Bye Bye Baby.......
Today was a sad day as we said "goodbye" to my beloved narrow boat "Sissy Jupe". We decided to sell her about a year or so ago to help fund a new project (build a house in Scotland) but today the reality hit home.
We've owned her for ten years and she was our pride and joy. I bought her initially to live on while in London not long after I'd met DH. I'd been renting a boat for six months and had fallen in love with the way of life (then fell in love with DH who I met on the canal!) so she has many strong memories for the both of us. She's been there, through thick and thin, coming north with us eight years ago. DH in particular has spent countless hours (and we don't even want to think about how much money) resorting her to the beautiful vessel she is today but sadly we had very little time to really enjoy boating on her......life always seemed to get in the way, but the times we did spend away were precious - she was our bolt hole which we'll sadly miss. She was my first real "home" (having only rented before), the first time I could properly unpack after years of trailing my stuff around in boxes, she was our special space in a world of mad consumerism - peaceful and tranquil.
We'll miss her but our compensation is that we now have some funds to start on our next adventure and her new owners are the most perfect couple we could have imagined for her. 
I know they'll love her just as much as we did. We've both shed a few tears today but hopefully she'll have some great new adventures of her own - bye, bye baby!
(if you look closely enough at this picture of the happy new owners you can see DH & I holding each other in the background! I know we're pathetic but there you are - I guess we're a bit emotional when it comes to boats...)
Yes, well parting with your first home is hard. But at least you know that her new owners will love her and appreciate her.
Posted by:Mia | April 16, 2007 at 11:30 PM
What a beauty she is. I love how colorful, bright and homey the pictures are of the inside.
A house in Scotland,eh? A new adventure is just around the corner....best wishes to you both.
Posted by:baa bonny belle | April 17, 2007 at 12:58 AM
If I could, I would totally have bought her! Happy new memories-making time in Scotland!
Posted by:tiennie | April 17, 2007 at 02:23 AM
Aw - but isn't it great that she gave you all t hose wonderful memories?
India
Posted by:India | April 17, 2007 at 09:22 AM
A sad day I'm sure, but at least you've had lots of good times with her as well. I have to say, the new owner looks absolutely thrilled in the photo, so I'm sure she'll be well looked after.
Posted by:Mary | April 17, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Not pathetic at all! For as long as I can remember I've wanted to live on a narrow boat, I just make do with the odd week on them every so often.
I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be, but the new place in Scotland will be fantastic.
Posted by:Celeste | April 17, 2007 at 01:31 PM
She is beautiful - I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is to part with her. It must help a bit, though, that you have found a good new owner for her. And all the best with your new adventure!!
Posted by:Iris | April 17, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Ah, I feel your sadness. Parting with a boat is a very sweet sorrow. I so identified with your feelings, and also the statement that there never seems to be time to enjoy the boat while you live aboard and work on it, there is always something, weather, jobs, and other factors that get in the way. I too wish you the very best in Scotland, and I hope you enjoy your new home ashore as much as we do! A new adventure for sure.
Posted by:Joanna | April 17, 2007 at 10:52 PM
She is truly beautiful and I can totally understrand why you were sad to part with her as she has played a large part in your life. But there are a new adventures ahead and a new house to look forward , one which again you will be desigoibg and putting your very own stamp on and I wish you both all the very best . When are you moving to Scotland ?
Posted by:Anne | April 18, 2007 at 10:53 AM
She is a beautiful boat. I'm sure the new owners love her dearly.
It is easy to see why she will be missed.
Wishing you lovely memories in your new home in Scotland.
Posted by:Kirsten | April 21, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Whoever said that the 2 happiest days of a boatowners life are the day you buy your boat and the day you sell it was never really a boater, huh? I feel your pain. We sold a boat a couple of years ago that was the first one my husband and I bought together (before we were even married). I think the only thing that made it bareable was that we had purchased our dreamboat just 2 weeks earlier. Sounds like you have a dream to distract you from this loss, too. Wishing you all the best!
Posted by:Tanya | April 21, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I've been reading your blog on and off for over a year now, although not recently. Sorry to see your boat off to new owners, but I'm sure you will have just as much pleasure, if now more in your new ventures. I'm a new knitting blogger and am really having great fun with it. Good Luck and I will continue to read this blog.
Ger
Posted by:Ger | April 29, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Just catching up on my reading.
So, big changes, eh?
What a lovely boat and I'm sure the new owners will get lots of joy out of it, as you did.
The circle of life.
All the best with your new venture.
Kathleen x
Posted by:Kathleen | May 12, 2007 at 11:08 AM