More Dates

Next date for the diary is already being booked! 27th October seems as good a day as any!!

At last it is a date that will see me at Norton Canes Boatbuilders. Actually it could end up being a quadruple whamy!

1. See their yard, talk about the K2 plans etc.

2. See Nb Resolute - their tug

3. See Nb Ebenezer II - a Norton Canes 58footer currently up for sale, and a very pretty boat.

4. After that trundle round Birmingham to Andys marina, where they are having an open day and Bar-B-Que, partly to welcome new boats into the marina, and partly to raise awareness about the marina. It is a lovely location, and one that I would certainly look at for K2.

I remember the cut-side bar-b-ques this year, dodging rain drops!! Hopefully the October weather will hold off, and it will be a good day.

Tales of the Unexpected

Having been sent to Coventry today (!!) whilst driving home I realised I was going right past David Ritsons latest project at Ventnor Farm Marina. So a quick call, chaos on SatNav who didn't want to believe Calcutt Lane existed, and I popped in for half an hour to meet up and view his work.
Although the boat concerned NB Abutus No3 is a very different style to K2, the quality of Davids craftsmanship is excellent. It also is a Norton Canes shell, so arguably I've seen their work as well. Would still like to see Nb Resolute, who apparantly is now in Cropredy! I'll tie that all up after this busy stretch!
That was unexpected!
Shares - if you want to make a small fortune on the stock market - invest a large one. Being clever I bought Northern Rock at 184p reckoning on their rise again. Did alright on Friday - seeing them close at 196p, but today, thanks to a bumbling Bank of England, who seem to fail everytime they sneeze at the moment, Northern closed at 172p!! This is the Bank, and Government, we trust our financial future with!!? Think I'll put my money into something that could certainly sink - but at least I'll know the risks!!
That was unexpected as well!!

Little Place in the Country Booked!

I have assumed that our hectic three weeks will be successful, and have booked into the Wild Duck Inn in Ewen in the Cotswolds, for the 12-14th October. Weekend working taking a toll and I could do with a serious stop for a weekend.
A typical gastronomic delight, and a pretty little place in the Country, It will hopefully provide the solace required after the migration! It will also act as a base to visit RW Davis on the 13th, only half an hour away. Roll on that weekend!

Warning - Hard Work Ahead...

Sometimes frustration sets in. Just as the canals snuggle down into sleepy and dreamy mode -

I now vanish into 3 weeks of stressful work, while we complete the business merger. Between now and the 8th October (go live day) we bring all the business data sets, business processes, customer facing technology and overall infrastructure onto one platform, allowing October to be managed and closed on one business solution. That will involve 2 weekends and three weeks working on the trot, long evenings and some pressure. It's now I wish, I could just drift off into that orange sky and find a pleasant mooring for a while...

I guess boat plans go on hold for the moment! Shame - Phil Trotter wants me to go to see him again, to work through the fitout, and talk over the realities of a Kelvin in the engine room. Apparantly it's not all romantic notion - there's some hard work as well!

As a treat, I have planned to go to Saul again on the 13th October - and think I will stay in the Cotswolds somewhere for the 12th-14th, just to have a mini-break, money saving for October will go on hold. Sometimes you just need to stop and relax.

Autumn is here - remember the summer? No I don't either!!

Hmmm - Carry on thinking!!

Well, back from my RW Davis visit last weekend, in Saul - outside of Gloucester. Builders of the Northwich Trader. Came back with so many thoughts, it's untrue...!

Firstly - I want one of these in my engine room!! Yes, that is me inspecting the 1938 Kelvin K3 under restoration in their shed. Trouble with that is - it really needs an 8 foot engine room, I had 7! However, their tug deck is just over 14 foot, mine was 16, so I have gained a bit of cabin space overall.

Secondly - they specialise in traditional BoatMan Cabin's - As you know, I wasn't keen, as I wanted a fixed double, however the under tug double bed (right) looks superb, and I was quite taken with the amount of head room there is in it, AND, that would release the drop down double in the traditional BMC for guests, as well as creating 4 foot of hanging wardrobe space. However...

Thirdly, the cabin is still small overall on the 58 footer, at 40 foot something, and the bathroom, galley and saloon area needs reviewing - I shall be sending my revised pictures to Phil shortly. Meantime, I had a dreamy moment standing on the bow of the trader being fitted out!!

Fourthly, The steel could start being laid in May 2008, and they can fit out to hanging curtains, as well as shell build - so the boat could be finished by the Autumn 2008 - that may fit my plans better, than the end of 2009 that I had previously had quoted. AND - as they are water based - I can sail her straight off their fit out, to her home! Oh and they are at least an hour and a half nearer my house! Hmmmm!!

Another Blow

Well! this is a blog of downs!! Who could have thought that the collapse of the North American SubPrime market could influence a Narrow Boat in little ol'blighty!

But it has at the moment - Investment plans that were to pay for K2 are considerably dashed as company valuations fall in a downward spiral across the globe! I know "the value of shares can go down as well as up" and this was a risky investment! Hopefully this is a blip, rather than a freefall - certainly the rumour of an American inter-bank lending rate reduction has steadied the decline, although what happens next in the roulette game, nobody really knows! I won't declare just yet though!

What I want to know is - why should lending to bad debtors in America affect me!!? In fact - why lend to dodgy debtors anyway, surely commercial greed has some boundaries!!

Still, 2 days and I'm hiking to Gloucester to see RW Davis. Phil is a Kelvin expert, and the Northwich Trader is a good looking boat - I'm looking forward to that. By the way - Never did get in contact with Norton Canes but would still like to see Nb Resolute.

Ups and Downs!

A weekend is a long time! As promised I went to see Andrew Hooke. That was a long haul by car, felt like I was driving all day, but it was worth it. Andrews POW camp shed in darkest Nottingham is where a shell gets transformed into a home. 2 Hours of taking my designs apart, and he is now doing a preliminary drawing, to price the transformation. I eagerly await that, as I need to get a handle on the overall project costs now!
Well downs! Apart from my desire in a few years to slow down a bit and take off some of the business stress that burns us all from time to time, K2 would allow me to move onto the water at the Thames and Kennet Marina, only a couple of miles from Claires' home. Claire is standing as a councillor for Caversham next year, and that would tie her into the area for 5 years or so. We had a plan to cruise off together once that period was up, probably in 7 years time or so. I would be well on my way by then, but our ultimate plan allowed us both to have something to look forward to in the future. K2 was a platform that would allow me to work and support her campaigns, whilst still allowing time out on the water, it seemed such a simple plan, and so obvious. Claires decision is that she will stay land locked!! At the moment the intraspection time continues! Along the way, the boat continues to get planned.

Meanwhile - here is a picture of Tally, my labrador! she comes along with all the plans, and is very loyal - if only because I feed her!

A little about me

Well a wrapper website will eventually be created, to house this stuff, but a small amount here, as a response to requests!

Born 1965!! Spent my working life in the vehicle industry, primarily around vehicle leasing and fleet management, and specifically around business change and IT. In 2002 became the Director responsible for all of Leasedrive's technical and business process activities. 2006 saw Leasedrive merge with Velo, to create the largest independant vehicle management company in the UK. So that's work. Outside of work I love all outdoor activities. Sail cruising is a passion - such as this picture of us tied to the Mulberry harbour off the Normandy coast. I am RYA day skipper, and VHF qualified - the latter of some use on the tidals, the former - not a lot!!

Mountains - I love, but tend to climb and walk in the winter when the tourists aren't around, and when there is a bit more challenge - like this picture of us somewhere cold!! Actually England, in April, but none the less cold!

And of course a love of the inland waters, when I can steal my brothers boat, (Yes that is me in May 2007 with the fire on!!) hire one or jump into my canadian canoe, or kayak, to get the water fix. I love the boats, the history, the reality, and the peace and tranquility.

Divorced in 2006, it didn't take too long to install the love of the water into Claire, new confidant! however, due to the slight snag of virtigo, she's not so keen on the mountains !!

The waterways passion has been gentically passed on to my three girls, Suzi (17), Adele (15) and Cara (12)

Well, that's all about me, this blog is about K2, so we will go back to her. Boat fitter visit this Sunday (2nd September) and a trip to RW Davis on the 8th for a discussion about Kelvin K2's and 3's, and the Northwich Trader - that they can build at 58foot for me! Oh and calls to Trinity House, to see if I can find a K2 somewhere!!

Engines and Fit Out

Well - this is hard work. The design is moving everytime I look at it. Searching "t'internet" helps you grab other peoples ideas, as you build something that will be your home. Look at this for example - a wine rack but under the floor, what a great space saving idea, and one I would love to incorporate within K2. Bottles are such a pain to store - and this seems so obvious in many ways!! Well, with luck I am visiting Andrew Hooke on the 2nd September to discuss fit out, get some prices and so on.

Also talked to Brian from Russell Newbery. I would love a DM2 - but wondering about going away from a genuine vintage and buying a new one. RN only build 7 a year, but still can build me one before I need it next year. Hmmm, A new "vintage" engine.
As good as his word - Mels' quote hit me Tuesday. I'll let you into the secret another day, when I have all the pricing worked out. Suffice it to say, at the moment the shell and engine would be around £60K to get afloat, including the stack of cash Gordon Brown will lift from me for my pleasure! Doesn't leave a lot for fit-out.
Sill not heard from Norton Canes - and this is a bank holiday weekend! Shame would like to have fitted them in this weekend.

The Weekend Visit.

Saturday saw Claire and me, as promised, trundling the 3 hours up the M1 to Mansfield. Well, to Longwith actually. The home of Mel Davis, Boatbuilders. It is really a farm!! We spent a fantastic couple of hours there, looking over the boat in the workshop, and also a K2 look alike in their yard, just completed and getting ready for shipment to be fitted out. Just look at the detail on the finish on these boats. In my mind some of the most beautiful on the waterways. Mel describes his work, as art - and it really is.
The other good news was that Mel felt the lengths were fine (and he should know)! Prop shaft just gets bigger, designed specifically for the engine revolutions and the length of throw to the prop. Sounds great, and the slightly lengthened overall BMC to accomodate the fixed double, and the BMC area are fine too. So far, so good. If Mel is chosen - K2 would be born around December 2008, and take 10 weeks to become a sail away. Now onto the quote and the fit out people. Once again, Mel was able to suggest 3 different companies that he has and is using, I shall contact them this week, and start work on the job of fit out and engine search.

Disappointingly I have played tag with Norton Canes boatbuilders, who have their tug "Resolute" on the Wey navigation near my home. They want me to see it. I want to see it, but we can't quite hook up!! I'm sure we will in time.