Finding the right Cruiser, by chance...

There are always loads of Cruisers for sale, Narrowboats too, but how do you decide which to choose. Being fairly new to boats, I really had no idea. So where do you go? Google? Groups on FB? I had already decided I wanted a Cruiser. Both helped, and a little bit of luck! I found out I needed 6'10" beam, a narrowbeam, to do what I was planning. This was to be scuppered later on! Also an inboard engine possibly better, as petrol outboard would give me problems getting fuel. Diesel is easy to come by on the waterways, not so much petrol. I looked at Normans, Nauticus, Vikings, which I'd settled at getting, but ended up with something totally different!
   The day I purchased my first Cruiser, I went to look at a Viking. A friend had already given her the once over. I was warned she needed lot of work inside, but a sound hull, and engine, nice boat for the money, but an outboard. I stepped aboard, and it just didn't feel right. You know that feeling you get when buying a home, a car, it didn't feel right, didn't feel me. So I decided  to sleep on it. Would go have another look. Which I did, nah wasn't me, wasn't right! On way back across Marina, I stopped for matter with lad met earlier,  ex jockey so we had something in common. "Did I want a coffee?" "Yeah, why not" Stepped aboard his Freeman Mark 1, made in 1963! She was stunning, love at first sight for me. Decided this was what I'd look for. Then I was told she was for sale end of July! Couldn't believe it. Her name 'Tranquility' sealed the deal. All wood inside, real classic little boat, only 22ft, but just size I wanted, narrowbeam, or so we thought! More to follow about that later. Petrol inboard, Ford Anglia engine, huge petrol tank, would help with fuel issues. I had my boat, my first Cruiser. Excited was not the word.

The Journey Starts

Looking at Norman's!
Hello and welcome to my journey of Campervan to Canal. I run a successful business called Horse Bit Fit, travelling UK visiting horse yards consulting on Bits and Bridles affecting biomechanics of horses. At present I use a Mitsubishi Delica as a Campervan. After a lot of thinking, discussion with the "hairy lads" it was decided we need a base, a base that can move! Obvious answer a boat.
  I'm a complete novice with boats, so thought I'd use this blog to try help others, inspire others, as I start, and hopefully carry on my journey. I'll cover good and bad, information I source, any courses I do, and just what it feels like to go from terra firma travel, to watery travel!
   As the title suggests, I've already found out I need a boat called Norman! Or similar, to travel all of the UK inland waterways. Nothing wider than 7ft, or you're restricted to where you travel, and it's nearly impossible to get from South to North. Looking at Norman 25, or 27 as in feet long. Decided against a barge as such, wanted something small, manageable. So this is where I start, looking at as many "Normans" as possible, until one says "hello, I'm the one" Hope you enjoy this blog, thanks for reading first installment.