The previous visit was last Thursday 21st June, the longest (but not quite the wettest) day!  Our task was to deliver to fireplace tiles which we'd picked up the day before from near Henley.  These have Delft style galleons on plus similar style Archangel/mermaids created by Nicola's imaginings.  They look just perfect, and we only went into the saloon that day to go over with the tiler-man how they could be laid out, the fit, and how to ensure the stove didn't hide the best pictures.  It was harder than we thought, but the result is great, as you may be able to see (imagine a little black stove in front of the plainer ones!):

You can see the larger portholes, open on the right, and the lamp (without glass) in centre, also the TV and HiFi unit below.  The bookshelves above the fireplace will have some doors with brass grid in to stop them falling out (no glass) in nautical style!  Next the side cabin:

Here there's a large bookcase (doors to come), a smaller porthole and a sidelight you can't see!  The wardrobe is on the right (doorless).  It's cosy, but all space is useful!
So what does the saloon look like?

Yes, you're right, it's still work in progress, but not as much of a mess as our own house (in process of sorting, storing, painting, packing, etc.).  The little black stove on the left goes on the right in that little corner of tiles which we grandly call a fireplace!  The central corridor is, well, in the centre.  I've said enough on the obvious.  Next the master bedroom (!):

The Tiffany wall lights would be nicer lit, but they look good to me.  The bow window is pretty and quite small considering it is our escape route in case of emergency!  The centre shelves double as the exit steps.  I'd like to show you the "wet room" but none of my pix were much good (it is small!) and Nik's were sideways on.  I'll try tho':

I told you it was small, but bijou.  That's quite enough for now.  The outside doesn't look too great yet because the cabin walls are covered in brown paper to protect them from the blue painting of the hull.   But it will look great, we had a peek and the portholes look soooo good from outside too!  We're up again on Thursday 28th June, then staying the weekend in the boatbuilder's yard (odd, or what!) to test out most things (not the engine or steering they say) and give them any tasks needed before it is transported on Tuesday night and 'launched' into the Thames on Independence Day (that's a coincidence right?)

Wow, a lot has changed since the last visit.  We've been twice in quick succession, but first I'll try a picture as the last time I tried it failed to insert it!  Here goes:

So you can see the wheelhouse is now in place and the steel is painted shiny Flag Blue, just awaiting a white line above the rubbing strip.  This was how it looked yesterday (Monday 25th June) when we visited;  we went to meet the signwriter, to ask him to make it like Marius's design (font and letter A).  I'd attach his Photoshop image (which looks lovely) but it's a bit large and might just not load!  The deck is blue now, but it will be done in non-slip grey.  The oak floor in the wheelhouse is good, so we have to keep it that way.  I'll post this now, but just add a picture of the inside of the wheelhouse, from the outside!

Our visit on 13th June to view Archangel was also to bring up the bathroom flooring, and the sound & TV system for installation;  these last helped clear a little bit of space in our crowded and confused house!  We were again very pleased with the lovely work they have done to realise our dream.  The pictures a bit messy because of lighting (big fluorescent tubes!) and all the parts, wires, etc., but I hope you can see through that to the beautiful interior emerging:

The portholes are not in place yet, but just look at the lovely wood colour and how it goes with the white panelling!  It keeps looking better.  This is our bedroom;  the other way is a bit less tidy and I had to put my hand in the way of the light tube!

The saloon is harder to see, but the view from the side-cabin gives an idea of how much move feeling of space is given by Tad's idea of opening it up into the saloon-galley:

and the view the other way, from the galley, is a bit better, showing two of the bookcases in place (but awaiting doors):

The engine and generator are now in place, which is comforting!:

The outside is similar to before, with a bit of wood inside it;  the hinges for the fold-down wooden wheelhouse are there.  They have fitted it apparently, but keeping it apart keeps it from harm while there are so many trades on the boat in the last minute rush.  It is supposed to launch at Caversham on Independence Day, 4th July, assuming all is done.  We have to inspect it before and are supposed even to spend a weekend 'aboard' in the boatbuilders back yard (not on water) which would be very odd.  That way they can deal with all the snagging issues in their workshop rather than a long way off!  Good idea when you put it like that.  Watch this space!

Our next visit was on 29th May, as the builder needed the wall lights we'd bought.  The inside has advanced, as you can see:

Not very sharp, but you can see the bookcase they've nicely built above the steel oil tank;  it will have nice doors on it later.  Then here's some work done on the seating which pulls out to make the side cabin's double bed.

The engine is not installed yet so not a lot more to see of interest to publish;  we took lots of pictures of engineering details like the bow thruster and cupboards.

We visited the boatbuilder on 14th May to view progress;  the outside looks similar but a lot has changed inside, as you can see:

We really like the wood grain and colour;  the little nook in the corner is our bijou wet-room (shower, sink, loo!)  Then there's lounge, sorry Saloon:

I'm at the end of the corridor leading to the bedroom, passing the main bathroom on the right.  The big opening on the left is into the Side-Cabin which will have folding doors so they can be opened when no-one's using it as a second bedroom, so it can be used as living space.  Nice idea from Tad.  The big white-edged pink thing to my left is the diesel tank for our coal-effect fire/stove.  I should mention that our portholes are not really made of paper!  Then behind the camera is the next view:

So we have stairs from the Wheelhouse, then on the right is the space for the fridge-freezer with a microwave on top, eventually. I looked for the engine in the engine room, but found it at the front, in its box: