Rose Narrowboats

I cruised to Rose Narrowboats yesterday afternoon, ready for a prompt start this morning, and moored opposite their base on the Oxford Canal, between Hawkesbury Junction and Rugby.

We are heading into the paint shop and the first task is to slide the empty trolley down the gently sloping ramp.

Then our Waterway Routes narrowboat is slid forwards onto the trolley.

I made sure everything inside would be safe when the boat is tipped a little as it’s pulled up the ramp.

We’re soon on the hard standing waiting for the pressure washing below the water line.  As it will be repainted above the water line too then it’s not necessary to be too careful aiming the pressure washer.

The weather was a little overcast and trying to rain but Paul, the painter, created lots of spray as he pressure washed the stern.

Paul is making sure he gets all the gunk off the hull from below the water line.  He doesn’t want any of that in his nice clean paint shed.

With a clean hull it’s time to pull the trolley and boat into the paint shed.  It’s a good job the doors at the far end open so the tractor can go out that way.

Once inside the decking is slid up to the sides of the boat to make a safe working area.

I was made welcome by everyone at Rose Narrowboats and I’m looking forward to returning later this week to see progress, and take a few more photos.