BroadAmbition

October, at Geldeston Lock, we had two Jewels and 'B.A' all alongside, well spaced out. That's three boats totalling 128ft with loads of room to spare. You could no doubt double if not triple moor - so potentially A LOT! Griff

Awesome detailed review as is the norm with our Robin - well done again mate. When are you going to do one for 'B.A' then? Griff

During our Lads week we had three large craft out, 2 x Jewels and 'B.A' of course. Jewel 1 - 112 x Ltrs, Jewel 2 - 100 x Ltrs, thats a combined total of 212 x Ltrs at £1:40 ppl (Herbert Woods) = £296:80 If we had re-fueled at Horning / Boulters say at £1:18 = £250:16 a saving of £46:64 that £46:64 would have nearly paid for nearly half of 'B.A's fuel consumption - 82 x trs = £97:76 at £1:18 ppl We didn't re-fuel the Jewels of course, left that to H.W's but we do shop around when passing where 'B.A' is concerned. Incidentally both Jewels did the same running / distance, 'B.A' did more as she had to come down the Ant / return up to the Ant. Jewel 1 used slightly more as she was towing the dinghy. 'B.A' is of course more fuel efficeint due to our maintenance and the Beta onboard. (The Jewels run Perkins 42hp engines where as 'B.A' has a Beta 50hp) Griff

I went and saw the display whilst at St Kats in September (MTB102 Weekend) and it is just proper awesome. I have since been on the relevant website and purchased one of the ceramic poppies for MrsG garden which we will receive sometime after Nov 11th - all profits go to the relevant charity. You can purchase them here:- https://poppies.hrp.org.uk/buy-a-poppy Griff

I'm 'At Risk' every week, if the phone doesn't ring - I'm redundant - mind you its been that way for 14 years now, and right now I have well over a months bookings in front of me wihich since the crash is about normal SGwilko - it could lead you onto something better, one door closes and a bigger one opens up? Griff

I was last at the Royal Tournament in '77 as part of the Royal Guard, that year provided by the Royal Navy of course, Marched into the main arena with the Royal Marine band. The Queen decided to step down onto the sawdust and inspect us after we had formed two deep and performed the Royal salute with our SLR's (This was not set in stone but we were told it might happen) and the good Lady stopped and spoke to me, I was just 17 at the time, that was the first time I met and spoke with our Queen (I got to meet her a second time at Holyrood House in the early 90's) After our performance we had been reserved seats above the Royal box. Fantastic evening. We remained in full guard No1's of course (Now minus the SLR's) I got more young ladies telephone numbers / addresses in that one evening than I ever did in my remaining years in service I often watched the tournament on TV an miss it too Griff

I got some white diesel as is the norm for the 'GriffTile' yesterday, £1:24:99 per Ltr (Not a supermarket either) Now diesel for road use is fully taxed - all 100% of every litre You know where this is going . . . . . . . So how come some of the larger yards are supplying diesel for boats where only 60% of every litre is fully taxed but thier prices are STILL up at £1:40 per litre?? Griff

Beleive me Grendel - full sugar alternative is far far safer than aspertame Griff

Fancy dress this evening round at Bro's - I'm to be count Dracula, MrsgG will be a witch - no dressing up there required, she can use her normal daily broomstick too Earlier today, all day I was participating in my other love apart from the Broads and the Tiger Griff

aspartame - Avoid this stuff like the plague - google the effects of aspartame in the body - I beleive it is banned in some countries and should be so in those that haven't Griff

Yep - Flood barrier on the Lower Yare at Gt Yarmouth, along with a few other coastal defences beefed up along the North Norfolk coast Griff

I recently had to buy another 'Henry Hoover' for work, my last one got married It stopped sucking! Griff

Ha Ha - hope you get what you're looking for. After over 26 years of marriage I have only recently discovered why most women get married in white - and it is now to do wi being virginous - Apparentley most good kitchen appliances come in white. I know, just getting my coat now Griff

Still just as fascinating now as in the begining - great to see her really coming toegher, your pictures tells a thousand words (Don't mention money or the cost in front of Barry!) Ooops I did it again! £££££££££ : Griff

That apron/stem repair looks proper serious stuff. We had to change the apron on 'B.A' - Thankfully the stem was ok otherwise I would have been in it up to my neck, not a clue how to go about changing a stem - but no doubt we would have learnt and had a go at it Good to see BV is getting plenty of love and attention, she is an iconic boat of a past era that deserves to be saved and USED (Hint) Griff

I tried, I really did, but just couldn't stop mysen laughing, especially when he said some such like 'I got my friends to come over and check my stool samples' That 's the one that did it for me Griff

Great News and well done 'Mum and Dad' Now the fun starts . . . . Griff

Imho - fishing this season so far has been excellent, for me personally larger fish and more of them - even a blasted eel! I have a few of 'my own' hotspots but would never divulge them - especially on an open forum Oh and welcome to the NBN BTW Griff

Sigh - I'll miss her - enjoyed every visit onboard. - (admittedly that had something to do with the crew) That video of TC at sea brought back happy memories and she does look very good out on the salty stuff. One things for sure - the new owners of TC whoever they may be are in for a treat and will be getting a boat that has been loved/cherished not to mention very well maintained. Griff

Ok, The video what I did take there, is now on youtube via the following link Griff

Ok, After the disastrous day out to Cleethorpes - well not entirely disastrous but a no-show from the pair of lancs was a huge dissapointment we tried again. Bucket List - Ok, Sunday 21st Sept 14. My lad Dale suggested we visit Derwent reservoir to view the two remaining flying Avro Lancasters in flight - a once in a lifetime opportunity not to be missed. Brian Pyle came along with us as he is a 'Spotter'. Traffic was horrendous, got nowhere near Derwent, ended up abandoning the car and walking downhill for two miles, then another mile over to the dam top wall at Lady Bower and hoping - along with thousands and thousands of other hopefuls, we were not to be disappointed, three passes directly overhead, the sound of eight Merlins on song together was to die for - so chuffed I got to see them. - Enjoy Hmm, file must be too large to upload - suggestions? I've put the video on facebook but not sure if the link will work https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152272639286825&set=vb.728906824&type=2&theater Griff

MM, 10 - 18th Oct, Counting down the days, 2 x Jewels and 'B.A' We used to say 'Lock up your daughters' - Nowadays it's more like 'Lock up your grannies' !! Griff

We had the similar situation with 'B.A' she originally had 3 x blades which was fine with 34bHP from the trusty perky 4108. Installing a 50HP beta meant we would not be transmitting that power efficiently to the water. We could not get a bigger diameter prop in as there just isn't room, increasing pitch - we would have gone way past the sweet spot and had to much pitch or far too coarse. The Beta will rev to 2'800rpm max sticking with the three blade prop would have meant getting to 2'800rpm very quickly and being 'Under Propped' Too many blades and/or pitch would have meant never reaching anywhere near 2'800rpm and having the Beta labouring constantly and being 'Over Propped' The solution was to enlist one that knows and is well versed in the black art of prop/size/pitch in relation to engine/gearbox type, hull size/profile. Jason at LBBy was our chosen expert. He opted for the four blades and pitch to suit. This resulted in our Beta reaching 2'600rpm and being just slightly 'Over Propped'. He got it absolutely spot on first time - He likes to put this down to his expertise / knowledge - I just think he's a jammy git Since the Beta is now fully run in (Nearly 2000 x Hrs) and since then I have treated the engine and gearbox with 'ZX1' we are now achieving 2'700rpm, burning less diesel and being even quieter/smoother (I did not think that was possible but was happily proved wrong - that's not a first I can tell you) Hope this helps, Griff

Well whatever theory one subscribes to, they looked dammed unsightly and out of place, much better now. It'll be even 'betterer' when they raise the whole lot up by a foot below the waterline! Griff

Oh I see - Got you re the 'Missing Item' It was missing nearly all of the time during open sea but proper on in the river. And I have my own reasons for that. Anyroadup - Glad you all enjoyed it. Ref the panning thing - yes it was too fast, I didn't realise at the time as this is the first time I have used my camera in video mode. Still one lives and learns, not that I shall not be starting up regular video postings of the Broads - I will leave that to the expert - Robin. I only took those videos as I thought it was something a bit special and worth recording, and without Robins expertise it would have been just a mixed jumble of this and that. Now I have done the MTB102 adventure it seems the skipper was so impressed with his weekend crew that we have an open invite to crew again whenever a suitable opportunity presents itself that is not already booked up - and there is room for 3 x more, we can go to 7, more hands light work - MTB102 does need plenty of cleaning and maintenance - all done by volunteers. Griff