If we thought four hours down the weed hatch was bad, things were to get worse. I suffered a massive arthritic flare up in my good knee on Thursday which stopped us in our tracks. When the last post was published, I had assumed we would have left the Commandery, but we didn't.
Our daughter helped us get back to the marina on Sunday and it is with much regret that we have decided that we will have to retire from boating so will have to sell our much loved boat. There are other health issues and we need to make the decision before we end up not enjoying the life afloat. We have a lot of great memories to look back on. We need to remove all the things we want to keep, then clean inside and out and she will then go up for sale.
I will write a proper blog in a few days with details of our last few days aboard, but in the meantime if you know of anyone looking for a 59 foot reverse layout boat with a Beta 43 engine please feel free to point them in our direction. She is only 8 years old and had her bottom blacked last October, a complete re-paint was completed in December 2020 and she has just passed her BSS.
11 comments:
Jennie and Chris,
That is so sad! I can imagine how difficult coming to terms with that decision has been, even as you accepted its inevitability.
But so sensible to do it before you lose any sense of just how special boating has been to you both.
We remember meeting you at Pershore and then again somewhere I cannot remember (it had a high wall so probably on the Avon, I think) and coming aboard for a cuppa. And I remember how lovely it was to see you both, by surprise, on our brief trip down towards the Tardebigge flight when we had Bernice and Roy on board just before David's eye operation at BMEC. And how that chubby Monty was the cause of a slight list to starboard when he placed himself under the table that we were all sitting at...
We are sending warm hugs, best wishes and kindly thoughts at this time - sounds like offering sympathies and condolences, doesn't it? And it is in a way - boating has been so special for you and Tentatrice is such a beautiful boat, it will be very hard to say goodbye.
Marilyn and David xxoo
Hi Marilyn and David, thank you so much for your kind words. We also remember with great fondness the times we met up with you over the last few years. I will keep reading blogs and will probably post every now and then. When you do make it over to the UK again we will certainly come and look you up if you are ever in our vicinity. It will be hard to say goodbye to Tentatrice, but we would rather she was off out having fun than stuck in a marina. She has taken us on some tremendous trips - she was built to sail and she will again with new owners who, I hope, will love her as much as we do. Jennie and Chris xx
This is the one thing we dread, having to give up the boating way of life. Unfortunately, age and ailments seem to make the decision none of us wants. I truly understand your decision suffering from knee problems myself, I just hope keeping on painkillers will delay the inevitable.
It's been great meeting you both, we spent many a happy hour putting the World to rights (Thames and K&A) and my memory of Monty always on the lookout on the stern will stay with me forever.
We wish you all the best in whatever you do from now on. New memories to make and ones never to be forgotten.
Much love to you both, Jennie I hope your knee improves soon and big hugs to that wonderful dog of yours, Monty.
Irene and Ian
Xxx
Thank you for your kind words Irene and Ian, it was a decision that had to be made before things got too difficult and we ended up hating the boat! It is hard, but we will go on to make new memories doing different things. It is not just my knees which may be mended one day - Chris' COPD will never improve, so all the locking etc has been down to me for a while. Onwards and upwards as they say. I will still follow blogs, so will watch your travels on the road and water with interest. We also have fond memories or our night in your basin and the wonderful tour you gave us the next morning, not forgetting the night in the pub! If you are ever down this way by road or boat, do give us a shout. Best wishes to your both. Jennie and Chris xx
Sorry to read this, although of course it’s an understandable decision (and it seems there’s no better time to sell a boat, because they’re going for crazy prices in about ten minutes flat!). We haven’t yet met, but I hope you’ll keep an eye on the blog, and if we’re not too far away, come and get a boating fix.
Hi Adam, thank you for your lovely comments. We would love to meet you both if you are ever down our way - I will certainly keep my eye on the blogs I follow. I think your wonderful offer to come and meet up with you epitomises the very best of the boating life and it is very much appreciated. As you say, we should be able to sell her fairly quickly and at a good price.
Hi Jennie and Chris,
Sorry to hear that health problems have caused you to decide to give up boating, but sooner is always better than too late and knowing when the time is right to move on is the right way to go.
You have lots of wonderful memories to look back on and read about on your blog (as we do regularly!) for boating 'fixes'.
We wish you a speedy sale of Tentatrice and a good life on the bank.
Carol and George xx
Hi Carol and George - you are so right that the decision to give up has to be made before it is too late. The decision may seem sudden to many people, but it has been swilling about in our minds for quite a while. We are busy getting her ready to go to a broker to be sold. I too will keep reading blogs and may occasionally post. We must try to get together one day when we visit our friends in Baldwins Gate. Take care and have a good summer. Jennie and Chris xx
Meeting up would be good Jennie. x
Such a hard decision to make. I will miss your boating posts but look forward to your new writings. As Adam says please join us for a cruise when we are near, Tilly may have to cope with a woofer visitor for a day and stay tucked away inside, but you would all be very welcome.
I hope she finds new owners quickly and that she goes on to cruise for many more miles giving her new owners wonderful memories too.
Hope to see you when we next venture to your part of the country.
Much love
Pip, Mick and Tilly
Hi Pip, To be honest the decision whilst difficult emotionally, it was not that hard to make as the time had come. It was a choice of bailing out now or keep on trying and ending up hating it. There are too many great memories to do the latter. Thank you for the offer - we would love to meet up again. Monty is quite good with cats - he finds them fascinating and not as something to chase (unless they run!). There will be other blogs and we may even hire a boat every now and then, but no more extended cruises. Love Jennie, Chris and Monty
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