The idea of 'Isabella Grace' came to us, as good ideas often do, after a relaxing summer's day in good company, a first class meal and a few bottles of wine. The four of us, Pat and Mel and Lynda and Chris, had spent the day cruising on a narrow boat along the river Avon and the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. We were all within a stone's throw of retirement age and wondering what we were going to do with our time!!

We spent the next couple of years, much to the amusement of our children, going to boat shows, reading magazines and journals, watching 'Water World' and generally talking to people with narrow boat experience as users, owners or as part of a shared ownership scheme. In addition we added to our own not inconsiderable boating experience by enjoying further boating holidays and taking the opportunity to evaluate different layouts and inventories.

Finally, we were confident that we knew what we wanted. Although we did not want a live aboard we were anticipating fairly lengthy periods of extended cruising and visualised our boat as first and foremost for recreational activity. We wanted a top quality boat incorporating all the latest features but with a flexible layout to enjoy with friends and family on both one off days out and longer 'sleepovers'. 'Must haves' included a cruiser style stern to accommodate table and chairs for eating out on those warm, balmy summer evenings, sleeping room for 4 adults and 2 children, together with 2 toilets - essential when the grandchildren were onboard. We wanted the kitchen at the rear end as this is more practical for providing snacks and drinks while on the move as well as being more sociable. With the rear of the boat being the preferred access, this layout would also act as a 'dirt trap' prior to entering the dinette and saloon areas.

We commissioned our narrow boat from the Severn Valley Boat Company. During the next 12 months we had a number of meetings to discuss design and layout, visited even more shows and firmed up our ideas. With Severn Valley's help and expertise we were able to incorporate most of our design features reaching a compromise between what we wanted, or thought we wanted and what was physically possible. It seemed to take ages before work began on the hull but, eventually, we were able to have the first sight of our boat in the water albeit with only primer and no fixtures or fittings.

In case anyone is wondering where the name came from. Pat and Lynda are cousins, Isabella was their great grandmother and Grace was their grandmother - both matriarchs in the true sense of the word - we took this as a good omen.