Yes we’ve finally arrived at “Hand-over Day”
Steelwork painted, wood polished, fabrics bright and fresh, electrics tested and tanks filled.
Handover took in everything from bows gas locker to stern weed hatch. With instruction complete the CE file was passed over. We were ready to let go for’d, let go aft and head for the countryside.

Without complaint “Balmaha” slipped from the comfort of her tow path moorings close to the boat yard, under her first road bridge and immediately into the Worcestershire countryside.
With muddy tow-paths behind us and yellowing bullrushes and wintering trees beside and in front we headed off on the first leg of our cruise to Shakespeare country.

She performed perfectly under the control of captain, cook and bottlewasher, past admiring anglers and into her first 7’-0” wide lock. Forgot to lift the fenders on one side but there were no problems and she rose her first 10 feet and headed towards her second and third locks.

Hadn’t been away two hours before the first phone call came from the builders to pass news and see how we were. We knew we weren’t alone, Balmaha’s builders were thinking of us.

Dutifully slowed to snail pace when meeting moored craft and anglers which brought comments like “Pity to take her out with paintwork like that”. There’s no disguising a new boat.

Well wishers included Mike and Pat on Hyperion (snow permitting we will crack a bottle of fizzy with you soon)

We were struck by the friendliness of all we encountered – Ed in the shop, anglers on the cut and the boatyard managers at our first moorings. The weather was kind to us, we had a canal all to ourselves and we couldn’t fault the operation of our new home, smiley faces all round.

The finished work

Looking aft from the galley

Looking forward towards the dinette and galley

The galley

Bathroom

Bedroom with cross bed

Underway – first trip

Nobody but us on the canal

Look, no wash

Balmaha’s first lock

2nd lock with bridge and keeper’s cottage

Lock keeper’s cottage

Oops, “boing” went the steelwork (shouts of derision from the bank)

and who was steering at the time?

and the end of our first day

Last of all…..
Congratulations go to Chris W and Brian M, the answer was “Sandhills Narrowboats” to whom we owe a BIG thank you for our new home. Very distinctive panelling and great attention to detail in everything they do. Far better than we could have imagined; everything we wanted and more.

Snow permitting we will post news of our travels after Christmas.

The day finally arrived, all that could be done under cover had been done. It was time to point her at the water.
After weeks of watching the grey steel turn to a deep gloss green and the interior turn into a beautiful home fit for a king we could now see her in daylight.

All those hours of sanding and hand painting have come good whilst inside the wood panels rich in ash hardwood grain and delicate marquetry reflect the light from the 16” portholes.

And on the day it all seemed to go like clockwork.

Balmaha emerges like a butterfly from the from shed.

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Quick, where’s the lorry? Can't hold this much longer.

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Phew, it fits. Safely loaded.

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At the waters edge, up she goes. This is where it all could go wrong. Nails all gone. Don’t those crane drivers like to have a joke, threatening to drop it !!

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See, needn’t have worried, I knew it would be alright.

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There she goes. Engine is so, so quiet.

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And so to rest. The first knot tied.

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Ballast adjustment, flooring and a few fittings are all that remain. We shall take the keys in a few days and then OFF WE GO – can’t wait.

What a Christmas present !!!

Very special thanks go to the best boat builders in the country. For those who haven't yet guessed, we'll tell you who they are next week.

A BIG BIG thank you to G, M and D. Amazing work, unbeaten, the best we've ever seen.