As you may have noticed from my first few posts, I have been quite carried away with the thought of the whole adventure side of this project. However, there does come a point where the reality of building a boat comes with some big decisions, the first of which is where to build it? I thought there may be some disused garage or barn that some kind soul would let me have for a very reasonable rent. Anyway, although people have been interested in what is occurring, you will only get this last statement if you are Welsh or a ‘Gavin and Stacey’ fan; no offer of space to build has been forthcoming. So I measured the front garden!

It measures 7.5 meters x 6 meters. The boat measures 5.8 meters x 2.27 meters. So it fits with a bit of room to spare. This means I can level off the ground and put up a temporary tented workshop of 7.3 x 3.7, as shown below. (Not my garden)

However, I am aware that fitting a boat into a space does not mean that building it in that space would work. I took to Facebook; there is a group for Class 5.80 builders, and I asked if anyone had built or is building their 5.80 in such a small space. Instantly, I was given some great advice and pictures of those who had or are doing exactly what I was thinking of doing. What a great community this is! Along with this advice and a great deal of encouragement I checked out the blogs again and now I am confident I have the space to build the boat.

My darling wife, Irene, has again been so supportive and is sacrificing two-thirds of her rockery for my workship to be erected. I have chatted to the neighbours and they are also very supportive. Great neighbours are so important in life.

I will update this page when I have a structure set up and ready to go.