All the new stuff is not going to fit in the MPV with Nickie, Maisy & I, plus our luggage. So it means a flying visit for me, delivery courier extraordinaire, but sadly I've no white van. So a quick there & back next week.

The new wooden roof windows (called pigeon box windows in canal boat circles) will replace the existing metal framed units, the combination of the wood construction and double-glazed windows will reduce (hopefully cut out) the condensation, whilst still providing light and opening for fresh air.

We're trying the new technology AGM Batteries (4 x 6volt units) to replace the lead acid (12 x 2volt traction cells) for the "house batteries", to provide "mains power" when the engine is off, the generator is off & we don't have shore power. They promise 460ah & 1,200 cycles, they weigh 55kg (120lbs) each, we'll share how we get on. The old batteries have provided 9 years of trouble free service, but the new AGM batteries are sealed units, so no more topping up with distilled water.

New hard wood furniture will adorn the new decking, to further enhance our outdoor eating experience, it replaces the old white plastic table and chairs and joins the 2 new recliners already on board.

With a few other bits & bobs that is the car full.

When we arrived in Briare there was still a winter chill in the air, somewhat cooler than the 3weeks spent on board in March, when t shirt & shorts were required.

The new decking is to be fitted to replace the magic carpet, it's magic because it is always trying to fly away. The decking is from Ikea, a 30cm square tile, wood on a plastic base, with lugs that clip together, all held within a hardwood frame. It can be removed to be stored inside during the winter, to reduce weathering.

New name plates for the bow and a stern plate with the "home port" Gouda are to be fitted.

Dave is keen to finish painting the exterior, which just leaves the varnishing of the woodwork.

Zwaan van Maaike will look better than new!!

I'm heading to the barge on Monday, with a chum, Dave, to assist me with the projects that need to be finished before the end of May. Looking forward to returning to beautiful Briare and getting back into the swing of life in France. The weather report from our friends in Briare is of crisp fresh sunny days. Poor old Nickie has to stay and toil away in chilly England.

One project is to complete the hot water system improvement, by adding a new 170 litre hot water cylinder, called a calorifier in marine-speak. This is in addition to the gas fired hot water boiler, which will become the back-up system. The new hot water cylinder is heated by the hot water from the engine, when it is running, so hot water for free, how green are we? It also has an electric element to heat the tank should the engine not run that day. The tank is in the engine-room and a pump pushes the hot water forward to the guest ensuite facilities and the galley, plus aft to the crew cabin.

There are of course other maintenance projects, as one would expect on a barge of Zwaan's age. 

I am confident that we will find time to catch-up with our Irish, Australian & English friends; perhaps over a glass of wine.....

I filled the fuel tanks for the DAF motor on the 19th Oct, the previous time I had filled the tanks was on 7th July before we left Roanne. That was at the delayed start of our summer cruising, much delayed due to the canal breach.
I measured the tanks after we moored in Briare for the winter & both were approx 1/2 full; it took 336 litres to fill them.
Since the 7th July the motor had run for 101.6 hours.
We had covered 412 km in our journey to Briare, via Paray Le Monial.
Therefore:
We used 3.31 litres per hour.
We covered 1.22 kms per litre.
We used 0.81 litres for each km.
Interesting?? Or not.......