BroadAmbition

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

Sailed from Wroxham at 1000. It’s hotter than yesterday if that’s at all possible. Bound for Stalham and our berth Griff

Ok, Heads up. ‘Aunty Pat’ has been on t phone and asked me to publish the following for those that want to know:- Monday 11th 1200. Woodlands crematorium, Scunthorpe. DN17 1SP Wake afterwards - The Comet Hotel Scunthorpe DN16 1HL i intend to be there of course Griff

What a cracking day afloat. Sailed just before 1000, onboard wx station stating 30c. We had to put canopy up for the rest of the day it was that hot. Sailed to Potter Heigham, bought stuff we didn’t know we needed in Lathams - situation normal. Welcomed a couple onboard with two Golden retrievers, Purdey well chuffed Went to Womack Water, DTS in Kings head. Back to Potter to drop them off. Sailed to Wroxham, took everything down to squeeze under t bridge with board stating 6ft3” (It lies) but it was chuffing close. Dinner onboard now relaxing and trying to cool off Another blissful day afloat Griff

What a nice welcome from the Eastwood staff this morning. I offered a berthing fee - not required. They were so nice and friendly. Asked why I hadn’t brought ‘B.A’ to see em before? No excuse for that one Ready to slip and proceed We will visit again Griff

Sigh, I’ve been proper sad with this news. I knew it was coming, that didn’t make it any easier by a jot. My biggest condolences are of course for Pat and his family it seems like we have known Mike forever, well that is to say amongst our Broadland community. The early days when he took on Chameleon, she was lacking TLC, Mike did a fine job of bringing her up to spec over the years, the current custodians are carrying on with his legacy We were sort of neighbours with him and Pat only a short drive away too i will make every effort to attend Mike’s funeral next week too, need to see him off proper like. I’ve given my booked in client the option of delaying by ten weeks or allowing me to tile for them on a Sunday Mike will be missed by many, but not forgotten Griff

You’ve got it in one Griff

Btw talking of signs, anyone spot the ‘deliberate’ mistake with this one? Griff

The sign in the boatyard states that the White Horse pub is a five minute walk. So off me n Purdey stride out at a fair pace. I challenge anyone to walk it in five minutes. It’s ten all day every day. Must be standard Norfolk time then! Griff

Think it’s the first time we’ve berthed ‘B.A’ here. Got in - just! Griff

Hire craft out of the channel by 100yds on t mudflats. I tried assisting them using loud hailer. I nearly got them off but they just wouldn’t listen to instructions. Then SOB arrived, totally unsuitable craft - too much draft. Rangers useless, no loud hailer, no having line either! Then they instructed hire craft to deploy mudweight over the BOW! They should of course put it over the stern so they could ledge off on a rising tide. I have to ask mysen if the rangers have actually had any training or common sense? Not having a heaving line or a loud hailer is criminal I left them to it before I lost it I have often said to mysen we really should have a heaving line onboard, not for our benefit but to assist others. Therefore if we get to a chandlers this trip I’ll purchase 50m of 8mm and splice a weighted monkeys fist on one end and make up a decent heaving line. Then of course instruct my skippers how to correctly deploy one Griff

We sailed behind schedule at 0655. River mist on and off but cleared by the time we got to Breydon. Passed Broadland Grebe south end of Breydon coming t’other way. Cracking sunny morning to be underway, sunny and warm. Now dragging up the Lower Bure Griff

Due to sail at 0630 in t morning for bridges / tide at Gya. Looking forward to an early cruise Griff

Loddon in t sunshine Griff

Sailed, underway for Loddon Griff

We have had our morning walk whilst successfully staying out of t river. Due to slip and proceed to Loddon. Sunny mild morning Griff

Far from good. Here we are alongside at Brammerton. I take Purdey out for her evening walk. In her excitement to get ashore she leapt over the transom. Thing with that is, we are side on berthed not stern on 😩 Had to haul her back onboard over the transom into the well deck which got me wet through - she’s rubbish at using the emergency ladders. It gets worse, instead of going ashore to have a shake, nope, straight into the wheelhouse. There’s oggin everywhere. She now looks somewhat embarrassed - and damp It’s gonna take me ages to dry everything off Griff

Cruised into New Mills pond at the Victorian pumping station on the Wensum head of navigation. Turned without touching river bed. Now alongside The Ribs of Beef pub for a couple. Gotta be done The Ba tide table lists three bridges - there are seven! Griff

Alongside Norwich Yacht station eleven hours since departing Stalham. We intend sailing up to New Mills pond then alongside Ribs of Beef pub for an hour or so before returning to the yacht station for overnight FCE = Full Cooked English Griff

At Reedham alongside. FCE ordered in Cannell’s, gotta be done Btw, dog friendly inside and out Griff

Passed under Breydon bridge at 0600 SOG 7mph Eta Reedham 0740. We intend to stop for Purdey and have breakfast before pushing onto Norwich Griff

Onboard as of 1945. Sailing preps done. All to the good. Sailing at 0100 - nightnav bound for Norwich. Need to be at Gya for around 0600 tomorrow due to tides Griff

Sadly not, just a single large downdraught hence the scoop on t bonnet. However I plan to change over to your obvious choice Griff