We went back to the brokers to meet the previous owner, a Mr Godsell. He took us over the boat and explained a few things to us, and it was clear that he was sad to see her go. We went back to the brokers to finish the paperwork and get the keys. it all

Heddi goes off shopping to start buying the first of the many things we’re going to need. Today’s purchases were – quilt cover, sheet, pillow cases, pillows & cushions!

We couldn’t wait for the written report so I called the surveyor. Except for a few relatively minor points the surveyor said that she was in good condition and there was no reason not to go ahead with the purchase. Hooray! It’s all becoming a reality now.

The day of the survey we were on tenterhooks all day! Is she out of the water yet? What will they find? So far it had it had all been too good to be true!

Steve called the brokers with an offer. There was an agonising wait for them to call back. The owner wouldn’t accept the offer,but he would accept a thousand more as he had just paid for a new licence and an engine service. The deal was done, we accepted subject to a satisfactory survey.

We saw ‘Leah’ (as she was then called) advertised in ‘Canal Boat’ magazine. We had viewed quite a few boats before so decided that this one deserved a visit too. As soon as we stepped inside her we both knew that this was the boat for us. She just felt right straight away. We had