinner while you tell me all about life since we last had the pleasure of each other's company.
Jaq
Hi Pip,
It sure did make me laugh as I sat pondering it all with a wet head. I am so pleased to offer a mirthful moment from the pages of my life. It is good to have something to laugh at after all this time.
My love to you, Mick and Tilly. xxx
Sooooo funny!! Nice to hear the Sunshine has made you feel the need to flash your wares! I smiled all the way through that post...a fart in a skillet! Priceless xxx
Only just read this while reclining in bed. Well done on the oil change, I bet it was a sight worth seeing. The rest did make me laugh, quietly as John is fast asleep and it still hurts my ribs to laugh but worth it. I have quite a vivid imagination so could picture it all. Hopefully back on board on Tuesday. XXX Judith
On the less interesting subject of the oil change, once I've loosened the filter, I put a plastic bag round it while I unscrew it, and that catches most of the oil.
Hi Deb!
LOL! Sunshine makes us do crazy things doesn't it? We see it so seldom here in Britain.
Love and hugs,
Jaq xxx
Hi Judith,
Oh I am so glad you got a giggle out of it. Yes it was all a "sight to see." I am chuffed to bits to have managed the oil change all on my own without any oversight. Now if I can just butch up enough to get stuck into the DIY projects staring me in the face, things will be good.
I am looking forward to seeing you and John again whenever our paths meet.
Take care,
Love and hugs to you both,
Jaq xxx
Hi Adam,
That sounds like a great idea. Geoff on Seyella told me he places an empty ice cream tub underneath to catch the mess. I tried it and it helped some but most of the oil is just leaking out of the hole in the chassis where the filter fits on. A fair bit does leak form the filter itself because I am all short thumbs at mechanical things. One would think a person with small hands like myself would be able to get straight in there and deal with it all but actually my manual dexterity leaves something to be desired...or maybe its my patience quota! I don't have much patience for fiddly things or bad designs that make a job more difficult than necessary. Never mind...I thank you for the tip which I will try next time and I am grateful I have learned how to do this bit of maintenance.
Love and hugs to you and Adrian,
Jaq xxx
Your tale certainly brightened my day! I will never be able to pass a boat again without thinking of you bouncing round the shower like a fart in a skillet!! It is good to hear that you had a knight in shining armour to replace your mooring pin, even if he did get more than he bargained for. Well done on the oil change. You should be mighty proud of that achievement. Jennie xx
Thank you Jennie. I am proud and Les would have been proud of me too.He also would have laughed himself senseless over the shower debacle. I'm glad you you think of me with mirth as you pass other boats.
Love Jaq xxx
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