Month: April 2017

23rd April 2017 – While cleaning the Watergeus, I removed my metal sheets, metal stairs and other tools from underneath the hatches. I put it in my van and today we unloaded it aboard the Tordino. Most of the metal will be used for the the entrance and the wheelhouse in the hold.

The stairs, I have kept for a very long period. It was a gift from a friend. He salvaged it from the Julie, a spits barge in Bruges. Never believed I could use it and certainly not on Tordino….

We continued with the roof in the library. I need a second man to help me lift the hatches.

My mother cleaned the storage units at the front of the ship. There was enough rubbish to fill my van again!

17th April 2017 – After a relaxing day in Vreeswijk, it was time again to work. One of the experimental items on my planning was the ceiling of the Library. Still not convinced whether it would hold, I started building the ceiling. I will have to strengthen some parts, but it looks good, very good!

The watertanks are now in position. I had to do this first before extending the frame.

14th April 2017 – There is an old lifeboat in the hold. It will be used as a piece for the permanent exhibition on the inland waterways. Last week the outside was put in primer and the inside finished with some good paint. The boat was still in the middle of the hold.

Since the weight is at least 300kg, I couldn’t move it by myself. I put a small trolley under the stern of the boat and lifted the front to walk around with it. It went surprisingly well and she was in position in no time. Just to turn her, I called the neighbour to help.

Wood was delivered in the afternoon. It took the three of us some time to get it aboard. It wasn’t much, but it was heavy. Once the wood was stored aboard, I took a shower and went! Enough lifting for one day

11th April 2017 – Friends of mine are moored in front of me. We had a chat and a few beers. Later that evening, I started working on the t&g in the Library room. It is starting to look more finished every day!

4th April 2017 – Exactly one month after putting the first support for the Library, it is now half way. I drove to the shop to get some more plywood. I’m surprised to see how much wood fits into a small Library room.

3rd April 2017 – While I continued working with wood, my mother painted the lifeboat and my father the hold. It goes much quicker with an extra pair of hands!