Marina pics then a moan about the weather

Since we aren't moving anywhere I thought I'd show a few pictures of the marina:-

 It really is a top spot as far as we are concerned, very peaceful with friendly (but, thankfully, few!) neighbours.

After a leisurely stroll around the marina it was time to get the Brasso out! I spent 3 hours transforming 5 of these

into these

All of this hard work took place the weekend before last, then this happened over the weekend:-

leaving me with, yes, you guessed it, 5 of these....

Aaarrgghh!!

If that's the least of our worries we'll be OK I suppose. At the time of writing we have had a mighty cold couple of days. Today rose to a magnificent -6 before falling back as it got dark and it looks little better for the rest of the week. Stopcock closed, taps and cupboard doors open and hope for the best!!

We are off for some winter sun after Boxing Day so Lottie D could be cold and lonely for quite a spell - hopefully I'll get the opportunity to go down to Scarisbrick before we fly off - I really hope not to be displaying my plumbing skills!!

Freezing at the marina

We've been down to the boat regularly, even though we obviously aren't going anywhere. It's now been tranformed from a pleasure craft to a static holiday home by the weather but we are enjoying using her just the same! The stove is easy to keep in all night so we really are quite cosy on board.



We went down last weekend and I was hoping for some of those wonderful, frosty images other bloggers are posting but it turned rather miserable as you can see, albeit still frozen solid. As far as Lottie D is concerned, all we had were frozen taps that soon wilted under an onslaught with Elaine's hair dryer. I actually took water supplies with us in case we were frozen up. We didn't need them but our neighbour did as our shared water point was kaput.


Also I finally got the old Sky+ working!


I came back on Monday night (because I am a novice and the ongoing freeze gives me a mild panic attack. All I think about is burst pipes but I'm learning that she can withstand more than I give her credit for) and the marina looked much more photogenic. I still couldn't break through with the boathook but got some better photos



I decided to stay the night and work from the boat on Tuesday, returning home on Wednesday morning. This gave me the chance to take more pics, including twlight and daybreak. As you can see, we are in the mostly deserted rear pond of the marina - far quieter than being in the front pond, which is nearer to the busy road to Southport.

Galleries

I've created 2 pages of pics as you can see via the links above. Best to right click when you go to the other pages and open another window. I'll add another showing our homecoming to Scarisbrick Marina just as soon as I get our camera back from Charlotte!

It's been so long....

I can't believe I haven't updated this since mid June! Those who know us will understand that we have had a lot to cope with recently but we move on and here is the latest sitrep.
We have experienced some delays but that is the nature of the beast unfortunately. Happily, though, we now have a confirmed launch date of Monday August 16th! We have been down to Stillwater every weekend for the last 4 weeks and Lottie D has been transformed during this time.
I had lots of photos but lost a recent tussle with technology (damn you, iphone!). Luckily, I managed to hang on to a few and will show you how things have moved on. Obviously, Lottie D is now virtually complete as these pics show. The next post will be as she is loaded, transported, then launched at Barton Turns.

We have had our discussions with the signwriter and, as you can see, he is cracking on. We avoided a calamity when I noticed he was going to paint Lottle D instead of Lottie D! I mean, what sort of name is Lottle D?
Also, we have dumped loads of gear at the builders (thanks Kevin and Richard!) that can be loaded on board prior to the lift, so we can roll up Monday with the rest in only one car. It is just as well, actually, because Harry, Charlotte and Logan are all coming down for the launch so the car will be full anyway.

We'll spend the night at Barton Turns then head off back to Scarisbrick on Tuesday. Kevin will be with us as far as Fradley Junction to make sure all is well and then we will be let loose on the waterways of England. It is sobering to think we signed for the build back in May 2009. It's been one long wait but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Ah well, that's all for now. The next post will allow me to add a slideshow of the whole day, techno gremlins notwithstanding. After that, I'll try to add details of the trip home, but not at the expanse of having a great holiday! If I don't get around to it you will just have to use your imagination.

Finally, praise yet again for all the men at Stillwater - simply the best!

The shell arrives

Our completed shell has been delivered. It all actually happened last Saturday but it has taken me this long to get around to putting the news on here. We now expect to be afloat in 5 weeks and will probably nip back down to see how things are progressing next week.
Thoughts are now turning towards shopping trips to get all the stuff we need - Elaine's thinking bedding, towels, etc whilst I'm thinking tools, spares, etc. Teamwork at it's best!
More will follow as the fitout progresses but if you want see how a narrowboat shell is delivered (Elaine's heart was in her mouth!) see the slideshow. I'll probably remove it as things progress but you can always view the pics in the "Shell delivery gallery" page.

BW number sorted!

Things are moving on apace! We took the opportunity to register Lottie D early at Crick. Our number is to be painted on the hull - better than using thos awful plates in our opinion - and is 519204. Better news still is that our shell is being delivered on Friday and all of our bits and pieces have been ordered. We expect to be "wet" in no more than 7 weeks. If possible, we'll post pics of Lottie D's delivery and this will be followed by a blow by blow account of her fitout.

A little premature perhaps?

Ahem. When I said we were in build the reality was that our steel had been ordered. There was quite a delay but all is now sorted, the shell material duly arrived and welding has indeed commenced!



OK, not much to look at just now admittedly but we are both just so pleased that things are finally happening. We expect Lottie D to be complete before August now and plan to put her in the water at Barton Turns Marina then cruise her back to our marina at Scarisbrick.

Our builder is Stillwater Narrowboats. Father and son Kevin and Richard are working flat out on a very healthy order book. We will see them next at Crick!

We are "in build"!

Work has commenced at Stillwater Narrowboats on NB Lottie D. She is to be fitted out as a liveaboard, though we will only be weekend/holiday cruisers for while yet. Pictures of unpainted steel to follow!