A new home for Atlantis - part 38

Ello is me again! Bin a while ain't it? I forgot where I was. Oh yeah we was gonna find annuva moorin for Atlantis an move her an they was gonna finally get to work again after a lonnnnnnnnnng time of not being able to get on board her (legal fings).

Well, true to her word, mum found a moorin. T'was in a place where they had looked years ago funny enough. Lowestoft! So the mooring was found, the deal was done. All they needed to do now was get Atlantis seaworthy enough for them to get her up there.

Now, why dus these fings always ave to appen in Winter? Poor old mum and dad spent 5 months from November to March getting Atlantis ready for her trip. I was supervisin the whole time of course, keepin em on their toes.

First fing dad ad to do was find out what was urgent to fix and what we could live wiv for the trip wifout danger to life! Atlantis had been laid up so long , there was a lot to do! So, his list looked a bit like dis:

• Fix the raw water pump without which we couldn't run the engine
• Weld the wheelhouse so we could put in the navigation lights
• Weld the Portuguese bridge for added safety whilst at sea
• Install new batteries for the 24-volt navigation system
• Clean and prepare the fuel tanks
• Fix the anchor windlass (that's a winch to you landlubbers)
• Repair the crane
• Get new ropes
• Fabricate new bollards
• Get rid of all the rubbish (mum's job!)

Water pump - the raw water pump was rotten so dad had to machine a new shaft, new seals and gaskets.

Making sure we could anchor safely out at sea was impawtant as we couldn't make the trip in one go. The anchor's hadn't been lowered for quite a few years so we had to test em. Dad had to get sledgy out again.

You might remember we did also get Bandit wot is our rib that is our tender and our life raft if we needed it, wot we didn't I am glad to report. We took her out for tests on the Blackwater during November.

More next time on all the fings wot we dun. I hope you enjoy the bloggy and is good to be back!

Lexie out!

Let's have a quick recap - part 36

Atlantis in Maldon

Well ello me pals and my oh my ain’t it bin a while!? Well, yes achewly it as. First, I will give you a potted histry of wot we bin doin over the last few years.

As some of you knows, we has got a boat, hmmm, a ship I mean. We as got a ship. She is called Atlantis. Mum and dad bought her way back in 2003 when she was a fishing boat in Ireland. You can read about all that on some of me old posts.

Anyhoo, in 2010 we moved her from Kent to good old Essex where we was gonna make her all bright an shiny, then sail off to Malta! That didn’t work out too good. The marina manager (boo hiss grrrr) weren’t it turned out, a man of his word. So, we gets to Essex an he tells us no, you can’t live on it, no you can’t weld, no you can’t paint, you can’t do noffink. In fact, he says, I don’t even want you ere. So for the next 5 years he moved us from this mooring to that, each one worse than the last. We finally ends up on a mooring next to a flour mill.

We was forbidden by the marina manager (boo hiss grrr) and the Mill elf an safety manager (quite nice man really) to set foot on her apart from to check her ropes and make sure she wasn’t sinkin!

Atlantis view from port side

We was at our wits end abowt  wot to dus. They coddn’t see how we was gonna ever finish Atlantis or even get on board [we went to Ibeefa to run a dive centre but that’s annuva story wot I tell you laters]. While dad and me was working hard in Ibeefa mum tried to sort fings out once and for all.

She did the only fing that made sense (at the time) – to sell Atlantis! Mum an dad had fort about it long and hard and could not see any uvva alternative. Their dream had come to an end.

Well … find out in the next excitin episode wot appened! See you in the next chapter pals! Remember, stay slinky :).

Lexie out!

Waiting for news - part 33

The last two years has been very slow progress for Atlantis but we are lookin forward to 2013 an the work ahead. Mum say the nearer we get to the end, the harder it seems to get.

Because dad is such an accommodatin man when the landlord asked if we'd move our boat again so they could do work on another boat that would only fit in our mooring, he said ok.

So Atlantis was moved across the river to our old mooring. This meant we had to use a little boat to get to her each time. An we could only go when the tides was right! Oh what a palaver! Very nice on a warm, sunny day but not so nice in the rain and wind!

Dad prefers the gondola approach to rowing - must be his mediterranean blood! heehee

She can look a long way away when you are waiting for the tide to come in. We would tend to leave as soon as we could so we could have maximum time aboard!

I could always av a cool-off on da way over and swim to Atlantis. All part of ma olympic training you see?

Hmmm how dus we gonna get on board? I fink the ladder is in the wrong place!

Phew dussnt worry pals, we got a couple of barges to help us climb over. Course, this requires timin and waiting for the tide. Dad says the one fing he really lookin forward to when we gets settled in the Med is no tides .. or mud!!

I dus ma security checks once we is on board. I fink somfink been hanging around the crane! Smells a bit birdy. I got the feelin they bin nestin around ere!

The neighbours were quiet anyway! heehee I fink dat is wot they calls a fixer-upper opportunity!!

Chillaxin on board on the sofa. It's hard work all this boat conversion stuff you know! A girl has to rest, especially in the heat.

Mum an dad painted the wheelhouse this day. It was a bootiful day, lovely and warm, perfect for painting. The sunset was glorious that night. We took this photo from the riverbank as the sun set.

Course, I had to have a dip! Well, I wouldn't be me if I didn't av a quick swim would I? Any opportunity I says!

Quick ride home in the car. I remember it bein very ot, so dad let me have a windy ride home. That is out of the window, not from ma bum! I has ma harness on for safety ere as you will notice.

Mum an dad was findin it difficult to lift me up onto the barges so ma old life jacket made an appearance. I fink it might of shrunk! Portadog!

Pfftttt. See you next time pals .. when Atlantis gets a new coat of paint ready for her move to Fullbridge.

Lippe came to town

I fink you all know who Lippe is! He on his 2010 World Tour and is spendin time away from his family visiting anipals around the world. You can read more about his adventures on Mookie's wonderful bloggy at http://mookiepig.blogspot.com.

I was so honoured when Mookie told me dat Lippe would be coming to see me! He had spent a great time already with Bijinte and I Am Fuzzy; dey is two of wonderful bears wot you will find on Twitterington.

Lippe arrived to stay wif us and he was dressed very neatly! We decide to get to know each ova right away and we make friends as soon as he work out i loves avin ma ears tickles.
















Lippe got settled in right away and mum tell him dat he goin wif her to bellydance practice tomorrow so early to bed! He had a little go on her drum so he get in da mood. Drum is called tabla or doumbek or darbouke. Mum show Lippe a Baladi rhythm wot go dom-dom tak-a-tak, dom tak-a-tak.

Mum got da bedroom ready for Lippe and he had nice big bed to himself. I fink it was a bit too big for him maself. I'm sure I cudda shared it but mum wasn't too keen on dat idea! I wonder why?

Next mornin we got ups early and Lippe had look out the window while I was doin ma business!

It was a lovely sunny day so before Lippe went wif mum to bellydance practice, we had a little play outside. Mum give Lippe ma bestest ball to frow for me. Not sure he was gettin da idea so I give him so lickle tips wif some whisperin in his lug-hole (he dussnt have ears!!).

Postie-lady came around as well and bring a surprise present for me! It was from Mookie and was some lovely noms wif postcard as well! Lippe readed da postcard to me as I am not too hot wif all dat kind of fing. Fanx Mookie! As you can see I am dribblin wif anticipation of eatin dem noms. I has eaten dem all now and dey was scrumptish.

Mum and Lippe gets ready for bellydance! Here is Lippe in his arab costume! I fink he was hopin to start up his own harem!

On Thursday night, was time for #keepfits wif @henryandfriends. Lippe was very good at stretchin and relaxin! One of da fings I not so good at. We had a little fun at da #keepfits but I fink Lippe was bit tired from all his exershuns and travellin.

Next day we treated Lippe to a tramp around da RSPB bird reserve wot is in Tollesbury. Was long walk bout 8 miles and Lippe did get a lift in mum rucksack from time to time. I have ordered new rucksack for mum - speshul Lexie-size!

We saw lots of birds (which I am not allowed to chase boooo!) and I had swim. It was a bit cold so Lippe kept warm inside da rucksack quite a bit! I fink he might of eaten some of my biskits too! Ma supply certainly seemed subanshully reduced!

We got to da bit of river where I can usually has swimsies. Dis time we not bovver bout dat  but you can see is nice pretty river dat go out to da sea in da end.

These are birdies I is not allowed to chase - don't see why not - I just keepin them on their toes for da exercise! Not like I wuds eat em or nuffink. 

Next day we dus take Lippe off to Colchester. Dis is oldest recorded town in England and was called Camulodunum (accordin to da historians wot write history dey dus say was AD60 or maybe AD77). We took Lippe to Colchester Castle. Dis was originally the Temple of Claudius and build around AD10. Den lots of different impawtant types of peeps did build more bits of it. Stop me if I gettin technical! Queen Boudica who was fearsome warrior woman did destroy it in huge battle. Here is wot it look like today:

The castle had a jail in da dungeons and we show dis to Lippe. Da jail was used by da self-proclaimed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins who murdered women and young girls in Essex becoz he say dey was witches. Dere was nearly 600 womens killed in Essex. We showed Lippe da jail and he did not like it I dussnt fink.

We took Lippe to da Hollytrees Museum. This is museum of random fings wot you can find in everyday life. We saw many kitchen fings and stuff about da girl guides in there. Was interesting. We show Lippe loads of teaspoons wot you use wif teacaddy to make ... well ... tea of course! I fink Lippe really liked da spoons.

We decide dat becoz of dere is no rain and the sun was shinin, we pop outside for a quick cuppa (coffe dis time not tea!) and some cake. We buyed Lippe a BIIIIG bit of cake which he stuff in his gob. He had cream wif it as well and I fink he dus really like cream. He sure can stuff it away for a small fella. Course I was on hand if anyfink did need lickin.

Next day was Sunday so we decide to ave relaxing time at ome. First of all dis is mainly becoz mum and dad does like to av nice big breakfast and watch F1 Grand Prix when it is on the telly. So mum cook up big breakfast for everyone and she take it to Lippe in bed.  I fink he never as seen a breakfaste as big as dat maybe? I was hangin around to see if he was gonna drop me a bit of bacon - no such luck! Humph!! I fink he wanted to but mum was watchin ;)). I mean who needs three sausages?

Den we did settle down to watch da Malaysian F1 Grand Prix. Was very eggcitin race and Lippe was quite settled on ma bean bag! I did not mind Lippe avin ma bean bag. Was comfty for him. We watched da race. Button and Hamilton were rubbish! Schumacher was also rubbish! Phhh mum shouted at da telly, sofmink she like to do a lot!

Sebastian Vettel won da race, in da end and he raced very well. Lippe was happy of course! Vettel is German so a great win for Germany, hooray!!!! You can see by ma expression, I am not appy wif da British drivers! We shall have to av words I fink.

We spent da rest of the day relaxin and went for some little walks down to da sea wall which is one of ma favorits. It was Easter Sunday after all. No point in exertin yourself too much ;)).Lippe ad a relax on da wall while I ran round sniffin fings.

 Mum, dad and Lippe had been to Pets At Home wot is the shop of doggie noms (note they went wifout me!!) and they brought me back some delishush noms!
















Dat night we decide to spend a few days on Atlantis. Lippe was very eggcited bout it as I dussnot fink he ever been on a boat before. After avin a look at Atlantis from da shore, Lippe was so eggsited to get on board!

Lippe went straight to the wheelhouse to have a look out da windows! Dunno why! All you can see is da bridge over Maldon!

He decide to have a tour round and check out a few fings. Here he is looking at a deck porthole. It dussnot open and dad advises me dat we will be doin away wif dem for nice new ones wot I can poke ma head in and have a sniff, but not when we as guests on board he tell me! heehee I fink he dussnt know da Lexie!! There might be noms in there for dogness sake!

I decide to show Lippe more about ma job on da boat, which as you can see do be mainly supervisin, checkin decks for da comfort factor and generally mungin about lookin at fings and of course, mostly impawtantly, relaxin!!  I fink Lippe is gettin da hang of it, yes?

Lippe let us know he was very interested in helpin dad in da engine room. Dad did have a few wiring jobs to do and he needed to check da oils and fings like dat. Lippe stepped up to assist! Dad was most impressed! He commented dat me and mum alway seem to disappear when he mention engine room! Well DER!!!

So off he go wif dad. Mum did say to Lippe don't get dirty! Don't fink he cared. I know wot he means. Mum say to me - don't go in the mud - no Lexie no!! I say (in my head) cannot hear you!!!! heehee. I fink Lippe dun that too! When he came up from da engine room to test da hydraulics on da crane, look how filfy he was!!! Good work Lippe!

I ask Lippe wot he bin doin! He say checking fings Lexie! You know he say to me, dat is what make a great engineer. Ooooh I say. Dad say Lippe was better dan me and mum put togeva - humph!!!  Here he is checkin some gauges or sufmink like dat.




















He also checked over dad's wiring diagram for da compressor, which was all tickety boo happarently! Phhhh like I'd know ;)).

Bored yet? No? Still reading? Phew fanx dogness. Ok, movin on. Dad ask Lippe to make sure all da levers for da engine are all workin ok. No problem he say! Aye aye captain.

Mum finks we should take him wif us when we sails to Malta! I hope Mookie will say yes and he can some and stay wif us for da trip. Poor Lippe, he was really tired after all dat work. We show him to his cabin for little sleepy dat night. He had a good wash and brush up in da head (dat the toilet to you, not the actual toilet hoomins sit on but da bathroom I mean ;)). Got it? hee-hee.

Mum ask me to point out dat this cabin is not finish yet (i'm sure you wud never av guessed). Is cabin wif two single bunks. Guests welcome when we is moored in Malta! We not jokin! Atlantis has enough room for 8 guests, 10 at a squeeze.

Next day we go back to our house so Lippe can get read to go on to Jazzy! We decide to have one last walk togeva. We goes to da sea wall and me, mum and Lippe sit togeva enjoyin da view. Me and mum startin to get bit emoshunal but we try not to show Lippe how much we gonna miss him!

One final cuddle back at ome and Lippe bids us farewell ready for his next stage of da journey to our great pal Jazzy Da Cat wot lives in London! We put little present in his belongins which will go to Mookie! We dussnt say nuffink bout wot it is now. 

Auf weiedersehen mein lieber kleiner freund (goodbye my dear little friend). Ich hoffe, wir werden uns wieder treffen. We will never forget you.

Lexie signin off ....... dancin wif tears in ma eyes *sob sob*

Avast ye landlubbers .. shiver me timbers .. where's me rum!

Hello chumleys! I am doing anuva post on my bloggie. I hope you did enjoy da last one. I am quite enjoyin maself wiv all dis bloggin malarky!

This weekend me, mum, dad and our crew (our great pals what is called Jared, Len and Julie) did move our boat from Hoo St Werburgh on da River Medway to Fullbridge Quay at Maldon in Essex. Is about 60 nautical miles.

Before we set sail mum and dad did av loads of fings dey had to get ready first. The most important fing wot they dun (in my umble hopinion) was to remembers to bring ma lifejacket from da house! Here's a photo of me in ma life jacket lookin out da wheelhouse window at da scenery:

I am wonderin if the lifejacket has shrunk! Ma bum does look awfully big in dat fing. Must be the angle ;). A friend suggested I has a lovely meaty bum! Must be all da swimmin wot I does. But wait, I digress...

So off we went on our journey. Everyfin ran smooth as clockwork. Da engine was purrin along. For your informations we has a Stork Diesel 660 hp engine. We made an average speed of bout 10 knots (dat be 12 miles an hour). First of all, we went along da River Medway and passed some very interestin fings. Dis is a big ferry wot we saw dat was anchored up in da middle of da river while the crew and passingersies onboard did all av some rest:

When we was out in da deep sea bits, ma dad and our good friend Len was takin turns to drive da boat. We has da GPS which shows da maps of where you is at and where you is goin. Very clever init? Is like da A-Z of da sea. Here is a picture of ma dad (right) with Len (middle) and my very great hoooman bean friend Jared (left). He is ma best hooman friend in da whole world. Dey is lookin at da GPS wot you can see on da computa:

When we was goin along we saw some birdies was following us. They was just cruisin along enjoyin da fermals i fink. They are good at dat and i fink they fort we had some fishes on board but we dussnt av fishy smell no more! We also saw a seal wot was swimmin by and he did stop to av a look but mum was too late wiv da camera to take a pic of him. She did get dis photo of da birdies though:

As da sun started to set and da tide was ebbin, dad decided was time to anchor up for da night. He already planned our journey so dat we set off on a spring tide. Dus you know wot dat be? Dere be two types of tides - number one is da spring tide, which be big tide (nuffink to do with spring season) and number two is da neap tide (nuffin to do with turnip), which is ickle tide. For further informations, tides is all do wiv da moon and da sun and da waxin and da wanin!

So .... we did find some bery deep water and anchor up for da night. We did watch a most beautiful sunset before we did settle down for da night:

We had some food and da hooomans took turns in sleeping coz of avin to be on watch. Luckily, coz I am a doggie I did not av to do a watch, so I assisted by sleepin in my basket, ready to pounce at da speed of a cobra, if required.

Next day we set off bout 9.30 in da mornin as da tide started to rise again. Once we woz sailin we did all have a cuppa and some breakfast. We was all settlin down for da journey when da police decided to pay us a visit. Two police officers did board Atlantis and den they did ask us questions and take notes about fings. Dey did use their radio to run checks on all da hooomans (notice they did not run check on me!!) to make sure dey was not norty. Dey discovered dat none of da hooomans was criminal and did stay wiv us for annva cuppa. Dad and mum showed dem round da boat and they told dad off for taking so long to finish her, then they went on their way. Here is a picture of da policemens wot was waitin in their boat for da ovva two (who was avin cup of tea):

By dis time we had reached the mouf of da River Blackwater and were happily sailin past da sea wall where mum dus take me for walks! She was tryin to tell me bout it but I didn't av a clue wot she was on about. Silly woman. When we woz in da Blackwater we did reduce our speed to bout 6 knots so we could get round da buoys. Dese were tricky for such a big boat as ours but was easy for ma dad coz he dus be a very good sailor.

Before we cud even say anti-distinctly-minty we woz in Maldon! Da river did start to get narrower and narrower and we was now in fresh water. Dad was bein bery careful not to hits nuffink and we slowed down to bout 4 knots.

When we did get to our moorin was all paws to da ropes and we tied her up and dad did shut down da generators and da engine. Then, we all had a cuppa. Wot is it wiv da hoomans and dere cupsa tea! Our new landlord wot is named Jim did come round and gave us a paintin pontoon to stand on in da water. We dus av to paint her very quick or we get into trouble wiv da local council. As you can see, she is feelin bit unloved and lookin bit shabby, so soon all da hard work start again.

After we did some general tidyin up mum and me did took our friends Len, Julie and Jared back home to Kent. We left da dad behind to made sure da boat was safe when da next tide came in and den we went to our house at bout 2am!

We got home and then of course, the only course of action open was to ............. sleep!!  mmmm sleep i sure lubs to sleep! Da hoomans let me have a quick snooze in da bed before they got in.  I mean, after all, a girl has to get her beauty sleep init? They is good to me.

So that is da story so far. Hello? Are you still there? I hope I nevva dun bored you. Well goodbyeeee, goodbyeee, cheerio, chin-chin. This is Lexie signing off.