Simon said: "If it's wood and I can reach it, I like to varnish it" so every wood surface in "The Antidote" was satin varnished, including the insides of all the cupboards and drawers.

It reminds me of the old army joke, quoting from the sergeant major's instruction to new recruits: "If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, pick it up. If you can't pick it up, paint it"!

Here is Simon in his usual mode (paint brush in hand) varnishing the mattress support.

It's a pity that flue pipes are so intrusive on narrowboats, but I suppose the traditionalists don't have a problem with them. There's no alternative really, and a long straight flue is recommended for best operation of the stove.

The stove was not fixed when this photo was taken. It was standing on a piece of board to protect the tiles, which were to be grouted with ivory coloured grout.

The tiles were mounted on fire resistant board screwed to the ply. I was pleased with the chequerboard effect and the colours of the tiles, found at Luton Ceramic Tile Co.

The exposed wires to top right of the picture were for one of the four wall lights in the saloon. Below these wires is the light switch - wired up but not fixed in place yet.

Just after this photo was taken the carpet fitter began fitting the carpet to the panel to the right of the tiles.

The wall carpets being fitted (18th December 2002). Wall carpets have to be put in place before the radiators can be finally fixed to the walls. I decided to ask the carpet fitter to tuck the carpet up underneath the gunwales.

The floor carpet was not laid until all the plumbing had been tested - just in case there were any leaks which might spoil it!

The engine silencer in place, although it had to be insulated to avoid the risk of burning anyone who goes into the engine bay.

A nice touch with the Weltonfield spec is that the exhaust is taken straight out the back of the boat, rather than to the side. So you leave the noise behind you and it doesn't reverberate off the lock wall either.

I had proposed having a "hospital silencer" but it would have been extremely difficult to fit in. And when I listened to the exhaust of a recent Weltonfield fit-out using a 22" silencer like this, I realised that there was little to be gained.

I was pleased with the appearance of the hardwood window surrounds, which were quite an expensive extra. I wanted the corners to follow the shape of the windows, which are rounded in all four corners.

This is the escape window above the bed. There are five exits from the boat - front doors, rear doors, side doors, escape window, and Houdini hatch. Hopefully this will allow a rapid departure from any area in the event of a catastrophe.

The fit-out nearing completion. Here Pete was measuring up for the hardwood trim around the galley tiles.

Note the ceiling lights and the wall light (top right), all now wired up and working. Just below the wall light you can see the programmable thermostat for the space heating.

(Photo taken 10th January 2003).

During my visit on 10th January 2003 the engine was fired up for the first time, and everyone was delighted that all the systems worked as intended!

This picture shows the electrical control panel during the engine test. The Adverc battery management system shows the domestic battery voltage to be 13.8V - a healthy charge (bottom right of picture).

The plumbing system had been filled with water and thoroughly tested, so Andy came back to fit the floor carpet supplied by B W Male & Sons Ltd of Daventry.

It's the same as the wall carpet - Castlemead Twist Harvest Heather from Adam Carpets - and I think it fits in nicely with the decor of the boat.

At the bottom of the picture you can see the galley flooring. To the right you can just see the gas hob and a few of the galley tiles.

(Photo taken 13th January 2003).