Fire break time - thanks to the nice Welsh Government

You know how we mentioned that we were not allowed to travel outside the Vale of Glamorgan except for a few reasons (like the dentist) and how we hoped this would not become the norm. Well, it didn't, actually it got worse. The rather strange devolved government decided to have a full lockdown, a bit like the one earlier this year with the message "stay at home" for about 17 days.

Such good news - have a look at BBC report

Talking to a few locals, this has as much chance of being followed and hence making a dramatic impact on the infection rates as Trump's suggestion of drinking disinfectant would.

No matter, another dentist appointment was already in the diary and it is before the big stay at home lockdown kicks in. Might be our last trip anywhere for a while, what a delight. To prepare for the excitement, we unloaded the life raft from the cradle on the boat deck so we could take it for the now overdue service. It is quite a tricky game as the cradle is engineered so when you open it, the raft falls out into the sea. Not what we wanted to happen. The raft is also quite heavy. So, the two trusty lifelines were called into service again, having propped up Anne's foot so well a while ago:

With the aid of the crane, some cable ties and another couple of straps, the raft was swung aloft and dropped onto the pontoon ready to load into the car. The initial launching it into the air is always a bit exciting, hoping that the straps are in the right place and secured so they cannot slide in either direction.

On a nice(ish) day we treated Izzy to a beach run around at Barrybados:

Lowish tide so plenty of sand to chase around on, dig up and generally enjoy. 

Back on board:

the toy got a mauling..... No idea why but suddenly it had to be dismembered.

Maintenance news:

The Dayton blower that puffs air from the engine room up around the exhaust as it goes through the galley cabinetry decided to stop working on our last little run around the bay. 

We have two spares - bought from eBay a while ago when someone was having a clear out. The only challenge is that the model originally fitted has been replaced (of course). Good news - proper ball bearings in the new ones so they might last a bit longer. Bad news - the motor housing is very different in design so the bracket that holds the fan up to the roof of the engine room will not fit on the new one.

So, as a temporary job, some stainless perforated strip was used to fix the new one in place, the wiring was modified and the flange from the original dead blower was fitted to the new one:

So, the thing is useable for the winter period whilst we work out a new bracket arrangement. We are not supposed to go to local metal fabrication shops during the lockdown. Stuff is never simple.