Thought it was about time to say 'Hi' to everyone as I've been lurking around here for a little while without introducing myself...
I'm Allan from North Wales - and I'll be joining you on the cut from March 2007 if all goes according to plan
Thanks to my dad, I've been knocking around boats since about the time I could walk... Some of my earliest memories are of being on my uncles cruiser around the Marple area (forty something years ago!) and I guess I've loved being around, on, in, or even under, water ever since!
I built my first canoe when I was about 12, and went on to sail most things from dinghies to 33 foot sloops on everything from lakes to rivers to open sea
I was reintroduced to the canals about 5 years ago when a work colleague went native on an old boat in the Chester area, but I confess I couldn't then ever see them as more than a holiday. The thing is about narrowboats and canals - they sort of stay with you, and gradually start to take over...
In 2005 I was lucky enough to meet a wonderful lady who loved the waterways (from many holidays afloat) and was considering buying a boat, and so I started looking around at boats in earnest. I read everything I could get my hands on both in print and online (this forum included) - and was amazed. Gone were the old 'caravan' fittings, the dark and damp interiors, and the unreliable (and unsafe) smelly gas heating that I remembered - the new boats were nicer than my house!
I hadn't been in a marina for years, but was taken to St Marys in Rufford on a perfect afternoon by Jason and Kate of Northern Pride Narrowboats in Liverpool to see one of their completed boats - and I fell in love on the spot! The boat, the marina, the people - and the woodsmoke from the stoves (an old memory which I had forgotton)
Unfortunately things weren't to be between the lady and myself - but by then I think I'd already decided to get afloat by hook or by crook!
This year I've gone on to spend as much time afloat on the canal as possible - I took the RYA helmsmans course with Malcom of Top Lock in Marple (which I highly reccomend!) and have spent my weekends visiting marinas and brokerages and shows all over the country - including getting very muddy in Crick where I even made into a picture in Waterways World mag taken during the 2 mins it stopped raining! LOL. I've talked to as many liveaboards, cruisers and builders as I can find, and been in and on more boats than I can remember! I've even convinced my ex wife to join me for a week cruising to Stratford on Avon in September...
So - my house is sold and I'm putting finances in place to be on the water from around March 2007
I'd love to be based at the new Swanley Bridge Marina on the end of the Llangollen canal - but anywhere in the area would be good - suggestions anyone? I'm looking for a semi-trad around 57' with a reverse layout and preferably gas free if anyone knows of one...
Look forward to chatting to you all some more (and probably asking some dumb questions! LOL)
Allan
