COW ROAST

Well we arrived at Cow Roast lunchtime on Friday. The last 100yds or so upto the lock the canal was covered in very thin ice. We passed through the lock and winded after 2 attempts, not bad for the first time of winding 58` of steel. After dropping back down the lock we walked round to the chandlery and purchased an ash pole that proved very useful on the return trip when just before Berkhampstead we encounterd a very low pound and needed the pole to keep us moving. BW were in attendance and as we passed through Berkhampstead it was obviouse where the water had gone as the towpath was underwater in places.
Arrived back at Winkwell Sat morning and went off to see Sue`s Bedford Blues rugby team lose to nottingham in a very cold windy Bedford ground, still it was warm in the pub later when we had a meal.
Now making plans for next cruise but first want to do few things on board that came to light on the maiden voyage.

MAIDEN VOYAGE

Woke up this morning to snow, not settling but a mini blizzard at times. Nothing was going to stop our first trip after being moored at the marina 10 days since taking over the boat. Most of this time had been spent loading possesions and shopping for bits and bobs like towel rail waste bin etc, those of you who have taken on a new build will know what we mean.
Anyway about 10.30 snow or not we were going and we did. Caste off and drifted across to the towpath side ready to enter our first lock at winkwell. Good job we drifted where we wanted as we could get no drive and after 5 mins of headscratching realised the f`ward/reverse control had a lift up to engage the drive, i was probably told all this but so much going into my brain at once i forgot. So off we go i set the lock opened 1 gate and SUE steered NB SELEUS into her 1st lock clean as a whistle didn`t touch the sides. Cleared the lock only to find winkwell bridge out of action and had to phone BW to send a crew out to open it by hand. This will be the case utill repairs are carried out on the 27th so be warned.
Several locks later entered Berkhampstead and dived into a pub "The Boat" and sat by the fire with 2 cups of hot coffee, yes i know pubs sell beer but we needed to have our wits about us on this our maiden voyage. Anyway fell out the pub 30mins later intoxicated by the warmth of the open fire and followed the ARGUS coal and diesel boat through the next lock, she was two abreast loaded with coal and soon stopped to service the needs of boats moored so we went past and decided to stop outside Waitrose for some nice crusty bread and use the cash machine.
Wish we hadn`t as when we came to caste off--nothing. Forwards backwards--nothing. Now remember this is the maiden voyage of 2 virgin boaters. So plenty of water movement when forward engaged so i thinks prop is revolving but just in case have a look down the weedhatch, ok be honest how many of you are laughing. Prop clear so i think are we aground, rocked the boat and it seemed fine so i phoned Phil the builder as he said phone and he will be with us if we get into bother- what us!-get in bother! You lot must be hysterical by now. Anyway he established on the phone after a few questions that we had run aground slightly at the very front end, but i knew that just testing him wasn`t i.
Off we go through the next lock and off i go to set the next one SUE doing a great job as captain only to find it padlocked. Seems they are locked by BW t about 5pm because of vandalism. OK no problem we will stay here the night. Tied up and put the tv aerial up when a chap comes along and says that the very short pound we are moored in quite often drains overnight so i pulled the boat back the short distance through the last lock and moored on the much longer pound below and that everyone is where we are blogging this and laughing i am sure as much as you. But we are happy and warm and had a hot meal and will not be waking up for work in the morning. Long post to-night but it has been quite a day.
Now you`ve laughed with us please leave some comment we do so appreciate it.

24 HOURS ON BOARD

From chaos to firelighting in one 24 hour period!! We came over on Friday evening after Sue finished work to spend our first weekend on board. Les had been very busy during the week assembling the chairs and chest of drawers, finding homes for some of the box-loads, and trebling the kitchen cupboard space by using Ikea wardrobe basketry! More to follow on this in the next blog!!
We'd cooked a casserole on Thursday so believed we only had to heat it and cook some veg to get a quick and nourishing meal on Friday night. WRONG!! The gas cooker kept going out unless the door was open - not much re-heating going on then. Vegs were nearly ready and Sue cursing the b****y oven. Plates warming in the grill (that kept warm when the jets were alight) and cold meat in the cass. READ THE HANDBOOK - oh! the jets need about 1/2 hour running to bed in. Finally it all came together and a lovely but late meal was taken.
An early night was planned, then 2 sets of instant messenger friends were spotted and we ended up chatting on line till late. Hope to meet up with them soon.
Up early for a major tidy up before the first of the weekend visitors arrived. The shower is very good, quick brekkie then Les lit the stove. Phil had said it would smoke a bit, but this was not too bad. The eco fan was soon spinning warmth all along the interior, Les fitted loo roll holder, towel rail and had just finished the shower shelf when Rachel + Chris arrived (Sue's neighbours) bearing champagne and 2 YES TWO cakes!! We had a smashing few hours chatting, snacking and demolishing the champers and culminated in starting the engine for the first time and Sue doing a roof walk to prove she'll be able to 'do the garden'!! The kingfisher which flew across in front of us all and landed on an adjacent boat was surely the icing on our 3rd cake!!
So very tired again now, but warm and content. Another busy days of family and friends tomorrow to look forward to!!

WHAT a day!!

Moving house is listed as one of the most stressful situations for a great percentage of people. Well, preparing to move to a narrowboat is now right up there in stress factor for us. On Friday last Les sold the van within hours of placing his advert, so we knew we had to arrange transport for today. Fortunately his son was able to help out, so the van duly arrived mid morning. All his boxes and bags loaded in good time, and with Sue frantically 'follerin' the van' down the M1 and avoiding the dreaded 'Magic Roundabout' we arrived to find Phil still not quite ready. (Typical boat builder!!)......but such a nice guy we had to forgive him and does'nt fresh lacquer smell good?
After unloading all aforesaid contents on the path a cuppa was decidedly necessary, only to discover we'd forgotten to bring milk, so Les had to track down the local cow. Boxes started filling up all that beautiful floor, Phil had taken his last minute photos and van returned to base, leaving us to start unpacking. At this point Sue decided there was not enough cupboard space, so next on the 'to do' list is finding those clever additional slidey shelf thingys to add to the HUGE kitchen cupboards. Any tips on whose are best? (ta, in advance!).
Nothing to sit on between emptying one box and starting the next except the steps - God are they hard when you're getting tired, so finally we decided we'd done enough for the first day, retired to the Three Horseshoes for the days special of roast beef and all the trimmings. Just exactly hit the spot!!
Tomorrow, with Les now insured to drive Sue's tiny Polo (tiny compared to the now departed large German tank) will take Sue to what should hopefully be the last few days of commercial work, then return to make up the lovely armchairs and chest of drawers. We plan to stay over on Friday night, have another serious sort out during Saturday, by which time more boxes will have been taken in and dealt with, then convene OPEN DAY on Sunday for family and friends.
We've christened hob, sink and loo, turned on and off the heating and lights, had a quick lesson on all the other switches, guages and stuff and promised Phil we'll read, learn and inwardly digest all the handbooks ready for his exam at the end of the week. 'How to turn the engine on' will surely follow? Then what? Oh boy, is this fun living or what?
We're totally knackered right now, pills are just lightening Sue's headache so its off to bed, and do watch this space.

last knockings

Well here are the latest pics taken today. We are due to take possesion on saturday. Phil (builder) is just adding the final touches which includes lacqering some wood trims so time of drying between coats pushes handover day to saturday. Anyway we are in no hurry in fact we have arranged to moor at the yard for the first month to do a few short trips to break us in gently. Also have to sort sue`s house sale and sell my van and as the yard is only 25mins away it makes sence.
We will be moving a lot of stuff onboard monday and having the fun of finding space for it all.
Keep a tab on the blog and will let you blog watchers know how the move and handover goes.

NEARLY THERE

Visited the boat today just in time to see the last porthole frame being fitted. They and the window frames look good. The cooker and hob were being fitted this afternoon. Most of the edgings between ceiling and wall panels are in place as are the wood strips covering the wall panel joins. The solid fuel stove is in place awaiting final fix. Such a big change in a week.
This w`end NB SELEUS goes in dock to have some paintwork re-done, we will miss her.

NB SELEUS ON PARADE

This blog is to test the Orange office card we will be using when afloat. It connects using 3G or grps.....

A VISIT TO NB SELEUS

Happy New Year to you all, and hope you had as good a Christmas as we did. After all that sitting around we decided a visit to the boat coupled with a brisk walk canalside was in order. Only one boat on the move, single handed heading forBoxmoor. He was concerned he would not get through Winkwell swing-bridge as he'd heard BW were doing work. We were able to say we'd seen no sign of any work there, so off he went through the foam beyond Sewer Lock! Foam??!! I hear you say - well, here are the photos. Can anyone explain why this is happening? Is it a regular occurence? It appeared to be coming from the nearby sewage farm. Anyway the heron did'nt seem to mind - perhaps he likes his fish well washed?
Progress is still going well on the boat, the tiling for the stove surround is up and looking great, more doors fitted to various gaps, boiler is commisioned, stove going in shortly and internal window frames will soon be installed.

BUILD UPDATE

Today Sue and I paid a visit to view our baby taking shape. On a very cold december morning we travelled to Berkhamptead via the Hemel trading estate, site of the recent oil depot fire. This route was taken owing to jct 8 being closed on the M1. The extent of the blast was very much evident even on the outside edge of the estate that traffic was restricted to.
Well as you can see in the pics we now have kitchen worktops with hole cut for sink and doors on units and drawers fitted. The bathroom is tiled, sink and vac flush loo installed. The small bath also acts as shower tray. In the sleeping area at the stern we have w`robe door fitted and drawers fitted. Just a door to be fitted on the storage unit between the bed & w`robe. The 3kw sterling inverter lives behind the rear steps and is working fine. When we arrived Phil our builder was in the process of installing the Mikuni diesel boiler for the central heating.
At the bow end the corner unit and bookshelves are in and on the starboard side the plinth for the s/fuel stove is fitted and the tiles chosen by us are ready to fix. The plinth below stove has been made big enough to allow a slim door that will give access to storage for coal. Saves going out in cold to often. Pinched this idea from someones build site so full credit to whoever you are.Will post pics as soon as the stove is installed.

UPDATE

Well, as promised, an update on how we have suddenly got a boat under construction, but first I have completed the sale of my house and am no longer a home owner - HOORAY!!!!!!
As in previous blogs you will have read about boat show visits and my thoughts on part-fitted boats. Around mid-September Sue and I decided to view a fully fitted Anderton boat at Iver, which turned out to be a great disappointment in quality of fit-out.We had also arranged to view a 58' semi-trad that we'd seen advertised in a boat mag lying at Berkhamstead on the same day. The difference in quality struck us immediately on entering the boat. The builder is a young man who builds 3-4 boats per year and the one we viewed was recently completed and he was just starting to fit out the next shell to a different spec. At this time we were not in a position to leave a deposit or make any firm commitment to purchase as the house sale was not close enough to completion to risk the outlay. However, we knew that this was the builder and quality we were looking for - just loved the boat. We decided not to blog as we didn't want to give away too much info that may have attracted other buyers! After about 5 weeks had passed curiosity got the better of us and phoned to discover the finished boat had been sold and someone had also expressed interest in the current build. 2 days later we spent 4 hours of discussion with the builder on site, paid a holding deposit and decided on some mods to suit us which he was happy to accomodate. We have now paid the 10% deposit and will settle the balance on hand over in late January. So after all the head scratching regarding part-fit, 2nd hand etc we are now having a boat built to our spec and are so delighted with this choice. We will update with photos of stage progress as Les still works in London and passes close by the yard on his way home.
Sue gets the 1st viewer of the bungalow tomorrow, so that part of the scheme starts to take shape, and there is further interest being shown by other potential viewers.

WOW!!!!

The pictures show the galley beginning to take shape and the micro-wave housing and also the bed base with 3 under bed compartments the nearest housing the waste tank for the vacu- flush loo and the other 2 will be sliding drawers on runners. Also can be seen shelving and wardrobe in bedroom. Doors will be added later.
A full story of how things have developed to this stage will be blogged in the next few days, as i am sure some people following the blog might be confused.

SHELVING & WARDROBE IN BEDROOM

THE GALLEY TAKES SHAPE

A NARROWBOAT IS BORN

OUR 58` SEMI-TRAD IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. MORE DETAILS AND PHOTO`S TO FOLLOW SOON.

SUE

Since early on this year i have been lucky to have

had a wonderful freindship with a lady named sue

(NO VIC NOT YOUR SUE) and whilst combing

boatyards, visiting shows and just generally

enjoying the canal scene we have become very

close. So much so that Sue has put her bungalow

on the market and we are going to live afloat

together and enjoy life as a couple. I am without

doubt happier than i have been for many years.


Anyway while out and about we came across a chap who fits out 3 boats per year and had just finished one(pic on right) He has just started a new boat with a slightly different layout. The boats are Semi-Trad 58` s/steel tank, w/machine, microwave 712ah domestic battery bank oak floor throughout in fact just what we both are looking for. Will reveal more on next blog and as my solicitors are just about to exchange contracts on the houes everything is looking great.

PRESTON BROOK-WHAT TO BUY

Have just re-turned from a visit to Preston Brook show and am now in an even more confused state of mind. I went for the purpose of viewing the part fitted Liverpool Boats. This has the kitchen & bathroom fitted and working and with extras fitted ie diesel c/heating and an inverter works out about 42k. This would leave me to fit bed box, wardrobe, tv unit in saloon, box in caloriefer, light fittings (wiring tails in place), horn, h`light and flooring throughout plus any other bits i have missed. Now the price of fully fitted on this boat inc my extras comes to about 51k. A difference of 10k. I have no doubt i can fit from the part fit supplied for less than 10k, so am now thinking this over. But at the show i came across Calder Valley dragonfly and was quoted about 52/53k for my spec ie same as L`pool boat fully fitted. The thing is the Calder boat was in my opinion far better quality fit out than the L`pool boat. So now do i go l`pool and save some cash or calder and not worry about fitting out. Or keep looking for a decent used boat although what i have seen so far for 40-45k are not very good considering the difference in price compared to new, also bearing in mind with new i would not have the worry of something going wrong soon after purchase as i would s/hand. Oh well just have to chat some of you boaters on my towpath visits and get some views.

USED---NEW---or PART-FIT

While waiting for the legal people to dot the i`s and cross the t`s to complete my house sale(only 3 in the chain) i paid a w`end visit to Whilton Marina in Northants. As i went fom jetty to jetty, boat to boat not enjoying the experience as nothing took my fancy a sailaway caught my eye. This was lined with c/heating,wiring and plumbing fitted and painted. This set me thinking would this be the way to go as i am not at all worried about fitting out my-self. Anyway further web searching brought up Liverpool Boats are producing a part fitted narrowboat wich has the kitchen and bathroom ready to use. So now i am doing my homework re pricing up all sorts of things to see if this could be an option for me. First figures--early days yet-- show i could start life on the water with a brand new boat at a far reduced price in fact the same price as the used boats i viewed at Whilton. I will report my final figures soon.

Bedford NO PROBLEM

Recently met up with Sue & Vic on N.B. NO PROBLEM at Bedford(link to blog on left) Had a very nice chat for an hour or so, although it only seemed like 5mins as they were such good company. Many thanks to you both And to lucy for allowing me to board.
Have ordered all available first mate guides sue. The guides can be found at WWW.CANALMATE.CO.UK for anyone like myself ignorant of the mountains of information out there.
The house saga drags on. I am the top of the chain and am sorted, but the bottom end is dragging it`s feet so patience is the name of the game.
Anyone who has not read the NO PROBLEM blog please use the link you won`t regret it. It gave me the inspiration to start my blog.

HOUSE SOLD

After 3 months on the market have had an offer VERY close to asking price and have accepted.
Also have arranged to look at a boat at LEE NARROWBOATS that is arriving from Morroco next month. Have not decided on a builder yet but thought it might be interesting to see this boat if only to see what is available in all price ranges. Have also been looking at 2yr old boats so i am not sure what way to go at the moment but i suppose you must taste all the sweets before you decide your favourite. Anyway i feel like i am cruising through Blisworth tunnel and the light at the end is getting brighter.
I hope all boaters reading my blog are safe and well see you all soon.