BroadAmbition

How about this then? - Copied from another thread:- For those of us that can cast our minds back to the sixties and seventies when the then Gt Yarmouth Port commissioners looked after the Broads, (Six staff in the office - Dozens out on the rivers) there were a pair of large tracked cranes on each side of the Bure below Acle Bridge. They were there all year round on permanent duties of dredging the Lower Bure. The method used was the time honoured grab bucket and chuckit onto the bank system. The cranes did not operate 365 days a year but some of it and they were on station ready to commence action, they especially concentrated on the bends of the rivers. Hardly did one see a barge to transport the mud to another location. Now the above paragraph is not my opinion, it is not a theory it is plain and simple fact, one countless visitors and locals have witnessed and accepted as the norm Over the years I have talked to quite a few genuine 'Broadsmen' (And yes sometimes Women too) that work and live around the Thurne / Bure system. They have been on and around the water for decades, not just a few years. They tell me that in those days passage under Potter Heigham bridge was the norm and only exceptionally high tides stopped craft from making the passage. Indeed the two side arches used to be boarded up to deter attempts from dinghys and the like attempting using the side arches. This also is not my opinion, it is not a theory it is plain and simple fact one countless visitors and locals have witnessed and accepted as the norm Then the Blessed Authority came into being. The two regular crane dredgers disappeared from their normal work stations. Slowly but surely over the years the Lower Bure has silted up, especially on the corners. You can witness this with your own eyes This also is not my opinion, it is not a theory it is plain and simple fact one countless visitors and locals have witnessed and sadly had to accept as the norm It's a 'happy coincidence' for the Blessed Authority that the then fairly new topic of global warming and rising sea levels came to their rescue. Now they could and did and still do blame less head room at PHB on rising sea levels, this in their eyes 'Gets them off the hook' with regards to dredging the Lower Bure. But because we have lost the power of the system being flushed out strongly enough like it used to do we witness silting in places like Hickling Broad, and even more so in GYA, even opposite the yellow posts and that hardly ever used to happen. Coastal ships used to moor there regular. Those 'Broadsmen / Ladies' I mentioned earlier state it is not rockets science, dredge the Lower Bure and the balance that the northern Broads enjoyed for decades will return. I for one agree with them. And here's a thought. Why not just dredge the Lower Bure, silted bends, Marina Keys, under the two bridges and opposite the yellow posts just the once. Do it properly. Then if it doesn't have a positive effect on the Upper Bure / Thurne, those Broadsmen will go and eat their hats and I'll join them. Oh but hang on a moment, the cynic in me shouts that the Blessed Authority know full well what will happen if the Lower Bure is cleaned out, it will show up shallow water all over the Northerns that they should have been maintaining way before now and expose them to howls of complaints and derision from owners / hirers, anglers, Local dwellers, businesses etc etc - the whole shooting match and the Blessed Authority does not want that, they could not stand the heat. The last thing they want is to act on maintaining what we have. Nope, they want expensive follies like that proposed at Acle that the good Dr P. can have his name on a brass nameplate for time immemorially (Big Word) There are still some that say, even possibly believe that ceasing of regular dredging of the Lower Bure is no proof of higher river levels at PHB. Incredulously they even state there is no proof that ceasing of regular dredging of the lower Bure reducing the scavenging effect has caused the silting at Marina Keys, and down to the yellow post turning area. However to add balance - There are still some that believe that a pair of Penguins walked from Antarctica to the middle east to board an Ark too, not to mention the flat earth society that meets every year travelling from around the globe Here's the killer question for those who think / believe dredging the Lower Bure will have no positive impact on the Upper Bure / Thurne systems:- Why did the Gya Port Commissioners spend year after year after year with dredgers on site ready to go when silting started to occur on the Lower Bure especially on the bends. Just why did they do that if it would have had no positive impact? If there was no positive impact over the years and years of experience / knowledge gained they would have stopped doing it would they not? Your Honour - My case is rested ! Griff

Agreed and if the BA were honest and up to date then they need to 'suddenly' change the headroom listed to what today's average headroom actually is at HW. 6ft 6" it is most definitely not Griff

I wonder which would be cheaper. A canal from near Phoenix day boats round to the sheds between the two bridges including a lock to keep ebb and flow as is, and a swing/lift bridge, or even a standard bridge the same height as the main road bridge. or regular dredging of the whole river Thurne and the Bure from Thurne mouth to Breydon Water. IMHO - Most cost effective would be dredge the lower Bure, especially on the corners, + through from Marina Keys to the infamous yellow post. Just like the Port Commissioners used to. This would get rid of those navigation posts on the Bure that seem to increase further up stream with less chance of grounding as has been happening. The actual ebb / flow speed would reduce back to what it used to be and best of all? the tidal range at PHB would increase giving us back the headroom we used to enjoy from years past. But the cynic in me says the Broads authority know this only too well and it would reveal just how shallow parts of the northern Broads have become through lack of maintenance / dredging Griff

Just had a glance at he current small bright blue booklet produced for the Broads Authority, 'Broads Tide Tables' 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2019. Inside there is a page on Broads Bridges listed by the rivers they span, they list 29 bridges. The clearances are stated as being at normal high tide during the summer. For Potter Heigham Old (As it is listed) it states 6ft 6" at normal high tide. So it goes without saying that low tide the clearance will be greater. Just who are they kidding? 6ft 6" clearance at HIGH tide? - if only. If that was the case I could get 'B.A' through at any state of tide all summer long Griff

Sorted. I was later leaving home than expected at around 1430. Had to stop on the A17 for a call of nature / coffee and a snack then arrived at J.W's place at 1730. My TomTom Rider I discovered is well out of date and needs updating, never had any of the NDR on it, nor many speed cameras showing, the stretch between Sutton Bridge and Kings Lynn for example and how long have those been installed now? The repair on J.W's Discovery also took longer than expected. I had to drop an item off onboard Trixie at Sutton Staithe, visit 'B.A' and collect some of our ' No name timber' to bring home as I need to cut around 80 odd plugs ready for her new cant rails. Re-fuel the Tiger. By the time I set off for home it was 1930, I made Kings Lynn in an hour but then had to stop for nature, visor clean and coffee in that order. Departed at 2100 with 99 miles in front of me. That gave me an eta at the Harvey Arms, Finningley of about 2230 I reckoned. What I did not reckon on was the A17 being closed just near to Holbeach and a diversion taking me via Spalding adding miles n miles onto the journey before I was back on the A17 once more, then on finally joining the A1 is was raining and lots of spray coming up off from the road. I had some rain x with me but I had not applied it to my visor so was riding in reduced visibility which was far from ideal. I made the Harvey at 2250 - just in time to say heyup to one and all for 20 odd minutes or so, then a short ride home. So, JW has his Discovery sorted and back on the road, he is well chuffed, I have some no name timber at home I needed for the wood plugs, Trixie has received an item that she needed, the Mighty Tiger has had a decent run out. I've gained a few more grey hairs from the journey home. All round result then Griff

but Prymnesium, seem to be much rarer these days, when there are much fewer boats there. Would that be something to do with the boats changing over to holding tanks rather than river discharge perhaps? Griff

When we had 'B.A' surveyed whilst still in the water (The surveyor could get to most of the hull from inside as one usually can with woodies) He informed us that as a project she was a viable proposition and that the asking price was pie in the sky He then proceeded to try and talk us out of taking her on as a project. He explained that the time / money would run away with us, the friendship between us mates could suffer, we would more than likely run out of enthusiasm, patience and knowledge. Our wives / family would get mightily peed of. Our homes and other interests would suffer too. He was correct on the time / money / wives / family / homes / and other interests. Other than that it went very well, I mean, just what possibly could have gone wrong? We are all so chuffed we took her on, including the wives / family. However would I do it again? - Not a chance. Well, not unless I ever retire to somewhere with a large shed and endless amounts of beer chits at my disposal. Griff

I (And my Dad) used to regularly take Broom Admirals through, from memory they require 7ft 2" I believe. The average clearance for PHB has without any doubt whatsoever has decreased steadily since the Port Commissioners handed over the reigns to the current Broads Authority when regular dredging of the lower Bure ceased. Our own 'B.A' requires 6ft 5" to comfortable get through, she was built in 66 and designed for all broads bridges. Yes I have taken her through a few times but more often I cannot do so nowadays, especially with the concern of not being able to get back again. I don't believe the bridge is settling on its foundations either. Dredge the Lower Bure as it used to be regularly done, then the craft designed / built for the Broads Bridges will once again be able to pass under PHB at correct times of tide, just like they used to do. Rocket science it is not Griff

it became an obstruction to the passage of traditional woody's into the port and so it was demolished and re-erected in a field nearby, as a war memorial. Meantime a new wider bridge was built, which no longer restricts the navigation. I like the cut of your Gib sir - A lot Griff

Yesterday - up at 0700, 0730 large tile cutter heaved into back of 'GriffTile' van, the damn thing is most awkward and heavy, spends most of it's time in my garage gathering dust - Just as I like it 0800 at clients, commence remainder of floor cleaning, remove kickboards, move huge fridge, 3 x dressing side panels, wiring conduit all this despite it being ready in all respects according to the client. Commence floor tiling to kitchen / utility floors 12 x m2 in a large format porcelain tile of 700 x 400mm. Given lunch of fresh filled roll + plentiful cups of tea whilst on the job by client. 1730 - Tiling completed, tidied up, cleaned / stowed tools etc. 1745 at my Lads renovation house project - complete remainder of wall grouting to en-suite, deep clean down walls / floors to same. Commence / complete cloakroom wall grouting. 1915 - at home, quick coffee, grab washboy. 1930 back at clients, commence / complete floor grouting. 2045 at local chippy as it would be unfair to as MrsG to feed me at this hour. 2055 at home, consume my dinner will a bottle of red coz I think I have earnt it. I then should have done some emailing and office work but just couldn't be bothered with it, which I will pay for later. And so completes another typical day in the life of 'GriffTile' Today will be much better, clay shooting, leave house at 0915, home for 1230-ish. Then I am toying with the idea of getting the Mighty Tiger out for a run. - J.W (In Stalham) has a problem with the electric window mechanism on his ageing Defender, Sadly J.W is ageing too and he is struggling to repair it. I have sourced new parts for him, they are here in Donny with me. So do I ride down to J.W's and fix his Defender for him? Well it would be rude not to. The Tiger needs a run and what better place to take it? I mean to say, the distance has recently been reduced by 8 x miles each way so It's only a round trip of 308 miles. So if I ride non stop it should take easily less than three hours, an hour on the job. Back home well in time for the usual Sunday evening in the Harvey Arms. All sounds good doesn't it? MrsG not too enamoured by the idea, but then she never is when I'm out on t Tiger Griff

Mmmmm, retro 70's wall tiling 6 x 6's. Only the best Griff

Cadburys Fruit n Nut for me, just try having two or three squares No chance Griff

Great photo’s. Next time with a woody emerging perhaps? Griff

I did the 154 miles in the van Home in 3hrs 20 including a 20 minete stop Griff

The mileage for us down to 'B.A' from door to door for an age has been 162 miles Having updated the TomTom maps and also looking on the AA's Route planner. The mileage from door to door has been reduced down to 154. Now need to have a trip on the Mighty Tiger, those roundabouts and twisty s will be fun. It would have been even better if the road builders had linked up the NDR where is finishes near Morton on the Hill to the A47 Griff

Finally - I found it! - Took some doing and if it wasn't for JBX5 sending me written directions I probably still would not have found it. I drove down to 'B.A' in the early hours of Monday morning the 3rd. There was a lot of patchy fog, in places proper thick reducing me down to 20mph. Finding the turn off for 'Lenwade' whilst on the A47 was not difficult, the next 3 1/2 miles were far from easy but it led me onto the western end of the NDR. Time was about 0315 I found the actual NDR easy enough (That was when I could actually see it) but the signpost system is terrible imho, plus the western end section of it near postwick was not on my TomTom (I'll update it soonest) However I managed to use it fine and was soon in Wroxham and onto Stalham. Earlier today I came home in daylight with no fog, again I found the signage to be shall we say not the best but got mysen to Western Longville, the awkward 3 1/3 mile stretch was much easier in the daylight and soon onto the A47 westbound. The roundabouts? - I just kept very aware, used mirrors, plenty of indicators (BMW indicators don't seem to work very often) and had no issues. Using the NDR route to me seemed quicker in time and obviously less miles as well. I'll take a note next time of how much shorter in distance it is. I can see me using this route as my preferred choice in future. Griff

The earlier engine overheat was caused by an incorrect fitting of a thermostat which was cured way back. It also successfully stopped me from helming a gin palace over Breydon for the second time. Cleaning out the raw water skin fittings has resulted in both engines running cooler so another big tick Griff

Alongside. Job done Griff

Clear of Reedham chain ferry. Exchanged ‘pleasantries’ with Boycee in the normal fashion (plenty of verbal abuse) Griff

We made it under Haddiscoe much to my dissapointment Griff

Great. You can take out ropes now clear of Somerleyton Griff

Clear and underway. Hands fall out from harbour stations. Into Oulton Dyke. Just how high is the tide/ rivers then? We may not clear under Haddiscoe bypass bridge which means we will have to go alongside The Bell at St Olaves, that’d be a shame eh? Griff

Here we are holding station waiting for t rail bridge to swing, then we cause traffic chaos when the road bridge lifts, then into the lock Griff

All that laborious polishing on the Tupperware and stainless steel has paid off. She looks fantastic, I have noticed there is a reflection of a damn good looking Tyke in the white / blue and s/steel Griff

We are back in the wet stuff. All to the good. Alongside a floating pontoon at Haven Marina where we will wait for Mutford Lock at 1400 - if anyone wants a trip form here to Brundall, you are welcome to join us. Just one issue on starting the engines, the port tacho refused to give a reading. So after we cleared the hoist area and got alongside I disappeared into the engine room (I seem to spend more time in there than anywhere else) a tiny nut that held an electrical connector was missing. Amazingly I found it! So that was an easy fix. Talking of easy fixes, the port trim tab had always been problematic in fully retracting, showing one light on the panel when it should have not. On investigating some Richard Cranium had anti fouled the bottom of the shaft on the ram. Cleaned it off (I did all four for good measure), greased and all to the good. Another easy fix was the speed log, the wheel was stuck fast, yet again with anti foul, thoroughly cleaned out now spinning freely. This afternoon whilst underway should see it working. The copper earthing plate, again painted, on cleaning it off, the words ‘Do not paint’ came into view. There are six water intake grills that had been anti fouled to such a degree that the holes / slots were partially blocked. I have cleaned them all out. Had to take my drill to one of them and drill the paint out of the holes. Painting over the hole lot is just bad attitude / practice, no care or attention to detail. All Boat Services in Plymouth needs to buck up imho. We used ‘Coastal 037’ anti foul then ‘Emporer 034’ for the boot topping from Marine Industrial, same gear we use on ‘B.A’ it performs very well. In the earlier pics you can see how clean Indy came out of the oggin, the previous anti foul used was 037 too. Internally we attended to various other tasks, all completed. I just have to change one 240v socket this afternoon and yes, of course it has to be in my favourite location - the engine room once again Griff