water tank does fit !

You can see here that the water tank does fit ! Stainless steel holding around 115 gallons (we think!!).

Bulkheads in - this photo is looking from lounge area (at front) down the boat to show what will be the galley.

If you can imagine, then this is standing in the galley looking into the bathroom which is of the walk-through variety.

This last week, Mick has been sorting out electrics and we now have lights working which have been zoned for each "room". He's also been doing other "things with electrics" for all the other bits and bods we need electric for (don't ask me, it's far too technical !!).

We have 6 batteries fitted plus one for the bow thruster and one for the engine starter.

Big discussion yesterday about the floor (which won't be going in for ages yet). We have decided on red oak for the lounge/dinette and tiles for rest of boat ...... well, we have to consider Foxxie Dog too!!! Didn't want any carpet anywhere (think dog hairs).

well, that's the update - all work still on target. See you next week !

Windows and walls fitted

Not having seen Jandai for over a week, we went to the boatyard Nov 9 and whilst we were on holiday the windows have been fitted - clamp on black windows at front and portholes at back. We are delighted with them.

Also John and Mick fitted interior walls - it's starting to look good !!

do you like the step?

first fix wiring in

ceiling up - v-groove birch ply to give effect of tongue & groove ... painted jasmine white

chimney collar in

state of the art step fitted

Not seen her for a week as have been holidaying in Blairmore, Scotland in a converted steam boat ticket office! .... no longer needed for original use! Weather wonderful; walking great; spotted one of our nuclear submarines going home; caught my first starfish ..... but thats all despite fishing everyday!

progress !

Jandai is now

- ballasted

- plywood floor down

- fetching plastic windows with jazzy orange waterproof tape!

- 3 of the 4 mushrooms on

- sides batterned

- sprayfoamed

- wiring started

all going to plan!

Granny Buttons gave us a mention as a new blog!

pictures of Jandai hull and first time in water !!

Our hull was built by Piper and was transported down to our builders where it went into the water on Monday 29 Sept. Due to access problems, the hull was craned off at a nearby boat yard and then we had to sail it down to its home for the next 6 months or so while it is fitted out. Ok, so these pictures are like any other pictures of a narrowboat shell but it's ours and we want to keep the record of its build on here ! Engine is in of course and also the bow thruster.

will she or won't she stay steady??!!

Yes, of course she did !

Gently does it !! opphs ..... with no ballast and a gentle wind !

safe "at home" ---- will be moved into dry dock next.

Ballast, floor and sprayfoaming here we come .................................

Went to look at our first marina on Saturday 1st Oct ..... Mercia Marina at Willington near Derby on the T & M. It only opened last month and there is still lots of work to do but the first boats are there. Am sure it will be a lovely marina when finished - lots of berths still available as it's for 500+ boats and, of course, we don't want a marina until sometime after Easter 2009. We wanted to start looking though .... to get a feel. Our home is near Nottingham so ideally we want a marina (until we retire) as near to home as possible - but somewhere that won't be too affected by flooding. I think in the end, it'll be more of a case of where we can find a mooring rather than having a long list to choose from!!

The Dream is Real !!

For many years Dai has had a dream for retirement ..... to live on a narrowboat and continuously cruise. This is one of the first things he told me when we met 4 years ago .... I now share that dream and we have made the first step!
After visiting many boatbuilders we signed a contract with Kingfisher Narrowboats Ltd who are based at Trent Lock, Nottingham. They are a two-man team (brothers). Why did we choose them in the end? Three main reasons in no particular order :-

1) the quality of the fit-out
2) their location (only about 30 mins drive from our home)
3) we liked them !

It's a 57' extended trad .... shell has been built by Piper. Transported down to Nottingham last week and put in the water on Mon 29 Sept. We then had about a mile to cruise to Kingfishers which was just great ! ..... the boat is no longer just pieces of paper but a real-life see-me, touch-me home-of-the-future !!! Oh - and we going to name it "Jandai".