Today was one of those solid, satisfying days on The Jonge Jan — the kind that starts early, runs long, and ends with the quiet pride of knowing you’ve actually shifted things forward.
The crew — James (Drive and Glory thief), Derry (carpentry and metalwork), Thomas (electrics), and Mark leading the charge — were on site by 9am, having left Hatfield at 7:30 sharp. By the time they rolled back home around 6:30pm, they’d earned every bit of that tired satisfaction (and a slice of fruit cake).
The big win of the day: the deck floor is finally back to its original level. What was once a patchwork of guesswork and rot is now solid, measured, and right. Derry’s eye for structure and patience with awkward joins paid off — the whole space feels steadier, as though Jonge Jan herself has exhaled.
Meanwhile, Thomas was deep in wires and volts, wiring in a 12-volt to 230-volt inverter so we can finally charge our tools on site — no more running back and forth for power. He also fitted a new spotlight on the bow for tunnel navigation, bringing a touch of modern practicality to a 119-year-old Dutch barge.
Gallery
There were, of course, three inevitable trips to Toolstation (it wouldn’t be a real workday without them), and a much-needed coffee and fruit cake break courtesy of Wendy, whose baking has now achieved near-mythical status aboard.
Throughout the day, several people stopped to ask how things were going — curious locals, passersby, and even two men currently sleeping rough nearby. Mark gave them each an FPH card, a reminder that what’s happening on this boat goes beyond wood and metal; it’s about connection, purpose, and second chances.
We missed Sean today — out for a doctor’s appointment — but he’ll be back next week to keep the energy going.
So yes, it was a long day. A cold one. A bit chaotic at times. But as the light faded over King’s Cross, with tools packed away and the deck restored, it felt like progress — the real, hard-earned kind.
Well done to Thomas, Derry, and James — and to Wendy’s fruit cake, which continues to hold the team together one slice at a time.