Part 2 - Arrival at Fernwood boats

After 2 hours on the road AmyJo's lorry pulled her into Fernwoods yard.  Tucker's driver did a superb job getting her there and she arrived without a mark on her not that we thought it would be otherwise.   The crane was soon bought into service and the strops placed once more on AmyJo's hull to lift her off the lorry.

I find it fascinating that they place the strops and lift having always placed them in the right spot so the hull is perfectly balanced.  Comes from doing it every day I suppose.

 

Now she had arrived Ken and the crew had to make room for her in their workshop.  It so happened that the day was also launch day for the newly finished nb "One Vision".  One Vision's owners had waited patiently for their boat to be pulled out but they had to wait for AmyJo's lorry to be able to take their boat.

One Vision was carefully pulled out of the workshop and it soon became apparent to both Chris, One Vision's owners and myself that AmyJo was blocking the way for Tuckers to completely remove and turn One vision.  No problem said the crane driver and lifted One vision higher and higher until....

We all held our breath and hearts skipped a beat as a small gust of wind gently rocked One Vision and she started to dip towards AmyJo's roof

We need not have worried though, luckily Tuckers guys were on the ball and levelled One Vision out but it was close and they soon had her settled safely on the waiting lorry

From where I was standing it looked like AmyJo had become a double decker canal boat...ummm interesting concept but the bridges might be an issue I guess.

With One Vision safely on the lorry attention returned to AmyJo and she was moved into the workshop

 Once again Ian was trying to convince everyone he was levitating AmyJo but none of us were having any of it

 It was a tight squeeze getting her in but all went well.  Once inside and with a final help pushing her to one side (on rollers I might add) she had well and truly arrived

Now we look forward to AmyJo's fit out but before that, and carefully on my part, hidden from camera they have to finish preparing their latest boat in readiness for Crick boat show.  Chris and I got a sneak preview before we left for home and can say she looked fantastic.  I think she may well be a contender for the best boat award this year.  But you will have to visit the show and see for yourself.   We will be there on Saturday and Sunday with a growing shopping list in hand.  Somehow I don't think my bank manager is going to have me on his Christmas card list this year!

So excitement over for now and we are not sure how often we'll have photos of the build for you but please do come back from time to time as we will be keeping you all updated when we can.  If you are at Crick and you see us please say hello won't you.  Thanks also for your comments we really appreciate them

Oh nearly forgot.  The saga of the escaped lion?   Was not to be I'm glad to say.  I have it on good authority from a friend who works at the zoo that Chester's three lions, Iblis, Kumari and Kiburi are so lazy they could not be bothered to try and escape, however, our local news paper has the story :-

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/chester-news/local-chester-news/2013/05/10/chester-zoo-none-of-our-lions-is-missing-59067-33310729/

My thanks to NeilR for the link to the report.  Did have us going for a while though.

TTFN