THE BOAT FOR MY POTPLANTS - How it all began

If YOU fancy coming aboard this WRITER'S RETREAT in order to bring the book that's in YOU to fruition, keep watching this space. Plans are afoot...

Meanwhile, here's a little background about how this whole blog thing began. 

We moved to Wivenhoe in 2009 and a friend offered me his father's old boat to do up. Since the boat, a Teal 23-foot Norfolk Broads cruiser, was first built in 1974 in Rochdale, it's been renamed a few times. Starting out as 'Solace', it became 'Kingfisher', 'Los Amigos', and 'Miss Baudet'. Some say that changing a boat's name brings bad luck. But for me, I'd say it's brought nothing but good.

'A Boat For My Potplants' took on a life of its own as things were kindly given to the project. For example, Dulux gave paint, Sail & Cover made and fitted the canopy, B&Q gave power tools and a mystery donor provided a grand cheque for an outboard motor - and then Suzuki supplied a 9.9hp at a knock-down cost. RoadPro provided solar power equipment so that I could run my ancient Grundig hi-fi system and vinyl record player. 

The blog was regularly featured in Essex Life Magazine, and then in 2013 a six page article was included in Motor Boats Monthly. 

In 2012 I created 'The World's Smallest Pirate Radio Station', and we broadcast from the boat. Old mate Jay made some jingles, and a sign company in Brightlingsea made the new name for it 'LOS AMIGOS', making a gracious nod to the old Radio Caroline vessel.

Now renamed 'LOS AMIGOS', in 2014 the boat's deck was home to a gorilla when I was invited to participate in the Wivenhoe Open Gardens, raising money for the local church and three local charities including the Wivenhoe to Rowhedge public ferry.

Perfectly situated outside the pub, the boat then became my Writer's Retreat, where my first novel 'Muddy Water' was conceived. It was an excellent space to discuss the novel's ongoing twists and turns with my publisher and friend David during our weekly Book Club meetings, where we'd take it in turns to cook dinner and provide our liquid refreshment.

Alas, in 2015, my boat found a new owner, and the deal was sealed by it being renamed as 'MISS BAUDET', after its new captain, but with me keeping up the maintenance for her. As boat-owners know, there's always something to be done. 

For the next three years, I pined to have my old boat back, and eventually I was made an offer I couldn't refuse, and in gratitude I decided that 'MISS BAUDET' would remain so-named for the rest of its life.

The weekly wine-fuelled Book Club meetings have since been resumed, a new solar panel fitted, and with new curtains made by the lovely 'Erindoors.

 

The lounge / bedroom, complete with shag pile carpet

Very comfortable bed at night

The kitchen with kettle at the ready for a morning cuppa

Snowy the dog

The multi-colour canopy, made out of offcuts

The dining room

The brand new toilet was found on a skip still in its original box

To make the headroom higher, the floor was lowered

Pre-motor flowers

Some grass bought in France for three euros

Post motor fitment

Cushions covered by 'Erindoors, using Ikea curtains that had been given to us

Having a night-time music session. The round sphere is one of the speakers

The curtains were also made by 'Erindoors

The canopy at night

The loo and library

Getting the studio ready

These stained glass windows were originally dividing the bedroom from the lounge

One day there will be a singer on board

The rear deck

Nice to wake up to

Nice to go to sleep in

Food cupboard always stocked with essentials

Decking from B&Q...

...giving access to the down-below bit

Folding door

Fungus The Bogeyman

Snowy the dog, Captain Lucien, Rastaman, Captain Freud and Victoria Police badge

Built in 1974. After much controversy, it is definitely a TEAL, and not a Norman or a Callumcraft. It was used on the Norfolk Broads as a hire cruiser, originally called 'Solace', later called 'Kingfisher'.