BroadAmbition

Survey completed as requested Griff

There was no issue whatsoever with any gearbox oil pressure as it turned out, nor any mechanical issues either. It was electrical gremlins in one of the control box issues we ‘think’ bearing in mind these parts of the system have not been used in over a year (hence sea trials). Having trialed the control systems again today from fly bridge and wheelhouse, we are a lot more confident in it’s capabilities Griff

Well yesterday was fun 18 ft swell and 35+ Tks wind once past outer breakwater and the shore lee. She handled it very well and I was super impressed with her sea keeping capabilities of course I won’t ever take her out in those conditions intentionally again but it was ideal for testing her out. Today is rib test and draft along with anodes and below the waterline stuff, top up fuel tanks plus a bunch of other items. We are doing well with the list, better than I expected but then we are doing Long days and all grafting, Team Indy are doing well Griff

The life raft and tender amongst all the other gear including anchor, nav lights, radar, radio, gps, plotter, ropes, fended, engines, generator and a host of other items tooooo long to mention here are all on my jobs list to do. Life raft I will take tomorrow for service, we will check it’s launching system. The rib will be launched and operated, in fact everything we can check will be checked during sea trials on Saturday Griff

All here at Sutton Marina by 1400 Team Indy, ready to commence Griff

Doing well at start of M42. Stopped for breakfast Griff

Apparently she's called 'Gale' I knew a 'Gail' back in the day, right stunner she was too Griff

Just seen on this morning TV BBC wx forecast they say gusts in Norfolk could hit 80 mph - That's serious, structural damage and the like. Time to put in every reef possible, the rag-n-Sticks might have to use storm sails! Thank goodness 'B.A' is tucked up in the shed, mind you at 80mph that's no guarantee she'll be safe Griff

Not too bad up here now the wind seems to have dissipated the west is forecast to be wet and windy but not gale force during the day. Griff

Last sleep and all systems are a go from the northern contingent or 'The A Team' that's me Wizard and Brian - all regular Lads Week crew members and members of 'B.A's restoration team. Van is ready in all respects with numerous items onboard marked for Independence - I've lately got on first names terms with many delivery drivers! Selection of my tools too. By the time I have collected Wizard, his tools and Brian, I reckon we should be on the M18 no later than 0900-ish 299 miles door to marina, Plymouth here we come. Looking forward to seeing the Plymouth and London contingents. Griff

Better you being left to read messages, not them reading about you! Griff

Anyroadup, enough of all this hilarity and nonsense, I'm off out to re-grout a bathroom floor, noisy / dusty job at the best of times. Yesterday it was fixing a black sparkly resin upstand in a kitchen then black grout (I hate working with black grout - Pet hate) , prior to that I somehow got roped into re-finishing timber kitchen worktops and a dining room table - That one was daughters fault, telling her mates how good hers had come up. Looking forward to the 299 mile drive down to Plymouth in t morning Griff

I'm looking forward to hearing about the sea trials Me too, now starting to keep an eye on the marine wx forecast for Saturday. Ideally wind speed no more than 30kts with a max of a 2m swell, Independence is capable of handling larger seas and stronger winds but I don't want to push it or have it too uncomfortable for the crew Griff

Ah yes the Jewel class. Good choice imho. We like them v.much, have two of them (Along with 'B.A' of course) every October, this year we have all three of them booked. Which number do you have booked? - sent the yard a list of issues for numbers one and three last October and will still have it somewhere Griff

Sorry Mr. Griff I don't know you and I've never met you, but from what i've read, maybe you could be quite useful 100 miles offshore with a problem. No need for any apology imho. And I would only be useful if the situation occurring that I actually had knowledge / experience with. If a plotter / GPS / Radar packed up, I would not have a scooby doo. But then I do know how to use a pencil on a chart! Griff

I know my stuff Robin and give advice what I am sure about / If it means anything, I never advertise! Er, you just did! Griff

The top left looks a bit strange, The top left - Harry the spider has been spinning and his web has got wet. It's an ongoing competition between me and him to keep the lens clear, he is winning this evenings battle but I will even the score tomorrow. That particular camera covers my conservatory and garage, which is proper secure, plus Macie dog with the loudest bark in Britain sleeps in the conservatory Griff

Recommendations are priceless. Aren't they just - Best way to go everytime Griff

If we are talking about sea going boats up to 100 miles offshore, what do you do when one or both of your engines start to "cough" You would:- 1) Have the skills to sort it theesen 2) Hope I'm onboard 3) Get on the blower! Griff

Griff did you register your cctv at home about £35 a year if it covers the front of the house etc. Daft laws if this person giving you the video didn't want to and they ain't registered they can get pulled and fined covering public area. I registered my system with the company I bought it from but that is all. I have four cameras as per the photo. One of them does partially cover the path and road, another one does cover part of my neighbours drive and one of his cars which he is most happy about Griff

As I sit here in t office, I see on my cctv monitor that it is snowing outside good and proper (Well - obviously outside Griffin ) Oh joy and glee as I have yet to take the dogs out for their evening walk, I just knew I should have gone out earlier but got engrossed in Britain's top 100 dogs on the goggle box. Our Macie (Golden retriever) came in at number 16, but I did learn that out of the 100 listed dogs, apparently retrievers have the loudest bark of them all - Every day is a school day Griff

My van is normally locked. Until I get the blasted cctv evidence I can't be sure if it was unlocked or they used one of those infernal 'Remote Catchers' I think it was at that time unlocked as I was busy going back and forth putting tools onboard. One small bit of good news, the suppliers that I have purchased replacements was the same purchasers I used before and they generously included a free bit / drill set seeing as I was a crime victim and a returning customer - That was good of them Shotgun - Far to quick / easy, Baseball bat - Much more satisfying. There is one thing for sure, If I ever get near their van, it will incur far more than £350 worth of repairs Griff

Well that's a huge tick off the 'To Do' list - the fuel tanks and balancing system. That was the priority item we faced tackling. It also means that I now don't have to transport around twenty 25Ltr drums down with me either. Having just checked the 'To Do' list - there are still 36 items to attend to, none of them are a 'Sailing Stopper' some are very minor, some items really will end up on a 'Wish List' similar to the system we run for 'B.A' The priority one to attend to is now the sea trials, we expect to be out of the marina into clear safe water for about 6 x Hrs or so. I'd like to get this done Saturday as the sooner we get that one sorted the better as it gives us more time to attend to any issues that may come to light. Three sleeps to go Griff

The postcard that I didn't buy as found on Ebay of B773! Sigh, I wish I could find one like that of R641 Griff

I've known Pete for what seems like forever. Always enjoyed his company. I'll miss him. I will make every effort to attend the Norfolk Memorial for him Griff