Only boat I've ever heard of that needs bailing out in dry dock....

In the harsh light of day it's not looking so good! More than a lick of paint required here......

Its on with the head-to-tail waterproofs, organise a half day at work and apply elbow grease and employ the assistance of a power wash jet.

More paint than dirt removed but it looks less radioactive.

Journey home...... Surreal experience following behind a boat seeming to float on the back of the trailer - I now understand why everyone was so polite and held well back on the first leg.

Thanks Steven, my personal boat chauffeur

D-day arrives.

Smooth "sailing" all the way to Balloch for the pickup...NOT!

9:20am How is it possible that they have shut the A91 at Auchtermuchty and have sod all diversion signs?

10:10am Ace trailer - Thanks John - But even after adjusting its ~5-10cm too narrow for the measurements Steven made off his boat - Dilema - we're late already - do we carry on or double back to Stevens for an angle grinder in case we need to do some "modifications" - modifications wins out.....

10:30am A marathon going through the main street - What are the chances that a) this should happen on a dreary Sunday morning and b) we should be 10 seconds too late to be at the front and therefore are lead car at the back.

11:45am Whats that noise? - Oh - where is my jockey wheel?

But Finally....

12:15pm Hi Derek - Thanks for being so patient - Sorry we've not been having much luck today - What? YOU THINK THE BOATS GOT A CENTRE KEEL!!?##.... This day could be heading quickly down the toilet.

Lady Luck enters stage left....

[1] It's not a centre keel
[2] It's floating
[3] We're here

Two hours later with much help from Derek - Thanks again - she's in the trailer and out of the water.

Mast down for the journey and a shake of hands with Derek and she's mine. [Thanks for the third time Derek].

Contacted out of the blue by good school friend of my dad, Jimmy, to say that he has an idea for where I could store the boat for a while as a temporary measure - Another school friend, Ian, has a stable at Blebo - He has contacted him and it would be okay for up to a month..

Excellent .... I have my plan B .... Thanks Dad,Jimmy and Ian/Norma - Very kind and Much Appreciated

An email arrives from Tayport Harbour Trust - John has kindly contacted the secretary who emails me to explain that I need to fill in an application for the waiting list and put my request for a hard standing in a covering letter which will be discussed at the next board meeting on 8th April. No guarantees fo a place then..... mmmm

Action - Fill in the forms and send them
Then - Need plan B in case it all goes pear shape......

Steven get's in touch to say he has a friend with a Trailer for sale - perfect for my boat. Now all I need is somewhere to put it. I email (trailer) John and he kindly offers to store my boat for a couple of weeks if I'm stuck - Thanks John .....

The plan is now afoot....
Boat - Check;
Trailer - Check;
Place to put it - Well for two weeks anyway - it's plenty for starters.

It all starts with Steven and an innocent comment in a broadcast email to friends "anyone fancy a boat...."

Stage 1: Ignore
Stage 2: What if ..
Stage 3: Ask Steven for more info..... the slippery path...

Steven sends me this photo - He's luring me in...... It floats, it's wooden, it's free, it's a challenge.

Where would I put it? What sort of work is involved?

I know, I'll phone my friend John Amson - He's got a boat and might know what to do - Always a pleasure to speak with John and he leaves me with a warm feeling that if I can get a hardstanding at a harbour then it might be not just a DIY superchallenge but a chance to meet likeminded people and have some fun.... Decision taken....

Steven sets the date for Sunday 19th March and I hold my breath.