Forum, I have an announcement

[LondonRascal]

So, Forum you fellow boat loving, river explorers - I’ve got some big news, news that I have had to sit on for some weeks and now.

You see, some people have a dream, a real sincere passion within them to reach a goal or achieve something – perhaps it may be a career, a location to move to, or a sporting achievement you name it but the one thing in common is it will not fade and one will not give up that wish to one day make your own dream come true.

For me the fire that brought my own dream to life began as an 8 year old being brought on the Norfolk Broads aboard Saucy Gem 5 from Richardson’s.  This was not the first time I had been afloat on the Broads, I had previously been on the Broads as a baby and toddler but that around Hickling and on many a day boat but Saucy Gem was a boat you could live on and while compared to today’s standards it was sparse with a ‘thunder box’ as the loo, a black and white television that might last a couple of hours on batteries it was simply so exciting to be on the boat.

Therein began often yearly trips to the Broads with a build up to them that brought such excitement and much pestering of my family to choose the Broads to holiday on than anywhere else. I remember saying to my mum at Potter Heigham one day

“I want to have a boat and one of those chalets one day”...

By the time I was 21 I treated us all to Westminster Bridge from Bridge Craft at Acle – and then strangely that was that – I began to explore Europe and generally experience the world as a twenty something.

Despite the time passing without going on the Broads my original dream still was within me and by 2011 I was back and with vengeance – 4 boats in 2011 alone and on it went, joining forums, meeting people, making new friends and of course recoding more episodes for the Captain’s Blog but now I was looking at boats on brokers websites, costing things, working out what one could do to boats mechanically and cosmetically spending hours on chandlers websites and learning ‘all things boat’. 

 

My dad and I then got seriously talking about buying a boat and going 50/50 on the costs and how we could enjoy such especially since he was due for retirement last April, with 3 weeks before his retirement he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and all focus then was on treatment and he has kept working part time in order to retain his private medical cover and provision of drugs not available on the NHS.

In May I got a phone call from Charlie Griffin asking a couple of things the first was about carrying out work on my dad’s house in the Cambridgeshire Fens, the second point blew me away – would I be interested in buying a 1/5th share in Broad Ambition?  We suffice to say in less than 24hrs the answer was yes and then the formalities of the agreement and signing the same, along with payment to the syndicate member selling their share began. 

And so here we are 1st July 2015 some 28 years on from when I my dream originally began to own a boat on the Broads, I can finally say I do.  I guess now I need to think about a chalet at Potter Heigham lol.

Many members of this Forum have met me, or seen me on the water and in videos and so it is only fit that I share with you and the wider world my dream – with a video special featuring some time cruising on Broad Ambition and naturally a full video tour of this true classic of the Norfolk Broads now in her 49th year afloat.

As for the Captain’s Blogs and hiring and boat reviews – watch this space, as I enjoy making them and my relationship with viewers and businesses means a lot so you can expect those at times, but also look forward to some new videos from the grand old lady herself, Broad Ambition

 

Broad Ambition Special

[Warp]

Congratulations Robin!

[ExSurveyor]

Congratulations Robin, what a great idea and you will learn so much from Griff.

[Poggymale]

Fabulous and what a privilege - she is beautiful!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Soundings]

Excellent news, Robin

[BroadScot]

Congratulations Robin, enjoy all you can. Your only young once.                               

 

I have passed that lovely old lady many times, she is a crackeroonie!

 

 

Iain

 

 

p.s. Can't wait to see you take her through PH bridge!

[Broads01]

Congratulations Robin and a beautiful boat.

[imtamping2]

Brilliant......well done you,,,,,    oh and welcome to the land of empty pockets....  and smiles.

[JawsOrca]

Congrats from me too Robin. Hopefully you will now get loads more time afloat and it will feel even more special on your own boat.  Hopefully catch you on the rivers one day soon too. I've not seen B.A yet!

 

[CYGNET]

 That's great news Robin, you have waited a long time, enjoy and well done....

[dnks34]

Good for you Robin but this turn of events may well put further strain on the hire industry!!

[JanetAnne]

Congratulations from me as well Robin.

 

Us woodies need enthusiastic owners who are understanding of our needs so that our futures are secure.

 

BA is a very lucky boat to have such a good group of people including Griff and yourself within her membership.

 

Will we be seeing you at Beccles in August?

[LondonRascal]

Thanks everyone - I'll be doing my best and sharing the adventures here - JanetAnne I will be in Beccles this weekend with Broad Ambition taking part in the cavalcade as part of the Beccles Charter Weekend and while i may not be present, the boat will be at the Wooden Boat Show in Beccles in August.

[JanetAnne]

Thanks everyone - I'll be doing my best and sharing the adventures here - JanetAnne I will be in Beccles this weekend with Broad Ambition taking part in the cavalcade as part of the Beccles Charter Weekend and while i may not be present, the boat will be at the Wooden Boat Show in Beccles in August.

I shall get my humans to give you a wave then.

[andy]

Congratulations Robin she is a beautiful boat

[jeffbroadslover]

Congratulations Robin.

 

Don't think you should try reversing through bridges just yet though !

 

lol

 

One Broads ambition achieved,  one to go.

 

 

Jeff

[riyadhcrew]

WELL DONE ROBIN... Another reason for a drink when I meet you one of these days.

[Oddfellow]

WOW. Enjoy, Robin.

[deebee29]

Congratulations Robin

Well deserved

[alexandlorna]

Congratulations Robinand well deserved
Good for BA too long term ,what with afresh influx of one liners!

[BroadAmbition]

Morning Robin,

 

I was out late last night. Had to do an estimate over in Grimsby, went on the mighty Tiger (got 'Lost' on my way home) so have not watched all the blog as of yet.

 

Anyroadup, welcome onboard from me and the rest of the crew.

 

More importantly welcome from 'B.A' herself. 

 

Here's wishing you many happy days afloat  and more importantly for 'B.A' a new careful keeper to assist in her upkeep.

 

B.O.A.T = Bung On Another Thousand 

 

 

 

Griff

[Jonathan]

Congratulations Robin,

A whole new era for the Captain's Blog!

[Bound2Please]

Congrats Robin and well worth the wait to own such a wonderful vessel.

 

Charlie

[retired]

Congratulations Robin

Enjoy your time aboard her. Look forward to your blogs.

[Timbo]

Congratulations Robin, welcome to the world of wood and varnish...which surprisingly leads to a world full of plastic divider boxes full of useful odds and ends and a table saw stored under you bed!