The Building of NB Lorimar

Free at Last

2007-07-26T09:52:00.000+01:00

Couldn't leave yesterday (Monday) cos the weather was so Poo!!

so we decided to leave on Tuesday and it felt like the great escape, we seem to have been at Pillings Marina for so long that we are starting to go stir crazy.

But all's well today the suns shining and I've got my shorts on for the first time in ages, so we joined Plan B and made an exit out of the Marina,

As we turned right at the wharf in Loughborough, now closed due to new visitors moorings being built which by the looks of them should be really nice when finished,

we stayed outside the Albion well it would be rude not to call in to say hello.

A walk into Loughborough to do some shopping and lunch, it's a lovely place to stay the centre is so close and the public house so welcoming.

Wednesday weather not too cleaver but the Soar fully open so decided to press on and see how far we can get.

And this is it, Kegworth shallow lock, as far as we can go for now, a phone call to BW reveals that the Trent is closed for at least the next 2 days,

So while there is a break in the weather it's time for jobs around the boat.

Scrubbed the roof which was getting really grubby from all the time spent in the marina,

touched up a few paint scratches below the gunnels and decided while the paint was out might as well paint the boat pole the same colours as Lorimar, and must admit it does look better than plain wood.

Decided to drill some holes in the top of the battery boxes as they are in the engine compartment and they do struggle to keep below 30 degrees C and a bit worried that if summer ever does arrive the they might start to cook.

Just past Kegworth lock are 4 or 5 lovely little pre-fab type bungalow's all with there own mooring at the bottom of the garden, really nicely cared for and a credit to the owners.

The couple that live at No. 14 explained that last week was a worry for them as the Soar had risen to just below the steps on the bungalow.

But now as you can see it's nearly back to it's normal level.

Here you can see every body starting to congregate, waiting for the Trent to open,

Surprise surprise another escapee from Pillings Marina Dave and Sandra on NB Catherine arrived in the afternoon to join the waiting convoy,

still with so many boats escaping from the marina gave us all loads to chat about in the evening,

Son Andrew called today to say that he had just sat his final exam at college and is now a fully qualified carpenter, so a big well done to him, very proud of you son well done.

Looking Forward to Monday

2007-07-21T09:40:00.000+01:00

Not had much to blog about just lately, weather has been Poo!! and Lorimar has been moored at Pillings while we have been away for the last two weeks working at Priory marina in Bedford.

We had originally planned to cruise to Bedford as I had been offered two to three weeks servicing work at the Marina, working on the Canaltime boats moored there,

but due to the river Soar being in flood we had to revise our plans and travel down by car and stay on one of the Canaltime hire boats at the marina,

turned out to be a wide beam so had plenty of room and good facilities, they are very nicely equipped with everything from microwave to dishwasher on board, but you can't beat the comforts of your own boat so we are really looking forward to returning to Lorimar this weekend, especially after two weeks of changing shower pumps, bilge pumps, replacing faulty wiring and safety checks + general oil and gas servicing on boilers and appliances.

But weather permitting we are hoping to go cruising on Monday, probably only going to be a week away unfortunately so will probably head of towards Fradley and see how far we get, because the week after I've got more gas repairs and general servicing of the Canaltime hire boats at Sawley Marina, still at least it means that Canaltime must have been impressed for them to offer me more work, even though they had to pay all our expenses for the car and provide the wide beam to stay on free of charge and that's not cheap these days,

most of the people staying on the hire boats seem to be either American or Australian which made for some interesting discussions in the evenings over the odd beer and bottle of wine of course.

2007-06-26T08:00:00.000+01:00

From this !!

To this in one night.
Woke this morning at 6.30am and took this shot of a lovely sunny day,
we thought the rain was never going to end, and last night spent time revising Lorimars build plans to check out the possibility of turning her into an ark !!
But no need now,
Yippee !! the suns got it's hat on.

But we still have to trudge 200 yds. or so to get near the car parking area through thick, deep mud. Doh !!

The walkway as it is now.

You can see from this shot that it's along way to walk, even if we had real paths and no mud.
The work has re-started on the pontoon pylons today, the lads started at 7.30am making hay while the sun shines, I suspect.
The forecast for to-morrow and the weekend is again unsettled and the soar is still in flood, so nothing else to do but sit and wait it out.
A few owners are a bit fed up as it's there annual holiday and are just sitting around at the marina waiting for somewhere to go.

Cheeky Monkey

2007-06-20T21:04:00.000+01:00

Today's lovely the suns shining and a chance to get the chairs out and do a spot of fishing, but Deefer had other idea's first she pinched my bread roll that I was using for bait, then while I was fetching another roll she decided she would pinch my chair. cheeky monkey !

The marina work force dug a massive hole with the jcb and buried the large tank that arrived on site a while back, I think it must be for the pump out station.
Work on placing the pylons is still underway, and Paul hopes they will be all in place by next week.
Weather permitting of course.
The river is still in flood conditions and the floodlock remains closed, so not much chance of any day trips for now.

Rain, rain and more rain

2007-06-20T19:56:00.000+01:00

The weather may be Poo !! but the work goes on,
Lorain's favorite Lab picture put in the galley.

Picture frames for the living room being painted to match the decor,
Lilac, Lilac and more lilac Lorain's favorite colour.

Rain stops play

2007-06-20T19:24:00.000+01:00

Brilliant news the open day for the marina on Sunday went great with plenty of people looking around all day,
and Paul was over the moon, as the pylon machine has finally arrived and 5 pylons have already been put into place, this means at this rate it won't be long before the pontoons will be floated out into position.
Then the weather broke again and the poor lads tried there hardest to carry on, but eventually had to call it a day.

Barbecue on the patio

2007-06-14T12:08:00.000+01:00

At the moment on our temporary pontoon mooring we have so much space it's like having your own patio,
so nothing else to do but have a barbecue, lets face it the weather has been glorious.

Invited some new friends to join us.

First visitors

2007-06-14T11:28:00.000+01:00

Our very first family visitors,

Vikki and boyfriend Scott from Great Yarmouth,

It was lovely to see some family and catch up with all the goss. surprising how much you can miss out on in a month.

Good to see you both, we hoped you enjoyed your visit, just got to convince your Mum & Dad to visit now.

Hint Hint Reg.

Crick to Pillings

2007-06-14T11:16:00.000+01:00

Just thought I would let you know,
Since leaving the Crick show we have travelled 49.6 miles and done 44 locks.

Scariest moments on our travels so far have got to be :

Watford staircase locks
Crick Tunnel 1528 yds.
Husbands Bosworth Tunnel 1166 yds.
Foxton staircase locks
Atherstone locks

But it has been a great learning curve for us both and we have really enjoyed ourselves along the way.

For now we have got to stay put and get ourselves organised, get the final inspection carried out by our friendly boat inspector Mr. David Broach,

and of course collect the last of our belongings that are scattered around family members houses and then work out where to put it !!!

Pillings Lock Marina

2007-06-14T08:52:00.000+01:00

Well we have arrived,

a place I wasn't looking forward to arriving at, not because of the marina but because for now it means an end to a fantastic two weeks of cruising.

Pillings Lock Marina http://www.pillingslock.com/ not in it's finished state but does promise to be a lovely place in the very near future.

The pontoons that will form the main walkways to the finger moorings are all placed around the outside of the marina ready to be floated out into position when the pylons have been driven into the marina base, but unfortunately the machine to do this has been delayed.

On a plus side this means that we have a brilliant position on the side well away from the construction crew and overlooking the marina.

On a minus side it's a walk of about 200yds. to the car parking area, not far but if it rains it turns the walk into a mud bath something like an unploughed field, and of course the dogs have to go out and they come back after a 5 min stretch of there legs and sniffing everything in sight to turn the boat into what I can only describe as a war zone, this then takes us half an hour to clean up and get back to normality.

but it hasn't rained that much so it's all good !!!!

Oh yes sorry about the pics it's not really that dismal looking although the day was a bit overcast, I had been messing about with the camera settings on the previous evening trying to get a good night shot of the marina and forgot to put the settings back to auto. what a Muppet !!!

2007-06-13T18:35:00.000+01:00

Lorimar & Plan B (Heartwood Narrowboats Crick show boat last year) share a lock on our way to our moorings for the night in Leicester, we hope to find room on the pontoon in the basin by Castle Park, Peter and Diane from Plan B have stayed there before and have fond memories.

Cruising on after we stayed at Castle Park, we had a great day and evening, went shopping in town (Lorain's favorite pastime) and went for an Indian with P & D, fantastic little place, no alcohol license so took a bottle of red and a white for the girls, and was entertained by Peters tales of the cut and stories about the places and people they had met while cruising last year.

2007-06-09T09:45:00.000+01:00

At Foxton flight we had chance to explore, because there was a 4hr. wait to go down, the museum & inclined plane is well worth a visit anyway,
work on the lift is coming along and they now have a new observation point, and you can take some great snaps from there.

Lorimar with Leicesters football stadium in the background, an amazing looking place.

Crick Show

2007-06-08T23:22:00.000+01:00

Brilliant, the weather was traditionally wet but the atmosphere was priceless, loads of people came along to wish us well, and it was brilliant to meet all the people that have been following the blog.
We just could not believe that people wanted to stand in the pouring rain for over an hour just to look over our boat, it certainly makes you proud,
waterworld visited and asked if they could send a film crew to spend a day with us, for there new series.
Canal boat magazine are coming in July to give the boat a test and do a write up, Hope they don't want me to drive or the article will be all about how many things we can bash into. well it is a contact sport !! so I'm told. and anything under the gunnel's is fair game.

How Many

2007-06-08T22:41:00.000+01:00

Entering the first lock in the flight.

When I said I would do the locks nobody told me how many there was, says Lorain.

2007-06-08T21:55:00.000+01:00

Lorain takes the helm.

Our first ever flight of locks, but we got on ok!
Mr. Locky was more than helpfull and told us always open red first and leave a lock in front empty, and we managed ok. Lorain decided I should do the driving and she would do the locks. I did give her the choice Honest!!

I Spy Granny Buttons

2007-06-08T21:30:00.000+01:00

Was days before Crick, when we came up the cut and could not believe our eyes it's Granny Buttons says I, who says Paul, Granny Buttons says I, been following Andrews blog for a long time, and rushing to get the camera was the best shot I could get.

2007-06-08T20:43:00.000+01:00

Paul enjoying the trip as much as us, thinks I, no prizes for guessing what he's holding but it's not tea.

Lovely pub on the way and rude not to stop and partake in refreshments.

2007-06-08T19:42:00.000+01:00

Our first stop on the way to Crick and been new to all this Paul the builder decided to come with us and teach me everything he knew on the way. Just worried I would damage Lorimar before he got chance to show it thinks I

Taken from the bridge at 5.30am. you can still make out the mist on the canal.
I know, I know, 5.30am is much too early to be up and about, but just excited,

Cruise to Crick

2007-06-08T18:50:00.001+01:00

And the first dunking went without any problems, and we spent our first night afloat at the marina, well they had some nice ales so would be rude not to.

2007-06-07T21:41:00.000+01:00

Transport arrives to take Lorimar to Festival Park Marina for her first dunking, from there we will cruise down to Crick boat show

Looking Good

2007-05-06T22:54:00.000+01:00

When you see something coming to life that until now was just an idea gives you such a warm feeling inside, and we really couldn't have had a better signwriter.

Deefer and Daisy's Bedroom

Paws for Thought

Signwriting 2nd Day

2007-05-06T22:35:00.000+01:00

Trouble is with sign writing it's the sort of trade you just can't help watching, you really try hard not to be a pain and keep watching, but you just can't help yourself.
Lucky the sign writer was open to new idea's and we spent a good few hours of the day just throwing ideas in the air and discussing them until we came up with something we all agreed would be good.

Lorain wanted Deefer & Daisy to feel at home !!

Countdown to Launch

2007-05-05T17:07:00.000+01:00

This is a link that shows time left to launch date,
Lorimar will be launched at 10am. on Friday the 18th. and once all relevant checks have been carried out by Heartwood Narrowboats we will be setting of for Crick. I must admit it will be a nerve racking day for us all, but hopefully things should go ok.
We hope to set off on our maiden voyage on Saturday which will give us 5 days to reach Crick and ready Lorimar for the show.
We are really looking forward to seeing all our new found friends at the show that have been following our blog site and the beer tent of course, which should be a good time because apparently it is tradition for the builders to buy all the beer we can drink Ha Ha

http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?day=18&month=5&year=2007&hour=10&min=0&sec=0&p0=136

2007-05-01T19:23:00.001+01:00

2007-05-01T19:17:00.001+01:00

2007-05-01T18:59:00.000+01:00

The finish of the blue panel is that good you can even see the reflection of the workshop roof.

The cream with blue panels and red coach lines lookes just as good if not better than we had imagined,
This friday we are meeting the signwriter and Elite furnishings are coming along to take final window measurements for the blinds, but thats Lorains department, colours of fabrics and furniture are not my favorite topic, nor Pauls come to that.
Thank goodness for Lorain and Maria xx

2007-05-01T18:47:00.000+01:00

Ian is in his element, Paul is so busy with the installing of the electrics, systems, engine and heating system that he has virtually left Ian in charge of the wood working and as usual it has not been a daunting task for him, Paul has taught him well and it certainly shows.

Maria has been busy making the exterior look as good as the interior, the gloss finish looks fantastic and now that the panels and the red coach lines have been added Lorimar is certainly a head turner.

Let there be light

2007-05-01T18:07:00.000+01:00

This picture shows what Paul has been busy doing, all the control panels now installed connected and tested,

This shows a view of the arched doorway in the living room, on the right leaning against the side is the start of the door,

Nearing Completion

2007-05-01T16:56:00.000+01:00

Book Shelf / Rad Housing in living room

Bedroom Cabinets Started

Well no one said it would be easy !!!

but I must admit we didn't realise just how difficult it was going to be,

Six months seemed to be a long way away, but before you know it, it's only 3 weeks until Lorimar gets launched, and time seems to have gone in a flash, all our plans to do this and that while waiting for the build ?? half the things we planned to do never got done and most of the people we where going to visit never got seen, so our apologies to everyone.

Blown Away

2007-03-01T14:12:00.000Z

Well we visited the builders this weekend as arranged and met Lee our granite man there, http://www.stonedesigns.co.uk/ what a great chap, He had to travel from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire to Stoke on Trent but not a moan at all, in fact was only too pleased to help out, He and his brother Mark got straight on with finishing the tops as they had left the sink holes and hob hole to cut on site because Lee was concerned about the granite being damaged and cracking at the weak points during transit.
And to cut a long story short Blown away is the only way I can describe how they look, but judge for yourself.
As for progress on the boat building Paul has been busy finishing the galley area ready for the granite, if you can see at the end of the galley left hand side you can see two doors, Paul has decorated these with a decorative piece of elm that he has had for years and it looks fantastic, and I know I keep harping on but it's this what makes our builder so special, the enthusiasm and finishing touches make all the difference.

Ian has been busy in the bathroom making the cabinet to his usual high standards I can see this boy going far in the future, his attention to detail is second to none.

Maria has been busy tiling and painting and has managed to get a great finish on the base paint, so all in all it was a very good visit and we seem on schedule for the boat show at Crick.

Ian's Cupboards

2007-02-03T20:06:00.000Z

On the left is the control panel and main distribution cupboard on the right is the cupboards that house the washer dryer, microwave and freezer these are both tall cupboards at the rear as you walk down the steps off the semi trad.

The thing we wanted the most was to have all the appliances behind doors washing machines and freezers look great if you're in to that sort of thing but personally I have spent what seems like a life time staring at them as an engineer or repair man if you like, so I didn't want to spend our leisure time staring at them as well, these are the only tall cupboards through out the boat, we didn't want any high cupboards anywhere else not even in the galley, the intention being the boat should feel open and spacious "we hope"

Now the reason this post is called Ian's Cupboards is although it is hard to see from the pics Ian spent ages matching the grain patterns of each door, and the time spent really shows, just like Paul the attention to detail is fantastic and if it's not right then in the bin it goes,

Ian although following in Paul's foot steps is still at college completing his carpentry course on day release, and nearing the end of the course is now starting to shine in his own right, he has his own idea's and his own techniques which is really great to see.

Oven and Housing

2007-02-03T19:49:00.000Z

Paul and Ian have finished the Oven housing and as you can see as a bonus the oven fitted perfect well done boys !!

the hob will be fitted later when the granite worktops arrive, which should be on the 25th of Feb. so not long to wait. Lorain is getting excited and can't wait to see the tops in place, she ordered Blue Pearl granite and I am sure she is right when she says it will look great, I can't comment on colours as it was decided a long time ago that when we started to do the build, I would be in charge of the building, electrics and plumbing specs. and she would have control of the colour scheme, so we always have chats, I give my opinion on this colour and on that colour then we go with what Lorain says she wants anyway, and I quote

"you said I was in charge of the colours believe me it will look great" Yes dear says I,

Maria starts the Tiling

2007-02-03T19:27:00.000Z

The long awaited tiles arrived on site to day and Maria wasted no time in making a start, this section had to be tiled first because once the shower false wall and cubicle are erected it will be impossible to tile, to the left of the port hole is where the shower wall will come down to form a straight wall for the shower cubicle and the gap between the boat side and the shower wall will then become storage area for towels.

2007-01-19T20:15:00.000Z

Lorimar Taking Shape

2007-01-19T19:20:00.000Z

At the builders last week and Lorimar is really starting to take shape, the bulk heads are all in so we can visualise the room sizes and the first fix on the electrics and plumbing is finished.

We spent what seemed like hours marking out on the floor how we wanted the galley shape to be until all of a sudden it just looked and felt right, then Paul made templates of the worktops so we could actually get a feel for it, and it felt great.

I have said it before and I will say it again it's really great to be involved with a team of builders with so much enthusiasm and skill, we suggest things to Paul, Maria and Ian then we all discuss it then they set about making it,

None of this "well this is the way we normally do it" I wish I had a pound for every time a builder has said that to us.

We spent a lot of time finalising unit sizes and shapes and between the 5 of us we think that we have come up with some fantastic and exciting idea's,

Maria and Lorain spent time discussing colours and ordering the paint in.

I have included some pics to show the inside as it was when we left.

Santa's Grotto

2006-12-28T15:45:00.000Z

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The battens were hung in the boat with such care, In hopes that the sprayers soon would be there;

The builders were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Lorimar sailed in their heads.

When down at the workshops there arose such a clatter, they sprang from their beds to see what the matter.

Away to the window they flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The spray foamers are here they shouted with glee,

to make Lorimar warm and cozeeeeee!

In a flash they started with only one motto,

we're experts at turning your boat into a grotto.

Battening is finished

2006-12-21T18:26:00.000Z

Just had some more pics. sent by Maria & Paul at Heartwood of Lorimar pre spray foaming to-morrow, as you can see the battening is finished and the spray foamers should arrive in the morning, Mia has promised some pics. of the spray foaming so I will post them as soon as they arrive.

Progress seems to be great and it's nice now things are finally starting to take shape.

2006-12-19T10:09:00.000Z

I wanted to get involved with the build without being too much of a pain, but my theory is if it goes on the boat then I need to know where it is and how it comes off for fixing later on in Lorimars life,

so I talked to Paul any chance of helping says I, not a problem the overalls are over there says He,

and that was that I spent the next 3 days passing ballast through the window "how many bricks are you sure" then fitting the base floor and battening the sides and roof,

sure is starting to take shape now and I have heard from Paul today letting us know that the inspector has been down and no issues there, the wiring loom chap has been in and measured and is being created as I type, the loom that is, not the chap, and Lee sanitation have called to measure up our toilet system all this should arrive 2nd. week in Jan.

Oh yes and the engine the green goddess Beta marine 43 arrived safe and sound and what a thing of beauty, ok. ok. so I'm a bit of a saddo, but just have a look at the pics,

anyway that's all for now,

everybody out there have a safe and wonderful Christmas.

Lorimar Sails

2006-12-19T09:54:00.000Z

Lorimar sails but only in the air,
She arrived at the Heartwood workshops on Thursday afternoon and then it was all hands on deck, firstly to get her into the workshops but that was a well oiled trick "I think they may have done that before" says I, then to get her positioned against the full length of the back wall so Paul would have plenty of workshop room.
At 58 foot she just fits with room to walk around the bow and stern.

Hull Update

2006-12-08T20:56:00.000Z

Nearly forgot to post the new pictures sent by the builders

Moving Day

2006-12-08T20:32:00.000Z

Today we officially became homeless,
up early and vans loaded and everything either into storage or sent to the boat builders ready for going aboard Lorimar,
I loaded and transported while Lorain worked her little socks off packing all the things that just couldn't be packed until the last minute and then cleaned the house from top to bottom and the only moan at the end of the day was that she had not had time to clean the windows, "but you only did em last week " says I, yes but they could have done with a last clean.
I'am sure not everybody moves into a house so clean it's like a brand new pin.
She even had me hose down all the block paving before we finally locked the door for the final time.
So we are sitting here tonight in the caravanette cream crackered but happy, the girls (Deefer & Daisy) don't know what to make of it all and I think they keep expecting to go home but you just can't make a dog really understand you that well.
Anyway just a few lines to keep the blog updated got to go and crack open a bottle of red to celebrate.

2006-12-05T22:05:00.000Z

2006-12-05T21:57:00.000Z

Semi Trad coming on, still the front bulk head to be fitted.

Hull taking shape

2006-12-05T21:50:00.000Z

More pictures arrived from the builders today and the lumps of steel are really starting to take shape now,

You can almost see it's a narrow boat at last, LOL

Tragara is launched

2006-11-26T21:18:00.000Z

While at the builders we had the treat of watching Tragara being transported to a near by marina and launched, and she looked brilliant, and after a few minor adjustments Paul, Maria and the new owners where off on there maiden voyage, and although the weather was a let down every body's face was beaming on there return so obviously a great success,

Hull Underway

2006-11-26T21:03:00.000Z

Sorry about the delay with the updates, what with pc problems and hotmail problems it's taken this long just to get things sorted enough to be able to post on the blog,

Visited the builders to have a look at the steel work taking shape, not a lot to see really because it's at the first week of building so it really just looks like lumps of steel but it should take shape soon, you can see from the pictures the bow taking shape and the semi trad rear coming on.

Car Boot Sales

2006-10-22T14:59:00.000+01:00

I can't understand where it's all coming from !
We decided that we had better start selling the things that are in boxes in the loft, as we are due to move out of the house around the middle of November, you know the sort of things old kids toys, ornaments and stuff you never even remember buying,
there is so much of it that we have done two car boot sales and estimate that it will take at least two more before most of it has gone, then the rest that's left to the charity shop.
If you had asked me three weeks ago about car boot sales I would have said don't really know anything about them,
But you soon learn and the people that seem to do them regular, How do they do it for a start we had to spend all day Saturday cleaning it, pricing it and boxing it, then load the van up ready for the off on Sunday morning.
And when I say morning I mean morning the first one we did people had said "you have got to be there at the latest 6am"
So we did we got there for 6am and we must have been the last ones to arrive and only just managed to get a pitch, everybody else was there paste tables set out and having a cuppa at the burger van, who if you ask me takes the most money out of everybody,
The second one we learnt our lesson and got there at 5.30am thinking that would be better "NOT" still the same everybody there looking at us gone out, like naughty school kids late for lesson,
and there's me before this didn't even realize there was two 5.30's in a day.
Mind you I must admit they are hard work and you don't half learn how to haggle.
As we set the stuff out and bearing in mind it's 5.30am and pitch black, people are coming round with torches and buying it then later you see most of your rubbish on other stalls being re-sold not that we care as I said most of it was out of the loft and can't have seen the light of day for at least 5 yrs. maybe even 10
But is surprising how much you can take from just basically rubbish that you had forgot you had even got,
still one persons rubbish is another persons treasure I suppose.
Some of the things you do remember buying and remember how much it cost and see what you are being offered for it can make you a bit niggly, but we just had to keep saying to ourselves it's only possessions and we won't need them on Lorimar.
I would have posted a picture but we where so busy, setting out firstly, then haggling and re-stocking that I plain forgot, I'll try and take one at the next one.
Off to the builders next weekend so should have some news to tell you and hopefully some pics.

Contracts are Signed

2006-10-01T18:56:00.000+01:00

Well that was an expensive weekend, we visited Paul and Maria at http://www.heartwoodnarrowboats.co.uk on Saturday and finalised the spec for Lorimar, we have agreed a price signed the contract that will protect both party's during the build and paid our deposit,
it's a waiting game now Paul will be ordering the hull and engine on Monday which should be delivered around the middle to the end of November, it's getting exciting now can't wait to see the steel work start to take shape.

Then we all agreed we should go and celebrate so off to a lovely place near by for a carvery and a drink (or 2)

Did I say 1 or 2 blimey talk about a party!!!

The pub is set next to the canal and a couple that Paul had done some of the fit out for where just mooring for the evening.

What a couple ex-publicans ( Dave and Anna ) that sold up two and a half years ago to live aboard NB Mehalaland,
and a more welcoming and chatty couple would be hard to find on the cut, so we all had a guided tour of Mehalaland after which we decided that the evening just wouldn't be the same unless Dave & Anna joined us, so off we all went on to the pub for a meal.

And am I glad that No.1 son Andrew had decided to come with us this weekend and was able to drive home for me other wise we would have been stranded in Stoke on Trent because I found it hard to walk by the time we left never mind drive.
But who could have asked for more, great company lovely food and plenty of ale.
Special thanks to Paul & Maria for the treat and I promise I'll try not to drink the place dry next time Paul, Honest!!

Bloggers meet up

2006-09-24T21:15:00.000+01:00

What a fantastic evening,
reading blog sites is one thing but actually getting the chance to meet up is just an opportunity you just can't miss,
we knew the "Water Gypsies" Sue and Vic from No Problem and Ann and Chas Moore to Life would be at Elton but what a pleasant surprise to find Mo and Vanessa from NB Balmaha there too, every body made us feel so at home that time just sped by and we reluctantly left before dark leaving everybody to get on with there evening.

Lovely to meet you all and hope to meet up again next year, when if all goes well we will be on board Lorimar, so you won't be able to get rid of us then Vic. LOL

What a weekend

2006-09-19T13:35:00.000+01:00

Well I was planning to fill in the updates as soon as the weekend was over,
and we had visited the builders !!!!!
but it's been so hectic I don't know where to start,
"at the beginning Lad" I can hear my Dad screaming.
Well all went to plan and we took time away on Friday to start visiting the builders and we met some terrific people but one builder stood out among the rest, http://heartwoodnarrowboats.co.uk/index.htm if only because the enthusiasm and love for narrowboat building that was written all over his face,
We met his wife Maria and his son Ian both playing an active role in the business, all the time we chatted we felt like we had met them years ago and felt so at ease discussing our idea's.
After a visit to there workshop to see the build now taking place NB Tragara, it was off to meet a couple that owned NB Plan-B, the narrowboat Paul, Maria and Ian had built for this years Crick show, what a lovely couple Peter & Diane who invited us to look around it was lovely inside and Peter & Diane so accommodating, anyway after that it was getting late so we all decided we had better find somewhere to eat and drink of course!!
More discussions about layout, spec and price followed and we both agreed this has got to be the builder for us.

Paul luckily has a build slot after the boat they are building now so it fits in with our plans perfect.
Now the other news was about the house now you will see why so hectic,
while away we received a call from the estate agent "is it possible for some one to view the house to-morrow.
Doh! so now the rush back home and sort the house out but it was worth it, the same afternoon after the viewing the estate agent rang and said good news the chap wants to buy the house and we are preparing the paperwork now.
So now you can see what I mean when I said it had been a bit hectic I feel like another day off just to get over the weekend but no chance of that. LOL

House for Sale

2006-09-14T18:53:00.000+01:00

Well no going back now the house went up for sale on Monday and we have had quite a lot of interest already so we will keep you posted,
Worst thing is we will be homeless until the boat is completed which if all goes to plan with the builders we have been talking to should be ready late April early May, so 6 months in a cardboard box,
with en-suite and a kennel for the girls (Deefer & Daisy) of course LOL.

Other than that not much to report this week, we are taking time out on Friday to make a long weekend so we can visit the builders we have short listed and discuss the plans in more detail.
Caught up with Sue and Vic from NB. No Problem http://www.choiceforum.co.uk/blog/noproblem.html at St.Neots the other week what a great time we had just sitting and chatting.

What Sue & Vic don't know about boating isn't worth knowing, and if there was any doubt in our minds about living aboard a narrow boat they soon faded, just listening to Sue and Vic talking about there adventures with such enthusiasm fills you with a warm feeling inside and you could sit and listen for hours.
Thanks for all your advise Sue and we hope to see you soon x

Deciding on the Layout

2006-09-10T19:27:00.000+01:00

Well today was spent at home deciding exactly what we do and don't need and the layout of our narrowboat, ( LORIMAR )
we have decided that we would like a reverse layout and a 58' Semi Traditional Hull.
Galley at the stern leading to open plan living room with breakfast bar at the end of the galley as we both agree a diner would be a waste of precious space with just the two of us,
central arched door leading into a walk through bathroom exit on starboard side leading to our bedroom.
We think the Girls ( Deefer & Daisy ) will be able to sleep in the cratch and we can keep an eye on them when in bed.

Tech Stuff so far

As I said 58' Semi Trad
Beta 43 BHP Green line engine with twin alternators
2500w / 120 amp vicron inverter
6 x 110 AH Leisure batteries
1 x 110 AH Starter battery
Webasto Heating System
BMV 501 Battery Monitor
Spray Foam Insulation
Lockgate Diesel Stove (chrome)
Cratch and Cover
Cassette Vacuum Toilet System

Now the hard job of deciding which of the many builders we have visited can do what we want !

2006-09-10T12:41:00.000+01:00

Deefer and Daisy doing what they do best.
Oh no not another boat to look round can't we just stay here LOL.

2006-09-10T11:52:00.000+01:00

After what seems like a life time of debating with friends and family about "Why the heck you want to sell up and buy a narrowboat"
We have finally (we think) got people to see it from our point of view,
not that other peoples opinions where going to persuade us against the idea it's just what you do, you chat about your ideas and your dreams.
We love having quality time together and walking our two dogs, we love the rivers around our area and are normally found walking the tow path with the dogs admiring boats as we go, and that's when the idea was first thought of, why don't we live aboard a narrow boat, see different places and get away from the everyday rat race.
And so the search began, at first as most people do I think we went to all the boat yards and looked around the second hand market, but no matter what we saw there was always something not quite right, some things just stupid personal choice things, then others with more serious doubts what size inverter, what toilet system and why didn't they do that and why did they do this,
it's surprising what you learn in such a short time, things you never even knew had to be taken into account suddenly became a must have option.
Then a narrow boat owner that we had chatted to through his blog site http://boatlife.blogspot.com/ (Les) said you will never find what you are looking for every body has the same problem, you will have to buy new to get what you really want, Since then Les has become a valid NO BULL source of information and what a great guy.
So our search changed from boats to builders and how many is there loads, one boat is starting to look like the next now and all the builders have different prices and ideas although the standard of workmanship at most is excellent.