BrundallNavy

I thought the bins at the Ferry are only for use by boats, has it been that busy lately as they looked ok a few weeks ago when I popped down for a looksee. Doug.

I've found he prefers coffe, black with 3 sugars. Doesn't care much for the folding stuff. Doug.

Spoke to Peter Charlton a couple of weeks ago and he said he has some made up ready to go. Doug.

I got mine from fleabay around £12 I think, they did both types. Doug.

Not sure this will catch on !! Doug. http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwp.me%2Fp36iyL-kd&h=4AQGI5wt3&enc=AZN36SVjycnpKVcToptwbrt0vr21WP8bd7upgWBXfwSJTHZXZPx5TTFiLbzpuVcJ8CwwxmK1-ctwc2bQ0DOmtlYfiENxuJakmuCiCuwBoJHIrdujr3TXNnP1NQ-eBLVlgGs69mf5NOwzP64boGM1VXKHqNYenbeID-aPJ-dMU5MDWg&s=1

Enjoyed last nights program, much better than Bargeing around Britain. Never been on the Oxford but walked along quite a bit it's sad to see the outskirts of Oxford looking so run down. The shopping centre in Banbury has greatly improved the town alas at the expense of the canal, but it is intergrated into the development quite well. Doug.

Tim, just make sure you don't get the WRONG TROUSERS. Doug.

I use to really enjoy Top Gear, but the current series is rapidly descending down hill. The skech about the Amulance was pointless, the Peugeot article degrading to Peugeot owners and the latest bit about the Swiss watch was perthetic and served no purpose other than to bulk out twenty minutes of television. No presenter is bigger than the show and I think it's a great chance to revamp what was an excellent program. Doug.

Here is a picture taken at Ranworth. Doug.

If only I could get her to take those bloody aspirin !!! Doug.

I thought he had been talking to Jon again. Doug

Steve Truss has owned many half deckers including mine !!! Defiantly knows his way round a wooden boat as I'm sure do many other surveyors. Doug.

A lot of River cruisers started life as half deckers eg Herbert Woods G a y lady class, if your spending around £5000 on a boat a survey is a fraction of that and you could well recoup the cost in having something to bargin with. My half decker would cost well over its value to have repaired professionally . Doug.

The problem I have found with the cheaper end of the market is the blades are held by an Allen bolt as apposed to a lever. The blades are not always interchangable with both types. Doug.

As some of you know I have my hands full with the Broom. I decided late last year my half decker was deteriorating too much and needed some much needed TLC. I contacted the Boat Building Training Centre in Oulton Broad to see if they might be interested in taking it on. After a few email had been exchanged I took the boat down to Oulton Broad just before Christmas so they could give it a survey to see if it was suitable. I was pleased to learn they where willing to take it on for the next batch of students to help learn how to restore old boats. I am pleased to report that work started last week, which involved removing the Keel and centre board case and start to strip off the deck. The work required was estimated to include but not exclusive too replacing 14 planks, fit a new hog, replace the centre board case, re-rib the entire boat, remove the deck to enable the starboard beam shelf to be replaced and fit a new rudder tube. This work is planned to take around 2 to 3 years as it depends on courses being run and number of students. The centre is a fascinating place with many different projects on the go and produces very high quality work. I will update this tread as and when enough progress has been carried out. Doug .

Hi Dan, Sorry to hear the boat is going, I guess you don't get much time to sail her as she was looking "Green" when I was at Womack earlier this year. You are welcome to come out with me if you need a fix. Good luck with the sale. Doug.

All the best helmsman have a sailors hat. Don't they Polly !!!! Doug.

Griff, As your starting from Gouvia you must try Sayaidha on the Greek mainland, the Prawns are out of this world. Word of warning as your boat is quite big you will have to pick the route in and out very carefully to avoid running aground. I have a book of harbours and Gmap of this area should you wish to borrow it. Doug

No need for all that planning Griff, just look on the chart and pick somewhere that sounds nice. Emerald bay is a must see as well as Parga, yanis the ferryman is a legend. Moor bow to the beach and swim off the stern you cannot beat it. Not jealous really I'm not Doug.

Well, things have got off to a slow start this year, very windy at the yard today and lots of boats have lost there covers or tarpaulins . Didn't fancy undoing my cover today in case I could not get it back on so spent most of the day machining up bit for the boat. I was a bit apprehensive about using the circular saw as we managed to burn out the motor on one before Christmas but we took it slow and it was ok. Managed to make up about 8 ribs 2 frames and a new section of chine rail. The sawdust came in very handy as Jon launched a classic woodiy this morning that had been out of the water for about 3 years. Hope the weather is better tomorrow and I can progress work on the boat. Doug

When are you getting that other classic wafi out Jon, she's keen to see the Queen. Doug.

It's still far too cold for varnishing Tim. I'm sure I can find you something else to do. Doug.

Was Santa kind to you this year.?? I have got a new circular saw, a new planer, a new workmate and a new socket set. No socks in sight lol. Just what I need to get motivated on the boat in the new year. Doug.

I use to be with the RAC until I broke down 2 miles from home and it took them 3 patrols and 7 hrs to get me home, I could have pushed it quicker. I am not with the AA. Doug.

It is only a houseboat if it's on a proper residential mooring, this boat is on a BA 24hr mooring so is classed as a boat. It also was not insured, I guess the Broads authority will be picking up the bill for removal. Doug.