BroadAmbition

You want figures? Since 2007 to 2022 if you add each years annual inflation rate together then it comes out at 42% They are government official figures btw Now if you do the same for the Blessed Authority annual toll inflation figure for 2007 - 2022 Make sure you are sitting down . . . . . . . . 147% And that is not a typo either Over four times higher for the same period Now ask yourselves this:- Have services / dredging / bank clearance / moorings / ranger patrols / waste disposal facilities / public conveniences etc etc kept in line with inflation, decreased or increased by over four times? What has increased are the Authorities own in house self driven responsibilities, positions, non-jobs and bums on seats at Yare house Not rocket science is it now Griff Btw - I don't have the figures for the number of craft both private and hire that were registered on the Broads for each of those years regarding toll income, no doubt the figures are out there somewhere

Mouldy - Our tolls are rising in line with inflation, I don't know where you got that nugget from but its way off the mark. The Blessed Authority have increased tolls year on year way above the national average inflation rate. I've kept a record of the rates of increase since 2007 against the inflation rates and its shocking what they have got away with, If they spent the toll and grant money on what they are actually responsible for instead of power base building and chasing pipe dreams (It's a long list) there would be more than enough finances to suffice Griff

If you can get to the bottom of your diesel tank(s) and if there is a drain key / plug then this would be ideal to drain off any sediment and / or water that may have collected in the bottom of the tank (we installed one along with a sump on 'B.A' during her restoration). It's all very well carrying spare filters but once out at sea, the diesel tank gets stirred up, muck enters the filter - A boat stopper, Change filter clean it out, draw clean diesel through, off you go again only for the same thing to happen. Cleaning out the bottom of diesel tanks is a must imho. I've seen plenty of Broads based boats fall foul of this situation on short trips to Southwold and back. If your tank has no drain / sump, then a hose with a simple impellor pump on a cordless drill will suffice, dip the hose to the bottom of the tank through the filler, suck out the bottom few inches of the tank into a bucket and have a look see. Far better than changing filters whilst out at sea with your engine shut down Hope this helps Griff

and one of the reasons we hired our boat for 2024 was a visit to Langley Dyke. It has prompted us to cancel our booking. Informing your would have been hire yard and the Blessed authority of your decision would not be out of place methinks Griff

some of you may have noticed where I sneaked an update into another thread yesterday, I didn't miss it at all, I was cock-a-hoop (Still am) Now I have to decide if I tell my grandsons that work has re-commenced on the model once more. They are desperate for me to sail model 'B.A' on our local village pond, not to mention other places and badger me for updates Griff

Can’t you demand that the rail bridge swing open for you? it was built as a swing bridge for a reason - supposedly river traffic has a legal right to cruise the river. Btw, what clearance is there at low water? Griff

Berthing ropes came out just fine. Same tactics tomorrow, MrsG will be dealing with one of our grandsons who is staying over whilst I get the remaining berthing ropes in machine before I depart Griff

Monday morning and the rain was due on and off. Our fresh water tank gauge was showing above the red section - just. Good enough, well enough to run the w/c, washing up, cleaning through and cups of tea. Well, it was good enough until one of my crew decided to go for a shower even though he would be home that evening, that left the gauge firmly in t red. I needed some potable oggin prior to arriving into t wetshed. Southgates - Hose missing awaiting replacement, next stop was Boulters, went astern up the dyke and into the yard, somewhat restricted on manoeuvring room as per the norm, Whilst we were there I decided to fill the diesel up (1:45 per Litre) only needed 21 x Ltrs and had the pump out done too. This saved us needing to visit Sutton yard and we could head straight for base. It rained on and off which was a pain as that meant squeegeeing / clothing dry the upper scuppers once in the shed. Ludham bridge was showing 7ft9" so we could leave the top up as we passed under Gear stowed, cleaned through, departed for home around 1800. The Beta is ready for a major service as soon as I can find a free day so that'll be another flying visit down prior to our annual Lads week. I've brought all five berthing ropes home for a machine wash, MrsG informed me last night I was not to use 'Her' washing machine - Really? She went to work before me this morning, the ropes are getting a good clean on a long cycle in our washing machine right now Until the next time then Griff

This morning after a FCE, mini disaster averted. One of my ‘Beginner’ fisherman inadvertently caught a duck. Whilst unhooking said duck another fishing hook (partially disintegrated) was found. Both removed., safely released unharmed. Sunny warm morning being enjoyed prior to departing for base Griff

Sunday forenoon, arrived at Wroxham, Berthed on the Ba moorings this time. The lads went off to Aylsham via the steam railway, I stayed onboard, had a clean through and did some fishing, the rain curtailed that The bridge height board (up river side) stated 6ft2”. It was so tight that we missed the bridge (just) but brushed a couple of dangling height markers, the down river board stated 6ft. This then is ‘B.A’s limit unless we were to remove the mast and canopy, that would gain another couple of Inch We cruised to Salhouse Broad for overnight. A call to JBX-5 advised us to try The Salhouse Lodge Hotel for dinner. I rang through and booked a table for four plus Purdey dog (Dog friendly) The food and service was excellent. The lady who took the booking said it was a twenty minute walk. Here we go again - Norfolk time and distance - it took us forty minutes each way. Back onboard, DVD and libations. Another great day afloat Griff

Four of us and Purdey arrived onboard Thursday late afternoon. Sailed at 1800. Overnight at ‘Griffs Corner’’ on the Ant. Friday forenoon did a tad of tidying up the bank then sailed for Potter Heigham. Visited Latharms then spent an hour or so in pub garden - very pleasant Then it was off to Ranworth Staithe for overnight. Dinner onboard, never visited the pub. Saturday morning breakfast at the Grannery then Lads off up Ranworth Church Sailed for Wroxham through bridge with only 6ft3” on t gauge. Berthed outside Kings Head for a couple of hours Sailed mid afternoon for Coltishall lock. A lot of canoes, paddle boarders and wild swimmers, the swimmers were awkward to spot at times the wx has been marvellous so far had dinner in t Recruiting Sargent - excellent Sunday morning a spot of fishing just now prior to heading back to Wroxham Griff

The repair and mot will end up costing you more than the car is worth? And shouldn't these posts be on the 'Car Thread' ? Griff

I had briefly considered upgrading Zebedee's (2002 Z3) ICE but decided to leave it as original fit. It has a remote CD autochanger along with a cassette player and the capability of just five pre-set am/fm radio stations - Nostalgic or what? Griff

You should do. I need 6ft4” for ‘B.A’ Took her through recently with the board stating 6ft3”, had at least two inches to spare. The boards are not accurately calibrated Griff

I met up with Timbo today btw - I hope this doesn't embarrass him but - Wow, he looked great, his speech was perfect too. Nice to have seen him, he has done a lot for the NBN and some of his tales / story writing are legendary Griff

Peter - Let the train take the strain matey Griff

Heaving Line. Never had one onboard, we should have done so before now. One would have been a help with a recent grounding of a craft on Breydon, especially seeing as the rangers on SOB didn't have one - Nor a loud hailer - Inexcusable imho So I purchased 32m of 8mm soft nylon and got set to splicing a monkeys fist, first time I've made one up in over twenty six years so I was a bit rusty but it seems one never forgets. Then it was off into my local park to see just how far I could heave the thing. Again somewhat rusty but once I got the technique correct (Yes there is one, its not just a matter of simply chucking the thing) I was constantly hitting 20m / 60ft, that's a length and a half of 'B.A' A thirty years younger and fitter Griff in his heyday would no doubt manage 25m / 75ft So I'll cut off 5m taking it down to 25m, put a decent size eye splice in (The remaining 5m will come in handy for replacing fender lanyards as and when). I dust sprayed the fist numerous times with orange fluorescent paint - this is for safety reasons so it can be seen easier both day and night time I'll take it down to 'B.A' next visit where it'll be stowed onboard - Hopefully never to be used in anger Griff

The service, wake etc went very well today. No one dressed in black as requested, I had even a psychedelic tie on. I went in Zebedee with the top down, took Trevor Skeleton as a passenger which raised a few smiles / comments. There were a fair few forumites there too which was nice to see, some having driven hours from well south of Norfolk - Respect Mike was a huge character - He won't be forgotten Griff

I have no idea, I will ask the question to Pat in the morning Griff

As and when it gets really cold onboard 'B.A' then I too leave the heater on 24/7 adjusting either the temperature or airflow to suit The Mikuni we used to have was quiet outside, so is the Planar we now have onboard (Its using the Mikuni exhaust and silencer) Griff

Very but be honest normal customer service for Beta in my experience Griff

The issue of noise from the heating is an interesting one. I tend to think that if you’re boating at a colder time of year then it’s to be expected. Agreed it is What is not 'expected' is yards / owners failing to fit sufficient silencing so as to make the noise intrusive for their neighbours Griff

Did Ludham bridge twice last over the last week, 7ft9" and 7ft 11" (In the dark at about 0400) Griff

Here's sommat. The couple we welcomed onboard (With their two goldies) for the cruise from Potter to Womack and back He mentioned the name of a joiner I recommend that is always on the bottom om my standard estimate. Asked if the joiners dad was called Albert with a nickname of Rocky - I had no idea so I msgd my joiner mate and asked him. The reply came back - Yes. Now here's the thing, the chap asking the question is about the same age as me and 'my' joiner (Early sixties). He said I think I was at school with your joiner and have not seen or spoke to him for about forty eight years, I would never forget his dads name as he used to wrestle under the name 'Rocky' I rang my joiner mate up, told him to pin his lug holes back and handed the phone to my guest They were indeed old school friends, conversing for the first time in forty eight years, one at work outside Donny, the other onboard 'B.A - Imagine that! - Small world and a great coincidence Griff

Pump out machine at Sutton yard temporarily out of order (got one at Richo’s - £15:00) Sutton yard, diesel now at £1:50 Ltr. We used 72 x Ltrs Back in t wetshed. Clean through before departing for home. Guests away Griff