Spin, rinse, repeat
Hello! Happy Sunday :)
The stove, while working, moved. The old door with a new front isn't snug, and it requires a little shove. So on Monday I cleaned 3 brackets for bolting it down, picked up the lower door and painted the lot, including another coat on the chimney.
And then the flue cement, which oozed... I removed the whole out and re-did it, this time in 2 thinner layers. That evening I fired it lightly with my newfangled air regulation, and let it cure along with the fresh paint. Not as smoky as attempt #1, but it still stank.
I also bought a thermometer gun for testing (they're awesome), as I'm not sure about the clearance between the top of the chimney and the panelling/lighting cove. I'll give it full gas at some point to see how hot it gets, and if I need some extra insulation up there.
Then on Tuesday I bolted down the stove...
...and drove to Lewes for bonfire night the day after, where the roads close at 4 and the locals go all out. Flaming processions drumming through the streets and shotgun shell-looking bangers everywhere (I regretted not having earplugs), the local bonfire societies and more from the county streamed through the streets, culminating with infernos at 7 fire sites around the town.
It was hot, I'd never seen anything like it. And dutifully walking behind the groups of torchbearers, paramedics ready to help anyone hit by a firework or set alight (whether that happened I don't know, but 7 people went to hospital and they treated a further 82).
And on Saturday I finally tackled the washing machine; every time I turned it on there was an error "EFO" for something about a failing float switch. Eventually after taking it out and removing the back the problem was obvious: the switch, a piece of polystyrene in a plastic holder, was out of place and constantly engaged. Fixing that, it worked!
Even unsupported and out of place it's incredibly smooth on a spin, it hardly moves. And I've been so excited to do washing, the domestic god that I now am. The transition from marina laundry to my own is so very satisfying, and I can't wait for things to dry so I can start the next load.
And today, I helped take a friend's boat down the river to the dry dock before a sauna and ice bath sesh. The river was stunning with all the autumn colours; the perfect day for it.
Until next Sunday!
- Nick