Friday 1^st June 2018

Today was a bit of a mixed bag. I went to B&Q’s in Crewe (my favouritist shop) and to various businesses in Nantwich to try and source some 19-inch-wide boarding for extra shelves in the galley cupboards. All to no avail.

I did however, get other bits and pieces to complete other jobs on board.

It does though, seem as though I am having to buy more and more tools that I have given away while in the process of getting rid of stuff prior to moving house to boat.

Brenda in the meantime did yet more sorting and organising.

We then went off to yet another trip to the house. Another dump run, another visit to the charity shop and another full car load for the boat. But now, we are finished there. The place is empty, clean and tidy, at last. Brenda locked the doors for the last time. A poignant moment.

Chester Road completed today, 6 months after the people put their offer in. All good will towards them finished long ago and so we draw a line. Chester Road was good to us and we have very fond memories of our time there.

While at the house we got a phone call from Andy, the boat builder, saying that Graeme would be with us in the afternoon. I told Andy we were at the house but could be back at the boat by 4.30 – 5pm. Graeme decided that would be too late and so could not get to us until next week sometime. Why I ask myself. I know how Graeme and his workshop works and know there would be nothing that would stop him attending if he wanted too. The guy is just a coward and does not want to face us.

There are many issues, shortcomings and snags with the boat but I accept we will have to deal with them ourselves, Graeme is just not interested. I do though, want him to fit the lighting in the rear cockpit. He drilled the holes for the lights and just left them. There is no cabling or switch gear and the lights themselves, which we bought, have disappeared.

On the way back to the boat we called into Tracey’s. The first porthole bung, a sample, had been delivered. We were disappointed though, to find it did not fit too well but we have come up with a solution that we can do ourselves, will look better and cost a hell of a lot less.

We also heard off our newfound friends, Graham and Carol, that they had moved on. They had come to say good-bye but of course we were not here. A great shame, we could easily have become great friends. Such is canal life and we will have to get used to it.

“Board of Trade” Acquaintances they were know as in the Merchant Navy.

We were also wondering tonight, what our Middlewich friends were up to. No visit to the Kings Lock with Martin and Michelle.       

We had a phone call from the next people that are having a boat built by Graeme, to pick our brains and discover our thoughts and experiences with Graeme and our boat build. Poor people. We know what they have ahead of them and are only too full of sympathy. 

We had a steak dinner, showers, almost too much alcohol and here’s to an early night.