So it looks like its finally safe to commence my inane ramblings concerning the move from old tub to ditch crawler.

Got the nod from Barclays that the finace we required is ready for release tomorrow they are just waiting for the final docs we had to send em. We sent em last thursday tut!!!!! so it all gets held up again coz of fings lost in the post. Nevermind, at least we kept copies.

Also had a message from Virginia Currer Marine requesting personal details for the bill of sale so things really are just waiting to happen.

It all started when, one night, Swmbo and self were enjoying the last of the Bacardi lying on Emblems double berth in the aft cabin and having a final oily rag out of the port hole. I had always maintained that one day, when emblem became too much for me to handle then i would return to the canals. The conversation, (drunk gibberish more like) somehow was manouvered by a certain party into moving in with each other. Knowing she hates the way boats react on the sea and feeling kinda romantic for a change i suggested a narrowboat. The fool agreed!!!!! Shes never even seen a narrowboat let alone live on one.

So the search was on. viewing boat sale sites while at work and me giving it large about what my ideal boat required.

We eventually had a few days off which we planned to go looking at our short list. A couple advertised with VC marine and a few at whilton. My main concern was a residential mooring close enough to London for us both to commute.

We arrived at Iver and viewed the first one. A 68' trad stern with gardner engine in proper engne room. I liked it and it was at a price which we could buy outright with the sale of Emblem. .....Nooooooo. it appears Swmbo also had her ideas of what she wanted lol.

So we toddled off down the moorings to our 2nd viewing much much more expensive however it came with a residential mooring.

It turns out id seen the boat many times before while visiting a friend who was also moored at the same place.

I always remembered walking past and thinking, 'thats the kind if boat i would like to own if ever i had the brass'

Well, here we were with the keys in our mitts.

Outside paintwork by the renowned phill speight, was looking a little grubby from what i remembered as she is moored under a tree which has plonked leaves and sap all over, but under the grime the finish was still looking excellent

I fell in love, Swmbo, had a good rumage around and after declaring it needed a good cleaning also agreed that she would love to live on board this boat.....it was only the 2nd one she'd ever seen for chuffs sake!

It certainly gave the appearence of not having been visited for some time, but all appeard intact as far as i could see and the engine room was just a complete heaven.

So, offer was made, accepted and deposit placed

So, Thats the story so far, Survey showed no problems with the hull at all and just a few minor things to sort out internally like replacing the fire extinguishers which are still the old blue type and sweeping the chimneys.

Stand by for more as Geoff and Nora join forces to do battle in a narrow 60' steel box.....shes actually called Laura but i am so bad remembering names when i first met her i ended up calling her lauren,moira,linda and eventually i settled for Nora.

Will she be able to cope with my early morning blues and victor meldrew tendancies and love of old films? will I be able to cope with living with someone again after so long and having to suffer Judge Judy and Holioaks and X-factor on my telly which should only normally be used for veiwing documentarys and comedy and decent non female based/love related films?

Time will tell but its going to be fun finding out and im bloody looking forward to it