FPH Crew on Deck: James, Sean and Derry (With Mark Woolman not leading today — for once.)
Today’s plan was simple enough: add acoustic soundboard to the new wooden deck panels we installed last week — so we can actually hear ourselves think when the engine’s running. The lads also took out the old wooden seat at the stern, bringing it back to its original level. The Jonge Jan is slowly starting to look like she remembers what she once was — a proud working barge with stories in her rivets.
The new solar panels, fitted last week and over the weekend, are doing a cracking job. Although today’s relentless rain meant they fancied a day off, the onboard cameras and Vodafone Wi-Fi are still running purely on solar. That means we can now keep an eye on JJ whenever we like — even from the comfort of a dry sofa. The panels are also trickle-charging the leisure and engine batteries, and we’ve now got two temporary inverters so we can recharge our power tools (don’t worry — none are left onboard!). The 12-volt system is alive too, so we can finally make tea, switch on the lights, and keep our phones topped up. Small victories, big smiles.
Speaking of water, the new bilge pump pipe went in today — a very welcome addition given the week’s non-stop rain. Thankfully, the new temporary tarpaulin cover is doing its job beautifully, keeping the lads (and the tools) mostly dry.
Gallery
I couldn’t be there for most of today. I had a scan — a follow-up after last year’s successful prostate operation. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a total wimp when it comes to confined spaces. An MRI machine is basically a long metal coffin with Wi-Fi, so I took a hefty dose of Valium, practiced my mindfulness, and somehow made it through. Came home for a kip, then headed down to King’s Cross just as the team were finishing up.
It was still raining — more like “narrowboats and locks” than cats and dogs — but I gave my new camera a whirl. The web team at Vohm wanted high-quality shots of the Jonge Jan; unfortunately, I provided “moody realism” (aka rain smudges and blurry hands). Still, I’m calling it art.
James popped down at the weekend to check a few things — and to take a peek at our next addition: Bramble, a 40-foot traditional narrowboat we’ve just bought. She joins the fleet in January 2026. A flotilla is forming!
Oh, and speaking of boats and disasters — on Saturday, I dropped my phone (a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold) straight into the canal. My heart stopped. James and I fished it out — and somehow it still works. Not a scratch, no water damage, nothing. Once the speaker dried overnight, you’d never know it had taken a dip. Hats off to Samsung — turns out they can build a phone tougher than most boats.
James, Sean, and Derry put in another stellar shift. Tommy was out with an eye infection — we’re hoping to see him back next week. We’re inching ever closer to moving JJ to dry dock in Watford for her full inspection and service.
If you’re around on a Wednesday between 9am and 1pm, come say hello. You’ll find us about 20 metres from the floating bookshop on Regent’s Canal, just by Coal Drops Yard.
A huge thank-you to the Canal & River Trust (CRT) for their continued patience, kindness, and support while we get JJ ready for her next chapter.
And finally — a note of tragedy. No cake this week. Wendy clearly had other things on her mind. Fingers crossed for next Wednesday… morale depends on it.
