FoamFollower Goes to Cobnor.

 Finally,

 After much fiddling and fashing, consternation and prevarication 

FoamFollower has finally flown.

And with much relief I can tell you that nothing dropped off and no-one was drownded. 

There's now the inevitable list of things to sort out, adjust and generally tinker with but the overall impression is good, which is a dour Scotsman's was of saying Bloody Marvelous! 

  She was a bit reluctant in stays, but that might not have been helped by forgetting to pull the rudder down, and like any new boat she'll take a bit to get used to. 

Here's a short video I made thanks to Tom Edom who turned up just in time for the Photo Shoot. 

Can't wait for the next outing. 

Katie Beardie, A Re-imagining.

Ooooh That sounds a bit pretentious! 

A long overdue update on the latest build at Port-Na-Storm. 

Katie Beardie at rest in Chichester Harbour. Al's Paradox anchored off. 

Katie Beardie, my sailing canoe of highest repute (above)  and well documented elsewhere in this blog has gone to the great Skip in the Sky.  Being left with the amas and sailing rig it made perfect sense to replace her sodden and broken hull with a fine replacement. 

No half measures this time, no sir!  

This time we'd (that's the Royal "We'd" here, there's only the one rooster in this coop) use the best quality materials and do the job properly. And while we are at it we'd take the opportunity to  make a few changes and adjustments.  

Plywood was purchased, the garage was cleared, and pencils sharpened. 

Well when I say cleared maybe I mean everything shoved to the side, 

remember what they say, Tidy Shed, Tidy Mind. 

Some Chance.  

Yes there are actual plans. Sort of. 

 Yours truly Gurning at the Japanese Pull Saw. 

Perhaps if you cleaned your glasses Old Man! 

The Centreboard Case and Bulkheads getting a layer of Glass-Fiber. 

Then the inside of the cockpit got the same treatment. This area needs to be pretty strong as it is open to the elements and where the skipper will be climbing in and out. 

The floor area midships needs to support the entire weight of the hull, amas and rig when the boat is on the trolley.  This is what finally did for Katie Beardie. An already compromised area finally gave up the ghost and was beyond economical repair. 

Joining all the bottom panels together. 

Butt Joints are good enough here, they fall exactly where the trolly will support the hull so the extra thickness isn't going to hurt and there will be a half bulkhead to beef things up even further later on. 

Every picture tells a story. 

Well not quite, there was quite a lot of pulling shoving and swearing to get to this stage, 

But that's another story, and this is quite enough for one day. 

   

 

Build Your Very Own Canoe. Free Plans!

 

Click on the images to enlarge.

Save to your computer 

Print and glue onto card 

Cut out and assemble.

As easy as falling out of a canoe.   

Katie Goes to Dell Quay

 A quick and dirty video of Katie running down-wind towards Dell Quay the other day.

And a couple of stills from the same trip. 

Polythene Pam Gets A Makeover.

Great Tidings from the west.

Pete Martin who  is now the proud owner of Polythene Pam my old canoe, has been out on the Gloucester - Sharpness Canal. Pam has a bright new coat of paint, including a rather smart boot top and some lustrous varnish and is looking great. Its just as well Pete didn't try to match the old paint as it was a concoction of tints knocked up from the dregs of tins I had lying around at the time. Probably why he changed it. I'm guessing Pete got a new drone for his birthday. Some excellent film work which puts mine to shame. 

Enjoy. 

Pam Paddles On

Great news from Paradox Pete. He's been out adventuring with Adrian G in their canoes. 
Its really good to see Polythene Pam getting used, and in such super countryside. 

In Pete's own words,

"Adrian and myself managed to squeeze in another impromtu hbbr meeting on Wednesday. 
After a grey start it turned out to be a fine and pleasant day.
Once again there was Lekker Ding and PP forging our way between 2 fine pubs!
The 12 mile round trip was between The Fromebridge Inn (on R Frome) and The George Inn (on R Cam) via River Frome, Stroudwater canal, Gloucester Sharpness canal, River Cam and a sneak along Wicksters Brook. The Timothy Taylor's Landlord at The George,  and Darkstar, American Pale Ale at Fromebridge were both excellent! The rivers Cam and Frome were absolutely beautiful with a portage of about 20 metres between the Frome and the Stroudwater canal  leading to a nose rubbing low bridge... Not for the squeamish. 
We didn't go too far up Wicksters brook because I didn't fancy back paddling for too long to get out again.
As it was I needed a 27 point turn with PP's stern and stem both stuck in the reeds on the river bank." 

Here's some video Pete took of their trip. 

Excellent!

Pete's Paradox Placates Polythene Pam's Parting.

And his wife did say unto him, husband why must you have so many boats? 

And he replied unto her, wife I do not understand the question. 

And she said unto him, I do not care whether you understand, you are not getting any more boats!

And he did understand. 

So, with thoughts of future projects, it came to pass that his first born, Polythene Pam,  must leave the shed and go forth to the shed of another master called Peter. 

But she was not afraid because Peter had built a fine boat which he called Johanna and which was well smart so she would feel at home. 

And they sort of look similar too! 

I expect to see a roller-blind rig on Pam soon. 

Polythene Pam, A Broad.

A Heron Keeps an eye on things from his vantage point near St Benet's Abbey

After the success of the Lechlade raid last year people have been nurturing plans to have a similar raid tagged on to the end of Barton Turf.

   Well I say plans but in fact it was the usual ramblings of the disorganisation known as UK-HBBR.
Turns out there are very few camping opportunities in the Norfolk Broads as most people are self contained in their little floating caravans.

So on Bank Holiday Monday morning with the weather not exactly looking promising a few diehards sat in the dinner hall of BTAC and discussed the options.

It is an amazing sign of the times that, by dint of electronic note-book and I-phone we were not only able to summon up the weather report but also the phone number of the campsite at Thurne, give them a call, and virtually book a pitch for the night without even getting out of the chair.

Polythene Pam and Tim's Canoe moored by Ludham Bridge

So, Phil, Paul, Tim and myself decided to give it a go and head down to Thurne for the night.

I threw some food and my camping gear into my dry-bags and headed for the staithe. 

It was blowing up a wee bit as i headed out over Barton Broad so I got a free ride all the way down  to the entrance to the River Ant.

First stop was Ludham Bridge where we helped Paul drop Millibee's Mast.  Cee Dubbs arrived in his "Stinkpot" cruiser and we all watched the fun as the tourists ducked under the bridge. I actually thought I might have to drop Pam's Mizzen as it's only about 7ft clearance.

Tim helping Paul raise the mast on Millibee,

This is Tim giving Paul a hand to raise Millibee's mast, unfortunately we managed to snap the Gooseneck on her boom.

A Little bit later on we caught up with fellow HBBR member Mark Harvey in his Pandora MkI "Bella" so we stopped for a cup of Tea and a bit of Mrs Harvey's excellent Bannana Loaf. This is definitely the way to travel.

Roughing it on the Broads!  More Tea Vicar?

Quite a few Broads Sailing Cruisers passed by after competing in the Thurne Regatta. 

 Or to give it its splendid full title

The Thurne Mouth Open Regatta. 

I am agog! 

One of the Broads Cruisers creaming past Pam.

It wasn't far then to the mouth of the Thurne and Woodside Campsite. Originally known as Boundary Farm this campsite has it's own dyke and a very convenient slipway for pulling out canoes.

A couple on a tandem came and camped beside us and were amazed at the amount of gear and luxuries, particularly the amount of wine and cider we had on board and were envious of Tim's camp kitchen. I noticed they seemed to be sharing one cooking pot which also doubled as a plate.

Camp at Thurne, if you look you can just see Gem the wonder-dog getting her daily dose of pills.  

We spent a pleasant evening sitting by the dyke watching the sun go down and putting the world to rights. 

Next morning we were up and away but not before the farmer reminded us that the office was open and we could pay before we left.  

Paul Ghosting away up the dyke with just a whisper of a breeze.

Tim left us to go and do some exploring towards Hickling Broad and Potter Heigham while the rest of us headed for home.

Paul and Phil (with Gem the wonder-dog) nearing Ludham.  Watch that speed limit guys!

We had a leasurly paddle back up the Ant towards Ludham.  Thank goodness the breeze of yesterday had at least died away although the forecast southerlies which would have helped us home never did materialise.

Paul lowered and raised his mast again to clear the bridge, we stopped for a bit of lunch and then headed off towards How Hill where there are a couple of preserved drainage mills. 

Paul Tilting at Windmills

Another stop at Irstead for a late afternoon tea break and then up through Barton Broad on a  much calmer day than yesterday, and we were back at BTAC.

 A short trip  but really quite enjoyable.

The broads is full of tourists and holidaymakers in their plastic floating caravans. The sight of Polythene Pam was very entertaining for some, and quite a few took photographs, to the point that it became mildly annoying.

Somewhere along the trip, Monday afternoon judgeing by the wind direction,  this photo was taken by Sue Hines, presumably from a boat, I don't remember seeing her.

Anyway turns out she is a friend of HBBR member Greg Chapman and by the wonder of the interweb and thanks to Chris P who spotted it,  here it is.

Sorry I didn't wave Sue!

I think it's brilliant, Pam really looks good even if i do have by usual glum face on.

You can see more of Sue's great photos of the broads including a great selection of Classic Cruisers here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/supine39/4663855080/

 

Pam Paddles past Palace in New Year's Message.

Photo courtesy of Max at Bursledon Blog

Back in early November the HBBR took a jaunt up the Hamble.
We rowed and paddled past a multitude of Yachts and Motor cruisers all tied up for the winter and probably most of the summer for that matter.

Coming past that great Gin Palace I did wonder how often its' owner actually gets to use her.
I just cannot comprehend having so much money that I could afford such a toy.
Polythene Pam cost next to nothing but the fun and enjoyment she has given me this year could never be valued.

Maybe its a reminder that wealth is only relative.

May you and yours have a happy and indeed prosperous New Year.

Thames Raid Day 5 - Beale Park

Photo courtesy of Chris Perkins



The final morning dawned. For once there had been a "Planning Meeting" the night before. We were supposed to arrive at Beale Park with some fanfare, and Kathy was supposed to be taking photo's for posterity and/or Watercraft so an ETA had been arranged for 10.00, however from experience we decided this was a bit too early as we all needed to get there at the same time, the ETA was revised to 11.00

It was agreed that Wayne should lead the charge. He had manfully and cheerfully rowed Everhopeful all the way and was definitely man of the match.

And so it was a happy band who set off on the last leg...........




Photo Courtesy of Chris Perkins

Tim O'Conner our native guide who had done the recce and coerced the lock keepers tucks into a cracker and squeezy cheese, Mmmmmm

Phil Oxborrow, and Gem the Wonder Dog in his prospector canoe

keeping Wayne company over the last few miles.

Tony Waller, finally off the phone to the plumber stretches out



Richard Rooth the man who sharpened Ray Mear's knives
glides along using those rear-view mirrors.

Chris Waite in Octavia keeping to the back for a change.

The ever smiling PaulH in the Ever- Ready Millibee.

Dave and his faithful and un-complaining friend Mary-Dog doing what they do best.

Photo Courtesy of Chris Perkins

Can I get off yet?

Cheeze ! Chris Partridge in Nessy his home-from-home for the week.

Just Don't take the Pith out of his hat.

Me, still plodding along behind in Polythene Pam.

Are we nearly there yet?

Chris Adney and Dave chatting to Phil Ox.

Bit of an end of term party spirit going on there chaps.

Almost There!

Devon Belle taking trippers from Beale Park comes out to greet us.

And Finally! Wayne leads the fleet through the entrance to Beale Park. Having bravely and cheerfully brought up the rear all week in the rather reluctant Everhopeful. Wayne was shoved to the front to lead the procession into the lake.

Part of the deal with Pete Greenfield of WaterCraft was to enter our boats in the Amature Boat Building Competition, in exchange for free entry and camping.

No sooner had Chris IV got Octavia out of the water but he was surrounded by interested people. Other HBBR minions stand around in awe.

And so it came to pass that Polythene Pam took her place in the competition at Beale Park.

Never a contender, but her proud owner was happy to stand by her after such a brilliant week.

Excellent company, brilliant weather and fantastic scenery.