Saturday, September 23, 2006

Stern to Galley - so far

Slowly but surely our dream is developing into a wonderful reality! The latest photos show more internal details. Bath Narrowboats are definitely building us a truly bespoke boat, using all their skills, including some good suggestions. BJ spent the day at Sells Green yesterday and had a really enjoyable day, watching the fitting out process and continuing the discussions. Ideas come as the boat progresses too. The latest being ideas about a wine rack, saloon shelves design and access to the spare cassette, more details as these ideas take shape.

As you can see the stern cabin is really taking shape, the steps are in, with a finrad on the last step to provide heating to the cabin. The bathroom is also developing. For me an airing cupboard is essential on a boat, as linens, spare towels and clothes can be stored and aired in it. The vanity unit will have a mirror cupboard over it and a tiled surround.

The bedroom looks interesting! A fold up cross bed, end of bed storage, and bedside drawers are the practical solutions for us. Our son is a wheelchair user so as we would like him to visit us when we are on Epiphany we had to consider his access to as much of the boat as possible. The fold up bed will give access to the bathroom during the day and at night when it is down there is enough space aft for the wheelchair to enable nighttime excursions! Yet to go in, are over-bed cupboards and wardrobe doors. A small dressing table is on the starboard aft side over the access to the cassette when it needs emptying. The lit mirror above this is yet to be fitted!

The full-length galley starboard cupboard houses the microwave and opposite there will be a pull out larder. The microwave had to be a certain size due to the central corridor and took some research to find! The cupboards, hob, oven, fridge and freezer may well be the next major developments and I am looking forward to seeing my ideas for the galley take shape.

We have had to put Epiphany’s launch date back a couple of weeks. You may remember that the shell was three weeks late due to unforeseen circumstances. Bath Narrowboats have been able to make up some of this time, which is great. We, nor they, want the boat to be rushed so we have agreed to a new date that suits us all. The best things come to those that wait – a mantra from my childhood I think!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Shiny New Boat

The title of this reflects recent correspondence in the boating magazines about owners and their new boats! We are well aware that a narrowboat does not necessarily stay this way but I have to say there seems nothing wrong with being proud of a new boat. We are taking bets as to who will scratch or bash Epiphany first! In ancient days they called this "first blooding", and on the canals it is inevitable.
For any of you who have been waiting for more pictures with interest or dare I say excitement - well we have anyway - Epiphany now has her coach paint on the cabin sides. Of course you may have already looked at them, depending on whether you look at the gallery or blog first!
The porthole glass and internal liners are in, 18" and 12" in the stern cabin. We think they look rather smart with the liners and I plan to make curtains and "bungs" that show them off.
As you see our stern cabin looks interesting! We wanted to make use of every inch of the boat and this cabin is multi purpose. As a trad it holds the engine bay, with access points for maintenance. There are 2 "tailor made" bunks for occasional nights on either side of the engine. The starboard bunk over the batteries is shorter as I am smaller than BJ and has a cupboard over the foot end. The port bunk is over the webasto and in front of the wetlocker. There is a space under this to store the spare cassette. We also have used the spare space underneath for large cupboards - never too much storage space on a narrowboat!
On fine days this cabin can be open to the elements for standing or sitting to keep the helmsman company! On wet days we have contingency plans and ideas to keep it dry! One obvious answer is to keep the four foot hatch as closed as possible without causing problems for the helmsman. We shall have to experiment with this. Someone suggested that the only thing to do on wet days is to moor up and stay below. However we rather like cruising in the rain providing it is not storm conditions and we (or more probably BJ!) are in wet weather gear!

Monday, September 11, 2006

More Home Comforts

Here is a new picture of "our space" at Devizes Marina. ETA last week of October.

One of my last posts mentioned the Morso multifuel stove. This is not the only source of heat as you will see from the pictures from Bath Narrowboats. We have the central heating boiler installed in the stern cabin, port side.
We will also be able to keep clean as the shower pump and part completed shower compartment are also featured.
The pictures in the next section of the gallery show more details of these but are still un sorted and un commented on due to other things taking priority. A quick flick through them will give you a flavour of the developments so far.

For further "pearls of wisdom" you will have to be patient and continue to watch this space!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

My Other Boat

Just thought I would let you see a photo of "my other boat" - the boat I travel on most days. One of the most famous ferries, it is in the top 10, and also one of the few chain ferries in the country. This is the "new model", lauched in April. There has been a ferry crossing here since 1889. Find out its history and what KHF stands for by clicking here
This river crossing keeps me sane, travelling back and forth to work. At least it is an opportunity to chill and enjoy the river and boats - mainly sailing boats and motor cruisers.
However Epiphany is still my number one boat and you will see from the gallery that we have been busy with the camera again and she is looking more and more like a narrowboat internally and externally! When BJ has sorted and labelled the photos I will do another addition to this blog. I do not want to give you links that do not exist as I suspect that some of the phtos may be taken off when he adds comments. So once again - watch this space!