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.
Friday 30 November 2007
Thursday 29 November 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday 28 November 2007
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!!!!!
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!!!!!
Monday 26 November 2007
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!!
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!!
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