Kenn was born and lived until December 1999, in Nottingham, UK. His working life started as an Electronics Technician for Nottingham University, in the Department of Physics. After ten years he left and moved down south to Swindon and took up a new job as a Computer Operator for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
The family had a history of boating holidays and Kenn developed
a love for the lifestyle. Some examples are:
River Soar trip which replaced
a rained off motorcycle touring holiday of Germany,
A Pie & Pea Weekend
with Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association
and the Gravel Rash Rally, 1988
Thus, after quickly tiring of the Harwell lifestyle, Kenn sold the house in Calverton and had a boat built.
In 1989 the commercial narrow-boat tug, THOMAS COVENANT was launched.
Although originally intended as a cruising home, the need for work coupled with his early training and interest in electronics,
saw the rapid formation of Crosby Canal Towage, which later traded as Battery-Management.com.
The first few years were spent doing little towage work but a fair bit of traveling as the boat traveled from
job to job providing electrical repair and installation services. Over the years CCT specialised in the installation
of battery charging systems and branched into design and installation for emergency services vehicles.
The boat finished its working life moored in Castle Marina in the heart of Nottingham and Kenn traveled great
distances by road providing his mobile installation services.
Kennz first visit to Australia was in 1998 when he came for
a fortnights holiday to celebrate his parents 40th wedding anniversary. (Photo
album here). He returned the following year in March for Debbie's
wedding - this time just
popping over for the weekend!!
In 1999 he was granted emigration to Australia and quickly
moved to Narrogin as an Australian resident. After spending 8 months of 2000
in the UK, initially on a 'just wrap up the business' trip which quickly turned
into 'Well, just this contract then........", Kenn returned to Narrogin
in January 2001. Initially he continued with one of Crosby Canal Towage's other trade names, Belletam Services - doing web
site construction and maintenance - (see Narrogin
Race Week ) but in June 2001 he gained a position as a Service Engineer for a chemical analysis equipment company. After initially
renting a house in Kallaroo, he eventually bought a house in Edgewater,
north of Perth, which was close
to work and close enough to the beach.
The job involved a lot of traveling. It was a great introduction to Western Australia and he got to see many places across the state and out in the Pilbara whilst visiting mine sites. However over the years it came to involve far too much driving and as this is Western Australia, a lot of flying. This would be great if it was flying the plane himself but not so great when it is just cramped up in QANTAS cattle class! The poor working conditions, long, unpaid hours and stress eventually made him reassess his life and the carbon-footprint he was making so a decision was made to sell up in Perth and buy a property in Narrogin. The move with a view to developing some self-sufficiency and a much lower carbon footprint, along with a new job working at Narrogin Regional Hospital was made in March of 2008.
Kenn has had range of motorbikes and cars,
both in the UK and Australia.
One of the most memorable events so far has been the visit of friends from the UK,
Lippo & Christine in October 2003. Read all about it here.
For his own amusement he started on an occasional
set of writings called Diatribes from a Strange
Land. You are invited to read them - just don't take anything seriously! These were eventually superceded by a blog.