After 3 nights in Marlow, the last one sober, it was time to visit my mooring in Windsor on my first trip solo human.

Life jackets on

Set off just before 9 and had a few minutes to wait at Marlow Lock for the keepers to set sorted. A little nervous but I ended up helping a plastic hire boat  to moor. They were drifting to the weir which took my mind of the first solo lock. Why did I worry, the training stood me in good stead, I may have been slow but it worked. The trip took 3 1/2 hours with a total of 5 locks to negotiate. At each lock I tried different rope positions until I felt comfortable. The hydraulic thrusters were a God send but I’ll get some short centre ropes just in case. The Lock Keepers were great, very complementary and always checked if I wanted help as they could see I was solo. Angela Dawn performed perfectly.  A few electronic issues, the bow camera needs replacing. Would have helped in one lock with a 2 man canoe in front, what was that noise! The WiFi Router has a problem so I’m writing this in the Boatman pub 20 feet from my base mooring in Windsor, Oh the hardship!!

Navigators bored

The best way to see the M4

First sight of Windsor, another Piper on the left.

This weekend has been spent by Temple Island near Henley with 10 other Piper boats. The event is laid on to enable prospective boat buyers and people who are on the waiting list for a boat to view the different sizes, layouts, wood, colour schemes and gadgets. It also gave me the chance to pick the brains of other owners and the Piper team. A lovely weekend, so nice to hear of peoples many dreams. I don’t understand why I kept waking up with a headache! Attending this sort of event in so essential to the boat buying process. It was made even better having Ashley and Kirsty with me. After the event I moved closer to Henley which was fun. The moorings are very shallow and after 2 attempts I managed to get her close ish to the bank but facing downstream. Not ideal but there’s no current. Should be fun getting her off in the morning!!

Thanks to Ivan for taking the interior pictures below,  much better with a wide angle lens.

Yesterday morning my boat Angela Dawn was successfully launched into the Thames marking the start of a new and exciting life. It was quite a sight to see the guys maneuver almost 30 ton of boat around by remote control. The launch from truck to water took around 30 minutes. Once in the water the team from Piper Boats has several checks to complete. A few drips were noticed by the weed hatch so they lifted her out and a welder from Stoke turned up to make her watertight. Ballast (bricks) were inserted to level her out. It took several hours for the work to be completed. Kirsty and I unloaded a van I’d hired and began moving in. I did consider at one point that maybe I’d need a bigger boat!

Sorry to anyone stuck behind her on the road

Great handling skill by the guy from EA

Tom from Pipers took Angela Dawn the short distance to the visitor mooring at the Thames and Kennet marina near Reading. Unpacking in sweltering heat was not particularly fun but we were amazed at the number of cupboards, drawers and cubby holes that swallowed up my worldly belongings. While we were doing that more checks tooks place. After a very long day it was time for a takeaway and beer. First night on Angela Dawn was lovely, the boat is beautifully finished and quite roomy. Our ever changing garden is fabulous, as I brushed my teeth this morning and through the porthole a swan escorted her signets past.

Lots of new toys to play with

Kirsty looking ready to burst into song

Today more unpacking, collect Nutty, some very enjoyable chilling and starting to learn how to work the many new toys on board. Tomorrow the guys from Pipers will go with us to Henley and go through the boat handling, I can’t wait.

The cabins are far from organised but what’s the rush?

Nutty looking fed up at yet another move!

This weekend Ashley joins us and we’re joining 10 other Piper Dutch barges for Pipers annual get together. It’s an opportunity for prospective new buyers to look around the boats. I’m looking forward to meeting my fellow boaters and picking up plenty of advice and tips.

Thank you to all the team at Piper Boats, a magnificent job, she was worth the wait. I look forward to see family and friends onboard soon.

I’m certain Ange would approve. I just wish she was with me.

More at the weekend from Henley and I’ll try and workout how to do a video tour of the inside. Cheers Dean xx

The Boat is just 2 weeks from her current expected completion date. The team at Pipers are working hard on every area. While walking on her I have to tread carefully with pipes, wires and tools everywhere but I can see things coming together now. The outside is starting to look like the finished article, radar attached and yet to go on top is the mast with aerials, TV satellite dish and solar panels.

I registered her with the Maritime Coastguard agency who issue a number and place her on the Small Ship Register. The 6 digit number has to be painted on the wheelhouse. Insurance is organised and the waterways licence has been applied for with the Environment Agency.

Piper shuts down for the last week of August so my snagging trial in the car park will take place the following week with launch possibly the second week of September if no problems are found. The boat is moved by flatbed truck. Being 14’6″ wide it’ll need an escort and they move the boats overnight to reduce chaos on the roads.

Not long now

Kirsty checking her new holiday home out

Kitchen units will be on the right

Lounge area from the dinette / 2nd bedroom

Electrician sorting the mass of wiring

Hello All

The completion date has slipped again, the latest plan is to put the boat in the water on the 6th September at Reading. Hopefully a bit of summer will still be around. The windows and portholes are stuck in Holland for some reason slowing a few things down.  Alot of the wood for furniture, bulkheads and paneling is complete waiting for fitting. The inside needs spray foaming for insulation then the plumbing and wiring fitted. She’s certainly taking shape but a great deal to do yet. I’ll be back up in 2 weeks and should see a significant difference. Once the steelwork is completed things seem to move fast. Can’t wait to get on the water, although I’d be happy to be in it on such a scorching day as today. Cheers

Dean

Piper Factory, completed boat almost ready to get wet

Some windows would help!

No she’s not going to be brown

Awaiting spray foam

Nutty plays with Pipers dog Gem

Starting to look good

Lovely Thames at Marlow

The wheelhouse as you can see is now attached, yes I know still pink!!