"Aileen Louisa" has a new home

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

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Here she is. Aileen Louisa at Cannons Creek on Western Port a few years ago --

http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au/boats/aileenlouisa/aileen-louisa-s.jpg

Some people will know that she's been my pride and joy for over a decade. A few might have realised that since I moved interstate over three years ago she hasn't been in the water once.... :(

Hence she and I together decided we should find her a new custodian, and she was advertised for sale on the Wooden Boat Fittings 'Boats for Sale' (http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au/boats.htm) page about three weeks ago.

We had an enquiry about her last week, and her new suitor presented himself for her approval. They fell in love with each other immediately, he left a (substantial) deposit on the spot, and she went off to new home two days later.

As you can imagine, I parted with her with very mixed feelings. But I think we both really knew she needed someone who would be able to care for her properly in the way a lady like her really should be treated. This is now going to happen. (Indeed, I have a sneaking suspicion that she herself chose her new owner, rather than the other way round.)

I'm absolutely delighted that he is keeping her name unchanged. And in point of fact, he has just joined the Forum and done Aileen Louisa the honour of using her name to register under. So even though you mightn't be hearing so much about her from me from now on, you'll actually be doing so from Aileen Louisa herself.

What else is there to say? Nothing much, I guess -- except that I have a standing invitation to visit her any time, and as her new custodian operates a boutique winery, I have little doubt we'll be seeing each other again quite soon and quite often....

Mike :( :)

[Larks]

Mike, your smiley faces say it all and I'm not sure myself whether to wish you commiserations or congratulations, though you know what they say about the two happiest days of a boat owners life don't you.??

Meanwhile though, I will join everyone in looking forward to the new adventurs of Aileen Louisa here.

[John B]

I couldn't do that. Well, I didn't anyways.

Hey! all that spare time, you'll be able to send my boathook back now.

[Larks]

I just had a vision of "oh sh&t, the boat hook!!!"...:D

[The Bigfella]

I seem to recall "losing" a boathook at the last WBF Oz Politics EBS when Dunc tried to lift a BBQ and full gas bottle out of the water - with the boathook held out horizontal. I dunno why it broke? It must've only had 40kg on it.

Congratulations, I think, Mike and the new owner. I think my wife pointed out that I never sell anything just the other day. I guess you need to start a new build now eh?

[PeterSibley]

Boats have to be sailed Mike ....well done .

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

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That's right Ian, I'd forgotten about that boathook. I tell you what -- send the bits over to Johnno and let him stick them back together. It'll give him something to do other than whinge about the broomstick he lost overboard about four years ago (and which I actually rescued at the Creek and floated back to him,) and it'll give him a decent boathook for the first time into the bargain.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts -- Greg, "commiserations or congratulations" sums it right up, as did Ian's, "Congratulations, I think." Mixed feelings are definitely The Go at the moment. But Peter's right -- boats are meant to be sailed.


You could do it, John, but it's sort of 'tough love,' so if you can keep Waione in good order, then why not? Canberra just isn't the place for a clinker boat out of the water. If I hadn't dithered all this time already she could have been sailing somewhere else two or more years ago.

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Meanwhile though, I will join everyone in looking forward to the new adventurs of Aileen Louisa here.

Helgi, you're on notice.... :)

[shamus]

Sad and pleased, I think.
Have you still got the Alan Buchanan boat?

[J. Dillon]

Mike, Selling your boat is sure a day for mixed feelings. :confused:But at least you know she has a good home.:D

Once I sold mine I never saw them again. Maybe that is the best way .... kind of like old lovers.;)

JD

[The Bigfella]

Hey Mike. Check your emails.

[Hwyl]

Did you give yourself a birthday present (I'd suggest a sail on the Nancy Blackett)

[TonyH]

Mike, that's good news, really. I think the important part is that you're content with the bona fides of the person who will be Aileen Louisa's steward for the next stage of her life. Who knows where it will lead? But at least she will be sailing again.:)

[skuthorp]

Hi Mike, good to hear from you. It's sad that you never got to sail her again but good she's gone to a person that will appreciate her.
I went to Hobart this year, and am considering trailering a boat, (yet to be built) down for the next one. I'm retired and busy as a cut cat whilst the house is being built. Late October they say. After that a big scrap metal truck for a dozen old motors and fit out the shop in our big shed. Cannot wait!

[Duncan Gibbs]

I seem to recall "losing" a boathook at the last WBF Oz Politics EBS when Dunc tried to lift a BBQ and full gas bottle out of the water - with the boathook held out horizontal. I dunno why it broke? It must've only had 40kg on it.

You have a promising career in fictional literature Ian! :rolleyes::p;)

Glad to see your boat go to a good home Mike!

[John B]

That's right Ian, I'd forgotten about that boathook. I tell you what -- send the bits over to Johnno and let him stick them back together. It'll give him something to do other than whinge about the broomstick he lost overboard about four years ago (and which I actually rescued at the Creek and floated back to him,) and it'll give him a decent boathook for the first time into the bargain.


HEY...I object to that statement. Kirsty lost the boathook overboard, not moi.
I like to whinge about that .

and 4 years, mmmmphhh, more like 8 or 9 olllt mannnn.

Happy belated Mike.

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

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Hh'mmm. Some more comments needed, I think.

Shaun -- no, I sold Sanderling some time ago. It wasn't really an option to keep her as she wasn't trailerable. But being a bilge-keeler she was ideally suited to her (very) tidal home waters at the Creek, and that's where she still is -- just half a mile downstream of her old mud berth outside my then back gate. But I can't tell you much about the new owner as I sold her through the free 'brokerage services' of my former next-door neighbours, and all my dealings with the purchaser were by telephone.

Jack -- I take your point (although I do indeed still correspond sporadically with a couple of past lovers....) I visited the old family home a couple of times over the years, and every time it looked different -- and worse -- than it did when I lived there. So I gave up visiting and now just rely on the happy memories. Better that way, isn't it? (Probably safer now too, with a redhead on the scene. :) )

Ian -- done so. Did you get my reply? In any case I'll email again now I'm back from my grand-daughter visit. More about this (including a picture) on this thread (http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99119).

Gareth -- your suggestion is receiving full consideration, I assure you. I'm already presenting myself with tours of the Lakes and the Broads (and the Tax Office has just presented me with a couple of nice refunds too,) so birthday presents are really already taken care of. There's no harm in pigging out though, is there?

Tony, Jeff, Dunc -- thanks guys. I've got no doubt I did the right thing. But it was bloody hard, all the same. "Parting is such sweet sorrow," and all that.

John, I've got no doubt that Kirsty's (harrrumph) broomstick has now quite properly joined other similar articles in The Land of the Long Deep Fiords anyway. But when you want a proper boathook you know where to apply. And thanks for the birthday wishes. (This is another place for the double-whanger smilies, eh?)

Cheers all.

Mike

[The Bigfella]

Mike - congrats on the new grand daughter - she's lovely.

Sorry - I seemed to have missed your reply - just went back through the inbox and found it... thanks