Getting Close Now!

Again, sorry for the gap in posting, we have been up to the boat twice , but didn't take pictures the first visit as there wasn't a lot to see again!

Second visit was much better – not only had more visible work been done, but Muleless was outside as well – so much nicer than being in the shed!

Stove now connected and trim finished round tiles.

Drinking water tap now fitted.

Pigeon boxes now complete – fully lined and prisms fitted.

Bedside lights and heating controls fitted.

Lots of work has been done in the “utility room”.

Extra slim washer/dryer positioned.

Boot/shoe cupboard built (we don't think the shelf is actually crooked – just an optical illusion – will check next visit!)

Steps well under way, bottom step will slide in to access washing machine. All steps have storage.

We spent a very happy couple of hours on the boat in the sunshine, and were able to admire her new livery from a distance.

All the cupboards have shelves now, and the doors have been made and should be fitted by next visit.

Thanks to Waiouru for keeping an eye on Muleless and the guys working on her (they were amazed that they had been spotted!). We were sorry to have missed Tom and Jan!

We will be back up to the boat early next week – and hopefully will soon have a launch date!!!!

The finish is in sight

Sorry for the gap in posting – but there wasnt an awful lot to see last week. There is a lot of work being done in the background, and lots of small finishing touches at the moment.

So here are the highlights from last week.

Pigeon boxes have been lined in oak.

Mushroom vents have been painted satin black and fitted.

Other work had been done in preparation for this week.

The hearth has been tiled and the stove placed in position ready for fitting.

Bathroom sink and tap fitted.

Oak trim finished in bedroom.

Oak floor in bedroom.

The ballast has been adjusted – and is hopefully correct for final levels.

Oh – and the best bit this week – the signwriter has been busy.

So thanks to Kevin Regan for a fantastic job – we are now officially NB Muleless!!!

Brilliant Crick Weekend

Well, what can we say about Crick that hasnt already been said! Weather was fab, crowds of people, lots of money spent – and I dont just mean on beer and food!!

We bumped into Nick Thorpe and his wife Wendy, who built our shell and had a good natter to them. We have promised to drop by with Muleless when we start to cruise, so that they can admire her fully!

We also bumped into Paul, Elaine, Bombo and Sam from Caxton – sorry guys, we forgot to take a picture! It was great chatting and we look forward to meeting you out on the cut for a proper get together!

Also, we were spotted by our old neighbours and friends Jane and Malcolm – who were introduced to narrowboating by us when we took them for a weeks holiday out of Milton Keynes (on the dreaded Canaltime boat) a few years back, and now they own their own 40ft narrowboat and are enjoying themselves on it.

The only down side of the weekend was not being able to see our own boat – apart from the pictures in MGM’s tent – really frustrating, so we had to go up to Leicester on friday to catch up with Muleless.

The window liners are now in and looking fabulous, the oak floor has been laid in the saloon, dinette and galley, but has been covered with blue cling film to protect it for the time being.

The doors and hatches have been lined.

Our galley appliances have been fitted and are awaiting doors.

Bathroom cabinets have been built.

Phew! Also, the stove has been delivered but not fitted yet.

Back to the boat next weekend – cant wait!!

Think we need a better TV Aerial!

This weeks visit to the boatyard saw the TV cabinet and dinette coming along nicely!

Due to taking our 42inch TV with us, this took a bit of planning! But as usual, Martin did a grand job!

TV tucked away, with space for necessary boxes and additional storage.

TV pulled out for viewing – but we definately need a decent aerial – the picture is dreadful!

Samples of the oak floor can also be seen – this will look great when fitted over the next couple of weeks!

The dinette also took a bit of working out -

Dinette shown here in seating 4 mode -

And here showing removable back supports to enable guests to face saloon or create open space in saloon/dinette area.

Dinette shown here in seat 6 mode for those dinner parties we will be having!

There has also been work in the bathroom this week.

There had been a bit of a delay due to the basin being out of stock in a well known diy store for months – so we sourced another from the internet – cheaper!

The man with the batteries arrived this week – and installed and commissioned them.

This is just half of them! We did say we were having a hybrid drive!

Also this weekend, on the way to the boatyard to made a visit to Whalin Upholstery to choose our fabrics!

No visit to the boat next week, as it is Crick. Mark and Martin will be showing Repose and we will be looking around and getting some bargains ready for our launch!

Lots of work in the background and a reunion

This weeks visit to the boat saw – or rather didn't see – lots of work in the background!

Lots of wiring and plumbing and testing and lacquering but not a lot to take pictures of!

The shower now has our corner shelf unit fixed and the plumbing ready for those all important hot showers after a hard days boating in the rain/snow or for cooling down after a hot summers day cruise!

The toilet is almost completely plumbed in – just needs the tiling to be finished off around it.

Martin had not been able to work flat out this week due to a problem with his arm – although this is OK now. So the dinette and TV cabinet are still works in progress – so no photos of these until they are finished.

Saturday evening saw the reunion of the Portsmouth City Council Typing Centre Girls – we all worked together back in the early 80s. Some of the girls still work together – others left to work elsewhere – but we still like to get together every few years to catch up.

Thanks to Karen for hosting these wonderful events – and especially for organising this one so that everyone could see me before we sail off into the sunset!

Always a pleasure to meet up with you all – and hopefully some of you will visit us on the canals!

More bits in the engine bay

We visited MGM again on 4 May. The drive up was a bit hairy in places when we passed through some really heavy downpours – one of which was so heavy we could barely see the road! But once we got to the boatyard the weather improved.

Plenty of work has been going on, but not a lot to show this week.

Hospital silencer and Hurricane Heater fixed in position.

Tiles on floor in utility room

Grout in bathroom tiles . . .

and galley tiles.

Oak around hatches

Martin is busy building the dinette and TV cabinet in the saloon – but these are still in the design stage so no photos yet!

Mark is beavering away with all the electrics and plumbing and engine stuff.

Check back next week to see more progress.

We have an engine!!!

When we arrived at the boat yard this week there was no sign of Muleless - she has now been moved back into the floating dock for easier all round access.

Last Monday the engine arrived and Mark and Martin wasted no time getting it into the engine bay. We are having a hydrid engine from Hybrid Marine, and this is a first for MGM - so they are looking forward to fitting everything and seeing how it all works!

The engine is a Beta 43 with the hybrid attachment.

Inverter/charger etc part of the electrical bits for the hybrid system.

There has been excitement in the galley area too - not only have the worktops been fitted but also our sink and hob!

Worktops.

Ceramic inset sink.

Induction hob.

At this stage of the build there is a lot going on in the background, so not so much to see that changes every week.
So its watch this space to see what happens next week!