Day: April 12, 2012

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There’s No Place Like Home

My office is still set up in The Apartment and I still have some flotsam and jetsam to bring down to the rig, but the hard part of the move is done. WHEW.

Jody and Gary arrived around 6 to help me bring things downstairs. Gary brought the things I’d left at their place all winter, including the propane tank and jerry cans… which were returned to me full! Can you believe him? What an awesome going away present! The hard work done, Jody treated us to a farewell dinner at Montana’s.

My day wasn’t done, though. I made several trips down to the rig to bring the cat stuff and the cats. I then made up the bed. Now, I’m going to have a shower, make sure the iPad is loaded with a good movie, and head down for a good night’s sleep in my home.

Tomorrow is going to be full, too, but Saturday should be a reasonably leisurely departure day.

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My Tempermental Water Heater

Ever since I bought Miranda, and even after changing the circuit board, my water heater has often been a pain to start. This usually happens in damp weather, although it did it in any weather before the new circuit board.

This afternoon, I decided that after almost four years of working this water heater that I might as well admit that I know how it works because the same trick gets it going every time. I need to stop worrying about this appliance!

First, I have to get it to light. I flick the switch on once and I get a boom, then nothing. Turn off the switch, then back on. The heater will kick on for a few months, then shut down again, with the on switch glowing red.

The trick is to just let it sit like that, with the switch on and red, for five to ten minutes. Then, I turn it off and back on. I sometimes have to repeat this sequence a few times, but the water heater eventually kicks on and stays on. It took two tries today, which is actually pretty good considering how long the rig has been sitting.

 

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RAIN! Why Does it Have to Be RAIN!

I awoke to a torrential downpour. On the bright side, it could have been a snowstorm. I decided to go ahead with at least part of today’s plan and at least get gas, propane, and water.

Getting out of my spot was no big deal, just a bit of back and forthing until I could swing her around. I had Miranda on the street and ready for her errands by 11:15.

First stop was propane, the Gas King on North Mayor Magrath. From Mayor Magrath, the pumps are on the wrong side for filling an on board tank, but you can turn onto 2 Avenue North to come in from around the back and get lined up correctly. I was then able to back Miranda up a bit so I could turn and get into the gas pump lanes. Propane was  75 cents a litre (about $40 for a fill-CHEAP) and gas was $1.18 a litre (about $220 for a fill-cheaper than just about anywhere else in Canada). Be careful coming out of there if you plan to turn right onto 2nd to turn left on Mayor Magrath because the entrance is super steep. I heard quite a bit of scraping, which was my tow hitch hitting pavement. It looks okay, but I am going to have to do a thorough inspection before I leave.

Next, I headed for the dump station at the corner of Scenic Drive and Mayor Magrath South to attempt to dewinterize my water system. I think I got everything, but between the sound of the rain and that of the traffic, it was hard to check for leaks.

Issues that have come up:

-The water heater won’t fire up. Could be because it’s soggy out. Will keep trying. There is water in the tank, so that’s not the problem.

-The tap in the dressing room sink is leaking. I was having issues before the winter, so I’ll take it apart and see if it just needs a new washer. I’ll just have to be sure to keep the water pump off when I don’t need water until I fix this.

-The toilet flapper won’t open. It seems to be glued shut! No idea what I can put to destickify it without ruining the seal. Any thoughts?

Besides that, everything looks good. The fridge fired up immediately both on 120V and on propane. I’ve had the fridge on 120V for a few days, so it’s nice and cold.

I was going to do a billion trips down to the rig today, but it’s way too nasty for that. I’ll focus on making sure the way is clear to get the pallets and mattress in, but that’ll probably have to be it for today. I’ll do a bit of work on The Apartment, but will do my bookkeeping work today that I was going to do tomorrow.

I am still sleeping in Miranda tonight!