BroadAmbition

Turned my attention the the oak lump. Scallops cut, sharp edges planed off, then D.A with 80g, to round all corners / edges orf to give it that aged hand-worked look. Follow on with 320g, why 320g? Purely and simply coz thats what I found first in my garage. Then hang it onto the wall bracket. Now to commence with the finish Griff

Back to that Oak mantle piece, MrsG at last decided on what she wanted it to look like, supplying me with an on-line photo. She also actually made a decision on what was to be the face and top, that meant I could start on getting the wall bracket fitted to the back of the Oak. The three pegs we too long so they were cut down with an angle grinder and suitable blade. Once I was happy with the fit the bracket could then be mounted to the chimney breast, Griff

You're asking me? Someone who has a stock of what we call 'No Name Hardwood' as I can't identify it - neither can anyone else for that mater. Anyroadup - To answer your question -Not a clue matey - Just looks kind correct and more to the point - looked after Griff

She really is a pretty boat and somewhat easy on the eye. Some boats just sort of 'Do It' This example is one of them imho. Must be all that Mahogany! Griff

I agree with Capt Daves interpretation but not so much Paul N's - If on the Broads we followed that interpretation can you imagine the chaos? Take where the Ant meets the Bure. Any vessel proceeding down the Bure would have to give way to vessels coming out of the Ant. In fact same goes for any vessel leaving a dyke / Broad / Tributary river. We would all end giving way to to any vessel on the Port bow - It ain't like that - Thank goodness. Most if not all users of the Broads use the common sense approach in that if you are joining a main river from a tributary / dyke etc, then the main river has right of way - It works - Lets leave it that way without confusing all and sundry with colregs and the like Griff

This is gonna sound so sexist but it is the truth and I can only put it as it happened Chaps - Those of us that have wives / partners / girlfriends will know only too well the phenomenon of when our ladies make a statement / question in plain English but mean something totally different. It must be cos they just ain't wired up correctly. Over the past 34 years that I have been with my Mrs G I am quite proud to say that most days I do have the correct daily crypto installed and fully understand what she 'Means' not what she says, having said that I still get caught out now and again. Earlier this evening I got caught out, not by my MrsG but by one of the girly staff at our village Fish-n-Chip shop. Friday teatime for us at our hovel is Fish-n-Chip night from said friary. I know the owner, he is one of our restoration crew of 'B.A' and has been on a Lads Week before now (His liver told him not to go on another one) Auckley Friary is normally busy but always on a Friday. So I got to the front of the queue, Miss lashes (She has fantastic eye lashes) takes my order then asks me 'What kind of chips do you want'? My answer after a moments pregnant thought at being asked such a stupid question 'The potato kind, cooked and still preferably hot' She then stated that I was in danger of having them thrown at me. I took umbrage at this and stated with some volume that if she tried that they would be returned at a far greater velocity than she could ever manage. The boss overheard this and intervened immediately and gave her a public chiding at talking to customers in that manner. She pleaded innocence saying I was being sarcastic. Really? The boss quite clearly heard her question and my answer and asked her just how was I supposed to answer her plain English question? Yes dear reader, then it came to light, what she mean to say was 'Do you want small / medium or Large' FFS! - Say that then woman! not something you think us chaps will translate into what you 'Meant' No end of arguments are caused by us chaps not listening - Its no wonder! Griff

Whaddya doing Carrot? Mole Hunting Griff

Sounds like a breeze then! Griff

Understood. Seeing as it is an out of water jobby, what about getting the yard where you have taken her out to give an estimate for the work, or a travelling mechanic - Doesn't have to be a marine one as it is a basic evolution. Now there's an ideal - Grendel would be able to do this with his eyes shut and he is in your neck of the woods. Just make him a sensible offer he can't refuse! You could always sail her to the Broads . . . . Griff

Not a clue as I always do them mysen as well as the out of water survey (Which I'll be doing in again this coming April) I suggest you have a ring round for estimates. Try Robert at Sutton Staithe boatyard Griff

Chuffin Eck - A subject I actually dare to have a go at answering. 'B.A' has two cutlass bearings. One where the shaft exits the hull and another un on the bracket fwd of the prop. The first time we changed both of them back in the restoration days - They were buglers to get out. The Fwd one was so stubborn we took the outer bearing housing off altogether then proceeded to extract the cutlass bearing on the bench. New ones were put back in with plenty of coppa slip and new s/steel grub screws (Which in our case are allen key heads - recessed). Hydraulic drive makes not a jot of difference to a cutlass bearing as the bearing has not a scooby doo what type of gearbox is driving the shaft. The shaft needs removing otherwise it will really be a sod of a job if not impossible. First job, clean the outside of the housing and check for bolts / set screws etc that might / should be holding the bearing in place - Unless it is an interference fit - Unlikely but not unheard of. If they won't come out then carefully drill them out taking care not to damage the threads in the housing. Apply releasing fluid of your choice 'Plusgas' imho is about the best. Then its just a matter of decent punches / drifts and a big hammer. 3/4 drive socket of the correct size can be used as a drift quite successfully. If it ain't budging then 'lets get heavy man' and heat it up. If it still ain't moving then it's a hacksaw job to cut a length way groove, this will relieve pressure and give it movement capability and break the bond. Before fitting new bearing, drill with a flapper wheel to clean up the housing. plenty of waterproof grease of your choice. Tap home with softwood and said knockometer. New s/steel grub screws again with plenty of grease, anti-fouling afterwards. I have changed both cutlass bearing a couple of years ago now due to normal wear and tear, much easier to change this time round but they still fought me to start with. Hope this helps, Griff

That's good news and good to know too. Thanks for sharing Griff

Completed by lunchtime today which puts me only half a day behind Griff

I often go for blast to the Milk Bar Cafe, now known as Squires at Sherburn in Elmet. Gets rammed in the summer with thousands of bikes attending. https://www.squires-cafe.co.uk Never been to the Ace cafe, a bit far for a summer evening ride out Griff

'B.A's 2019 river toll invoice landed in my inbox today. It has of course increased as it does every year. The 2019 toll has risen for 'B.A' by 2:65%. The 2018 inflation rate governed by the CPi was 2:44% Yet again the Blessed authority see fit to increase the yearly toll above the inflation rate 'B.A's river toll is now only £7:00 shy of being exactly double the cost of the 2007 toll when we recommissioned her Griff

Sleights - A couple of years ago now Jan / Feb time me and the Wizard stopped here for a fortnight / three weeks upgrading holiday let properties - Proper up market they are too. Nice village. Whitby - Been countless times both as a civvy and staying weekends alongside onboard HM Ships Attacker and Explorer. It is also a destination of mine on 'Ride Outs' on the mighty Tiger - Love the place Griff

She looks great too. Of course she does, she always does too Mind you, sadly she does not always look pristine after a while in the ever increasing leaky wet shed prior to Simpsons taking her round to their place before to you board Griff

Now they really are handy pieces of kit. Used one (But a lot bigger) many times at J.W's place until he wore it out, at Woodbutchers and the Wizard has one too That is one of your better purchases Griff

How does one send updates / Alerts to the Waze system whilst on the move? by using the phones keypad or by voice command? Griff

Well make sure you keep the varnishing dry until it is hardened - And ring me before your brush gets anywhere near my woodwork! Griff

That's an even better bargain - MM - Are you paying attention? Griff

Cracked on far better today, confirmed my planning out and having discussed with the client over the phone it was all systems go. (I'm home alone in this property). Got about 11 x m2 down including some awkward cuts, that included a trip to my suppliers in Donny for some more adhesive / grout and a rushed sarnie. Still doubtful I will get it finished tomorrow but fortunately the client booked for Thursday / Friday has kindly agreed to delay by a day until Friday Saturday. That's fine but I was kinda hoping to get the Mighty Tiger out for a blast on Saturday. Still might hopefully Highlight of the day? The girly partner arrived home early in her nurses uniform, proceeded to make me a drink / biscuits which was pleasantly distracting Griff

I bought three from Ebay, inc the P&P were £27:97 making them about £9:32 ea. Sizes are 75 x 56mm and 2:5mm thick here:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140506455848 Those that Grendel posted look to be exactly the same only at £11:10 ea plus whatever P&P making them more expensive, Hope this helps, Griff

Just to add that although ‘B.A’ has indeed enjoying being pampered of late, she is fuelled up and ready to go as normal (minus her mast) Griff

Tempting fate but now over a month point free Griff