Phil Ambrose

Clearly as the question was asked. ? Phil

Maybe because he is working flat out making and selling Boatman stoves he doesn't need to make "upgraded" stoves, nothing in it for him. Phil

As Tony says, just use a spanner that fits. Phil

Marinas vary wildly some have all facilities some have none. For example my marina will issue you with a "House number" so were you to move there it would just be like moving house from an address point of view, no council tax is payable. On the minus side the only facilities are a Elsan for emptying your "portapotti" water to most berths, likewise electricity plus BT will fix you up with a landline and fibre optic BB, oh and rubbish disposal. To get diesel or empty toilet holding tank is a 3 hour trek but the coalman calls!! Wouldn't suit you as it's out in the Fens. Phil

I needed a new Dremel but as I only needed something for a little occasional fettling I bought a Voche from eBay. USB charging, lithium battery only 3 speeds but it did the job nicely, cost? £15-00 so what's not to like. Phil

Pith Helmet, put it on, take it off, pith on, pith off Phil

My only experience of accidents when cleaning boats was with a yacht . It was on oil drums at Broomes yard and myself and an oppo were compounding and polishing in readiness for a trip to the Med. All day the skipper was up and down the ladder loading provisions aboard (slabs of tinnies) and come lunchtime having sampled the said slabs he and his mate went to the pub for lunch. He told us to help ourselves to a drink. We removed the washboards and entered the cabin to find every spare space full of booze. We finished the polishing and the crane prepared for the lift. The yard wanted him to drop the mast as the stays were in the way but in his pissed state he decided to remove only the stays which were in the way and left the forestays attached, he was going sit in the cockpit and hold a rope attached to the mast to steady it. So strops on and the lift had barely started when we could all see the mast starting it's journey south, the skipper drunk as he was redoubled his efforts to hold it upright but the mast had other ideas. To his credit he hung on and was launched out of the cockpit and landed on the forepeak. The mast came down with a hell of a thump and promptly bent at the bows, needed a new one (Ali ) Reckon the skipper learnt a thing or two that day Phil

I have a CD of the lock being worked and it is hairy in the extreme so respect to Athy for surviving!!!! Phil