Granny's progress at Aynho

I've just returned to Norfolk after another weekend on Granny Buttons.  I've not written much about the boat recently, because I've not been cruising.  It's still at Ayho Wharf, being worked on, bit by bit. Here's the summary:   

After my diesel leak disaster, Ian Cooper and Aynho Dock Services have done a great job of cleaning out the bilge, replacing the floorboards and ballast and tidying up. 

I bought a bunch of solid bamboo flooring from Wickes, nominally on specially offer at £20/sq.m.  This is pretty cheap for solid wood.  Ian's carpenter Warren has fitted it, and it does look good.  According to pandaflooring.co.uk, Phyllostachys Pubescens is an environmentally sound wood, and no pandas were harmed in the making of my floor.  The picture above shows the main floor fitted, but the job unfinished. 

Initially Warren fitted it (at my request) all the way through to the kitchen .  However, I realised that a wood floor in the kitchen isn't a great idea, not least because it's not fully waterproof, and I asked him to remove it from there.   The spare wood is now being used to box in the central heating piping, and today I bought some cheapish vinyl flooring for the kitchen instead.

I'm hoping the boat will be ready this coming weekend so that I can get it in time to be near the Cropredy Folk Festival.  But heaven knows if I'll find a mooring.  I'm not a fan of folk music, but like most folk I'm a sucker for a gathering. 

Alongside Granny at Aynho is a curious boat being fitted out by Kath and ***** (forgot his name, sorry).   The boat's not got a name either, at least not one that they know or have chosen. But they say it's a 1942 Fens reed boat that's been converted and turned around (i.e. what was the bow is now the stern and vice versa).    What's a Fens reed boat?  They aren't sure, that's simply what they were told when they bought it, and they'd certainly like to find out.  But the boat's BW reg. No. appears to be 77488, so if anyone can find out more, please let us know.

The shell conversion was done by someone earlier - they've simply taken it over and refitted it inside.   It now looks pretty good inside, and somewhat quirky outside.  Kath and ***** are a young and handsome couple, and their quirky boat looks like a wonderful home afloat, albeit ready to be included in my catalogue of 'odd boats'.

Does this count as a cruising log if Granny doesn't go anywhere? 

Comments

[Bones]

I love your new floor - I will be interested to hear how you get on with it as I have heard a great deal about bamboo...!

[Mike Ayland]

Recognised the boat with the round bow it was down by the Dukes Cut in the mid 90's and called Acme owned by a lovely couple called Rowan and Tiffany who were trying to take it up the Oxford but was found to be about seven foot one beam and got well and truely stuck at Banbury never to proceed further. I cannot remember what was on the front but it was a swing arm of obvious radius but as to if it was a reed cutter or a bucket I do not know.

[Sam Tana]

Best of luck with mooring at Cropredy - as you suggest, it's first come first served. However, it's not a folk festival, it's a music festival which includes some folk music. Something for everyone, really. And if you like gatherings, it's a great one! Enjoy...