I’m on my way! I still can’t completely believe I’m going through with this. I’ve had so much support and encouragement that I could hardly have backed out if I wanted to. It was hard leaving my son for the summer, we spend so little time together these days. But he’s got his own life now and I’m very proud of him and what he’s doing with his life (as long as he takes good care of my truck). Time to move out and look after myself. So first things first, I have to have a ‘last’ Caesar at the airport (in case I can’t get Clamato over there):

And it’s on to Calgary. I was unable to get a British Airways flight from Vancouver when I booked, so had to get to Calgary first. Not a big deal, pretty cheap. Except I found out today that the luggage charge for 3 checked bags (2 suitcases and a backpack) is more than the whole flight! Jeez…

The other perk of BA is the lounges. Even in Calgary I can use the SwissPort lounge, self-serve everything:

Oh, my poor liver. I hope I can remember some of the summer (I’ll take notes).

More flying…

Great flight from Calgary to London, British Airways ‘Club World’ (business class) is awesome. Full reclining so I could actually get some sleep. Then a lounge in Heathrow with showers and (more) booze.

Off to Manchester to meet Wendy, she’s putting me up at her place (thank you!!!) for a few days while the boat gets finalized.

Oh, about the boat; the survey went well, almost everything checked out fine. Just the cutlass bearing needs replacing, so they knocked some off the price. I’ll get that, the engine servicing and hull ‘blacking’ (painting with bitumen) done while it’s out of the water. Then a checkout run and sign all the final papers. I’m hoping this will all happen by Friday but the mechanical might take longer. We’re not sure if it’ll have to go back in the water in the meantime (lack of space). That adds cost since each time it’s pulled is expensive. Rather avoid that. Luckily they’re offering me a deal if they can leave it out of the water (free). Here’s hoping.

The surveyor was amazed at the condition of the hull, he said it had a very small amount of minor pitting but was full thickness everywhere he checked (‘hundreds of locations’). As replating is a huge deal, I’m VERY relieved about this. Painting the upper side is cheap and easy in comparison. There’s a bit of surface rust there which I’ll tackle over the summer and maybe have a new professional paint job done over the winter.

I accidentally bought another boat. So much for spending the summer travelling England looking at every boat on the market, finding the perfect layout, the ideal combination of size and features, and the right feel. To hell with that, just look at some pictures and send lots of money. But there’s no getting out of it now, unless it fails the survey. Now I have to adjust all my plans but at least I now know where I’ll be starting from.

Soon-to-be “Cool Change” is lying in Reading at the moment, not far from London. I’ll be staying there for much of May, getting some modifications done. If I’m going to be mostly ‘off-grid’, I’ll need solar panels and extra batteries, which is a professional job. I’ll be doing some painting too, sprucing her up; she’s not brand new after all. Once ready, I think I’ll head out along the Kennet & Avon canal towards Bath and Bristol. It’ll be a two-way trip unless I get really brave and attempt the transit up to Gloucester via the River Severn. The problem with that is that it’s tidal and basically open ocean. It requires a pilot and a good weather window, these aren’t the most seaworthy of vessels! Going back through London has appeal too, we’ll have to see. I have the rest of my life to make these decisions!

So the actual blogs will be starting soon, I’ll have something to show and to talk about other than ‘plans’. It’s actually happening. There have been times when I wasn’t sure this was a good idea, or even possible. It’s a bit out of my comfort zone (not the boating, the buying) but I’m certainly stuck into it now. I will add some more pictures of her.

Thanks to all those that have been so supportive and encouraging. At least I think I should say thank you? Maybe if someone had given me a good shake and asked me “what the hell do you think you’re doing??” I might still have a bank account.

NOTE: I apologize about the Facebook link. Someone reported to Facebook that “Canuck OntheCut” isn’t my real name, so they’ve asked me to show ID to prove it (I can’t seem to find any). I’ve had to create <another> account, this time as a Blogger account associated with my regular one. There is a reason I’m not using my regular account. I am sorry for the hassles if you get asked to “Friend” me again, but the other account is dead already.

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The big day has come and gone. I’m no longer a contributing member of society, I’m now scrounging off the system, expecting things to be handed to me, and learning to drive without seeing over the wheel. And I’m going to start doing my grocery shopping at 5 o’clock.

On the narrowboat front, things might be happening. I’ve found a boat that I really like, had it checked out by a broker that I’ve been working with, and just might make an offer. As I will need to add stuff like solar panels and extra batteries, I’ll need to get it at a great price but it’ll be worth it, even if sight-unseen. A bit of a gamble but the survey will protect me from most big issues. I just hope I don’t get claustrophobia from the tight confines. I’ve never been on, or in, a narrowboat.

Here’s what she looks like:

Inside is beautiful, it’s what sold me:

If the sale goes through, more pictures will follow. I’m not convinced this is a good idea but there’re so few boats right now, and they sell so quickly, that I’m ready to go ahead with this (if the Price is Right). Holding my breath….

The ski season is done. I can now start concentrating on getting retired and packed! What a great season it’s been, spent with the best people around. Leaving them and the mountain in April is always bittersweet but I know from previous experience that when I see them again in December it’ll be like no time has passed. We’ll ask how our summer was, we’ll say you look great, we’ll complain/cheer about the snow and then go for coffee after two runs.

Preparations for leaving to the UK are well underway. I’ve got several mounds of clothes and electronics ready to sort through and squeeze into not enough suitcases. I’ve got tickets to the Crick Boat Show (and a tenting site). I’ve got a broker keeping an eye out for likely boats, and I’ve got a few that I want to see right away. If they’re still available, that is. They are still coming on the market regularly but selling just as quickly. I’m hopeful that I’ll find something in a reasonable amount of time.

Leaving work will be equally bittersweet. Not seeing those people (more of the best in the world) or going to sea is a tough one. I’ve not just worked with many of them, I’ve lived with them, sometimes for weeks at a time at sea. In quite closes quarters as well. I feel very close to them, and wish them all well in the future. Seriously, Good Luck in the government! I hope and plan to keep in touch with most. At least the cafeteria is open to the public, I can still drop by (but I’m NOT getting a visitor’s pass, and I’m parking wherever the hell I feel like).

Just a note, I’ve started a Facebook page for more immediate posting. It’s Canuck OnTheCut. Nothing there yet but I think it’s supposed to populate with blog posts (and I’ll be adding stuff as it happens).

Thanks for signing up, I like feeling like we’re still in touch!

Someone once told me that pounds were hard to shed. In fact, right now they’re hard to acquire! Not hard so much as expensive. Sort of like a backwards mail-order diet plan. Wow, the Canadian dollar is tanking compared to the pound. Oh well, I’m sure it’ll go the other way someday. Hopefully not when I’m selling the boat but…whatever.

So, after lots of back and forth in my mind, I finally decided to exchange about half of what I’ll need. I figure I’ll average up (or down) and just hope for the best. It’ll make a significant difference what boat I’m able to buy so if any of my friends that want to come and enjoy the canals with me are disappointed about sleeping on the floor of the lounge, sorry!

This has been the most ‘exciting’ part so far (read: stressful). Waiting on hold while watching the value of the Canadian dollar drop by the minute isn’t a great way to spend a morning. Especially when it’s sunny out and skiing is awesome. I did manage to get some good runs in and visit with friends (pub time). So with this life, there’s no complaining allowed, right? (see Jenny, I heard you!).

Now when exchanging money, here’s what I’ve learned… Don’t worry too much about getting a great rate! It’ll be what it is. I lost a bunch of money by waiting too long, but it could have easily gone the other way. Unless you’re an expert on global financial matters and world politics, there’s almost no way of knowing. Having said that, I have checked forecasts from various banks and financial experts and they all seem to agree that things will just be getting worse through 2018. So that’s why I’m starting converting now. I’ve left some in case the upcoming EU council meeting (Mar. 22) changes things for the better. Can’t get too much worse! (I know, yes it can). Now I’m changing my boat search parameters to lower numbers.

So, the die is cast. Retirement is set, April 17 is the fateful last day of gainful employment. And flights to the UK booked for May 4. No going back, no winding hole up ahead! I’m excited and nervous at the same time, as with most big adventures. I’m sure it’s the right thing, there’s no regret or second thoughts (yet) but it’s still a big step. I’m having the most trouble with the thought of no longer going to sea! I’ve spent the last 32 years planning my life around the several weeks (or months) each year that I was away. It was an amazing career, full of good friends, good times, good research. I will certainly miss the people the most. Hopefully some of them will come and join me on the canals, I’m only looking at boats that sleep at least four people…hear that you guys?

I think the die is cast, resignation is submitted. Once it is accepted, I can start the retirement procedures and the path to the rest of my life. It’s certainly not the way I wanted to leave my career of 33 years, but it’ll do. I have plans, I have dreams, I have ideas. What more do I need?

For the narrowboat readers, I’ll be looking for a 50-60’ boat. I’ve made my first serious overtures to brokers in England to start looking for an acceptable boat. I’ve not decided about lots of details; trad or semi-trad? Cruiser? Reverse layout? So many decisions and options. I know what I’d like but don’t want to limit myself too much until I can actually get aboard  a few boats. Some things I really do want include sleeping space for at least 4 people. I want some of my Canadian friends to come and visit! A dinette would be great  (and usually easily makes into a bunk for two). Additionally, not crazy about a walk-through bathroom, would look seriously at reverse layout, solar power is a plus, and central heating (including water heating) is a must.

I’ve been having a blast with Canalplan.eu! I have no idea how realistic the cruising times are but I at least have a good idea how far I can cruise over the season. Some things have been eliminated from the plan, some added. I’ll share more down the road…or down the canal I suppose.

Okay, here we go. As this is a new blog, you won’t know me. Here’s some of my story…

As mentioned in the first blog, I’m a soon-to-be retired oceanographer. I’ve had a great time but now want to start something new. I spent considerable time and energy researching sailing in the Mediterranean, but that didn’t pan out. It sounds like a wonderful life but the paperwork and hassle involved were horrendous! First and foremost, the Schengen Area rules don’t permit a Canadian (or most other non-Schengen individuals) to stay more that 90 days out of 180. There are very limited ways to change that. None, actually, for me. This would mean I’d have to move out of the EU area for 90 days every 6 months. The options of where to go are somewhat limited, most of them being kind of sketchy (North Africa, Turkey, etc.). Nothing against those countries, I’m just a bit chicken around AK47s.

Plus, if I was to get my boat over there, after 18-24 months I’d have to pay VAT on it (about 20% of it’s value). That’s a lot. For me, at least… Add to that the cost of getting it there. Even sailing it around from the west coast of Canada (which would likely take over a year in order to avoid hurricanes etc.), the outfitting and rigging would be expensive. Shipping it would also be prohibitively expensive on my pension.

So, what’s the alternative? The thought of a canal cruise in England was always in the back of my mind. When I started looking into it, I realized this might be what I wanted to do instead of the Med! Relaxed, no serious danger of dying, beautiful scenery, lots of pubs, and something I can afford. Oh, did I mention lots of pubs?

Hence, I’m preparing for my narrowboat adventure. Here comes A Canuck on the Cut!