BroadAmbition

1035 - She’s gone. Lost her Very peacefully in my arms Griff

Thanks. The only way we will be able to spend Christmas together is if her Mum has finally kicked the bucket. If not, MrsG stays up in Gourock, I stay down here. Her Mum is in such a poor way right now and deteriorating daily that allowing visitors other than immediate family is not an option. ---------------------------------------------- My immediate biggest concern is our crew member Macie Dog. I normally take her to the pub on a Sunday evening but not tonight, she is just not well enough. Macie has a doggy version of Breast cancer, inoperable. She also now has very bad arthritis in both front legs. Macie is 11 going on 12. I cannot and will not see her suffer any longer. I will not be going anywhere this evening as I want to be with her for her last night at home. The two of us home alone. Tomorrow I will take her to the vets for the last time, hold her head, stroke her gently and watch that spark go out of her eyes. This will be the third time I have had to do this for our Retrievers. I'm dreading it but it has got to be done. I owe her it. Macie, like our two previous retrievers has been the full on loyal companion, especially as she is the first full proper gundog we have owned as well as being a member of our family. She has been boat savvy too each and every year numerous times onboard, has attended 11 x Lads weeks and somehow survived them along with the rest of us Tomorrow - man down I'm so going to miss her. Griff

Next 'Target' will be in 12 x days time, 100 x days and a cool £1k saved. Today is that day. My one hundredth day off the weed so £1k or one THOUSAND £'S not spent on them since 30th Aug. It is also MrsG's 58th consecutive day away from the family / family home, 156 days away in total and counting. Just another 26 days and she will break the 6 x month mark. I'm proper missing her Griff

That's got the down force issue sorted out on Trevor at long last. At great expense I will add Griff

Ah, but have the crew? Fair point - Well made. A = Probably - Yes! But that would lower the airdraft and assist passage - Sadly it ain't helping Griff

Our 'B.A' has a 12ft beam with an absolute minimum clearance of 6ft 5" at PHB required for safe passage. I've taken her through at that height before now and it gives me a full inch of error room. 'B.A' was designed / launched in 66, back then through to the eighties she would have been regularly taken through PHB by the pilots as and when her hirers wanted. Nowadays it is a rare occurrence. 'B.A' has not got any bigger Griff

Yes. Did a circuit of inner Broad a few years ago. Stirred up no end of sludge. Best head way was 3mph no matter how many rpm Griff

Fantastic Photo's - Thanks Griff

It might well be 'Old' but looks in proper good condition to me Griff

But just what has Theresa got to do with it? Griff

Wow! And I'm not a person that says Wow! Er, I beg to differ As it happens, I agree - WOW ! Griff

Aluminium anodes Anti Foul - Potentially you will now receive dozens and dozens of differing opinions, all of which will be good and sound. Mainly down to personal choice We use Coastal 037 anti foul with a harder boot topping Emperor 034. Firstly an underwater primer seajet 015 on any bare areas. Both available from Marine Industrial at Rackheath 01692 406822, either mail order or collect in person. Been using them along with their products since 2004 and have been mightily impressed Hope this helps, Griff

My local Game shoot. Sadly no longer run as a full seasons shooting venue for another year at least. We do manage a couple of days though. Yesterday was the first, the next and last for this season will be on the 27th Dec. Crying shame that I couldn't take Macie dog with me though. Still a good full day out with plenty of laughs 30:5g No 6, fibre wad. Oh and apologies for the 'Photographer' casting a shadow, Griff

I proper enjoyed that. Here's a thought, you have never yet taken part in a 'Treasure Hunt' we used to do them ages ago. Great fun they were too. The last one I remember taking part in in - I organised. It was centred around Kolsas / Baerums Verk in Norway. That was around thirty years ago - Chuffin eck - How did that happen? Griff

Paladin - I'm grateful you are here, even more so with your knowledge and updates - Tks Griff

I would be terrified handling a boat that size - 27' 5" was fine There are plenty of your close friends on here and some not on here that are more than capable, besides you would need a crew maybe a day out with your good self would be nice! 'A day out' - Stuff that, it's just gotta involve at least one overnight, preferably two to make it worthwhile, - I'm 162 miles or 3 n half hours away. Bring some friends - that's mandatory btw Griff

That's a lovely gesture - thank you. It ain't just a gesture, get yersen a crew together and cast off Griff

I did originally look at re-conning the Perkins 4108 we inherited when we bought R641. The cost back in 2005 was around £3'500 and that was doing it myself, no labour costs other than having machining done where necessary. If we had gone down that route we would have ended up with a 4108 bullet proof, yet again producing 34hp as it should. We would also have had:- The Noise, vibration and smell of 40's technology. Nothing wrong with that but we had the ideal opportunity to improve the quality when underway whilst afloat So, We looked at purchasing a brand new Beta Marine 50hp . The cost was around £5'500 back then. That meant an extra £2000 onto the budget but we would have modern technology producing 50hp along with a smooth, quiet, no smell running experience It was a no brainer for us. The added advantage was of course there would not be any labour costs involved. Had to replace a myriad of bits around the new engine but it was well worth it. Once the g/box had been re-conned, a new replacement 4 x blade prop as the original 3 x blade unit could not deliver the power in the water efficiently. The result - The Beta is now approaching 3'000 x Hrs. I've had to replace a raw water pump and a starter motor. Other than that just service items. The engine is a breeze for both minor and major servicing - I have done every single one of them It is silky smooth both at tickover and flat out, it's quiet and has enhanced the cruising experience no end. It is easily the most beneficial upgrade we have ever done with 'B.A' She did two 16 x Hrs runs at 2'200rpm (Only 300rpm below max) to the Thames and back and never missed a beat. Being sensible with the throttle / tides makes her economical too. That 4 x blade prop is fantastic during mooring evolutions too Why Beta and not nanni ? Easy - there was no way we was having a french unit onboard. Never gonna happen Would I re-engine an older boat that had a tired old engine for a modern unit again? - Most definitely Griff

On a very dreary and damp Saturday morning I said good bye to a very important part of my life - almost 50 years of it to be precise! Water Rail has found an extremely good new home and maybe the new custodian will make their presence known at some point in the future. Liz That must have been such a wrench for you. I can't imagine ever being in that position. If you get really bad withdrawal symptoms and need a woody weekend afloat, we have 'B.A' ready to go 24/7 - Just ask Griff

Today is 26th November. Nowt unusual there. For me though it will be the first day without wearing a nicotine patch since the 30th August. I've completed 6 x weeks of 'Step 1' patches - 21mg. Then 3 x weeks of 'Step 2' patches - 14mg. Finally 3 x weeks of 'Step 3' patches - 7mg. I should have completed step 3 on Friday 22nd but have obviously missed a couple of days somewhere along the line. So I have now been without a cancer stick for 12 x weeks and four days or 88 x days. That equates to a financial saving of at least £880:00 Next 'Target' will be in 12 x days time, 100 x days and a cool £1k saved. Target after that? 30th August 2020 - a full year stopped and £3'650:00 saved. Biggest target of all will be getting my MrsG to honour her promise of also stopping when she eventually comes back home to live Since the end of May MrsG has spent 150 days away from home with the longest run away from home being the current one, 46 x days - and counting Onwards and upwards then Griff

Thank you Griff, I would be more than happy to do Broad Ambition, every penny from my broads pictures go's to Weston Park. Crack on then. Don't suppose we could have a 'Landscape' rather than portrait painting? How much will I owe you? Griff

Arrrghhh there's a storm a brewing. On Breydon? It will only be in a teacup then! Griff

I can see VictoryV getting inundated with requests for these, his chosen charity will be in for a constant boon (Put 'B.A' down for one with the same background) Well impressed with your painting Griff

Well look on the positives in this. No longer will we onboard 'B.A' have to concern oursens with 'That' bridge. Also we can just pop out to sea at any time we please, Oh, hang on, we would be berthed in sea water and as soon as we cast off would be 'At Sea' Griff

I just don't know how he does it and am proper jealous of the time he available to do it! Griff