9 December 2010
With Sue and Donald returned to Scotland and the snow, it was time to remind ourselves that we were not just on a jolly around the world, there was serious work to be done. Blogs to be written, repairs attended to, ongoing maintenance to be carried out. The very next morning we woke early and wondered why it was so cold. The land was shrouded in thick mist, a real 'pea-souper', no sight of the usually spectacular surrounding mountains, we could not even see beyond the pontoons. I put David up the mast straight after breakfast to change the steaming light bulb which had gone again on our way here. This particular bulb does not seem to last long, surprising as it is the one least used. Then we washed all the salt and sand from the storm of two days ago from her decks and hull. David fitted two new steps to the passarelle to replace the ones washed overboard on our way here. I caught up on emails while David changed the engine oil and fuel filters, and checked all the impellers. The plate for the roller furling was replaced with new, the old one now bent like a banana, such are the forces exerted on it. John, our liveaboard boat neighbour straightened the old one with his vice. He has also welded the old accumulator tank, which will now also become a spare, David having fitted the new one, sent here by Amel. The new end cap for the genoa pole was also fitted. We decided on North Sails to make the new genoa and at long last we found someone to repair the tender, now good as new again. All that remained was to do a basic shop for enough provisions to see us through the next few days before the lift out. I thought that it was about time the galley opened up again. Although we had had many super meals there does come a time when you really long for some simple fare. So tonight it will be macaroni cheese, a favourite of David's.
Susan Mackay