So far..

A bit more progress and obviously a lot of hard work..

Here is 'Ginge', the person behind all this graft and progress.

A thorough rub down..

Ginge and Tash of Norton Canes Boat Builders paint department have been very busy over the last few days.  It is a case of off with the old paint before they can start on Steadfast's transformation. 
Although Steadfast still looked good for a boat that is ten years old the original paint preparation had been a bit suspect.  The primer coat was excellent but the top coat parted company with it's base as soon as masking tape was used anywhere indicating that the primer had not been 'keyed' properly to get the top coat to adhere.

Masked

Norton Canes Boatbuilder, Sarah Edgson, sent me some more 'work in progress' shots of Steadfast yesterday.   With all the fittings removed it was time to mask up.

Stripping

Steadfast has gone into the paint dock at Glascote basin this week to be prepared for her new livery.    The first thing was to finalise what we required so that Chloe, (Ginge to her colleagues),  the paint-sprayer is clear  about what needs painting and what the colour scheme is going to be.  That done, it was time to strip everything off of the boat so it can rubbed down. The cratch board, well deck locker, the mushroom vents and the portholes have all been removed. The gas locker hatch and the rear slide are off as well.
Steadfast is going to be sprayed in two-pack paint but thorough preparation is key to getting a great finish.  We are also having a solar panel fitted which will make cruising even more leisurely next year.

And the reason for the jaunt is...

Steadfast is now settled at Glascote Basin Tamworth for the winter where she will be repainted in a new livery by Sarah Edgson and team at Norton Canes.

Glascote here we come

Lazy start today we didn't stir ourselves until gone eight but we're on the move at 8.30.   The day started mild and misty then it rained... heavily and then the sun broke through..just.

Huddlesford junction.  When this link is restored, note we will probably be in our boxes by then, we could take Steadfast straight back to her mooring at Hatherton via Lichfield.

Hopwas

Peel Wharf Fazeley

He's coming up, Glascote lock 

Winded just past Glascote basin and moored  ready to go into the basin Monday morning.

It's Autumn, it's leaf soup

We pulled pins at first light and moved off towards Rugeley. We needed to get to Fradley or beyond today in order to make it to Glascote for Sunday.

Wood End Lock

We met a boat, the first of the day, as we approached Wood End Lock.  There were no more boats on the move as we worked down to Fradley Junction.

Shade House lock

Steadfast turning on to the Coventry canal at Fradley Junction

We pushed on through the leaf soup, frequently employing a burst of reverse gear to clear the prop of leaves, and made our way to StreetHay Wharf where we filled with diesel and had a pump-out ready to leave Steadfast for winter. 

Moving on a little further as the light diminished we arrived at Huddlesford and The Plough pub. A pint of TT Landlords, and delicious pizza and a G&T with a local, Lichfield, gin rounded off the day.