In Eleven Months It Will Be Over

Christmas that is.

Now to the serious stuff, we visited our builders today, the boat has been spray foamed (Websters) and it looks to be a good job.

We met the team that will be fitting out our boat, Rob and Chris, lots of details discussed.

The main reason was to finalise all the finishes that we wanted and to ensure the bits and pieces were to be put in the right place.

So many small details to confirm and checking with other suppliers that our choices were available, the laminate we chose is special order, just typical for us.

Completion is now around May time, so it may even get to Crick (not the show boat though).

A few views, this is all temporary, just checking that it will all fit, when all is correct it is removed and the wood treated.

It Will Be Quiet

for the next month.

After all the excitement of, seeing Derwent6 leaving the 'yard' and Oakfield arriving, last week.

My birthday yesterday, no I will not disclose which one but I can get a bus pass at the next.

Our next visit to Fernwood will be in the middle of January, they are having a break and boy do they need one.

So may we wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous new year.

See you in the new year.

What a great day

It all started at 05:00 Hrs (yes the one in the morning).

We had been asked to get to Fernwood for 09:00 Hrs.

After much scraping of car windows we left the house at 06:00 Hrs for the 2½Hr journey that took nearly three. The first hour or so was OK but then the children and their cars needed to go to school and the workers were also on the move.

We arrived and the staff were already working, Del and Al of Derwent6 arrived just after us, followed by a large crane.

Lots of meeting and greeting ensued, we all retired to the office for coffee to await the arrival of the lorry to take Derwent6 to Debdale Wharf for its launch.

Our shell was on its way from Jonathan Wilson and Tim Tyler in Sheffield.

To get Derwent6 out another boat had to be moved, this was duly done, the skill of all those involved was marvellous to watch, the co-ordination of man, crane and lorry.

Derwent6 was on its lorry and ours entered the gates, Oakfield was removed from the lorry and placed into the space vacated by Derwent6 and the one moved to facilitate the departure of Derwent6 replaced in its original spot.

We had lost track of time but Derwent6 left with Del and Al close behind in their hired van with all their possessions aboard.

Julia and Ken (Fernwood) followed on to do the final checks and the hand over, we have since heard that it does float.

We returned to the workshop, where Stuart was already checking the hull for dimensions and all the holes were in the right place.

We now start the process of the fitting out, Oh the joys that will bring.

Derwent6 sees the cold light of day

Up and over

Can you see what I can

Oakfield has arrived

Nearly there

One last push

Safe and sound

We have lift off

Well when I say lift off, I mean boat lifting off lorry, just had a SMS from our builder, the shell arrives next Wednesday 3rd December.

Birthday present will arrive early. Hooray.

Oh! Well

You may remember that on the 24th October, I posted that the shell was to be delivered to our boat builder, the week commencing 10th November and that we were not holding our breath.

Just as well we did not, as we would be very short of breath by now.

You guessed it there is another delay and again it is not our builders fault, it is their suppliers. When items are ordered in good faith, with plenty of time for delivery, it must be very frustrating for them not to arrive.

Our builders now have a boat, finished except for the last few items but cannot hand it over to the new owners obviously.

That boat is now occupying the space that is for our boat, I have not verified this but suspect that our builder is now effectively losing money.

In this economic climate, we have recently seen a few builders fall by the wayside, we can begin to understand why now, if this is the way they are treated by their suppliers.

Am I glad not to be a boat builder, you bet I am.

Oh! Well we will just have to be patient.