Cor, blimey, it has been a windy old week in the eastern quarter, and elsewhere, I believe too … so with a bit of time on our hands we hightailed to Maldon to complete a few jobs: Christobel has been on the look out for some new cushion inserts. Everywhere one looks, there are cushions galore with ‘expensive’ covers available. The pillows themselves … hmmmmmmmmmm, even on line!

The upshot – she’s going for bust, heading for a new look for our conservatory!

Anyway, whilst she was at it, I paid a visit to The Sea-change Sailing Trust at the Downs Road Boat Yard – to deliver a letter. Well, I wanted to view the Blue Mermaid too, obviously…

The Blue Mermaid at Downs Road Boatyard.

I found Jim Dines, the yard’s proprietor, and sought permission to visit barge … but first, into the office to drop off a letter. Jim had said he doubted whether ‘the boss’ would be in – that’s Richard Titchener  – but he was in, going through a list of jobs with one of their newest recruits, a young lady doing heritage training with the trust.

I said I’d had permission to go aboard, however, Richard ‘nabbed’ me to assist in carrying some blocks aboard. Bless him!

The pictures will tell the story: she is coming on quickly now…

The fore deck on the Blue Mermaid…

Richard and the trainee discussing blocks and which would be used for what … I left whilst Richard gave instructions about servicing them…

The foot of main mast.

Looking aft to mizzen which has only recently been rigged. Some ropes still to run … I wanted to get a line round the sail!

The deck’s are clear, but the hold hatches are piled with gear, most of which has been donated.

Having wandered the decks, I went below and looked into the forward and aft cabins. These are well into their fitting out phase.

Looking aft along the swept hold – in use as a workshop!

Through watertight door into fore cabin.

I peaked into the port side cabin – single berth.

The washroom (heads…)

And to starboard is a four berth cabin…

Then aft-wards…

Aft cabin, port side berth…

Companionway and watertight door port forward side.

Starboard aft berth under construction…

Richard said to me that he plans to have the mast down in a few weeks to rig her with the sails … Jim and his team are working hard to complete, working out where various bits need to go: there is NEVER agreement amongst bargemen as to the exact location of cleats for example!

On the way ashore I chatted to Jim … and he proudly showed me a new winch under construction. Although made of plate steel, finely made sections have been laser cut to be welded around cut outs which will mimic a cast steel unit. Clever!

Winch and bilge pumps in workshop…

I loved the fabricated bilge pumps too.

So often when one comes across an old barge, the pump shafts are found standing to attention, bereft of the surrounding ‘barge’ … problem is they’re never serviceable due to internal wastage.

Thanking Jim, I hightailed back to the town centre: Christobel was probably waiting … and yes, there she was ensconced in The Black Cat Coffee Shop, just finishing a cup…

The Sea-change Sailing Trust is a worthwhile maritime organisation to support: they work with all ages.

See: http://www.seachangesailingtrust.org.uk/

They are: Making a real impact on the lives of disabled, disadvantaged and socially excluded young people

Once up and running, the trust will not have to spend huge amounts of money on chartering of other barges, albeit, that has given life to these…