Being nearly at the stage of handing over a sizeable lump of cash for the boat I’ve chosen my mind wanders round in circles about the interior re-fit I’ll commission before I move onboard.

New galley, new shower room and modifications to the existing beds to make them ‘cabin’ style. This affords more storage for a shop-a-holic teenage girl :D

I’m waiting on the delivery of two ‘estimates’ for the work I require – yes, including my 3 ring round glass hob and a washer/dryer!

I was going to use the services of a Family member but decided against this, even though it would have been financially more attractive, so will commission a professional boat fitter instead. Makes sense right!

Hopefully, my next update (in a week or two) will announce the ‘actual purchase’ of my boat… then the fun can begin.

I was up with the larks today; 6am in the shower where already my mind was wandering with regard to the survey that was to take place at 9am.

I arrived nice and early and took a short walk along the canal.  I couldn’t walk far though;  many residential moorings had claimed the pathway as their garden area.  They all looked very pretty and well kept though.

I stood there with my camera but didn’t get the chance to take any shots as a woman came out of her boat asking if she could help.  I explained that I was waiting for my Surveyor to arrive and gleefully bombarded her with my life-changing plans :D

She was very attentive and said that she too had done exactly the same and loves it.  More positivity about boating… I was very pleased.

My Surveyor arrived.  A neat looking man with a well kept beard and a hearty smile.  We shook hands, exchanged details and I off-loaded my dosh.

Surprise came chugging across the marina and took her place in the dry dock.  Water drained, the hull exposed, and a cup of tea courtesy of Jill (the current owner).

The Surveyor was very thorough and 4 hours later we were done.  That’s a long time to stand up and I was getting back ache in the end :D

One of the workers at Sally Boats made himself known to me offering help with electrics and plumbing.  He also invited himself over with a bottle of wine when I move on board ;)

I stood with Jill’s Daughter, Ellen, who happily shared information on various bits and pieces for running the boat, emptying things, filling things and things in general.  Very helpful indeed.  We even laughed at the ‘two women’ on a certain internet canal forum and concluded unanimously that they’re sad jealous bitches.

Due to boating superstition you can only re-name a boat when it’s out of the water.  Therefore, with the permission of the current owner, I re-named the boat Towpath Townie!  Good luck to all who sail in her I said with a giggle.  I’ll have to source and commission a sign writer now!

Anyway… IT PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS!  The hull has only lost 2mm in 17 years.  It needs the anodes cleaning and the gas pipes renewing (the short ones from the bottles).  He also said the fire extinguishers are well past their checking dates so they need doing prior to having the boat safety certificate done.  He’s going to do that for me as well.

I also know that the hull requires ‘blacking’ and this can be done around Spring 2010.

He also suggested, as I’m having the galley renewed, to remove the splitter pipes for the gas and reposition the safety cut-off which  is currently in the bathroom.  He also recommended a ‘bubble test’ gizmo for safety.  I’ll do that for sure.

He said the engine was one of the best he’s seen and finished with the words “a very good boat, a very very good boat”.  Jill was relieved and I was SO EXCITED! :D

So there you have it.  If my Conveyancer is true to her word, this boat will be mine in 2 to 3 weeks time :D

And to the ‘person’ who shall remain nameless, who vitriolically laughed at my positivity about the survey prior to it taking place, I give you a hearty “UP YOURS“  :D

Yes, renewed excited wafted over me yesterday because I received a phone call from my estate agent.  Karen he said, it looks as though we’re set for completion around the end of this month!  Wow, excellent news!

And so Sunday sees me at the boat for the full Survey.  I’ll blog about that when I get home :)