It was all go yesterday, hence why I didn't have the time to write a blog!

We had three dayboats go out first thing, we had a boat on the dock for a survey followed by another for pressure washing and blacking. It's such a small world. As I was backing the boat down towards the dry dock we were discussing this and that and it turns out that they used to be based at Hallingbury Mill on the River Stort. They were so surprised that I knew where it was. My parents used to keep their boat there in the early 1990s and I have fond memories of the place.

We also swapped the boats in the painting dock. Pacific is looking resplendent in our "Norbury" livery. Unfortunately Trevor didn't have time to finish signwriting her while she was still in the dock, so he has been making hay while the sun shines today and has got one side completed. I best get her turned round, so he can finish the other side tomorrow - weather permitting...

Pacific at Norbury Wharf Limited.

Well Birmingham is now in the paint dock for a full cabin repaint. She was built by Harland and Wolff in Woolwich, London in 1936 for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company. It's quite enjoyable working on old boats. Simon reckons I'm sad as I am really passionate about old boats and our canal infrastructure, but if the truth be known, he is too!

 Birmingham in the paint shop.

Her original back cabin was wooden, but it had deteriorated badly so the owners had the cabin "skinned" in steel about twelve months ago at another midlands boatyard. This was done by removing the outer skins of the original cabin and constructing a new cabin over the top without removing any of the interior fixtures and fittings.

 Uncovering years of paint on the original engine room.

Her engine room is still the original, although part of the cabin top (roof) has been replaced in later years. It takes a lot of preparation before any paint can be applied. Here's today's efforts working on the engine room.

Mick has been stripping Birmingham and fitting Pacific up, Peter has been blacking, Lee has been working hard prepping Birmingham whilst Denise and Joyce have been holding fort in the shop.

Best regards,

David.