Getting there!!!

Friday 12th June

Janet and Toby beside Ella

We arrived to find men working all over Ella, lots of wood work being done on the inside. Toby isn't allowed inside the boat yet so he was attached to the rudder at the stern where he could lie in the shade.  

Wooden batons

All the wooden batons finishing off the roof and walls are all made of oak.  The difference in colour is because the new wood has not been treated yet.

Finishing touches

When the new wood is attached with screws, each screw hole is filled in with an oak plug, so that the finish is smooth and tidy.

Map box

At the stern there is a small box tucked away where you can keep maps, Nicholson guides, Pearson guides, sunglasses, anything you might need whilst you are cruising.  Very handy!!!

Inspecting the box

I wonder what I can hide in here?  Such a useful space.  This space will put an end to maps and books blowing off the top of the boat!!!

Galley

The galley is a walk through galley with work surfaces on both sides of the boat. Each end of the galley is finished with a wooden ball on the top of the post.  The shape and size is just right to rub your hands over!!!  Very tactile!!

Hot water cylinder

This is in a cupboard which will act as an airing cupboard.  There will also be space for hanging wet clothes in here for when it rains.  

Shaver point

Tucked away in a cupboard in the bathroom is a shaver point, very neat and tidy.

Dinette

This is where the dining table will be and underneath each of the seats are large bins for extra storage.  This space also converts into a double bed.  

Engine bay

The engine is sited in the stern.  It will sit on top of the steel bars with a steel tray underneath.  The engine is the last thing to go into the boat.  Once that happens the boat will be ready to go into the water.  

Battery tray.

On each side of the engine bay are steel trays which will hold the bank of batteries needed to provide the power inside the boat.  The batteries will be kept charged up by the engine and a generator.






Our next visit is Thursday 25th June.

Progress!!!

On Monday 1st June, Dave and I paid another visit to see Ella.  We had not been to visit for about 6 weeks, so were very excited about the changes and progress we were hoping to see.

The boat is still outside and in this picture you can clearly see where the windows are going to be.

Here is the stern of the boat and after the boat has been finished, this is where the name will be painted on

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Beginning at the stern of the boat, these are the steps to climb up and down to get in and out of the boat.  Each of the steps will be hinged so there will be storage space beneath them.

On the left hand side is the cupboard for outdoor coats and boots.  On the right hand side the hot water tank has been fitted.  The water can be heated by diesel when the boat is on the move or by immersion if we are moored up for a few days.

 

Here is the lounge area, the woodburner will go on the right hand side and the TV will go on the wall below the window.  On the other side is the L-shaped sofa with bins for more storage and two pull drawers.
You move through to the kitchen -  

The kitchen continues to look like work in progress, but we have changed our minds on the type of hob.  Rather than a standard 4 ring hob similar to those found in caravans, we have chosen a smart 3 ring linear hob which will go at the far end of the work top.
You then move on to the dining table - 

The table is in with a temporary leg to support it at the moment.  The seats will be upholstered in leather to match the sofa in the lounge.  There is a large window above the table to watch the passing wildlife or boats.
This area will also become a double bed if it is needed. You move next to the bathroom - 

The shower wall has been fitted along with the shower tray and the sliding doors are to be fitted next.
Opposite the shower is the sink and space for the composting toilet. Moving on to the bedroom - 

In the bedroom, matching walls cupboards have been fitted with wiring for reading lights on both sides.

This is the wardrobe which will house the washer/dryer, the pipe work is already in place.  There will still be a small space for hanging clothes or we might decide to have this cupboard completely shelved where clothes can be stored neatly folded.  














Opposite is another wardrobe which will have two shelves at the top and hanging space below and space on the floor for shoes.











We shall be paying another visit next week so I will make sure the blog is kept up to date, so that the changes are clearly documented.  Exciting times ahead!!!

Ella's Rooms

Well, welcome back!!

I do apologise for the lack of communication over the past couple of months but I have been struggling with a misconception that Ella has been taking too long to complete.

We had been thinking that she would be in the water and ready to cruise by May, and when May came and went with very little progress I was bitterly disappointed!!  We have been looking at the timescale again and realise that was unrealistic and the proposed date for completion now being the end of June is far more achievable.  

So I am back with the last lot of photos and as we are visiting Ella again on Monday 1st June, you should see a big difference in the next set of photos.  

Bed frame

This is the frame of the fixed bed.  The bed comes in two parts, the bottom third of the bed folds away during the day so that you can work through the bedroom easily.

Bottom third of bed housing.

This is already installed on the boat and is the housing for the bottom third of the bed. It can also be used as a shelf to display or store items.

Position of bed showing bedside cupboards

Here we can see where the bed will go between the bedside cupboards which will have drawers and cupboards in them.

Bathroom

This is the unit in the walk through bathroom which will have the sink in it with cupboards beneath.  Beside it will go the composting toilet and opposite will go the shower cubicle.

Sofa

The living area has an L-shaped sofa which will pull out to make a double bed. Next to the sofa will be space to house a stool to put my feet up on after a busy day on the cut!!!
In the opposite corner will be the woodburner, which will keep us cosy during the winter months.

Outdoor coats cupboard

At the stern of the boat there will be storage space for wet outdoor coats and boots so that you don't walk them through the boat at the end of a wet day. The smaller cupboard will be housing all the electrical boards.

Kitchen

The walk through kitchen will have the gas hob and fridge on the side shown.  There will also be base cupboards and wall cupboards.  On the other side will be a one and a half sink/drainer in stainless steel and the oven.  The washer/dryer was going to go in there as well, but it would leave very little space for storage, so we decided to put it in the large wardrobe in the bedroom.

Dining Area

  




The next room down from the kitchen is the dinette, which will be raised off the ground, with a large window, so you will have a beautiful view whilst eating your meals.

Cratch Frame

At the bow of the boat will be a wooden frame that will have a cratch cover attached to it.  This acts a bit like a tent, giving you extra water tight space.  The cover will have plastic windows in it and can be rolled up both sides during the warmer weather and to allow easy access to the bow of the boat.










As I said earlier, Dave and I will be visiting again next Monday and we are looking forward with great excitement to see what else has been done.  In the meantime the spare room is gradually filling up with all the items we need to make Ella a 'home from home'!

Spare room

Inside Ella

On the 26th March Dave and I went to see Ella again, she was very much in the same state, but the woodwork had been removed and been put back into the workshop to continue working on.  

However this was a good opportunity for us to go shopping for the fixtures and fittings for the inside of the boat.  

Daniel drove us to Stoke-on-Trent where we began our shopping spree.  We began by visiting Nettlebank, a dealer that dealt with worktops for the kitchen and bathroom.  We decided to go with granite for the worktops and decided to visit the granite suppliers in Derby so that we could choose our very own piece of granite.

French Oak

We then moved on to choose flooring for the boat. We went to Amtico Flooring and began by choosing the wooden flooring for the bedroom and living areas.  We decided on French Oak as this would complement the wood already being used on the boat.

Limestone

We then went on to choose the tiling for the bathroom and kitchen.  We decided on Limestone as it was a warm, neutral colour, easy to keep clean.

Sienna Fabric

We then went on to visit Foam Furnishings where we choose material for curtains and cushions.

We choose a fabric called Sienna for the curtains through out the boat.  The same fabric is going to be made into cushions with some cushions being made in plain cream, coral and olive to match the colours in the curtain fabric.

Black Marble Gloss

Our final call was to a firm called Showerwall, where we choose the backing for the shower.  We decided on a black marble gloss, the material is one piece from top to bottom and is fitted into the corner of the bathroom.












Following this visit, Dave and I spent 3 weeks in New Zealand visiting Dave's sister and boys, and doing a wonderful road trip of the South Island.

Once we were back we were able to set up a visit to KSG, the Granite suppliers in Derby. We spent ages wandering up and down huge collections of enormous granite slabs.  

Sivikashi Granite

We eventually choose a slab called Sivikashi from Indian.  

Worktops

A warm random pattern of creams, browns and reds.










Our next visit to see Ella is on Good Friday, can't wait to see what changes have been made since we have been away!!!
























   

Ella Outside

On 2nd February we went to see Ella again.  We were very excited to see that she had been moved from the workshop to a space in the yard.  She now has the undercoat on and the first of the blacking for the hull.  It is possible now to get a better view of her length and depth.

Ella

The boarding is covering where the windows will be and the doors in the bow will be wooden with glazed panels in order to let in as much light as possible.

Ella's Stern

This is the semi-traditional stern on Ella.  It is a compromise between the traditional stern and the cruiser stern style narrow boat.  It has an extended deck which provides both shelter and storage.  It also has more room, thereby allowing two or more people to be with the person steering the boat.  The engine compartment is still outside the main accommodation of the boat and is easily accessible via the deck boards just in front of the tiller.

Ella's Interior

Inside the boat so far the tongue and groove oak roofing has been put in place.  Holes have been left through out the boat for wiring for LED lighting and the Houdini hatch and pigeon box. The houdini hatch will be above the galley and allows a good degree of ventilation and light whilst cooking. The pigeon box is again for condensation, but is also a decorative feature on the roofline and will be decorated in traditional canalboat style.

Site of the houdini hatch.

Stepping inside Ella!!

On 19th January we were allowed to step inside Ella for the first time.  It was very exciting to be able to stand inside the space that will eventually become our second home.

Insulation on the gunwhales.

This is the interior of the boat showing the insulation being attached to the gunwhales.  The batons across the boat are there to allow the adhesive to dry.

Mark

Daniel

Here are part of the team working on Ella, they have been working on her since the start and will see the work through until she is finished and in the water.

Another Daniel

 An important consideration for me is that I have a clear and uninterrupted view along the top of the boat when we are cruising.  Being of less than average height it can be a problem if the deck is too low or the roof too high.  I have spent many hours standing on a step, with the added problem of falling off!!!!

View along the roof.

As you can see here, I have a clear view along the roof with plenty of height to spare!

Two seats at the rear of the boat.

Sometimes, if the weather is good and the cruising is quiet and straight forward, there is nothing better than sitting at the rear of the boat and watching the world go by....slowly!

Insulation

The whole of the interior of the boat is insulated with this foam insulation.  It is placed against the steel and then the wooden interior is attached to it.  The depth of the insulation means that the boat will stay nice and warm during the colder months and help to keep the interior cool during the warmer months.

Storage for gas bottles.

At the front of the boat there is space to store 2 gas bottles.  It is always a good idea to carry a spare bottle of gas so that you can change it over when the bottle runs out.  We find that the gas bottle always runs out in the middle of the night or during a deluge of rain.  Ella will only use gas for the cooker, as we have chosen for the central heating to run off the diesel.











On our next visit, Ella will be outside the workshop with its undercoat of paint on and its first coat of blacking on the hull.