We were up early this morning and drove down to Kings Orchard for a final visit to Briar Rose. We arrived at about 9.30, and immediately set to loading our remaining possessions into the car. Then we spent an hour cleaning the boat, polishing all the woodwork, and sweeping and hoovering through.
I think many people already know that the new owners of BR are Helen and Andy Tidy, formerly of Wand’ring Bark and the Jam Butty. They arrived a little after 11, and we helped them load their things from their car onto the boat. A bottle of bubbles was opened to mark the occasion.
We did a car shuffle to deposit their car where it needed to be, and then talked them through all the technical stuff. What had been quite nice weather then took a dramatic turn. As we all sat at the dinette with a cup of tea, the heavens opened, there were hailstones, and the wind made waves on the marina. But as quickly as it started, the bad weather passed over and there was sunshine and still conditions again.
It was time for BR to make her first journey under her new owners. Helen and Andy got ready to set off, while we walked round the marina to wait on the bridge over the entrance. Soon, they came round the corner into view, and were soon under the bridge and turning out onto the canal towards Fradley.
It’s been an odd day emotionally. Briar Rose has been a great boat which we’ve owned for more than fourteen years, and in one sense we were sad to see her go. But we have our new boat, and we’re really pleased BR is going to friends who are clearly excited about owning her and who we know will look after her. And it was much nicer to have a convivial handover day, rather than just dropping the boat at a brokerage and walking away. We wish Helen and Andy many happy miles and locks ahead, and continued success selling their jams and chutneys through the side hatch.
We went back through the marina gate and settled our bill for the electricity we’ve used, then started heading for home. First stop was Tesco in Lichfield for lunch and petrol, then we pointed ourselves north. It really felt like the end of one era, just as another was starting. As we drove, we got a message from the Braidbar crew inviting us to join them and some of the other recent owners who are still in the Poynton area at the pub for a drink, and then we all had a takeaway.
It’s been quite a long, emotional, and enjoyable day.
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