SPEEDTRIPLE

The long answer is, new engine, gearbox prop, shaft, stern tube, rudder, engine barbers, plus new dash gauges, cables, steering installation (hydraulic or cable. And that's after - removal of old engines and out drives, re manufacturing transom. As people say John, don't even think about it, and drink tea instead of too much alcahol.

Reading all the NP crap from the BA, it's pretty obvious that packman wants to be the Head of a "Broads National Park Authority" . It also seems to me that the NP authorities are trying to act like political parties, which if became true, it might just play INTO the hands of those that are linked to the Broads, or ANY NP, via residency, industrially, or leisurely, as any political entity would have to be publicly accountable via election. Imagine how far the headmasters face would drop if that were to become law?.

"Lambton Castle"? Please don't leave any litter in the grounds of my ancestral home.

Me too, though not having been on the lap top for over a week, I've got rather a lot of catching up to do.

Christmas day panned out pretty much as expected. Tea in bed (thanks Karen xx) followed by a ie in till about 09.00, followed by my traditional 2 hot sausage rolls for breakfast and another mug of tea. Then it was prezzie time, wiyh some really great prezzies from family and friends, thanks to all. Then Christmas Dinner at Karen's mum and dad's, followed by more prezzies. Then a relaxing afternoon, then cold meat and salad with pickles. More chat and TV, then home about 21.30, followed by more TV, then bed at midnight. Boxing day did'nt go to plan though. Our regular boxing day see's us have a lazy morning, including more hot sausage rolls for breakfast, and then into Bournemouth for a walk along the beach followed by lunch on the pier in the cafe. However, with the rain pouring down, we picked up Karen's mum and dad and went to a local shopping centre looking at new beds. Then back to our place for lunch and TV for the rest of the day, including yet more cold meat and pickles, which again is a Christmas tradition. I dropped Karen's mum and dad back home about 21.00, then finished off the day with TV, then bed about 22.30. All in all, a great Christmas, except for not going down to the pier.

Merry Christmas Peter, I hope Oulto Broad looks lovely in this Christmas sun?.

Hi all, Karen and I wish all on the forum a Merry Christmas, and a happy new year. We were allocated Lightning for this week, but think the oven would have been a bit small for cooking the turkey, so we're still at home.

Unfortunately, my total lack of will power meant I was as greedy as ever, so after 3 sausages, 3 rashers of bacon, 2 coddled eggs, and 2 ladels of beans, along with a fruit and yoghurt breakfast sundae, and a croissant, all washed down with two cups of Earl Grey, we walked away, with me thinking "I shouldn't have eaten all that", but it was very nice though. We were going to meat my youngest Gt nephew for the first time later in the afternoon, so we decided to jump in the car and drive, but did:nt have a Plan where to go, and then Karen suggested Dover, because her mum grew up there, so our destination was set. En route as we were passing Canterbury, I thought about dropping in on grendel, but seeing as he's never done anything against me, I had no reason to torture him. Many years back, an aunt of mine lived on the main road through Hawkinge, so we diverted down to there to see how things changed. I wish I hadn't done so, as it was heartbreaking to see it now as an urban sprawling mass. The airfield had gone, which held many happy memories for us, but the air museum is still there, which was closed, but at least I now know where it is for a visit in 2020. Back En route to Dover, and we quickly got there, so drove straight through and up to the castle. We DID'NT want to go in, but just have a cuppa in a cafe, but they wouldn't allow it. We then went further on, and saw the sign for the white Cliffs, so went their. When we got there, we found it was National Trust, good job we had our membership cards with us. We walked along the Cliffs a short way and took some pics, then retired to the cafe for a coffee and a ginger muffin. Eeling even more stuffed, we went back to the hotel, got changed and went back to Trevs place to pick him up and go and meet his newest grandson. We also took over the family presents, and had a chat for a while. Afterwards, we returned to Trevs House for a cuppa, and pick up his good lady to go to a nearby pub for dinner, yet more food, and we're not even at Christmas eve yet. We had a lovely meal, all having different dishes, yet each of us enjoyed it. After dinner, we dropped Trev and Maria back home, and Karen and I came back to the Hotel. We're the only guests for tonight, as the Hotel is now officially closed for Christmas and the new year, and they kindly accepted our 3 night booking because we are regular customers, so Karen, me, and a night Porter are the only people here, a bit weird to outnumber the staff too. We've had a great weekend, and a great way to start our break, somehow I think Christmas next year may be the same. Good night all.

Wow, what a great weekend, and a great way to start our Christmas break. Lunch was great, with too many bacon rolls consumed. Then in the evening, we were at my brothers for yet more food, though this time all I had was pancake roll and chips with curry sauce, I could'nt fit in any more, though Trev did force me to eat a Danish pastry an hour later. We sat down watching Casino Royal, then back to the Hotel and bed. We both slept rather well considering we felt stuffed after last night's, and today's quantity of food. I think tomorrow may have to be a bit Conservative with the hotel breakfast? Good night all.

We woke up after a pretty good night's sleep, unusual for Karen and I, as we both seem to struggle for a good night's sleep in a strange bed. We enjoy a lovely lay in, and are up, showered and ready to meet my Brother and his partner for breakfast, and they arrive just as we get down to the lobby. We always take a long time over breakfast due to long chats, a lot of the time about bikes, not surprising for us though. It' getting on, and Trev asks if we're in a hurry, but no, we're not, as we don't need to be away till around noon, when we've arranged to meet my cousin and his wife for lunch, so we invite them up to our room, where have another cuppa, and more chat. They eventually get away about 11.30, so we get ready to make a move, and get away shortly afterwards. I'm really looking forward to lunch, Daph always puts plenty of food on the table.

Our journey up to Gravesend was pretty good till we get to the dreaded M25. We joined from the A3, and immediately there was a hold up, with signs showing 50minutes for about 10 miles, so we diverted in to Chobham services for the loo's. Good job we did, as further on we had to take an extended run from the M26 along the M20 to the West Malling junction because the slip road for Wrotham was closed. Our aim was to get checked in to the hotel around 5.30pm, have a quick sit down and cuppa, and meet up with one of the other couples who own a share in Lightning who live locally at 6.30 for food and drinks, but due to road closures and traffic jams we would be late, so phoned them to arrive a bit later. Good job we did, as we arrived at the hotel a little after 6.30 ourselves. We got settled in, and went straight down to the lounge when our guests arrived 5 minutes later. A thoroughly enjoyable evening ensued, and our guests left a little after 10.30, so retired to our suite. It sounds a bit pretentious, but we thought we'd treat ourselves for Christmas. Good night all.

Thanks everyone. Karen is'nt retiring, she's just cutting down to a 4 day week which she'd planned to do a couple of years or so back.

Yeah, it's that time of year. At 11am yesterday (Friday 20th) I finished work for Christmas. Poor Karen had to work for another 1 1/2 hours, but hey Ho (or should that be Ho Ho Ho?) it was the last Friday she will ever work. We're away for this weekend in Gravesend to visit family and friends and deliver presents. It took an hour to get a birthday card for my niece, and petrol for the journey, and then home where I did some washing and tidied away boxes etc for Christmas decorations etc. I got showered and changed, and dwaited for Karen to get home. I put the kettle on ready for tea when Karen gets in and watched TV, and she arrived home. We're already packed from the night before, it's only waiting for the washing in the tumble dryer and Karen in the shower, and then we're off. I loaded up the car, and with Karen all dressed, tea consumed, and washing put away, it was time to leave at 2.50 pm, yeah, we're away and our Christmas break begins.

I'm certainly no expert, but I do know inverters are very expensive, whereas a household "consumer unit" or whatever they're called will be one heck of a lot cheaper. The cost of wiring each won' differ much between the two, so I would imagine it would be a lot cheaper for a yard to retrofit a proper 240v shore power system rather than an inverter. As I said, I'm no expert, so if there is anybody with more knowledge, the please let us know?.

That's the difference between the men and the boys mate 😂.

Sometimes it`s good to be a tea drinking luddite .

A choice of teas maybe? 😂

Must be because you don't look your age?.

61 for me, free prescriptions yes, bus pus no, but with the amazing Triumph Speed Twin in the garage, why would I need a bus pass?. I may be growing older, but I doubt i'l ever "grow up". Congratulations Psychic, I wish you many many more years of enjoyment.

Thanks Wayne, It did look familiar, but I did'nt know which one. If the weather up there today is the same as it is down here on the south coast, I very much doubt you will be sailing. It's bloody horrible.

What make of yacht is it. I don't recognise the motiffe on the main? Or rather, I think I've seen it before but don't remember it.

I had loads of the Orion from 1970, but sadly have lost them over time.

Loddon is my second home, i`ve been there hundreds of times, but never seen it that high. I bet the Chet was wider than normal?.

If you want to replace the sliding roof, get in touch with Andy at Freedom, they have one still on hire in its original format and layout. I say that, because i used to see Vega moored in Wroxham. She had the sliding top removed and replaced by a folding canopy, is she still like that?.

I missed the "W" .