12th April 2021 – I started building the new stair. Each leg is around 100kgs and it took me three hours to position the first one and 2 hours for the second one. I couldn’t use a grainder for the damage of the sparks. I started using a saw. By the end of the evening, I was happy with the result but exhausted.
11th April 2021 – I started by running the bowthruster and generator. Then I sorted out the rope work so every rope is on a single bollard. Being moored for two years, having had a lot of loaded barges alongside, I often added a few ropes or just redid them.
It was to windy to work outside, so I cut the wall between the old and new entrance. I tried moving the supports for the stairs, but they are to heavy for me to lift.
9th April 2021 – We continued removing paint from the decks and painted them afterwards. The crane at the back is now also painted.
9th April 2021 – A bit earlier then expected, the truck driver called me he arrived with the concrete for the mooring posts. It took us one hour to fill the holes and clean the road and everything around it. Now it is time to let them dry out. Will take a few weeks.
8th April 2021 – We painted the decks and finished the anchor winch.
I had the engine running for one hour. Generator and bowthruster are for the weekend. I also installed two air vents on the back cabin. I bought them years ago and finally they have their purpose.
7th April 2021 – In the morning I went to pick up steenschotten for the gangway. I used the same panels as floor for Aquarel years ago. They are solid and can be used outside.
In the afternoon I welded bits and pieces to the metal pipes for the mooring posts. At least, the pipe will now stick in the concrete.
6th April 2021 – After making several phone calls to get some heavy pipes and some more stuff for the mooring, I went to Oudenburg to enlarge the holes and to make an extra one. Should now be enough to secure Tordino properly.
I also started cleaning the concrete. I want is as clean as my neighbour.
5th April 2021 – We dug three holes for the mooring posts in Oudenburg. It took us the whole afternoon. In the end the neighbour came to help. We were exhausted.
4th April 2021 – A day well spent. Decks were cleaned and a lot of painting was done today. Nearly there…
3rd April 2021 – I mounted the rubber on the mooring posts. These will prevent damage to the hull.
1st April 2021 – I removed the remaining tar from the strip just below the deck. It will become white to give a little break in the ship.
31st March 2021 – We gave the distance keepers a first coat of red paint. A second one will follow next week.
30th March 2021 – A boring day cleaning decks…
29th March 2021 – Some more deck cleaning and painting was done. Parts of the deck were painted as well as the second lifeboat.
28th March 2021 – It was a very windy day. I started by cutting through the ribs of the bottom of the new entrance. Now it is a big hole and stuff can be lowered down. It was slightly tricky since I didn’t one the plate to fall down. It worked out fine with some clamps and some wood.
I removed some paint from the decks, another two meters are gone.
My mother painted the lifeboat while I had it attached to the car. It was the only safe way to do so.
