LondonRascal

I'm not understanding the posts where comment is made about the roundabouts being low...? I mean they don't have a big 'hump' in the middle, or trees growing out the middle for example but does it need to have any height when it has the chevrons on the roundabout itself and the warning 1/4 mile away there is a roundabout and then the countdown markers. In other words you've got a lot of visual indicators one is approaching before you see the 'hill' ahead.

Following from posting a video of the roundabouts on the NDR - separate thread - I noticed how nicely the engine note had been captured on the footage. Before dinner I popped out again to film some acceleration runs, and this was the result.

Ignore my last posts on this topic where I mentioned how the road and roundabouts are different, lack flow and so on. This afternoon I went for a spin down Broadland North Way as they now call the NDR - and well, actually much has changed. I did not cover every part, but a good chunk and all the roundabouts had advance warning signs of a roundabout approaching, countdown markers and many also had 'get in lane' signs to further aid navigation. This leaves me to wonder why so many crash on this stretch of road, or also how people continue to be so confused by the roundabouts. I therefore pulled over and set up my camera to film some, and in so doing caught two near misses - one where a car would have likely ended up in my side had I not been aware and cautious of what she was about to do (changing lanes before exiting the roundabout) she was in lane two and me in lane one - she moved over to lane one without a blind spot check, but that is at the end of the video so look out for the red Fiat 500 - and what happens to the BMW 1 Series and the Horse lorry... P.S I also made some errors showing everyone is fallible.

The problem with these roundabouts (NDR) is they have been designed by people using logic and rules, in the everyday these things tend to go out the window. Most roundabouts follow the same design and 'feel' then there are larger multi-lane ones which tend to have road markings to aid navigating them and which lane to be in and so on, but on the NDR the design of the roundabouts is different. Firstly they look different. Some have countdown markers and 'Reduce Speed Now' signs warning of a Roundabout, yet others do not. Some have lit signs, and some do not. Some have 'first exit bypass lanes' and some do not... It means from one to the next there is not a flow, you get used to it with time, but not everyone is going to be a local and remember which one has what. The other issue is they are often three lanes, and those are actual lanes - but the number of times I see a car enter in the second lane and exit in the first or come round in lane three and while on the roundabout itself move over to lane two. What I have also found and is now normal - be it NDR or A47 etc, is if a sign gets hit that is that. It will not be replaced. Just off the A47 for Blofield, 3 signs have gone. NDR has various ones now missing on or close to the roundabouts, also the road markings have begun to wear thin - but of course they won't be re-painted until their time comes regardless of what state they are in, and this all goes to cause its own issues. I had to go over and over and over the NDR roundabouts in my driving lessons and learn an 'ultra safe' method to effectively postilion and indicate earlier to make anyone (like that Van in the video) clearly see my intentions to try and mitigate any surprise. I always indicate when leaving a roundabout to just make it easier for those behind or indeed those waiting to the join what I am about to do but the NDR is a funny old road where people do seem to get a bit confused. I have too but then just play safe either exit and get off and worry about returning around later and coming back, or if miss the turn carry on all the way round again rather than take a chance. That said, I came down to London and had to get round the M25 and M4. Then later A4 and the Westway - still loads better up in Norfolk but I do like the London style of driving, it is just the right side of chaos and as long as you play to the same rhythm it goes well, dither for a moment and it rapidly collapses.

It seems all so easy when you read a few words, look at a few before, during and after pictures and think what good job you did. However, then I think back to sat under B.A with a chisel poking about, hammering and generally finding out how long it takes to get just a little bit of rotten wood out and try and make an okay looking job it it. I swear to God that what some of today's wayward Youth need is none of this community service nonsense, get them some sand paper, and a tin of varnish and see how they like having to put on a few coats of that - it is what sorts the men from the boys (and why Charlie and his Purdy brush go together so well). Seriously Doug, you really do have some patience, skill and perseverance. She is looking perfect and can't wait for Beccles - sunshine and the smell of varnished wood in the morning..Perfect.

It is hard to get things right, I remember way back being asked not to 'hide' my Boat Reviews in the longer videos of a particular day, so I made individual videos just of the review. A review of a boat is always done at the end of the holiday, on the last day/evening. It takes a lot of preparation too. Everything that has been out needs to be removed, all the surfaces need cleaning, beds making, pillows plumping. Floors cleaned - I have even been known to polish sinks with Mr Sheen to remove water marks I have left when urm using the sink. In short I want to present the boat as you would find it upon take over - clean and tidy and without any belongings about. Then I begin to walk through the boat, but as I go things left in cabins from say the saloon, need to come out and be re-arranged so when I open the net door it appears to open straight into a perfectly tidy cabin despite moments previously it being filled with my suitcase etc. Boat reviews therefore take two hours to prep for, and 45 minutes to an hour to film. I have been told by many they are really useful, yet others will say I talk far far too much and should just walk through quickly pointing of the main points. You can't win. I don't do any of this because I particularly wanted to, it was more a case of "I am here why not" - so to go about yards and ask to do videos is a bit pointless, even a medium size yard with 6-10 boats would take a few days to get through. I think however there is scope for boatyards to vastly improve their offerings through video and photos, and I also believe it should be that each boat in a class has photo's of it, not just picking one out of 5 boats and taking photos of it - each boat is different in small ways, and it all makes a difference. Where I really think video reviews should be used is for boats on Brokerages, I am amazed at just how different one businesses idea of photos of a craft and another can vary - some include engine photos, others do not, some include close up photos of decks and fittings - I remember when buying Independence the Broker had photos showing the thickness left in the Teak decks. This all matters and costs practically nothing in this 'digital age'. I know this Thread was about cars, but I am sorry if the boating side has been left a little bare over the last several months. A lot has happened and also the realisation that much of the escapism of the Broads and boating was there for me simply because it was all I had - now I can drive I can explore so much more. I drive about 2,000 miles a month and none of that is a commute or because I really need to, it is just to get out there and go places - even if just to the beach in Yarmouth and back as the sunsets. That sad, I also miss the whole boating thing - Blogs, going places and talking to you guys as I am cruising along so once this period of awful weather is over and we get back to summer I am going to get out there with the camera and it is going to be on a boat.

Well when I am away (and have been in Wales for a few days) I tend to let my logging in here slip a little. Either that, or I forget and that is just down to my age... Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes - today it was off to a Fur & Feathers for a drink and meal. Not been there before because being a lazy so and so the walk put me off. Looks lovely from the outside, the Beer really is very good (I guess it should be as it’s brewed next door) and the food was excellent. Not so sure about the interior, just not as old world and cosy as I expected based on the exterior. I was also bought the Ladybird Book of the ‘Mid Life Crisis’ and feel this page sums it up so well..

At the recent Brundall Boat Show I had about 7 people, only 1 of which I knew, stop me and say the same... There is however a little problem in this, that being it makes little sense to spend a few hundred to over a grand on a hire boat simply to spend a few days to a week onboard doing videos and ending in a review and that is why that has not happened, but of course I have a few boats I could always use, which brings me to the next issue..Producing them. I don't have with me now a computer with the editing software and power I need - that is all in a storage unit waiting for me to get off my **** and buy a house, move into and set it all up again. So I have had a chat with my long suffering mother who has said once the new carpet is down, and my new bed has been put together I can get a desk and use my old room at their place, set up the computer and use their high speed fibre to upload content. The stuff I have been doing, little snippets all on my phone and while it is okay it is not nearly as good as proper camera gear, and being able to edit things properly - for one whatever would I do without my eclectic music choices to be included into the videos... So I will try and bring back the good old Captain's Blog's - it seems my style and personality has been missed by some, and yet others have loved the fact I have not been about talking to a camera and driving a boat, still if I make a come back think of all the things I can be told I did wrong lol.

Well, it has been quite the day.. Firstly it was off to Kwik-Fit to get the brakes on the SLK looked at. I know people often say bad things about Kwik-Fit and online it tends to be all about people going there and complaining they were 'up sold' things that they did not actually need. What makes me chuckle is how everyone becomes an expert when they enter a Kwik-Fit branch and know what is needed to be done and after they feel extra work is being done will have a 'mechanic friend' who said it did not need doing. One wonders why they did not pay the mechanic friend a bit in the first place.. Anyway, the Prince of Wales Road place in Norwich is very well run, and I have used them a few times now. They had the car up on the ramp and wheels off and the result an hour later was I had badly worn rear pads, passenger side uneven - slake hand brake cable and over 50% wear on the front pads. Things like the worn rear pads and slake hand brake cable perhaps should be advisors in the MOT the car had a couple of days earlier, but since the dealer I bought the car off also did the MOT is that too much of a surprise it sailed though? Suffice to say I asked them to change all the pads and also change the brake fluid. I was then annoyed upon collection Kwik-Fit use Pagid pads (not because they are bad) but because these are the same manufacture who produce the OEM BMW pads, and which I paid a fortune for to be fitted on the BMW X5 at an BMW Independent. Oh well, the bill came to £273.45 which included two new wear sensors and the brake fluid flush and re-fill. I now have a super firm brake pedal, a nice weighted hand brake lever and though I need to go careful for the next couple hundred miles, I can tell the new brakes are wonderful compared to what I had before. I then popped to Halfords and got another Air-Con 'bomb' to rid the last of the musty smell in the system (they really do work) and then got some power steering fluid to top up to the reservoir and while there noticed some LED side light bulbs, why not get these I thought so duly did and also thought why not get them to fit them, since they are pretty easy to get at behind the light cluster. Ops they can't fit them, they are not road legal. Urm why sell non-road legal parts? Big hassle to get a refund not only for the fitting cost but also the actual lights. I'd not mind it says that the blue coated halogen bulbs are not road legal but not anywhere could I see does it say LED's are not legal to fit. Of course the chance you being caught is small, but you never know at MOT time that it is seen/fails etc. Anyway, the car is now looking great, going and stopping great, smelling great and all round good. I therefore made a video to share with you: I also got the BMW X5 back from BA Wheels in Norwich, who did a great job. I am so impressed with the look and the fact they are 'as new' but also the Aston Martin grey colour I had chosen for the powder coating looks great - not too bold, light or dark - just right and makes my wheels now unique. I then spent a couple of hours bringing the paintwork up to a lovely mirror finish, but the next step is going to be having this professionally done with a Ceramic coating.

I have noticed just how much plastic rubbish is about. On the main rivers it tends to be what people litter that then finds it's way into the water, but what is more worrisome is where there are natural areas where debris collect. Usually these are where two quay headings come together at a 45 degree angle and trap debris as they come in on a flood tide. You will get the usual items like branches and leaves, but in the mix I have seen a large number of plastic bottles. It is not just drinking bottles, everything from engine oil bottles to automatic transmission fluid bottles. It is not so common to find a carrier bag, but a black bin bag on the other hand is not so rare to spot. I dread to think how much general litter ends up in the Wensum as it passes through Norwich, and flows out on an Ebb tide down the Yare. Conversely how much might come in through Yarmouth. I think plastic is pretty bad, but not as evil as it is being made out to be - the main issue is us - people - who don't give much of a damn about things, that water bottle chucked on the street, that gets kicked into the river - right there at that moment you've just got something that will be either in the river system or sea for years and years and when it begins to breakdown those smaller chunks, which turn into seven smaller bits never will actually go away.

It has been a while, but some news on the 'fleet': Firstly, I am taking the X5 into a place in Norwich called BA Wheels where the alloy wheels will under go quite a refub. I am having them all taken off blasted (its not sand but that sort of thing) and then they will go through a fresh diamond cut to make the edges of the inner design have a larger cut surface and better shine. The insides will then be power coated in a sparkly grey, which is apparently the same colour some Aston Martin wheels are covered with. This will help hide the brake dust. I'll post some photos once it is all done Secondly as you will no doubt know the SLK I bought has steadily got worse and worse. What a lemon it has proved to be. The issues began when I bought it when the drivers door mirror and lock failed, followed by a new coil pack being needed. Once that was done and I got the car the heater blower motor began to squall terribly, the air conditioner compressor made a terrible whine which has got worse over time. New issues popped up when the transmission would stick in 3rd gear - only very occasionally. Now it will get stuck in 1st or 3rd and it is pretty much every drive. I now also have quite an oil leak down the back left hand side of the engine, it drips onto the exhaust manifold overnight - start the car up in the morning and it smokes like hell for about 20 minutes. Well it is not like I can just sell the car in that condition, and to fix all the above I have been quoted more than the car's value. It therefore came as a great surprise that despite this a dealer has agreed to part exchange the car and valued it at £4,500 - and I am taking delivery of a 'new' SLK on Thursday. The new car is a late 2008 model, with 650 improvements over the previous model, the engine now producing 306BHP, 5.4 seconds to 60 means this is close to the previous AMG V8 in out right acceleration. It has had 2 owners, the previous an old gentleman who could not use easily get in and out of it, has only been serviced by main dealer Mercedes and has done 55,000 miles. It has a lovely (tarty) all red leather interior with a silver exterior. It is having an MOT and service prior to me getting it, and this one comes with a proper warranty. I am hoping second time round will be lucky. I had thought about a BMW Z4 but finding a decent one with the similar performance as the SLK would have seen me having to spend close on £14,000. I looked into a larger Mercedes SL but that would be full of issues, they just do naturally go wrong because they are complex cars and they cost a lot to sort out when they do. I then considered an Audi TT, but it would need to be a TT S to compete with the SLK on performance and again would cost many thousands more. So something small, with a V6 or and a lot of go you can't really beat the cheapness of the SLK's. They ride really well too, and the more modern SLC is being discontinued so these small rockets will be the things of history. My only issue with the R171 model are the seats, they look good, and are made with Magnesium frames for lightness but they just lack lower back support. I have to say I love the comfort and softness of the X5, but I can suffer a stiff back for the experience of the low down roadster. It also makes you actually part of the drive and need to be more alert to what the conditions are and car is doing. The X5 will just go come what may, the SLK even on a 30 MPH twisting road can be a bit twitchy in the wet from the back end. I'll post some photos come Thursday.

I think I need to ask Simon to bring his Guitar then..

I had to replace my old D2 heater controller on Trixie, not sure if it is the same as yours - switch on/off and the dial used to adjust heater output. These are online for around £60.00 I then have a NASA BM1 to keep an eye on the batteries, which tells me their voltage and amps - either charging or discharging. It is remarkably accurate when compared to a voltmeter but does need to be wired correctly and set up right. Two boatyards both had a go at this and got it wrong, in the end a Marine Electrician got it right and it has performed perfectly since. I so however suspect my re-built Alternator is still unhappy but that is another story.

Single, not sure of horsepower

Sorry for the late response to this but there has been a few last minute changes and cancellations going on. So if you could put down Trixie for Saturday at Salhouse, Jill and Simon and then probably I will arrive Saturday afternoon by car with Andy (LondonLad) and Shiela. My Mum will be bringing the Genset, PA speaker and some lights..Oh and the 'NBN Banner' - not quite the usual set up as I would have wished but better than nothing and certainly wanted to not let this be a missed year.

I watch a chap on You Tube who is so down to earth and not someone you want to see a tutorial on when it comes to DIY car fixes, but I admire his fleet of cars and love of late 90's cars. Hub Nut is the name, he has just got an 800 series Rover 'poverty spec'. I loved these, way above the Vauxhall's of their day like the Senator. I am now on a video marathon of Rover 800 related content and even eyed up some for sale on Ebay. Alan Partridge Ah Ha!

Just wanted to add my pennies worth to this thread, having finally seemed to have a moment between cars, boats and certain special lady..I have to say thanks to Charlie for his ever calm and helpful ways. This time around I was working to begin under the hull finding, and chiselling out the rot and learnt a lot. There was so much going on over a relativity short space of time that it blurs into one. We would end our days sat on stools and camping chairs in a deconstructed wheelhouse aching all over watching a DVD - and yet despite this come the next morning nobody would complain or fuss about, even Howard who might otherwise say "that is too much work let's not do that" was stuck in with wiring from switches to coax for our new digital radio aerial, Andy (LondonLad) clearly was mad to come up and help but did so much mucky and hard work helping Charlie between woodwork and metalwork, Peter (Grendal) and I struggled with heating issues, running wires then hitting another issue and so it went on - even the Mast was not playing nice with us. Doug the cream cake superstar and wooden boat wonder took over where our own 'Wizard' had left off, and whom took a great deal of pressure of Charlie. It was hard work, it was long days, but we have a strong team, some good friends and a wonderful looking boat and having put everything back together and cleaned her up inside from all the dust you sit back and feel proud. These old ladies of the Broads seem to have a soul, you put so much in, and take care of them and they take care of you.

The only issue with the 75, if you go the petrol V6 route, is the sheer lack of Torque. Hills are therefore not your friend, neither is quick overtaking. But cruising along they are silky smooth and the suspension, seats, and general interior layout is great. Just the dials, and loads of amber lighting is not to everyone taste. My Dad has an 02 plate from new, kept it as a second car for many years. In the end it had only 43,027 miles on it when it was sold on to a chap who had a thing for Rovers. As to my issues, well the BMW came back to me today - no issues. They went over the steering system, did some kind of reset to the electric steering geometry controller and I have to say it feels more positive. Because they had the car over 24hrs and had not called me back when they said they would they waived the fee for all this as a gesture good will and updated my GPS maps for £25.00 and washed and vacuumed the car. The SLK is behaving itself again. Recently took a trip up to Doncaster with Charlie but having stopped to put the roof up when it began to spot with rain, we could not get drive - and then did but stuck in third gear. Having given it a rest while we ate, it was once again fine and has been ever since. Reading online it seems I am suffering from a common issues with these older models where the Transmission Conductor Plate is at fault. Usually rectified by a brief stop with the engine off, but once you get it happen it will begin o pop up more and more at random times. Regardless what it actually is, anything with a transmission is not cheap. I;ll be looking at a younger, slighted changed 2008 model for say in Beccles, same but made better - even eeking out more BHP from the same engine - bright red leather interior certainly makes for a change.

So.. It has been time for Broad Ambition to have her big bi-annual work done, this time st Sutton Staithe Boatyard. Ive got some video to share of her coming out the water but thought today would be good to share the work Charlie and i have been doing getting the rotten areas of wood out. It could be a great deal worse and is concentrated at the aft area under the Galley and in close proximity to the prop turbulence. The forward part of the hull is in very good condition. Remember too this is the original 50 year old Teak that went in which has finally begun to deteriorate. Since we replace any wood with Teak it should be as good. PS if anyone wishes to pop down and say hello, or lend a hand you’re welcome to Video: https://youtu.be/qhGwcSdEzQ8

I did not want to comment here about this, or on the many posts on Herbert Woods Facebook about this boat, and I don't want to be sounding too negative since of course this is a lovely boat, especially for a couple or a small family - though not sure about four adults in that space. It is a good size, not too small or large so ticks the boxes of those who think hire boats are getting too large, but for the cost of hire and what you actually get onboard - I think they have missed the mark. Perhaps they just had to make the best of what they had but when you compare the design, fit out internally and the amenities provided with boats now coming from Ferry Marina, Barnes and Faircraft Loynes it does make Gleaming Light seem lacking and a bit past it before it even got going.

Good idea.. I mean logically, it all makes sense. You have a water pump that is breaking down and causing a lot of load to be put on the belt to drive it long before it finally seized and took the belt out with it. When I had the car recovered I cannot remember though did the steering feel super light for that short period between water pump failing and belt breaking and me pulling over. I do know once the car was recovered and I drove it the short distance to the Marina the steering feeling 'really light'. I accepted the cause was there was now no load on the engine from the Alternator, as it was this I thought had gone due to the charging system going down. I therefore presumed once fixed, the load would be back on the engine and the steering would 'firm up' again. When I collected the car and found the steering was super light still I pulled over an called them - no I was told, what I have now is how the car should have been all along. Now the water pump was replaced, the added load the failing one was putting on the drive belt had gone so now the system could operate as it should. Super light at low speed and firmer at higher speed. Sure enough it does get very much firmer at higher speed - previously it seemed to just stay 'firm' regardless of low speed or high. I've done a google and found many F15 model owners unhappy at the super light steering compared to the previous generation X5. It clearly seems a 'thing'. My concern is since the steering on the car is electric and nor hydraulic, and since it is programmable between speeds, has something else gone wrong and mine has ended up being 'over boosted' and too light. If I give the same model as mine a spin and find it is the same as mine, all well and good - just need to accept it. If I find it is firmer as mine used to be, then what the hell is that going to mean - I will tell you, more pounds to be spent I suspect then it will turn out only a main dealer can sort out, and knowing the dealer in Norwich they will end up saying something like "its not showing any fault codes it must be just how it is meant to be".

As did yours - Your horn is also better than mine, but more fitting for an Ocean 30. If I had that on Trixie it would seem too much for her.

Sorry to steering things away from two wheels, back to four..But today I took an impromptu trip with my phone to record the cars sounds, transmission changes and general performance. I think it all sounds and behaves fine, other than that relentless whine of the AC Compressor (pretend it is a Supercharger lol) I am now becoming concerned I have another issue with the X5, the steering. Having been assured by the garage it is normal, and what I had before was abnormally firm, I can't help but wonder if it is. It is simply so light my little finger can turn the wheel lock to lock with hardly any resistance whatsoever when stationary. I mean there is light steering, but this is on another level and vastly different to how it felt prior to the water pump going. It does 'weight up' considerably at over 40MPH so there is some electronic goodness going on and working but it just feels horrible and vague below this speed. Maybe it is just how it should be, but it has kind of ruined the driving experience and turning into side streets or out of them is like learning all over again how much to turn the wheel and when. Oh well all first world problems I guess.

I can't say I have ever really been taken by vans. I don't want to covert one to a 'stealth camper' and have no need to transport large items, like sheets of Ply. While it is true you can only drive one car at a time, it is also nice to be able to think...Hmm, it's a warm sunny day today I'll take the the convertible to Sainsbury's - and then end up driving 20 miles round the country lanes simply because it is a blast and brings a smile to your face. I can't say I have ever really been taken by Motorbikes - sorry to all those who love them so that is something I can be sure I won't be taking up because it would have happened, or at least been tried a long time ago.

Thank you for this time to pop to Peachments me thinks..