NB CABERFEIDH
MY BOAT
Saturday 27 November 2010
Art Work For Boat
The Story So Far...
There's nothing more life changing than when you have life, (as it was) taken from you. Lost my job,as I couldn't protect myself, never to ride my bike to a motorbike rally, and my right arm, (which I used for everything) hangs uselessly at my side. But hey I'm lucky to be alive they told me.
My wife, of 2 years ,Brenda , gave up her career to look after me, as I needed 24 hr care at the time. After 23 operations to date,I'm back on my feet, though my arm still has very limited use, and severe muscle wastage. We purchased a few static caravans in a holiday park in Scotland, to supplement our income. This is doing well, but I remembered my holidays afloat and decided that I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream of owning and living on my own boat.
Barbara in background as she was.
I did all the usual searches, magazines,brokers etc, but the ONE eluded me. Brenda wasn't keen on the idea of boats, due to an incident in a boating pond when she was a child, but I was determined even to the point of discussing divorce. Eventually I persuaded her to join me on a hire boat and she could make her decision from there. She loved it, and on our return we discussed the possibility of purchasing one of these boats from Black Prince. John Lucas at Stoke Prior took us round 'Barbara' a five year old cruiser stern, the usual checks performed, a week on the cut , and a deal was struck. The boat was painted out of their stable colours and blacked, John said that we could moor her there, and that she would be handed over to us with a full intenary just like they would send her out on a hire, and that he'd look after me with paperwork etc. She still has 2 years to run on the existing BSS but John has booked a new one to be arranged for Feb 2011.
I had an inverter,battery charger etc fitted in September and organised for a signwriter to design and paint her new name 'CABERFEIDH' on over the winter. A few changes are required, so that I can eventually live aboard her, so I've begged and pleaded throughout the Forums for info and tips required to do so. A multi fuel stove will have to be fitted as a priority though type & model is yet undecided, any recommendations.
I have just returned from an inspection visit and was really surprised to see the amount of boats moored there. I've never seen it so full.Speaking with a few CCr's, ( most of them have boats purchased from Black Prince's several bases) they reckon that its going to be a difficult winter. They all had a tale to tell, and welcomed me with tea n' bacon butties. I can't wait to join them. Even through the most difficult times I find myself really envying you all. The cameraderie, scenery, pubs and the glass of wine shared at the waters edge, This is the life for me.
So whats my plans for next year ? well, most of the year will be spent cruising the many, yet to be discovered ( by me ) waters, that I've been reading about in the many blogs here. I will spend 3-5 weeks at a time on board (mainly persuading Brenda that we need to be permanently there to experience the life). She hasn't realised that I plan to be permanently on the cut, and thinks that my purchase of the boat was just as a bolt hole we could escape to for a couple of weeks a year ???,and the purchase would satisfy my desires. Will she come round to my way of thinking ?...., I don't know,... will I give up on the idea ?.... NO WAY. This time next year, I will be onboard, living the dream.
Well, thats the story so far, how will I do ?... Watch this space.
To all you guys & girls out there on the cut, my best wishes go out to you. Be safe, take care and I'll see you out there next year.
p.s. I'd like to hear from anyone who has been holidaying on Barbara as I'd like to know more of her history.Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I will add to it as and when things happen.
My wife, of 2 years ,Brenda , gave up her career to look after me, as I needed 24 hr care at the time. After 23 operations to date,I'm back on my feet, though my arm still has very limited use, and severe muscle wastage. We purchased a few static caravans in a holiday park in Scotland, to supplement our income. This is doing well, but I remembered my holidays afloat and decided that I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream of owning and living on my own boat.
I did all the usual searches, magazines,brokers etc, but the ONE eluded me. Brenda wasn't keen on the idea of boats, due to an incident in a boating pond when she was a child, but I was determined even to the point of discussing divorce. Eventually I persuaded her to join me on a hire boat and she could make her decision from there. She loved it, and on our return we discussed the possibility of purchasing one of these boats from Black Prince. John Lucas at Stoke Prior took us round 'Barbara' a five year old cruiser stern, the usual checks performed, a week on the cut , and a deal was struck. The boat was painted out of their stable colours and blacked, John said that we could moor her there, and that she would be handed over to us with a full intenary just like they would send her out on a hire, and that he'd look after me with paperwork etc. She still has 2 years to run on the existing BSS but John has booked a new one to be arranged for Feb 2011.
I had an inverter,battery charger etc fitted in September and organised for a signwriter to design and paint her new name 'CABERFEIDH' on over the winter. A few changes are required, so that I can eventually live aboard her, so I've begged and pleaded throughout the Forums for info and tips required to do so. A multi fuel stove will have to be fitted as a priority though type & model is yet undecided, any recommendations.
I have just returned from an inspection visit and was really surprised to see the amount of boats moored there. I've never seen it so full.Speaking with a few CCr's, ( most of them have boats purchased from Black Prince's several bases) they reckon that its going to be a difficult winter. They all had a tale to tell, and welcomed me with tea n' bacon butties. I can't wait to join them. Even through the most difficult times I find myself really envying you all. The cameraderie, scenery, pubs and the glass of wine shared at the waters edge, This is the life for me.
So whats my plans for next year ? well, most of the year will be spent cruising the many, yet to be discovered ( by me ) waters, that I've been reading about in the many blogs here. I will spend 3-5 weeks at a time on board (mainly persuading Brenda that we need to be permanently there to experience the life). She hasn't realised that I plan to be permanently on the cut, and thinks that my purchase of the boat was just as a bolt hole we could escape to for a couple of weeks a year ???,and the purchase would satisfy my desires. Will she come round to my way of thinking ?...., I don't know,... will I give up on the idea ?.... NO WAY. This time next year, I will be onboard, living the dream.
Well, thats the story so far, how will I do ?... Watch this space.
To all you guys & girls out there on the cut, my best wishes go out to you. Be safe, take care and I'll see you out there next year.
p.s. I'd like to hear from anyone who has been holidaying on Barbara as I'd like to know more of her history.Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I will add to it as and when things happen.
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