Ice and front fender

Today I had one aim that was to turn the boat round so it was bow end in so that I could fit the front fender and allow me to get the mattress in the front doors.

I was prepared for wind across the marina, but today was calm, very calm, the water didn't even move, the reason for this was that it was covered in ice. I have never taken a narrowboat out in anything other than spring and summer so it may not come as a shock but I have never been through ice. After some prodding at the ice and throwing some stones in the water I decided the ice can't be too much of a match to a steel narrowboat.

Going forwards was fine, the boat cut through the ice perfectly fine, but trying to steer was interesting as I pushed large sheets of ice to either side (I can understand why the marina were not keen on any movement around the plastic boats). Reversing was also an interesting task as the ice would really only let me go where I had already come from and nowhere else.

Anyway after a bit of fun turning the boat round she went back into her mooring bow end in and there was a loop cut in the ice for the swans and ducks to swim around in.

After getting her all tied up I could get on to the job of installing the front fender. This was a Christmas present from my parents, but I had not really fancied hanging off the front of the boat trying to fit it so now was an ideal opportunity.

All seemed to fit quite nice and snug but I think I need to hit a few lock gates to really get it settled onto the bow properly.

Thanks again to Tradline for their assistance and advice on how to hang it properly.