Alanne Afloat - Day 182

We spent the week at Orchard Marina in Northwich on "Alanne".  We took the final bits and pieces with us and we now have 2 very comfy swivel chairs in our saloon.  Its a pity that we are still unable to use the on-board TV, from our comfy chairs, as we have yet to receive the remote control.
Progress is still very slow and a number of jobs need to be cleared before we can sail off into the sunset.  We had a very exciting morning, on Thursday, when Garry came over to demonstrate the diesel fired space heater, "Bubble Stove".  He struggled to get the diesel to flow to the stove, but eventually it appeared to be coming through "ever so slowly".  This was Garrys prompt to set it alight by adding some white spirit and throwing a lighted paper into the firebox.  After an initial roar the stove started to evaporate and burn the diesel fuel.  Garry got excited and opened the diesel valve fully and all seemed to be going according to plan, then very suddenly the gentle yellow flame inside the burner grew very large indeed, Garry said not to worry this was normal, well that was until there was a mighty bang, black smoke flooded into the cabin from the air intake and a couple of seconds later, came a splashing sound outside the boat.   We discovered later that this was the external chimney doing its impression of an Apollo Moon Rocket trying to achieve Earth orbit, it shot up 8 feet in a plume of black smoke then came splashing down in the marina.  The initial bang resulted in a stampede to leave the boat after turning off the diesel feed to the stove.  After a suitable time loitering outside we ventured back inside to survey the stove, which was now coated with a thick layer of soot on the inside and the glass window blacked out.  I'm sure Garry will get it right next time, he just needs to repair the chimney and give us plenty of warning so we can watch from a safe distance.
On Thursday Garry produced the Boat Safety Certificate and the Recreational Craft Directive paperwork, (it was a bit like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat).  We were now able to get our Canal and River Licence from the Canal and River Trust office in Northwich.  Hurrah, we can now legally chug along the canal network without getting our collars felt by the dreaded Canal Police.
We currently have around 16 outstanding jobs on the boat and it looks as if it will be several weeks before they get signed off.  The covered workshop where the jobs will be sorted is currently on a short term rental to another boat owner, who is renovating his boat.  I was thinking of asking Garry to chuck him out, but all the marina "live aboard" crowd are so nice it would be rude to upset them.
I guess we are getting used to the slower pace of life in the boat world.  Cancel that last comment, There is no pace in the boat world.
On our way home this morning, we visited Aston Marina near Stone and finalised our permanent mooring as we now had the relevant paperwork care of Garry.  Hopefully in the dim and misty future we will sail down to Aston marina and prepare for our circular excursions around the canal network.  Lets hope its this year.