29th February 2020 – After I came back from the Stern, I decided to work aboard the Watergeus and make the workshop ready. It will take some time before it is finished. I made a hole in the bulkhead for having access to the massurator. Then I started making the wall between the workshop and the room where the central heating will become.
29th February 2020 – Bad weather again. It is getting annoying I can’t do much. I hovered out the bilges and that’s about it. On one side, I removed some paint, so people notice a difference. Now it is waiting for the weather to become better so I can put a new roof on the ship. When I had a look at the prices for metal, it will cost me some more then expected. Boats….
25th February 2020 – I just installed some LED lights at the back of the ship. The LED strip is maybe a little bright. You can see it from the other bridge….
25th February 2020 – The electricity is connected in the converted part of the hold. The whole conversion is now finished and ready for cleaning. In less then two months, it was a nice project!
24th February 2020 – Another day of breaking down the interior. I had to use electric tools to cut away the walls and parts of the kitchen. The kitchen was looking good, but it was totally rotten. This was the only area I doubted keeping…
The construction of the upper structure was well done, but the wrong materials were used, so it lasted it maximum lifetime. The plywood of the roof was joined with an aluminium strip. It leaks through this strip. This is the main reason the bathroom was rotten.
The insulation and the ceiling is gone. Now I still need to remove the sides and the bench. A job for Wednesday.
23rd February 2020 – I was aboard the Stern today. Bilges were dry and the engine started immediately. When I started breaking down the interior, most of the metal was in a good condition. I filled up one van with wood. Tomorrow I continue.
While breaking down, I discovered some of the history of the ship. It was converted in Ghent, as had been told. Old brackets for rowing and lowering the boat in the water were also found. There is no proof so far it was built in the 30’s.
16th February 2020 – I started decorating the hold. A few little pieces had to be finished first, but most the time was spent buidling the new exhibition.
15th February 2020 – I joined some friends to the yard with their ship. If it was not for a broke bridge, we would have made it in one day and not arriving late in the evening behind a closed lock…
14th February 2020 – The last bit of painting was done today. The hold is now ready for decorating.
9th February 2020 – I drove to Ghent to put a cover over the roof of the cabin. I am afraid for rain and the possibility of the rotten roof to be blown away. Putting a cover on a windy day was not such a success. It looks even scruffier now, but it is for a better purpose.
10th February 2020 – I had a look at my ships and none of them was damaged by the storm.
9th February 2020 – Working outside is impossible. To much wind. I worked aboard the Tordino moving models and decorating one wall. I want it right, with the correct information and photos next to the model.
8th February 2020 – I had an interview in the morning. My parent started painting in the hold. I joined them in the afternoon.
2nd February 2020 – What is happening with the Stern? Nothing at the moment. I’m making plans and I’m doubting if I should put a tempoary roof in plywood with a cover or just leave as it is and put the metal when I’m having some money.
I had the plan of going there today, but decided to finish Tordino first.
1st February 2020 – The idea was to be open by the next weekend. I will not make it in time. Today my parent were painting while I finished all kinds of bits and pieces. Converting such a big area in one month is demanding a lot of energy and I’m starting to feel it.
