At Last

After ordering self adhesive names for the boat several months ago I have at long last got round to fixing them. I'd finally run out of excuses, on previous occasions when intending to fix/stick the names to the boat either the weather wasn't right or there was something else more important/urgent that needed to be done.

Name added to boat.

Today however the weather was sunny and almost perfect, it was a bit too windy and after I'd started fixing the lettering realised it was in fact a bit too hot (the plastic stretched slightly as I pulled the backing off). Although there were other jobs that could have been done (there is always something to do on a boat) none of them, on this occasion, were more important or urgent.

New furniture & curtains

Since buying the boat we have wanted to change the layout of the saloon and upgrade the seat coverings. The windows have blinds instead of curtains and we have wanted to change them as well.

The saloon is a fixed L shaped settee and there are two further bench seats either side of the bow doors where a table can be set up for meals.

The pictures below are of the old furnishings and window blinds.

We wanted to remove the L shaped seat replace it with free standing furniture (a 'normal' chair and a 'Captains' swivel chair). After looking at various furniture makers/upholsterers we settled on Elite Furnishings of Litchfield to make new curtains, a chair and provide new seats and backs for the two bench seats. They also supplied the Captains chair for us.

The pictures below show the new curtains and new furniture.

We also had some square blinds made up from the curtain material for the portholes to cover up the foam inserts.

Move to New Mooring

A Sunday trip from Otherton Boat Haven to Hatherton Marina.

After a year at OBH, we were a bit fed up with having to go through 3 or 4 locks (within half-a-mile) every time we wanted to go out. Although not a real problem, especially for the longer trips, it was a bit off-putting if we only wanted to go out for a day or a couple of hours.

Otherton Boat Haven

We didn't particularly want to move from the Staffs & Worcs as it is quite close to home and there is a wide range of cruising opportunities. A quick trawl of the net brought up a few locations and in the end we opted to move to Hatherton Marina. Its only 5 miles from OBH, but is slightly closer to home. Importantly however there are at least 2 miles of lock free cruising in one direction and 7 or 8 miles the other way.

Second Part of Move Hatton Locks to Birmingham

For this part of the trip Josie had to go back to work, but fortunately a friend, Steve, said he would help and then turned up with his Grandson Storm to do the heavy work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Hatton Locks
Storm opening gate for first lock.
With Steve & Storm working the locks (21) it only took 2 hours & 55 minutes (Just over 8 minutes a lock)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Sculpture of mosquito by Lapworth locks.

Lapworth Locks 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Steve & Storm working Lapworth Locks (20), again very fast 2 hours 25 minutes (just over 7 minutes a lock).

                                                                  

Although on this flight they clearly had time to sit & chat.