Life on the waterways

Shropshire couple George and Pam Patterson sold their Telford house in order to commission a new £100,000 narrow boat. Moored on the Llangollen Canal, the couple now live happily, and permanently, afloat. George, a lorry driver with Simmonds Transport, and his wife Pam, moved in August after selling their house and then temporarily moving into their last narrow boat. nextpage

Their stunning £100,000 narrowboat, The Kerrylee, is 60 foot long and six foot 10 inches wide, has a 42 horsepower engine and was built from solid steel at Nantwich Canal Centre. It weighs 22 tonne. Building the Kerrylee was the first time that Nantwich Canal Centre had fitted granite worktops into one of their boats.nextpage

The Pattersons designed the boat with the boat builders to have a traditional narrow boat exterior but with a contemporary interior with all the latest mod-cons. They started planning the Kerrylee in November last year with the canal centre. It took four months to build. George said: "They drew up rough plans and we changed them and then we started to design the interior. The design of this hull is a one-off from the man."nextpage

While some of their friends and family thought they were mad, George and Pam are obviously thrilled with their unique new home which they share with 'ship's cat ' Chuckie. The boat is being featured in the current issue of Canal Boat Magazine, which followed it on its maiden voyage as it was lifted by crane into the water at Nantwich.nextpage

Inside, the boat has solid wood floors and sides, port hole windows, feature floor spotlights, clever storage, granite kitchen worktops, hand-built kitchen units, an oven, hob, microwave, wine cellar and full-size fridge and freezer in the kitchen, heating (including a multi fuel stove), electric and water and the latest in entertainment systems, including satellite television and even a cd player in the bathroom.nextpage

From bow to stern (where the boat is driven) the Kerrylee has a cratch (a raised covered seating area, like a small conservatory, which steps down into the living area with two free-standing leather chairs, a stool, storage unit, entertainment systems and multi-fuel stove and kitchen dining area, with table and benches that can become a double bed.nextpage

The bathroom has a bath, shower and cd player, toilet and spotlight ceramic black tiled floor; the master bedroom has fitted wardrobes and lockers and under-bed storage and more entertainment equipment and then steps up and out to the engine room. The boat is also fitted with a clever bow thruster. This saves Pam from having to push the boat away from the sides of the canal.nextpage

The Pattersons love their new way of life. They said that boat people were some of the friendliest around and that they had seen some stunning wildlife on shore while they sailed along the canal at the maximum permitted speed of four miles an hour. George said: "It just makes you feel really chilled. It's a different way of life. It's not for everybody." and Pam added: "I've got an easier life. I'm not tied. And, as soon as we go out, I'm on holiday."