As you can see from the above picture, torrents of water have widened, depended and scoured the edges of the mill stream in which the duck is sitting.

Well at least it was at the time of writing this (Mid April).

I read on their website that the wetness circumstances were causing them trouble. Eventually, they gave up and closed the place down.

Here’s my boat.

Pigs down the river

The pigs have all gone.

As the weather improves, I expect they’ll open up again soon. Word is the pigs won’t be there. Circumstances have changed with regards to their supply chain meaning they would have to drive a lot further to slaughter. To Buckinghamshire which kind of takes away the ‘local’ aspect to the business.

What happens to the diner and shop, which used to stock some of their piggy products? Who knows.

You’ll have to watch this space. But for now, the Pig Place is closed.

Job – Over

Now I’m officially unemployed. My employment has finished. I was made redundant on Friday 11th April.

There were no alternative roles offered.

I’m going to take a holiday and think what to do next.

In the mean-time

Bonnie has a number of little but time consuming jobs that need to be done.

Not least of these:

• Replacing the engine mounts: This have perished. The engine wobbles around WAY more than it should. I need to jack the engine up and replace the mounts one by one.
• Paint and touch up: Bonnie is looking good but there are some rust spots which need treating. It may be a full re-paint of the roof. I can’t be sure yet.
• Sort the solar cabling out: I’m not really satisfied with the 4mm solar cable carrying 300w plus. I’d rather it was 6mm. It just niggles me a bit.

Other jobs need to be done on the car such as repair the bumper and replace the headlight. The car maybe in the garage for 1 week. The headlight it’s possible to do myself.

Holiday incoming!

Yes. That’s right! A real holiday to somewhere I’m going to have to fly long-haul.

Ai will help…

I don’t see any reason to use a travel agent nowadays. Even if you visited one, I’m sure they’d be doing the same as me, typing a prompt in and using the results AI produces.

There are many out there. ChatGPT being the most cited. We also have Gemini, which I use because it’s bundled with the phone, (Google Pixel 9), Perplexity is another one. Then Elon Musk’s grok which is part of the X platform.

I’ve never used grok. I don’t trust the level of data it has to produce answers. I’ve used ChatGPT. I don’t trust it’s CEO, Sam Altman. He gives me the creeps. I’ve used perplexity once or twice. Gemini popped up on my phone and it’s a great service to have for absolutely no charge.

It works very quickly and well with voice commands. I’ve got no reason to go with anything else at the moment.

I’ve asked it about a few things in the last few weeks, and on this holiday, it’s giving some compelling answers.

Here’s what I wrote:

Indonesia: suggest an itinerary for a 1 month holiday in June. I want an emphasis on outdoor activities. Nightlife, beaches and culture highlights suggestions.

Heres the reply:

One Month Indonesia Itinerary (June) – Outdoor Adventure Focus

June is an excellent time to visit Indonesia as it falls within the dry season, offering ideal conditions for outdoor activities across most of the archipelago. This itinerary focuses on a mix of adventure, beaches, cultural experiences, and some nightlife, primarily across Bali, Lombok, and Java.

Week 1 & 2: Bali – Adventure, Beaches & Culture

• Days 1-3: Canggu: (South Bali)
  • Outdoor: Surfing lessons at Echo Beach (suitable for beginners), explore the rice paddies of Canggu by scooter or bicycle. Consider a horseback ride along the beach at sunset.
  • Beaches: Relax at Batu Bolong Beach, Pererenan Beach. Note that Canggu beaches aren’t always the cleanest, but offer a vibrant atmosphere.
  • Nightlife: Canggu is known for its trendy nightlife. Check out Finn’s Beach Club (can be lively or chill depending on the time), Old Man’s (beachside with sunset views and weekly events), The Lawn Canggu.
  • Culture: Visit the Tanah Lot Temple, a stunning sea temple, especially beautiful at sunset. Explore the local markets for handmade souvenirs.
• Days 4-5: Munduk: (North Bali)
  • Outdoor: Trekking through the lush jungle to visit waterfalls like Munduk Waterfall, Melanting Waterfall, and the Twin Lakes viewpoints. Consider canyoning for an adventurous experience.
  • Culture: Visit the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Bratan, a picturesque and significant temple. Explore the local fruit and flower markets.
• Days 6-9: Ubud: (Central Bali)
  • Outdoor: Hike up Mount Batur for a sunrise trek (requires an early start but offers spectacular views). Enjoy white water rafting on the Ayung River. Explore the Tegallalang Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage site) and consider the Campuhan Ridge Walk for scenic views. Try zip-lining at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park.
  • Culture: Visit the Ubud Monkey Forest, explore art galleries and museums, witness a traditional Balinese dance performance (like Kecak or Legong). Take a Balinese cooking class to learn about local cuisine.
  • Nightlife: Ubud offers a more relaxed nightlife scene with cozy bars and live music venues like CP Lounge.

Week 3: Lombok & The Gilis – Beaches, Hiking & Island Life

• Days 10-13: South Lombok (Kuta Lombok):
  • Outdoor: Learn to surf at the beginner-friendly Gerupuk Inside or try more advanced waves at Desert Point (seasonal). Explore the stunning beaches of Tanjung Aan, Selong Belanak, and Mawun Beach by scooter. Hike up Merese Hill for panoramic sunset views.
  • Beaches: South Lombok is famous for its pristine white-sand beaches.
  • Nightlife: Kuta Lombok has a growing but still laid-back nightlife scene with beach bars and some live music.
• Days 14-17: The Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, or Gili Air):
  • Outdoor: Snorkeling and diving are a must around the Gilis, known for their coral reefs and marine life (turtles are common). Cycle around the islands (no motorized vehicles allowed). Enjoy stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking.
  • Beaches: Each Gili has beautiful beaches. Gili Trawangan has the most vibrant atmosphere, Gili Meno is the most tranquil, and Gili Air offers a mix.
  • Nightlife: Gili Trawangan is known for its lively nightlife scene with beachside bars and parties, especially around sunset. Gili Air and Meno are much quieter.

Week 4: Java – Volcanoes, Culture & City Life

• Days 18-21: Yogyakarta: (Central Java)
  • Outdoor: Explore the ancient temples of Borobudur (largest Buddhist monument in the world, best visited at sunrise) and Prambanan (magnificent Hindu temple complex). Consider visiting the Jomblang Cave for a unique light phenomenon (requires a tour).
  • Culture: Immerse yourself in Javanese culture by watching a Ramayana ballet performance near Prambanan. Explore the Sultan’s Palace (Kraton), wander through the traditional markets (Pasar Beringharjo), and learn about batik making.
  • Nightlife: Yogyakarta has a more local and artsy nightlife scene with cafes, live music venues, and some bars.
• Days 22-24: Mount Bromo & Malang: (East Java)
  • Outdoor: Take an early morning trip to Mount Bromo to witness the spectacular sunrise over the volcanic landscape. You can hike or take a jeep tour. Explore the Madakaripura Waterfall near Bromo.
  • Culture: Malang offers a glimpse into Javanese city life. Visit the colorful Jodipan Rainbow Village and the historical Ijen Boulevard.
• Days 25-27: Ijen Crater (Optional): (East Java, requires extra travel)
  • Outdoor: For the very adventurous, consider a challenging overnight trek to the Ijen Crater to see the blue fire phenomenon (best viewed before sunrise) and the acidic crater lake. This is physically demanding.
• Days 28-30: Jakarta (Departure): (West Java)
  • Culture: Explore the historical Kota Tua (Old Town) with its Dutch colonial architecture, visit museums like the National Museum or the Fatahillah Square.
  • Nightlife: Jakarta has a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene with rooftop bars (e.g., Lucy in The Sky, Skye Bar), mega-clubs (e.g., Colosseum Club, Blowfish), and trendy lounges.
  • Beaches: Jakarta’s beaches (like Ancol) are not the primary attraction compared to other islands, but can offer a city escape.

Important Considerations:

• Flights: You’ll likely fly into Denpasar (Bali) and depart from Jakarta. Consider domestic flights between islands to save time (e.g., Bali to Lombok, Lombok to Java).
• Transportation: Within islands, use scooters (especially in Bali and Lombok), taxis, ride-hailing apps, and local buses. For longer distances in Java, trains are a good option.
• Accommodation: Indonesia offers a wide range of accommodation from budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses to luxurious resorts. Book in advance, especially during the June high season.
• Health: Consult your doctor about necessary vaccinations and malaria precautions. Stay hydrated and use sun protection.
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Credit cards are accepted in tourist areas, but it’s good to have cash for smaller establishments and more remote areas.
• Respect Local Customs: Dress modestly when visiting temples and religious sites.

This itinerary is a suggestion and can be adjusted based on your interests and pace. Enjoy your incredible one-month adventure in Indonesia!

Battery work

I’ve got these Fogstar Lithium composite batteries. Had them since January when I replaced the old ones.

Because they have a Battery Management System, they behave a little differently than a standard Lead Acid, or AGM, as I used to have. Fitting the lithium batteries to the narrowboat .

The BMS constantly monitors the cells within the batteries. It regulates the charge and discharge and warms the batteries up if they’re too cold. It also shuts it down if it believes it’s in circumstances where the battery will be damaged.

I used to have the 2 wired in parallel, then to the busbars, then to the rest of the boat.

Following a spike of 1300w, they started behaving strangely. They actually cut out for a while after I turned my hob and oven back on with the timer. I have a AGM just for running the engine and maybe a little overflow if the lithium are fully charged in the summer. It’s on a relay so I can switch it on and off.

I left it on that night just to run the lights and fridge.

When I got up in the morning, the litium’s BMS had settled down a bit and they started working again, although intermittently. The charging was glitched, the solar MPPT charger showing they were fully charged at 14.4v and the BMS showing they had a much lower charge.

The images show the variation in voltages. The box with my finger in the picture is the MPPT controller. The multimeter shows the voltage on the busbars and the voltage on the terminals of the batteries.

Whilst this was going on, the charge was intermittent and often, they would disconnect under load. Anything more than a few hundred watts and they would give up. As they charged up, this went away, but they would only accept charge until they were roughly 50% full, at which point, the pictures above were taken.

About a week ago, I disconnected them from each other, and connected them separately to the busbars. Almost instantly, the problems went away.

What went wrong?

When I turned the cooker on, the battery closest to the red terminal on the busbar had received and energy spike from the other battery which was passing it’s load through it. This had caused them both to behave erratically.

Now they are both connected separately to the busbars with equal length positive and negative cable. Positive is 33cm and negative is 63cm.

Since then, they have charged up to 100%, which is supposed to ‘equalise’ their profile. They’ve appear to have gone back to normal, charging and discharging at the same rate.

Job done.

Here’s some nice pictures of wires for those who like that kind of thing.

I also put some new 300amp busbars in whilst I was doing the wiring.

Soon

I will be moving down to Aynho. My water is running out and I need to paint the boat roof on the offside which is accessible in Aynho as the towpath changes sides, from the East side to the West side.

Until then….