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Newsletter
Update
June,
2009
At
the end of 2008 we again went into
Corpach Boatyard for replacement of
hull plating on the port bow. On the
trip back to Crinan we were joined
by the new owner of 'Old Reekie' who
wanted to gain an impression of puffer
life, we wish him well with his project.
During the winter months maintenance
on the water tanks, the boiler and
the engine room was carried out by
Lyall with assistance from Francis.
The dinghy was also sent away for
a complete refit and came back as
new, also delivered was the new 'Carley
Float' which now sits on the hatch
covers.
On the first cruise we discovered
a small leak in the starboard double
cabin, at first it was thought it
might be from the water tanks, but
in fact was a suspect weld between
old and new plating, thankfully the
passengers in the cabin were ran a
boatyard and were quite at home using
their skills to assist Lyall in plugging
the leak!
On another point, whilst rowing to
collect passengers, in high winds,
Roberts managed to break a rowlock,
fortunately he managed to paddle to
a yacht mooring buoy and fasten himself
to that, we then had to up anchor
to rescue him.
Another highlight was when Mary the
cook decided she wanted to use seaweed
as a vegetable, after collecting same
and during the preparation of these
delicacies she threw overboard some
slimy discarded bits. Regrettably
she did not note where the wind was
coming from and a passing passenger
was covered in slippery algae.......fortunately
she had a sense of humour and joined
in the general laughter.
We continue to visit Jura because
it gives everyone great pleasure...plus
we meet up with Gwen the bus driver,
visit Jura House Gardens, visit the
distillery or have a visit from Neil
and his Jura Band. Neil plays the
small pipes, the local doctor Murray
plays a strange stringed instrument,
his wife Janet plays either harp or
fiddle and Giles when he comes plays
the drums. The performance of such
haunting Gaelic songs and music is
much appreciated by passengers who
are very generous in donations towards
'The Jura Music Festival'.
We have discovered a new spot to anchor
off. Toberonochy on the island of
Luing which is centred on an old and
derelict slate quarry. The surrounding
village of small and neat quarry workers'
houses is great fun to explore.
The quarry was at it's peak after
the Napoleon Wars when the Russians
told the French to contibute to the
restoration of St.Petersburg which
Napoleon had burnt. They continued
up to the First World War, but as
most of the workers were killed they
went into decline.
After the summer break there was drama
at Crinan Sea Lock, the outer sill
had collapsed and we were advised
by BW to moor outside the canal and
for three weeks used the outer pier.
This meant that coal loading was a
nightmare as it had to be shovelled
into wheelbarrows, pushed across the
lock gates at Lock 14, across the
grass and down to the pier.
Fortunately the crew and passengers
proved up to the task and complaints
were limited. Not only coal but the
weeks provisions and passengers luggage
had to follow the same route
Whilst at Inverness on the Caledonian
Canal we had an open weekend to the
public and over 350 people visited
and donations of some £700 were
received.....thanks in part to that
stout Aberdonian Kenneth Pirie Esq.
For the year end in 2009 we hope to
have sufficient funds to replate the
stern, replace the stern deck and
strip the engineer’s cabin and
return it, after restoration , to
its near original condition.
Lastly many thanks to all the many
people and organisations who have
given time, money and effort to help
keep the VIC 32 in steam.
Mike Smith
Read
the previous Newsletters:
February,
2008
4th June, 2007
4th November, 2005
9th
June, 2005
14th
March, 2005
17th February, 2005
27th
August, 2004
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