Sunday 23 December 2012

Rainy Saturday

It was a gloomy, rainy day today.   This is the sort of day we expected the Winter to be like.  I definitely preferred it when it was much colder and frostier but not raining.  I want to make sure I include photos on the blog of gloomy days as well as pretty ones.  I should probably try and get one when it's pouring rain!

I did a big wardrobe clean-out.  I like to take all the clothes out, refold them and put them back every 3 or 4 weeks.  It gives them a good air out.  We've had several people warn us about problems with mold in boats but so far we've been ok.  I have noticed that the back wall of our wardrobe gets a bit of warmth from the central heating boiler behind.  That's a bonus.

We've also decided that some shoes and a couple of other bits and pieces will go back home with Mick in February.  We've had to buy a couple of pairs of Winter boots as nothing we had at home was suitable for such cold weather.  That means a pair of walking boots each, that I thought would be ok for the cold, will go home again.  We'd need to wear two pairs of socks for them to be warm enough but they aren't big enough for two pairs of socks.  We're learning as we go.


Photos : 
1. Yesterday.  Many boats out at the moment
2. No ducks swimming under pontoons today
3. nb Parisien Star - right at the back, second from right
4. Lots of water beyond that hedge





6 comments:

One Thing After Another said...

Loving the blog Elly. Been following it for a while now. The trials and tribulations are always ongoing on our NB too! We're thinking of using the Perspex to double glaze too so ill keep you posted about how we get on :)

Elly and Mick said...

Glad you like the blog. It's a bonus that something I write to remember an adventure of a lifetime has become interesting to other people! I'd recommend the double glazing. What a difference it's made to the heating.
Elly

One Thing After Another said...

Yes we know a few people who have done it - the condensation is just so annoying! Well,if ever we are near you we'll be sure to wave and say hi or maybe have a brew!

Take care and have a good Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Hi Elly & Mick,

Hate to pour cold water on things, (excuse pun).

In a warm environment on a cozy boat one human being expels 1 litre of water per day when they breathe out.

Now then, think about where that condensation is going to go if it isn't drawn to the windows?

On a narrowboat a lot of furniture is "built in" to save space. Anywhere without good airflow will accumulate the condensation if the windows don't.

This will (eventually) create much worse problems for any wood panelling which gets damp, wet & end result = mould.

Any good boat builder will recommend not having double glazing installed for these reasons. Occasionally people still decide otherwise, & later regret it. (Could take a couple of years for mould to set in). But damp will be a constant issue.

Using secondary double glazing as you've described over winter will also have the same effect.

You may need to have to do some more research on this.

This problem is worse on a narrowboat because of the confined space.

As you know, we live on a widebeam, more space for free standing furniture (good airflow) & all condensation here is attracted to the coldest place - the windows. Which is exactly where we want it to go. We have no damp issues anywhere.

That's why you don't see many boats with double glazing. And not many boaters use secondary glazing either.

Allow it to collect on the windows, else, over time, you'll regret it.

We've seen this before, people rave about secondary double glazing when they first hear about it. Then they never use it again once they find out how condensation builds up exactly where you really don't want it to.

In summary, saving windows from condensation means it finds it's way elsewhere on the boat.
ie: inside / behind fixtures & fittings, while slowly causing damage & damp.

Heth

Elly and Mick said...

Hi Heth,

There's so many different opinions on this! We decided we'd rather have a couple of portholes ajar and if necessary the front door open inside the cratch. We'll just see how it goes.

Watch this space!
Elly

Anonymous said...

Hellooo, hope it works!

Stay warm
Stay safe
And have a great Christmas!!

Hx