Winter cruisiing

Http://johnhelen-theemporer.blog.com

Christmas is coming!!!

We're picking up our daughter today, she has been with my Mother since finishing Uni for the hols, but I know she just wants to come home. I also know that she is worried about what home is these days. I'm afraid life on the boat won't be as easy or as 'flick of a switch' as living with Grandma, but hopefully she will settle into it. I have put some Christmas dec's up and acquired a very small artificial tree, just so it looks a little more seasonal. The thing is, that until we get to Ely we will still be relying on our power from the generator, so all day telly will be a dim and distance memory.
I am hoping that she will be with us for the last bit of the trip until we get home to Ely. John's not too sure about having her on board while we go through Denver. Its nice that he's so worried about her safety, never mind the galley slave - I'll be alright, seen it, done it and got the video and T-shirt!!!!
We are starting to prepare for Monday, checking diesel, oil, water etc. I'm going to get some extra provisions in today, as when we get to Ely everywhere will be shut for Christmas.
We phoned ahead to the marina and we are going to have to pick a key up today, they're closing for the hols as well. Looks like its going to be a very quite time and to be honest that's what we want after what we have had to go through.
All I want for Christmas is a safe mooring with electric and water. Its funny that our needs and wants are so much more simple than when we lived in a house. Then I would perhaps of wanted some fancy electrical gadget for the kitchen or maybe toiletries to fill up the shelves in the bathroom unnecessarily, things I would never use, they would just sit there filling space and gathering dust. Now it's a case of - I just don't need it anymore, I manage with what I've got. You can only wear one set of clothes at a time and when you have only got very limited storage you just can't have everything. Before we moved onto the boat, we got rid of so much stuff. Years and years of rubbish which we had just collected and stored. We were paying a mortgage just so we could store our crap. Now I know that every item on the boat is there because it needs to be and if we don't use it then it has to go. My Mum must be so proud of me, she has wanted me to have a good clear out for years.
I have a good feeling about the last part of our journey, it has been a long and hard one. At times I wasn't sure if I could physically or even mentally cope, but I have and I think it has made me a better person. I have seen how it has effected my husband and I am so proud of him for holding it all together. There were times he could have just cracked and walked away from it, but he didn't. As for our relationship as husband and wife, we are stronger now than we have ever been. We work well as a team and although there have been times that have caused us to be a little prickly towards each other, I know John is my rock and would never let any harm come to me. I trust him with my life and my home.
I think I will finish my blog at this point or at least until after Christmas and say - Yes I am happy!. Happier than I have been for a long time. Thank you John for my wonderful new home and my wonderful new life.

The Further Adventures & other stories - 17/12/07

My god this boat business is something else!!. We managed to move from Warmington on Friday 14thDec. The Environment agency chaps were a great help and were there ready at the locks ready to go at 8.00 am. They stayed with us for 3 locks to ensure that we were safe and they're help was very much appreciated. During our trip on Friday we stopped at Peterborough Boat Club and topped up with diesel (yet another helpful boater). I had phoned a good friend to say that we were going through Orton Locks and she came down on her bike with her baby daughter to see us through the locks. She was a much needed breath of fresh air and it was like I was staying in touch with reality (all be it briefly). Seeing Tiz really cheered me up and it gave me a real boost. Friday night we stayed on Peterborough embankment and met up with one of Johns friends and had a couple of drinks and ate later on the boat.

Saturday morning was calm and the water was still, we wanted to make an early start. Mother just caught us as we were just leaving and bought me some clean washing and a warm smile. We were ready for another day on the river. We got to Stanground locks 10 mins early and she saw us into the lock. We had a horrible experience trying to get out of the lock, as the bottom of the boat got caught towards the side of the lock, we tried to stay in the middle but it was quite difficult. The lock keeper had to let some water through in order to lift it enough to move. Once through, it was a steady slogg. There were some patches of thin ice on the way but it started to get worse at Floods Ferry, we were even breaking ice for some plastic boats that had got stuck and needed to return to Peterborough.

From Floods Ferry to March really wasn't that inspiring, just cold cold cold. We stayed in March town on Saturday night and had a take-away for supper. It was quite noisy that night, especially at kicking out time and we were woken up a few times by some drunken idiots on the bridge but other than that, it wasn't too bad.

Sunday was going to be the big day, we really needed to push it to get through Salters Lode and Denver, we wanted to be the other side in order to get to Ely (home) on Monday. It was a miserable day, there was thick ice all the way (1" thick). We didn't think that we would get through Marmont Priory, she had told us that she was iced up. When we got there the locks were free of ice, but painfully slow to get through, it must have taken us nearly 45 mins to clear them. It was more and more ice all the way. Just after Upwell and Outwell we had to have an emergency stop. Rope had caught round the prop and John had to get his arms in the weed hatch up to the elbows in the icy water. I had to have a bowl of hot water ready so he could thaw out between trying to cut the rope. I have never seen my husband in pain before and I didn't like it, watching him constantly put his arms in the icy water and then dip them in warm water to get the feeling back and then back in the icy water.
Throughout this trip, I have felt an intense pride for my husband. He has gone up against things that he has never come across before and not let anything phase him. I don't think anyone I have ever known could live up to him.
We eventually got to Salters Lode about 2.30pm on Sunday. As we reached Nordelph we were joined by a walker and thought it was odd that he was walking in pace with the boat, not difficult though as we were struggling to do 2/3 mph due to the ice. When we reached Salters, we realised that he was a fellow boater, stuck in the ice for three days and very grateful that we had broke it up for him, allowing him passage back to March. After a few words of advice from him to us and visa versa, he made his way and we checked in with the lock keeper. The keeper was quietly confident that we would get through, although he did say that we had missed a better tide the day before. He saw us through the lock and consequently we immediately became stuck on a silt bank. After some forwards and back action we got free and had to really open up to get the boat forwards, then push it nose first into the bank, to allow the tide to turn us around. Scared! is an understatement for what we felt, I had thoughts of being stuck on a tidal river over night and ending up out at sea. After some heart jumping moments and a wave to the keeper, we made our way up to Denver where there was somebody there to see us through. Unfortunately there was that much silt in the channel, we couldn't get any clearance to see us through, we tried and tried to no avail, we had no other choice but to go back to Salters. We knew that in returning we would not have another chance to move until Christmas Eve!.
We felt so disheartened and miserable as we returned and I knew that John my husband was at his lowest, he so wanted us to get to Ely, he had tried so hard to get us there.
Getting back into Salters was worse than getting out, due to the tide going out. There was less water and we had to creep back in as we were just getting stuck all the time trying to get back into the lock.
When we got back to the landing stage, we moored securely and thought about our lot. There was absolutely nothing we could do but just to wait it out, this was going to be our home for awhile. Luckily there was a very local taxi, virtually next door, so he ran us into Downham Market for a much earned drink and something to eat.
At this stage John is really feeling the pressure and I can't blame him after standing at the tiller for three very cold days and we are stuck yet again.
So, its a case of thinking about what we have got, instead of what we haven't got. We have got food, water and heat. A warm dry bed and a generator when needed. We can arrange for the car to get picked up from Warmington and we only have a week left of work. We might be stuck in the middle of no-where again but when all said and done - Home Is Where The Boat Is!!!!!

Becoming a home - 11/11

On Monday evening, even though we had to walk across two fields, manage the logistics of two dogs, food and water over and through two sets of gates, taking into account the ankle-depth mud - we did make it HOME!!! at the end of the day.
The boat was comparatively warm and cosy and I soon got into the swing of getting the tea on, even though I had to peel potatoes and wash up in about 1" of water. John got the generator on and we were soon watching a bit of telly while the dinner was cooking. Due to the pressures of the day, John forced himself to indulge in a beer and I had the obligatory glass of red wine. I actually felt really really comfy, warm and well fed. Home comforts make all the difference.
Today, the water flow still seemed fast, but it was clear skys and and an icy start to the day. We got the dogs ready, empty petrol can for the genny and made our way to the van over the cold, wet fields in the semi-light of the early morning. It was quiet at the office and I got into rearranging the filing, John went back to the boat as soon as he was able and tried to sort out the lack of water problem. While he was there the Environment Agency turned up as they were aware that we were stuck and they were a great help. They helped John with the carrying and emptying of 20 litre water containers, its nice to know that they are concerned with our welfare (even remembered that we were there). They told John that although the water levels are going down, it will be a few more days yet. That leaves it a bit of a close call to get through the rest of the locks before they are all closed for the winter. We are reliant on so many influences in order to get to our permanent mooring, so maybe for the time being, home is where the boat is!

Stuck at Warmington!!!! - 10/12/07

Well would you believe it! Being at Fotheringhay was taking its toll, walking across two fields and two stiles 2 or 3 times a day was just getting too much. On Friday morning (7/11) we looked outside and it was as calm as a mill pond, so using our vast experience (not) we decided that we would make a move. Getting under the Fotheringhay bridge was an experience never to be forgotten. Due to the current we swept up to the bridge at nearly a right angle, we nudged the left hand side and John managed to scrape us through very very slowly. He knew that the clearance would be tight and we very nearly lost the headlight, but John got it through and yet again our hearts jumped into our throats. We managed just over a mile before we got to Warmington locks and they were open!!!! Mainly due to our naivety we went straight in, forgetting that fenland locks are reversed in the winter due to the heavy flow. We soon realised that the gates were padlocked and we were stuck in the lock. The water flow was fast and scary and until we tied securely we were in reverse. After reading the signs at the lock, we knew that we were in trouble (again!). We phoned the appropriate agency and explained the situation, although they were very helpful - there really wasn't anything we could do, we were definitely up the creek without a paddle. The people on the other end of the phoned agreed that we could moor up lock side as it was probably more secure that anyway else. It was a fact, that if we couldn't get through, no-one else was even going to try. John and I managed to reverse out of the lock, very very slowly and secured up. So now we were really stuck, John got the generator working the electric fine, but the heating was an on going problem and by now we had run out of water. We managed a very cold and miserable Friday night, I went to bed in tears and then John decided that Mum and Uncle John would come and pick me up Saturday. At least we are close to Peterborough which is where Mum lives.
I was definitely beginning to feel the pressure, by the time Mum came I could not stop crying, I was cold and miserable and my dream bubble had burst some days ago. John has been a rock, taking everything in his stride and calmly trying to eliminate each problem as it arises. We got to Mums and had lovely hot baths, hot drinks and a warm bed. The dogs have been amazing, so well behaved, I couldn't ask for anything else of them, as long as they are with us they are happy. We went out for another meal on Saturday night, this is all very well and good, but all I wanted to do was cook for my husband in my own kitchen and keep house (boat) like every other wife does.
Sunday morning brought with it new enthusiasm. John went of to the boat very early, determined to have all systems up and running. I cooked a meal for Mum and myself and although I enjoyed cooking, I wished it was in my own kitchen with my own things.
John phoned late morning to say that the heating and the cooker was working, with a few tweaks here and there he had managed to sort it out. John went for a well earned pint with some mates that he hadn't caught up with for a couple a weeks and I met up with him in the afternoon so that we could get back to the boat before dark. Mum had said that we were welcome to stay another night or even as long as we wanted, but this was something we had started and we were going to see it through, no matter what. After all home is were the boat is!
So at 4.30 on Sunday afternoon, we got back on board with the dogs and our clean washing courtesy of Mum. The generator was powered up and we watched the telly and at the same time I cooked scrambled egg and bacon sandwiches for John and also managed to produced a bacon and potato soup. I even managed to wash up in about 3 mugs of hot water. Domestic life aahh!!!
Monday we have to work, but I intend to get back to the boat and make sure that I look after my husband a little better, I might even try and make him some more cakes!

Blooming rotten weather!!!!! 1/11 to 3/11/07

Things are just fitting into place, we have started to feel really comfortable on the boat and (when everything works) everything is just fine and dandy. We were still stuck at Northampton Boat Club for the weekend due to the wind. We had been given the go ahead to move on Friday but the weather let us down. No real problems as the club continued to be accommodating, so we decided to move on Monday. We had taken mother home to give her a break from us and the dogs, its also gave us a chance to spend some quality time. Overall a nice weekend, I even made some fairy cakes in my range on Sunday, just to prove to myself and John that it is just the job.
Monday and its all systems go, we started early - posted a thank you through the door for the Boat Club including a donation for the electric used. We had done the checks and filled with diesel so we were confident that it was going to be a good day. John and I worked well together and soon found our places with regard to lock duty. I realised that getting back on the boat whilst still in the lock was a definite no! mainly due to the old arther in the hip. So we got it so that I would stay on the boat and keep it steady in the lock and John would finish opening the gates before jumping back on board. We did from Weston Favell right through to Lower Ringstead 19 miles and 15 locks. It was near pitch black when we moored up at Ringstead but we had had a good day, we were extremely tied but felt as if we had achieved something.
Tuesday another early start and again we worked extremely well, the day was fantastic and although a little gusty at times, we managed good time again. We did Woodford to Fotheringhay 15 miles and 12 locks. We had been given some very worthwhile information from some chaps at the NBC about low bridges, but I still I have never seen John jump on the roof so fast in order to save the stack, evening the satellite dish was down and still nearly scraped a couple of bridges. We had a closed call in one lock, we had noticed that there was a lot of junk floating around but hadn't realised something had got caught under the boat and as the water was going doing we were stuck on it and we were at a very scary angle for a few seconds, it gave way and we regained level, but I never thought I would feel so scared. We were held up for a time at Perio Lock as some workmen had just been called out for emergency repairs to the gates. It was starting to lose light and we really needed to get moving but after making them a coffee, they did the gates for us and we were on our way again. It was a lovely evening (red sky at night) as we got to Fotheringhay, just a we were mooring up we saw a fisherman catching the biggest carp I have ever seen, we saw him land it and I was sure it was at least a 10lb.
My uncle and Mother met up with us at The Falcon, where we had a much deserved meal. Mother was to stay with us now for a bit longer, or at least until past Peterborough. Mum is a great help, although nearly 70 with two new hip joints, she can put us to shame with regard to fitness.
Bad news - we can not get the rotten, worthless heating going. The electrics are rubbish and John is really struggling to get it going. So no heating!!!!!
Wednesday - is there someone up there who doesn't like us very much, we can't move because the weather is so poor, high winds and pelting rain, so we are having to spend the day moored next to a sheep field, which is fine in high summer, but in the middle of a rotten wet winter - no fun at all. John bought a little generator so we can have some power while we are at a standstill. Let me think shall we have the heater on or a cup of tea, because you certainly can't have both. Got the say, I feel pretty miserable at the moment, we don't really understand the systems on the boat very well just yet and we need to get moving so we can get somewhere we can call home for the winter.
Thursday - had to go to work! They're going to think we work for someone else at this rate. The weathers really bad so we wouldn't have gone anywhere anyway. Feel really bad that we have had to leave Mum with the dogs and nothing but the genny for power, but she insists that she will be fine and I really know that. Just feels like abuse of the elderly. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.

Social life - 30/11/07

Last night we went over to the club house belonging to the Northampton Boat Club. I was a bit nervous at first, us being the novice boaters and everyone there appeared to have many years experience. It was actually really nice, everyone spoke to us and made us welcome. We stayed talking boats till around 10 and then it was - walk the dogs and back to the boat. I could get used to this life.

By the way - we just had the go ahead to move the boat - HURRAY!!!! So get what we will be doing this weekend.

We live on a nb - official!!!! - 29/11/07

Well - we are no-longer homeowners, the keys have been handed back and completion of sale is final. But we are boat owners and what a feeling!!!!!!!.
I have always dreamed of waking up in the morning and looking across the countryside, feeding the ducks the scraps of my breakfast toast, long walks with the dogs through places I have never been. Its not quite happening at the moment as we both have to journey an hour to work and back every day, so we leave in the dark and get back in the dark, but the weekends coming up and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.
Today - I am going to cook a complete meal in the range, it might not sound a challenge to some, but it is to me. Especially when I tried to boil an egg for breakfast and realised that that life of things being an instant at a flick of a switch is just not happening anymore. I must admit we have not really been eating properly, mainly due to the upheaval of moving etc, but now things a calming down - we are (or should I say me) going to make more of an effort.
We still have some of our stuff in storage and I know I will feel more settled when we have more of our things around us, so that is our challenge this weekend. Plus spend some quality time.

Hurray - it works 27/11/07

The house is clear, just borrowed the washing machine for one last wash. The keys are being handed back on Thursday and then the last ties are cut to the 'normal' world. Got home in the dark again, its a long drive to where the boat is but it is so worth it when you get HOME. John finally managed to ensure all the connections to the ranges fuel pump are secure and 'Oh my god - heat at last'. It is finally feeling like our home and not some mad adventure that we have embarked on.
We celebrated with a stella, glass of wine (can't remember - was so happy). I managed to cook my husband a meal while we were listening to the radio and later on watched a DVD. We had brought a few more things out of storage and are getting very skilled in finding places to put things - also getting rid of things that aren't really needed.
It was so lovely sitting in our new home, well fed and well watered, the dogs sleeping like contented children - this has definitely got to be the life. Can't wait for the weekend, Mum is going home and it will just be to two of us. (not that I'm pleased to see her go, but we need to manage without her).
Still can't get away from Northampton until Wednesday next due to the lock being closed - but who cares - what's the rush!!!!!

26th November 2007 - Back to Work

It was very odd getting up this morning, it was dark and deathly quiet out in the middle of no-where. John walked the dogs and we managed to have some tea and toast. Even though we left ourselves an hour to get to work, it still felt a bit of a rush. But as I left Mum and the dogs on the boat - I knew that I couldn't wait to get back after work.
I only work four hours a day, so I spent some time back at the old house, cleaning and finishing of the last bits, we will need to hand the keys in on Thursday. Luckily I have only got the kitchen floor to wash and the yard to tidy and then it will all be done.
As I was washing the floors, I was thinking to myself - the floor in the new bathroom and kitchen are so tiny - its pointless have a mop. Goodness - I have got some things to get used to.
Its a bit of a pain, being moored up so far from work. Its a case of needs must and we are so very grateful to the Northampton Boat Club. Even after an hour long journey - it is beginning to feel that the boat is now our home.
Mum had had a tidy up and it was warm and inviting when we got in, after a welcome cup of tea we started to bring on board some of our own things, such as Hi-Fi and microwave. John also hung a couple a pictures that we had in our old house. It was very apt as both the pictures were water/boat scenes and yet we got them some years ago - it must have been fate!!!!
We had got the stove working the day before and so John wanted to try lighting the range again, as soon as it was alight the stove started to fade (we just don't seem to have any luck). John seems to think that either we have run out of diesel or the power to the pump is faulty. He decided to leave it and have another look at it tomorrow. Luckily we have a portable electric heater (OK when hooked up - not a lot of use when on the move) We really need to talk to someone who knows what their talking about (we certainly don't at the moment).
Well I'm afraid it was another early night for me, can't hack all this fresh air. As I was falling asleep I know I felt very warm and comfortable in my new home. Just a few things to iron out, such as the heating, be able to cook, understanding the power systems on the boat and trying to get the boat past Whiston and further nearer the new base to make it easier to get to work. Most important of all - to get our things around us instead of having them stored all over the place.
I have faith and I know life will be good.

25th November 2007 - Sods Law

We got up early again - cold and crabby. We had no heating, we still hadn't figured how to work the inverter so we could even boil the kettle. All time, I'm thinking about the fact that we out in the middle of no-where, totally inexperienced and taking on a task that even the most seasoned of boaters would not attempt.
Uncle John was taking me back to get the car and then we had arranged to meet the boat further down at an appropriate stop. Before we even set off there was a problem, Uncle john had opened the paddles at the next gate in preparation, but we had not un-hitched, so the water level had gone down and we were stuck. Uncle john had to shut the paddles and my husband john had to walk back to the last lock that we had been through and open up the paddles to let some water through. We through we were in trouble, because a waterways chap stopped and asked him what he was doing. After a apologetic explanation, he was fine and worked the paddles for us. Lesson 3 - understand how the river and the locks work.
So, we were underway again. Husband John and my Mum on the boat and Uncle John and me (with dogs) walked back to his car in order to fetch my car from the marina.
This part was really uneventful apart from Uncle Johns map reading, but we managed to pick up my car. We then made our way to Billing Aquadrome which is where we were going to meet up.
Husband John and I were already aware that Whiston Locks were closed for drainage, so Billing was as far as we were going today.
Although the staff at the aquadrome were very helpful, there was nothing they could do for us. They were closed for visitors and we could not moor up. They suggested that we try Northampton Boat Club and thankfully we did.
The people at Northampton Boat Club are the nicest, most helpful and friendliest people I have met in a long time. They bent over backwards to accommodate out boat and are understanding of the fact that the boat may be there for awhile or at least until we can get through Whiston. So for the next few days, we will be staying at the boat club and we will be having to use this as a base for to and from work, because we can no longer get back in our house - theres nothing there anymore.
After saying goodbye to my uncle, my husband John got his maintenance head on and had a good look around the boat. He got the inverter working, and as we were hooked up - we all managed hot baths - o'heaven!!!! He got the stove working after figuring out that it was a faulty connection to the fuel pump. We'll have a go at the cooker tomorrow.
We found a pub in Northampton for a hot meal, but we all admitted that we were tired and the noise of the pub was giving us a headache. We must be getting used to the peace and quiet of the river. So it was back to the boat for a quiet game of cards and yet another early night.

24th November 2007 - Taking the boat out for the 1st time

Got up and wiped the ice from the windows, not a good sign. Managed to boil a kettle and have some toast as we were still hooked up. After walking the dogs and waiting for the marina office to open. We told the office of our problem with the heating, as no maintenance staff work on weekends, we found that there was no-one there to help us. The office chap said it may be fuel starvation - this made sense!.
My husband and I had never had a narrow boat before, although we have had cruisers. We had begun to realise that taken a course in handling might have been a good idea. The marina was full of boats for winter storage and we need to fill both ends of the boat with diesel, one tank for the heating and the other for the engine. Turning a 54ft boat might be easy for some, but not an easy thing to do, with no instruction and really feeling under pressure. I have to say my husband was great and although it seemed to take an age, he got it done and I was very proud of him.
The initial part of the journey was fine. I made myself busy in the galley, making myself familiar with everything. I even got the cooker and the stove working and thought that was the end of our heating problems. When the cooker reached the right temperature, I cooked some bacon and sausages for sandwiches and put some sausage rolls in the oven. A hot meal always makes the going a little easier.
We had arranged for my uncle to meet us on route. This way he could run one of us back to the marina to pick our car up. The reason behind this was that come Monday we would still need to get to work from wherever we were. Uncle John met us at Rothersthorpe Top Lock, where he left his car.
Like the inexperienced idiots that we were, we decided to attempt the next 13 locks. We started at 2.30pm and finished when it was dark. We will never again attempt to do anything so stupid, I have never been so tired and exhausted and so scared. We certainly learnt some very valuable lessons this afternoon. The very first lock we went through we nearly got the back end caught on the lock gate. If it wasn't for my husbands quick action, we would have lost our new home after only going 11 miles. We had to shut the front paddles - fast and at the same time open the paddles behind us to let water through to get enough water to move the boat forward. I was so scared, the boat was visibly caught on the locks and we thought permanent damage had been done - IN THE VERY FIRST LOCK. Lesson one - keep the rear of the boat away from the lock gates.
The next few locks went quite well and then we got complacent, my uncle and mother started to open the paddles before I had shut the gate behind the boat. My husband was screaming at them to closed the paddles, it happened so quickly. Luckily my gate was past half way, but the surge of water ripped the gate away from me and slammed shut, at the same time a tidal wave of water came from no-where and slammed into the gate and some going over the top, just missing my husband on the tiller. There were a few choice words, about taking notice of what others were doing and concentrating on what you are supposed to be doing. As I said later - this is not a holiday on some tatty hire boat - this is my home!!! Lesson two - do not open paddles until you checked it is O.K. to do so.
By the time we had finished 13 locks, we were all absolutely exhausted. Our second night was spent moored up just after bridge 7 on the Grand Union (Northampton Branch). We had no hot food as we still couldn't light the cooker, but we did have a few beers. Uncle John ended up staying to night on the sofa with the dogs for company. Husband John and I had an early night, we were too cold and too tired for anything else.
I have got to admit - the beautiful dream of this idyllic lifestyle, cruising through the country, mooring up in beautiful surrounding and cosying up was not coming true. I even thought at this stage - what have I done? - is this what I really want?

23rd November 2007 - To day is the day

Day off work in order to get on the boat. We started the day really early in order to get everything organised. The essentials were packed, just needed to pick up mother as she was helping us look after to boat while we were at work.
We drove to the marina, with the car packed full. Just enough room for me and the dogs in the back. When we got to the marina everything seemed to go great, sale completed and keys in hand all we had to do was load up and sail into the sunset - o how wrong could we be!!!!!!!
We moved our essentials out of the car into the boat and problem 1 raised its head. The husband had not loaded our bedding - it was potentially going to be a cold night.
The maintenance men came to the boat to show us the procedure on lighting the diesel stove and cooker, and while they were there, everything went really smooth. We decided to stay the night in the relative safety of the marina and go and get some shopping (basics and a high tog quilt) and a meal. When we got back to the boat, it was dark and the temperature had dropped dramatically (-4). This is when we found that neither the stove or the cooker were working properly. There were no staff around to ask for help and to be honest - we did not have a clue. So, we stayed up as long as we could but it was an early bed just to keep warm.

The start of our new home

We have been searching the country, trailing the web, reading the magazines since March in order to find the home of our dreams.
It started with a silly little comment, just after we had dropped the daughter of to Uni. "Well, now all the kids have grown up and left home - might as well sell up and live on a boat!!!". Within a couple of weeks, we had started to research properly. We had secured a mooring and starting to go into things in a little more depth, especially with regard the cost.
By May the house was up for sale and we started to prepare ourselves for a move. By August we had started to empty the loft, either give away to charity, sell or even just give away years worth of possessions. Then things started to get hectic, the sale of the house was agreed and we needed to find a boat.
After many months of searching, we found the boat of our dreams. We had been on board so many, some were great but beyond our pocket, others were just dogs and not worth the water they sat on. As soon as we got on the Emperor, we just knew! She felt solid, no smell on damp, just a little neglected. We both knew she was the one for us. We had planned for us to look at another couple of boats the next day and I had said, if she is still there tomorrow - she is meant to be ours. When we drove away and stopped for a drink and a meal, she was on our mind all the time, so we decided to put our offer in. The first offer wasn't accepted but the second was, so we went back the next day and put our deposit down.
The next few months were just hard work. Selling a house is stressful enough, but downsizing a huge 3 bedroomed place, full of years of kids growing-up is another matter. I have never been through such a stressful experience, worrying about the kids, worrying about all out stuff, worrying about the boat and out new life.
During this time we had to cope with my husband losing his mother to cancer, our eldest graduating, a weekend away due to a company function, all within weeks of actually getting the boat.
The Emporer failed her survey and had to have some hull work and a few minor things done, but at the time it feels like a huge weight on your shoulders, and actually getting the completion of the house timed to the completion of the boat purchase and given us both grey hairs - but we here now and would like to tell you more!!