5th October

Things really did get  in the way there! Right where was I?

We woke with an alarm clock, very unusual for us on a boat other than on a last day. Andy was due to join us and we wanted to have had breakfast before he arrived and be ready for the off. Mick set too with the bacon butties as I watched 20 geese coming into land, trying to negotiate their way past a swing bridge. We were all ready and waiting for Andy for a while, he'd been held up with the logistics of their other boat having a remote handover in Barnoldswick and things not quite running to plan.

Andy and I headed off to swing the bridge in front of us. The Leeds Liverpool has plenty of them, which we had experienced on a trip a few years ago. At the third bridge of the morning Andy suggested that I take the boat through, but Mick should treat it as though he was doing it single handed. Mick went to the bow and would have tied the boat to the bridge with the bow line. He then climbed off the bow and crossed the bridge to operate it. He then would have climbed back on board untying the bow, motored through. Then he would have had a choice, either to tie the boat up on the towpath side and then pull the bridge shut with the chain that goes across the cut (always wondered what they were for), or tie the stern line to the bridge and climb off to operate the bridge in the usual manor. Of course I just motored the boat through and picked them up on the other side, far less awkward and much more elegant.

Mick took over as helmsman and we approached our first lock which was a staircase of three locks. I jumped off to work the lock along with the lock keeper. Then a swap at the helm and I was to do my first lock and it was another staircase of three. Andy just gave me the advice to keep the boat straight in the lock and near to one side, not forgetting to keep an eye out for the cil. After chaperoning me through the first two chambers he then left me to it. I was a bit nervous but he must have thought I could cope, so continued down in the same fashion as I'd started.

 The last lock of the day came into view and we proceeded into it as it was full. Our mooring for the night was just the other side of the lock and a pint was beckoning along with a de-brief of the day. Andy and Mick set about closing the top gates behind me, but one of them just wouldn't shut, leaving a gap of about 2ft. Not good. Boat hook and barge pole were used to try to free what was trapped by the cil. Definitely something there, but it just wasn't budging. So an ideal chance for me to practice reversing out of the lock and moor at the landing whilst Andy rang CaRT. We abandoned the boat and headed to the pub for a pint and chat whilst waiting for the obstruction to be cleared.

We chatted through the day and were told that he thought that were likely to pass the course. Phew! Tomorrow he would more or less just leave us to it and only help out if really needed. We headed back to Mollymoo and Andy headed home. The lock gates were shut when we got there, so down the lock and moored non towpath side as there was more room and we were away from a party boat that had just moored up. We finished off the scones that had been left on board read up a bit more from our RYA handbooks and had showers. Then off to sample the delights of Leeds on a Saturday night.

Town was already busy and finding somewhere to eat was a bit hard. Eventually we stopped at a large Chinese restaurant and got a table. The menu was extensive so we chose a set meal which was very nice, but left us very full and in need of a walk round to aid with breathing. We walked up to Millennium Square where there was a projection of a clock on a building. There was a contraption that you could move which affected the projection. We stood and watched for sometime before heading back. 

The water level in the pound had dropped quite a lot since we had gone to eat, maybe by a foot. We were concerned that maybe a paddle had been left open on the lock into the river and went to investigate. But no all was how it should be, so we adjusted the ropes had another glass of wine and headed for bed.

Sold and RYA course 1

So we've fallen a little bit behind with updating this blog, other things far less exciting have got in the way over the last few weeks. Things like work and clearing my fathers house for sale.

The paperwork seemed to come through from Carefree quite quickly and on 16th September or there abouts we got the contracts to sign. So back in the post as swiftly as we could and then wait for the money to come through. Christina at Carefree said she would endeavour to get Artie to release the money before he had an operation on his knee, but sadly the paperwork was still sat on his desk. But after a gentle prod the funds were released and popped into our account. Hope that Ken and Eileen enjoy their time out on Winding Down.

So we are now boatless for the first time in about four years, we have a hull, but that's all, certainly not enough to go out for a pootle for even an hour. So life on land it is for the next few months until Oleanna is built.

Well I say that but we had booked ourselves a RYA boat handling course with bearBoating which started on the 4th October. So we packed on the friday morning and set off to the Leeds Liverpool canal to Apperley Bridge. The forecast for the weekend was looking hopeful but we drove through quite heavy downpours. We parked up and headed to the cut as the heavens opened up. Andy from bearBoating was waiting under shelter for us and helped us unpack the car. It was strange that the car wasn't chocka block full of everything that we might want, just a couple of sets of clothing, waterproof gear and food for breakfasts and lunches. Mick then headed off to park the car elsewhere with Andy and left me to explore Mollymoo.

When they returned we had a cuppa and were handed our RYA books for homework. Then it was learn how to put life jackets on, done, and then stowed under the seats. They get in the way on canals and we both can swim! Because I'd put on my waterproofs the rain stopped, so on with the course. 

We learnt how to throw ropes around bollards and how to set off if the wind was pushing us into the side. The aim of the weekend for us was for me to learn to drive and to see if we'd been doing it all properly upto now, and pick up things that we had never known about. I was at the tiller and off we set. We stopped every now and then to practice coming into the side and mooring up with the minimum amount of effort. When we reached a winding hole Mick proceeded to turn us round under Andys instruction. Easy. Then it was my turn, Andy said to turn the boat and head for the mud, but I knew we'd be heading for the shuttering, which wasn't a problem. I winded the boat with minimal effort, who needs bow thrusters!

Then on to moor just before the first of the swing bridges before entering Rodley. Andy bade us Goodbye for the day and left us to read our books before heading to the pub for tea. Andy walked back down the towpath, we had only travelled for the equivalent of 45 minutes in the afternoon, so a half hour walk would get him back to base.

We unpacked, made up the cross bed and had a complimentary scone with bearBerry jam, accompanied by a slice of chocolate banana cake (our staple when boating). Then with tummies still rumbling we headed to The Railway for a very large, very nice burger and a pint. Graham who I work with lives in Rodley and he came and joined us for a few pints and a damn good gossip!

Then back to mollyMoo and to bed. Even though the boat has fenders there was quite a lot of creaking and knocking going on. Quick check of ropes and then to bed.

Now I thought it wouldn't take long to update this blog in one post, but I now seem to have gone into cruise blog mode! I really ought to be doing other things! So will come back later to finish.

Will we get into the centre of Leeds?

Will we meet any other boats?

Will we finish the pot of bearBerry Jam?

Have we enough chocolate banana loaf?

Will I be able to handle a boat in a lock, never mind a staircase lock?

Will we HAVE to go to the pub?

All pressing questions, but the answers are going to have to wait.

7th September 2013

The Selling of Winding Down

We've had our share of the shared boat Winding Down for sale now for over a year. So it was good to get a phone call from someone called Ken a month or so ago wanting info on WD. I sent him info by email and got a response back from him with further questions that I answered as best I could and suggesting that they could view WD at the home marina (Welton Haven) on 7th September (and a couple of other dates). We heard no more. Then, last Saturday, whilst watching Durham beat Yorkshire at Scarborough I got a phone call from a Wendy whose father Alec was also interested in buying the share. I rang them back when I got home from the cricket and had a chat and he offered us £250 below asking price there and then. I ummed and ahhed a bit then decided to accept. 

SO later that weekend I send off an email to the management company Carefree Cruising to inform them of this. But the sale all goes a bit wrong when Carefree ask Alec if he has much experience of steering a narrowboat. It turns out that he has previously hired a boat for only  a week and a weekend.and apparently the insurance company require more experience than that and that. Alec will have to go on a helmsman course. At this point contact with Alec is lost as he goes on holiday for 10 days. I speak to Alec's daughter and she is a bit miffed with Carefree for making no mention of this training requirement before. Anyway she says that her father is not contactable for over a week and that if anyone else is in the running to buy our share then they would understand.

Meanwhile I have emailed Ken again to ask if they are intending to come and view WD on Saturday? "Yes" came the reply we'll be there at 1PM and we are having a look round another boat with a share for sale there too.

The guy from Carefree who is based at the marina is called Guy. He is always busy on a Saturday doing turnarounds, I think there are seven Carefree boats based at that marina. So he doesn't have much time for showing prospective buyers around. So I decide to make the 160 mile journey (each way) to meet Ken and Eileen and show them around WD and hopefully dissuade them from thinking that the other boat (Jenny Wren) would be a good buy.

Pip has to go to Manchester that day for work so I drive down to Northamptonshire on my own. Ken and Eileen turn up and have a good  look round. They were very impressed with how clean WD was (thanks Mike and Wendy who were on last week). We have a chat about the syndicate and how things work and they seem keen. 

They then go off and have a look at Jenny Wren and meanwhile the next people who are out on WD today, John and Jayne, have turned up. So I am chatting to them when Ken and Eileen step off Jenny Wren. They say it's just the same inside as WD. We carry on chatting for a bit then Ken offers me the full asking price for WD. So we shake hands and agree to both talk to Carefree on Monday to start off the legal transfer process.

So, sorry Alec but you've been pipped at the post.

Ken and Eileen head off and I go for a little walk round the marina and up the cut for half a mile whilst chatting to Pip on the phone. When I get back John and Jayne are casting off for their trip on WD to the Ashby canal and back. So I take some photos and wave bye bye to WD. We've had good times on her and will miss her. But we'll have better and much longer times on Oleanna.

Hopefully the sale will go through without a hitch.

Ready for the off

On their way

Left turn

Bye Bye WD

6th September 2013

So you pay your money for Stage payment 2a and ask Richard to let you know when it has reached their account. Easy. Well you'd think!

Mick paid our first installment by moving money from one account to another which took a few days to do before sending it to the builders, but this time we wanted to show our support and send it as quickly as possible. So I set up a payment from my current account (one of those that gives you good interest if you keep it topped up) and sent the money off. Mick then would pay me back when his money had moved from his savings. He is paying for the build and I am paying for all the extras, both with money left to us.

So I clicked the send button and off it went from my account. Richard didn't receive it on Saturday and when I looked at my on-line statement on Sunday there seemed to have been a time warp. So the following day (not yet happened!) the money got paid back into my account due to a Rejected Bill payment. But then it also left again. All this happening in the future. I've had payments come back into my account twice before and go out again, but that was for nowhere near the amount I was sending this time.

Monday whilst waiting for a train to Manchester I popped into my bank to check that the money had actually left that day and asked why it had happened and where my money was on the day that it was being rejected in the time space continuum. After phone calls and lots of checking that I was who I said I was the answer came back that they were checking the transaction for fraud. Okay so I'm all for them checking such things, don't want my Daddy Fatsos money going AWOL, but this keeps happening to me. The nice lady said that head office must just think I'm dodgy or something. The money should arrive in the account today.

We didn't hear anything that day from Richard and on Tuesday I was starting to get a bit twitchy. I checked that it had gone to the right account a couple of times. In the evening Richard emailed to say that yes it had arrived. Phew! So it ended up being no quicker than if Mick had payed it. But we tried.

So now it is back to concentrate on work for the next week, waking up longing to be in the rain on the back of Oleanna instead of buying hair grips and hair spray for actresses.

31st August 2013

Well this week has had mixed feelings. The excitement of seeing our boat and concerns about the build.

We came home last Saturday and had ideas, oh dear changes, well only slightly! With the EU wanting to change the duty on red diesel to full road rate, even on the proportion you use for heating and generating electricity, we'd been considering having a diesel tank solely for the heating. But it's looking likely that you won't be able to even buy red diesel if they get their way. So Mick spent time last weekend looking at alternatives, maybe a gas boiler. A few years ago we had a fortnight on a hire boat that had gas heating and we got through gas quite quickly as it was chilly.

But when we were out on Winding Down in March we had the stove going all the time and just occasionally used the heating . Boy it was cold outside, but toasty inside. So our thought is to go for an Alde boiler 3010 which can also be run off electric if we are hooked up. Just need to find somewhere for it. So on Thursday evening we sent Richard info about the boiler and our thoughts on the windows ready for when the cabin sides are done. Our email passed his in the ether as he was sending us an invoice for the next stage payment.


Mick last Saturday had asked if there was anything unique about the hull that we were shown that meant that it was definitely Oleanna. But at that stage there wasn't, the Brompton locker was their normal size. So after receiving the invoice Mick asked if they could show us that the locker had been enlarged or any other sign that meant it was Oleanna before we sent them the next wadge of money.

After a pleasant evening out with a friend in York last night we got on the train to come home and Mick checked his emails. There were two from Richard with photos. The first photos were of the Brompton locker which is now bigger and the others were of the weed hatch where they have welded my name onto it. Well Richard said Leckenby was easier to weld than Geraghty, but they have got my initials the wrong way round!
It actually says M & P Leckenby, so Mick is now Mr Leckenby. We were ecstatic and the other people on the train thought we were a bit strange as we guffawed and grinned at the photos.Yep that is our boat, we have been reassured that all is as it should be and Micks concerns have gone away.

So this morning payment 2A has been made. They have split the payments down, each into three, so that we are handing over smaller amounts at a time also helping with their cash flow.

We are happy even though our chimney stack on the house is having to be repaired by a builder who requires fewer cups of tea than Ron does as he brought his own mug, but they are three times the size!

24th August 2013

I've spent the last few days revamping my model of Oleanna, doing the adjustments and making doors work on cupboards instead of them just falling off, due to the age of the masking tape. She now has a roof and cabin sides with windows and portholes. I should have really been sorting things in my work room, but at least it's made me notice one mistake on the plan that I sent to the builders. One of the bathroom doors opens to reveal the loo instead of hiding it which would be better, but I'm sure that would have come up with the fit out.

 

Saturday morning, address in hand, Bromptons in the boot of the car along with the model and Houdinis cat flap, just in case any of it would be useful to have we set off almost half an hour after we'd planned, which is about normal for us! Bank holiday traffic wasn't too bad down to Ripley and we still had time to loose our way slightly before arriving at the right industrial park. We were helped in locating the right unit by there being two narrowboats sat outside. Richard was just arriving as we pulled up outside.

We were shown into the metal workshop and there she was, Oleanna, up to her gunwales. So far she looks pretty much like any other 58ft boat. The gas locker has been made, but now needs to be amended so that we can use it to store our Brompton bikes. This means a much wider opening than normal. A new lid had been cut to size and was laid on top of the existing one for us to see.

The stern was taking shape too, weed hatch, engine bay and fuel tank already welded into position. She seemed ever so long and ever so wide. But we were reassured with the use of a tape measure that she would fit through narrow locks.


Then had come the time to ask about what was happening with the company. Richard handed us a letter which should have been in the post to us a few weeks ago. He was very clear in his explanation that the original company had got into financial difficulties, the move to Market Drayton hadn't worked. All the owners are exactly that, they own their boats whilst they are being built and the building work was going to be finished by the new company (which has existed for sometime). Their working practices they are hoping to streamline, making their work more efficient. This all made perfect sense and was quite reassuring to us. Our first payment for the steel had actually been made to the new company and not the old one, we'd wondered why the account details had changed. They are also changing the way we pay the installments, breaking them down into smaller chunks. Therefore more frequent, but we'll be able to see where the money is going easier.

The move over to Ripley had already begun and was going much quicker than when they'd moved to Market Drayton. We were shown into the other space that they have just got. Much bigger than the draughty spot they'd been in, space to work on more than two boats at once, space to lay things out that they'd be working on. Infact there were four boats lined up waiting. There was a boat that we'd seen when we went to visit them in May, due to be launched in a couple of weeks. Here's hoping so.

As we counted up how many boats were in front of Oleanna (six), we asked the question, "So any idea of when our boat might be finished?" " Not this side of Christmas" was the answer. If they manage to get the new working practices sorted things would become quicker, but still we are really looking at early next year.
A bit disappointing, but we always knew we'd never have a definite date for completion and we'd sussed that our build slot had slipped a little too. So it might be a Scarborough Christmas not one afloat.

Mick sussing out the tiller position

After saying our goodbyes we headed to Ikea which is very close to look for possible things for the boat and fill up on Meatballs.

19th August 2013

Our first visit to see Oleanna is planned!
This saturday we are heading to Ripley to see the hull which is meant to be up to the gunwales. Very exciting!

13th August 2013

Today Mick has had a phone call about the share we have for sale in Winding Down. Someone wants to go and view her. Fingers crossed that they like her.

12th August 2013

Well we've been starting to get a bit twitchy. about six weeks ago we emailed off our final plans and spec for the boat. After hearing nothing Mick rang them to check that the builders had got the info from us. They had. Richard was needing to answer some questions on the steel before it could be delivered, this had been held up with Kevin having had his operation. Kevin was doing well, but had got an infection which was making his recovery slow going.

A few weeks later we heard that the steel had arrived but work hadn't started, at least we owned the base plate! A couple of weeks ago we decided to send hard copies of the plans through the post as Richard had had difficulty opening our plans. I called to check that they had arrived which they had and Oleanna was to be the next boat to be started. The metal workers had a few bits to finish off on the boat before ours and then they'd get started. They'd be in touch.

A very quiet time passed, with no news and us wondering if our plans for Christmas onboard in London should change. I've accepted two Christmas shows at Hull Truck, hoping that they won't scupper our plans. If the boat is ready before the shows are open, we'll try to move the boat to a suitable marina over weekends and then have her moored up and ready for the off just after curtain up. Winter stoppages may mean that we'd have to head north before we go south.

Mick was starting to get quite twitchy so I suggested that he rang them to see where we were at. A few things had been changing on their company records and we wanted to seek assurance from them that all was well. So Today Mick rang and had a chat with Richard.

Apparently Oleanna has been started! Possibly she exists up to her gunwales. The steel work is done elsewhere from the fit outs so Richard was a little bit vague as to the progress. But they would want us to pop down soon to see them. Just you stop us! They have been doing some restructuring of the company and Oleanna will no longer be taken over to Market Drayton for her fitout. They are going to lease a unit next door to the steel work and do her there. So after a year of them being at Betton Mill wharf which is a great spot on the side of the cut, but old, dusty, cold and very hot this summer they are moving back to near Hilton where we first went to see them. This is slightly closer to home for us, means that we'd have more of a choice of where to launch Oleanna when she is finished, so might be able to avoid some winter stoppages. But it is also a little bit worrying as Kevin seems to no longer be a director and they will be trading under a different name.

So the excitement of them having started is slightly tinged with concern.

The sorting of the house has slowed down somewhat with my summer shows keeping me busy. The new carpet in our living room needs replacing as the really hot sun has been melting it! We need to replace some original glass in our bay window before going ahead. But hopefully we can reuse some of the carpet upstairs in the bedroom known as The Shed. But that room needs redecorating before it gets carpet and at the moment it is full of things to go into storage. It's like a very big jigsaw and I just need to find a few days to sort my work room out so that the pieces can start moving into their final positions to free up space elsewhere. Maybe a container in the garden would help!

Crick

Well another weekend and another early start. We set off bright and early to head south for the boat show. Last year we were on the hunt for ideas and to choose our builders, this year our intention was to look for a sofa manufacturer and other bits and bobs for the boat and any new ideas that were about that we might be able to incorporate into Oleanna.
My it was busy, the good weather compared to last year had brought everyone out. We did a circuit of the show picking out boats that we wanted to look round. Carefree had a wide beam on show and the new shareboat Solstice. So we went along to say hello to the chaps and welcome Paul back into the Carefree clan. The sign writing hadn't been done on Solstice but by lunchtime it had been.
We tried out various sofas and armchairs on show, none of which were both comfortable and nice looking. Eventually in one of the marquees I spotted a red sofa bed which looked a bit more like it. Whether it was just the colour that attracted me or the style I can only guess. We had a sit down and a bit of a lie down and it was quite comfy. We were told that they did a different mattress which would be even better and we'd be welcome to go to their showrooms to try it out. Here we go more miles, but no they are based in Bradford, so not too far for us. So sofa ticked we carried on around the show.
There was a possible couple interested in our share on WD, fingers crossed, but unfortunately that came to nothing.
We popped to see my friend Lizzie who was helping man the Crick marina office. Arranged that evening to go for a meal on Panda.
Bearboating were offering a show discount on their helmsman courses, so that was our next port of call. After our first trip together on a narrowboat I've avoided the steering having no confidence in it other than on a long straight. I also really enjoy working the locks, but our last trip out on WD showed that it really would be good for us to share everything. So we booked ourselves in for a weekend course on one of their hire boats heading to Leeds and back.
After looking at windows and a few more boats we headed for our hotel for the night and checked in and had a good look through the literature we'd picked up. Then back to Crick for dinner at Lizzies. We took our scale model along with us to show what our boat would be like, Lizzie and friends were impressed and suggested that we should have a look at a boat that was for sale the following day for a few storage ideas.
A lovely lasagna later we were heading back to the hotel.

Sunday was also hot, we bumped into the occasional other CCC member and looked round a few more boats, certainly not as many as last year. We decided to go along to a seminar on buying a boat and having one made, this was quite good, but we had already picked up on most the the points ourselves, so we decided not to bother with any more seminars.
One boat on hard standing had the exact colour I'd been hunting for for Oleanna. So when we asked the builders what it was they said "Oh lots of people have been asking that, it's a Rylard paint but we're not sure what colour". Well at least that was a start. Unfortunately no-one had a colour chart for Rylard paints. The colour is a dark blue which has a hint or purple to it, very nice.
We went to see the boat that had been suggested the night before, very nice, well except it was quite sparkly! We remembered it from last year when it had been a show boat. It did have some good ideas for storage, a pull out coal draw by the stove, under gunwale shelves for storage for small things. But all in all it made us more confident as to our layout and solutions.
We picked up a couple of life jackets that were on special offer at Midlands chandlers, well paid for them to be sent to us as they were selling like hot cakes. Another wander around and it was time to head to the food marquee to stock up on goodies to take home. Not so much choice this year, but we did get quite a bit of cheese!
A quick goodbye to Lizzie and check on mooring rates at Crick should we need somewhere to moor for a little while whilst we sort Oleanna and home out before we head off into the sunset.
Then the long trip back home to a hungry Houdini!

20th May

Up really early today. First things first, Birthday presents in bed for Mick. I'd bought him a set of walkie talkies for the boat and another Pearsons guide to add to the collection. These went down better than the roll of foil that Houdini had got him!
Then whilst Mick made sandwiches for the trip I sat down to re-draw the plan of the boat. Thank goodness I'd said we'd be with them after lunch as it was a frantic start to the day as it was.
It took us about three hours to get to Market Drayton only stopping for a comfort break. It was good to be by a canal again even if we wouldn't be on the water this time.
The chaps were in good humour and we interrupted them packing up the weekends sales from their online chandlery. We produced the model and plan. Kevin was intrigued with the model, don't think many people turn up with one of those! We chatted through the layout and after some discussion decided to turn the bedroom round, it would give the boat a better flow. It means that I'll still have to clamber over Mick to go to the loo in the middle of the night, but he'll be nearer the kettle in the mornings.This affected the layout of the bathroom, but that was fine.
We had a little look round the boats that were in the workshop at the moment. This was useful as everything was really fresh in our minds about our layout and the boat that they were fitting out had enough in it to help us envisage ours. We came away saying that we'd update our plans and list of extras, now to include solar panels to trickle feed the batteries, but we would hold off sending them back until we'd been to Crick boat show at the weekend just incase something altered.
A little walk along the tow path and an opportunity to take a photo of a visitors mooring sign to send to my brother, so that he can locate suitable places for us this Christmas near his house. Then we were on our way back home. We decided to head home on a country route so headed towards Buxton and then Bakewell where we stopped for a Birthday Pizza. Home for a glass of wine by 10pm, to be greeted by strange squealing noises from an upstairs bedroom (Mick's shed). This turned out to be the walkie talkies that had reached full charge and been left on! Not sure how impressed Houdini was with this.

19th May

Today was spent altering the galley and working on the scale model I'd started at Christmas. Mick spent the day looking for cookers, dishwashers etc so that we could pass on the information to the builders.
I managed to finish the model, but didn't have time to update the plan of the boat, so an even earlier start tomorrow to get that done.

16th May

After a bit of tooing and froing over dates of when we could go and visit our builders, to sus if we've got things right, contact has been successfully made this morning and we are heading there next Monday! What a birthday treat for Mick.
Better get the galley sorted and any alterations done over the weekend.
Excited!

5th May

We sat down over the weekend and went through the list of extras and where we might store things. At Christmas I had started to make a scale model of Oleanna so that we could visualize the layout better. I'm a Theatre Designer, so making models is what I spend a lot of time doing. The model came out and scribbles were done for amendments. The freezer has gone, but drawing board storage stays. A few questions noted for Richard and Kevin for when we see them next.

Houdini had a good look too and became a bit concerned over the size of her door. But she seemed happy with the position of her food bowls.
Now to find time to do a new plan and maybe update the model whilst waiting for work to kick in, oh and decorating!

1st May

Crick Boat show tickets arrived this morning. Lots of boats to see and lots to ideas to absorb.

26th April

First payment made.

25th April

The signed contract has arrived!
Time to spend some of Uncle Marks money!
Hooray!!!!!!

24th April

Today we got the list of extras emailed to us from Richard. How much to put a cat flap in?!! Houdini will have to choose a cheap one to be fitted at that price.
We've also had an invoice for the first payment so that they can order the steel for the hull. Gosh this is exciting! But no signed contract back from them as yet. We've been promised it in tomorrows post.
Now we need to sit down and really consider the extras and layout, window positions need to be decided upon soon.

On another front, we are now one step closer to renting the house out. We are now mortgage free, thanks to our parents leaving us money. This means we can do what we want with the house and when we want to do it. We had a glass of Crabbies to celebrate, oh, and followed by the bottle of wine later!

The beginning

So after months of wondering when we would see our narrowboat Oleanna built we may now have  an idea. The chaps who are building her have a bit of a reputation for being late, so our build slot of July, meaning a launch October to November, we'd been thinking might be more like early December.
But yesterday 23rd April 2013 Mick had a phone call from Kevin. They are trying to get a bit ahead of themselves and therefore would like to lay the base plate at the end of May beginning of June! Gosh, we hadn't factored in having a boat sooner!!!

There is lots still to work out, we know our basic layout and what we'd like onboard (extras), but it has all seemed quite a long way off until now. Serious boat conference needed in the next week.

Of course they may start it in May, but Kevin is due a heart operation at some point, any point, so that may well hold things up. We'll see.