Carol and I started boating in 1975, when together with friends we purchased a 19ft Dawncraft Dandy. Although this was the onset of our boating time I have had an interest in boats since a friend took me to the 1968 Boat Show at Earls Court.

Following a enjoyable period with the Dawncraft we purchased an old (1897) BCN Bantock railway boat, 'Gongoozler', which had been converted for pleasure use in the mid 1960’s. We again shared this boat with another couple until 1978, when little ‘crew members’ started to arrive.

Carol and I then purchased our first purpose built narrow boat. We ordered the boat in December 1979 from Peter Nicholls, then based at Napton, and subsequently fitted it out ourselves in 1980-1981, followed by the launch in March 1981.

We had our second son a year later and had many happy years (23 in all) of boating on ‘Countess Rose’ until we decided to change her for a bigger model in 2003. Now we are the proud owners of ‘Countess Rose II’ a 55ft Alexander/Riverview traditional narrow boat.

Since we started boating in 1975 we have been members of the Soar Boating Club based at Normanton on Soar. We are both active members and I was honoured to be given the position of Commodore in 1995. Over these years we have gained a good deal of knowledge and experience that enables us to advise and help other boat owners to design their plans and thus the reason MGBD was conceived.