Having left Islay we made it to Bangor, tucked up in the marina and waited out the next bad weather which went on for the next 4 days. It was a lovely marina and a nice little town so all was very cosy and we were able to sort out a few little niggles that had showed themselves. Harriet especially got lots of attention, and now sports not only a new hat (new vane) but new string and adjustment of her steering leg so she is now a streamlined young lady. I even managed to get some more of the cockpit oiled, and Dave was able to get the echo sounder working again – he found it was full of condensation and a day in front of the heater sorted that out. I am having more and more finds on the HF radio fax system, and thankfully it also picks up radio 4. We have fallen into a routine of doing the guardian crossword and Sudoko while listening to PM and missed it when we got out of range of the FM radio.We must be getting on a bit, becoming creatures of habit. Dave was going to watch the rugby on iplayer but someone told him the score so that spoilt that a bit for him, but he is all ready for next time.
Thursday came and the wind was OK so off we sailed for Ardglass, about 40 miles away. A super sailing day, very brisk, bumpy at times but not too bad except past Strangford Lough which is renowned for hideous waves. (Locals told us there are 2,000 yachts in Strangord Lough, but only about 20 ever get to see outside the Lough. The tides in the entrance are very strong, about 7 kts , and evidently you can get out at times but back in again). Made the entrance to Ardglass, then crossed fingers on the approach which is a bit on the not so apparent side. It is very small, and not very deep so we needed to be in the centre of things. At this time of year there are hardly any boats out at all, so once we spied the pontoons of the little marina we were able to make a dash for the nearest and parked up OK. We were greeted soon after by the marina chappy and Ben the Springer Spaniel and fell downstairs to a well earned dinner.
I can assure you that all the cosseting of Harriet paid off and she behaved like the true lady she is and was able to let us have a bit of a breather from the hand steering. The new hat suits her very well, and she appreciated the care and attention.
Next morning it was off to Howth, just north of Dublin. A longer day, but fine and breezy at first. We were sailing along when Dave said ‘Have we crossed the border yet?’. ‘Don’t know Dave, no border lines in the water’. Need not have worried as then both mobile phones went off with messages from Vodaphone to say we were in a foreign country and now on their extortionate roaming charges. Looked at the chart, and worked out they would not have missed a second of ‘overseas’ time. the wind died and the rest of the afternoon was motoring. So we are now in Howth, Southern Ireland. It is a lovely village, loads of parks and lovely old houses and loads of people who smile at you. We made it to Mass on Sunday – an interesting experience to say the least. Best described by overload of hand made posters in the church and unique liturgy. And now we look to be here a few days more as the tides mean really silly - o'clock starts (2am) and wind from where we want to go. Not to say we haven't tried.....
We decided to give it a go to leave on Monday, but once out of the harbour we realised the wind was really getting up instead of going down, so decided to turn back in. At that time the foresail decided to unfurl itself and set in a tangle. The wind was now very strong. 45 – 50 kts (gale 8/9) was reported on the the wind instrument and all we could do was to head down wind which was fortunately out to sea. A couple of hours was spent trying to sort the sail problem out, and eventually we were able to get most of it back in, but could not furl the last bit. Not a problem at sea, but we knew it would be one later. So we started to motor back – wind had dropped a bit to 35 – 40 kts, waves were lumpy and progress slow. Then the worst sound of all – no sound. The engine died. Deep doodle. So around again down wind and pull the engine covers off, no mean feat when bouncing around, but managed and Dave changed the filter which looked clogged, and we proceeded to try and re-start. We had taken the precaution of letting Dublin coastguard know what was occurring as we were not all that far away from them and if the engine did not start we would need a tow in. So fiddle and try again etc and finally there it was, a cough of life, and we were back to motoring in again. Such slow progress, 3 knts max! Big sigh of relief, and then, bang, the foresail sheet parted and Dave was up the front again tying more knots. The echo sounder then died. We were running out of things to go wrong by now, so kept on going in and called up the marina folk to get someone to come down and take our lines as we realised the boat would not want to stop with the little bit of sail out in the wind that was blowing. It was a bit less by now, 25 – 30 kts. At least we knew where we were going. So into the harbour and down to the marina. I had no engine on at all and we were sailing at a good clip so it was into full reverse, Dave threw the chap a line for the back end and leapt ashore to put on another to stop us as even with full reverse she was determined to keep going. Given the circumstances it was a surprisingly OK coming alongside. We were very pleased to let the coast guard we were in safe and sound and did not need the indignity of a tow. At last peace and quiet. We were left trying to stop the wretched sail flogging in the still brisk breeze which we did by tying to the pontoon and it was not till evening we were able to sort it out. Despite flogging itself to bits all day it was undamaged. The sheet (rope attached to bottom to haul it in) had chafed on a piece of string attached to the stay and broken. Otherwise no harm done, and we now know we can still cope with problems, so a good day in a funny sort of way. Did miss out on lunch though, but had cups of coffee and bikkies to make up for it.
It was also our wedding anniversary . I hear some people go out to dinner instead of going sailing!
So here we are back at Howth, fixing things and waiting out the weather yet again. We amanged to get all systems back to up and running again by evening, and have arranged that this constellation of disasters does not happen again. I suppose we will find a few more somewhere, but as Dave says, at least we know we can fix things out at sea. Spirit has always coped with what has been asked of her. Still happy – we will never be bored I feel. Almost forgot, Dave provided a super anniversary dinner last nght - fish and chips from the local establishment, and very nice it was too.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
AT LAST!!!
MAR 17 2010
Sorry about the long gap in the blog department but we have had a busy couple of weeks. No matter how much time you seem to have, at the and it all goes so very fast. Lots of little events:
We had 4 days stuck on the mooring and only just made it back in for the great event – Vivien and Steve’s wedding. The wind and waves were too much to contemplate going to town in the dinghy, and we were cosy and warm with Henry. The only thing we ran out of was bread, so I made the first loaf of the trip, and very nice it was too. Problem with homemade bread is that it does not last very long , about 20 minutes I think. The wedding was great, and worth the kamikaze dive into the pontoon to get ashore. Guinness had to miss out as he had to stay with his new family and keep the parrot in check, but I am sure he was there in spirit. We were able meet Vivien’s relatives who came to Mull en masse and a great time was had by all.
A short story. ‘Hey, Dave, do you think this water tastes funny?’ ‘My tea is a bit off , must be the peaty Scottish water’. Later, ‘Hey, Dave, this water is a bit on the brown side and the shampoo goes funny’. ‘Can’t think why, must be the Scottish water’. Later still. Panic from outside, ‘Jen!!!!!’ ‘What Dave?’ ‘Disaster!!!!! There is diesel in the water!!’ Quick trip outside and all is revealed – oily brown streaks going down the side from where the water hose is overflowing from filling the water tanks. Then a loud and bottomless groan from my beloved. ‘Jen I must have put the diesel in the water tank instead of the diesel tank last week.’ This explains a lot. The previous week we had realised that the forward diesel tank must have been approaching empty, which it was, so switched to the aft tank and came in to re-fuel. However, instead of guzzling up over 150 litres, it wouldn’t take more than 90, big puzzle. Also the measuring device showed that the tank was empty. Now this should at least have been showing 90 litres. Instead, diagnosis was that the device was wrong and the seats would have to be pulled apart to find the problem. Thankfully night time and fatigue knocked this on the head and the problem put in the will do later basket. So off to the mooring we went for our 4 day rough and tumble in the gale – and rough and tumble it was too. So now all was revealed, instead of putting the diesel in the red hole, it had gone into the blue one beside it – an accident waiting to happen. So the brown and disgusting water was not peaty Scottish water at all. A lift off of the inspection hatch on the water tank showed us a beautiful vision of red diesel floating on the water. So we embarked on a day of sucking out the diesel first and taking it up to the waste diesel tanks for recycling until we got to the interface with the water and then it was having to take these jerry cans further away to get rid of it. Then it was getting rid of the water left, all in all 225 litres of water/fuel (45 gallons). Then it was trying to clean the tank through the 2 small hatches, followed by cleaning up the mess in the boat and putting everything back. A full day’s work. And there was still the other tank to do the next day! But at last we have clean water, and the shampoo works again. Heaven knows how much diesel we managed to drink, and then there was the biocide and water repellent that gets put in before the fuel. Tried to do dilutions and such, and figure out how much diesel would actually have mixed into the water anyway, and gave up. We are now totally focussed when putting in water or fuel I can tell you! Dave is just happy it wasn’t the other way round, it might have hurt his lovely new engine. I think he is also dismal about wasting 90 litres of fuel – he had ideas of straining, cleaning all sorts of things to try and re-use it, but I can tell you diesel gets everywhere and this was not an option.
Another story. We decided to dry the sails that were being stowed on the deck so they could be brought down below. So pretty sail, as she is called, the lovey pink and purple, was hoisted up while we were on the pontoon. It soon became the talk of the town as I found out when I went to collect the bread and the papers. The chaps wondered how Dave let me get away with such girlie colours and the girls thought it was wonderful. I will try to add a picture when I find out how.
Then word gradually got round that we were about to leave at the end of the week. No matter how much you are looking forward to the adventure, you still get a sadness at leaving good friends. I think folk had got used to us being here and thought we were going to hang around for ever, so it still seemed to come as a surprise that we were actually going to do it. All we had to do was get Dave’s last bridge congress out of the way and then we would be off – all the way to Oban!
However.... We had decided that we would have do something about the kedge anchor on the back. The one that was there was far too diddy, and we would need to be able to use a sensible sized one off the back at times, going where we are planning. So it was look at the available ones we had and think which would do. Not as easy as it seems, as there is virtually no room left on the back with all the aerials and Harriet, and we have to be able to drop it and get it in again, also not so easy when it is 22 Kgs and has a length of chain that weighs more than the anchor. And to make life that much more of a challenge, the stern of the boat slopes outwards at sea level, so anything has to be thrown clear of that. So Dave and our local metal worker crafted a device to act as an anchor launcher to bolt onto the back end of the boat next to Harriet, and it was this device that we were still waiting for. At the eleventh hour literally, 5 pm on the day before our departure, it arrived in pieces for us to assemble and attach later – flat pack anchor here we come! A mighty creation it is too, and all I can add is it is quite unique and is certainly of industrial standards!
SO.......................
The day arrived. 4;30 am and we were awake and crawling around in the dark getting ready to set off. Yes, despite all predictions to the contrary, we have left Tobermory. Tears in eyes, we finally hoisted sail at 6:30am and sailed out of Tobermory Harbour. This was unusual too,, as recent experience had us motoring out, but at last we were able to sail off on our way to Oban, the first stop, as the tides were being very difficult to say the least, requiring daft o’clock in the morning starts. Bit of shopping and a tearful good bye to our friend Neil, who happened to be over in Oban for the day, and we were set for the next 4:30 am start for Islay. An excellent day’s sail, the best we have had for a long time, and we managed to tie up to a buoy at Port Ellen about 3:30 in the afternoon. I can tell you we had an early night!
Next day was another early and off we set for Ireland, cracking along with a really brisk breeze and we made it nicely to Bangor marina late afternoon. And we have now been here for 4 days as the wind is not only blowing a gale, but blowing a gale from the direction we want to go to. But we have not been idle, Harriet has had a lot o attention, charts sorted and some packed up to send back to worthy souls in Tobermory, radios sorted a bit more – I am delighted to say i can now get the weather faxes over the HF radio at last and produce usable printouts. And we have done the washing, explored the town, found the best lunch place and Dave says to tell everyone he is talking paddy at last.
Sorry about the long gap in the blog department but we have had a busy couple of weeks. No matter how much time you seem to have, at the and it all goes so very fast. Lots of little events:
We had 4 days stuck on the mooring and only just made it back in for the great event – Vivien and Steve’s wedding. The wind and waves were too much to contemplate going to town in the dinghy, and we were cosy and warm with Henry. The only thing we ran out of was bread, so I made the first loaf of the trip, and very nice it was too. Problem with homemade bread is that it does not last very long , about 20 minutes I think. The wedding was great, and worth the kamikaze dive into the pontoon to get ashore. Guinness had to miss out as he had to stay with his new family and keep the parrot in check, but I am sure he was there in spirit. We were able meet Vivien’s relatives who came to Mull en masse and a great time was had by all.
A short story. ‘Hey, Dave, do you think this water tastes funny?’ ‘My tea is a bit off , must be the peaty Scottish water’. Later, ‘Hey, Dave, this water is a bit on the brown side and the shampoo goes funny’. ‘Can’t think why, must be the Scottish water’. Later still. Panic from outside, ‘Jen!!!!!’ ‘What Dave?’ ‘Disaster!!!!! There is diesel in the water!!’ Quick trip outside and all is revealed – oily brown streaks going down the side from where the water hose is overflowing from filling the water tanks. Then a loud and bottomless groan from my beloved. ‘Jen I must have put the diesel in the water tank instead of the diesel tank last week.’ This explains a lot. The previous week we had realised that the forward diesel tank must have been approaching empty, which it was, so switched to the aft tank and came in to re-fuel. However, instead of guzzling up over 150 litres, it wouldn’t take more than 90, big puzzle. Also the measuring device showed that the tank was empty. Now this should at least have been showing 90 litres. Instead, diagnosis was that the device was wrong and the seats would have to be pulled apart to find the problem. Thankfully night time and fatigue knocked this on the head and the problem put in the will do later basket. So off to the mooring we went for our 4 day rough and tumble in the gale – and rough and tumble it was too. So now all was revealed, instead of putting the diesel in the red hole, it had gone into the blue one beside it – an accident waiting to happen. So the brown and disgusting water was not peaty Scottish water at all. A lift off of the inspection hatch on the water tank showed us a beautiful vision of red diesel floating on the water. So we embarked on a day of sucking out the diesel first and taking it up to the waste diesel tanks for recycling until we got to the interface with the water and then it was having to take these jerry cans further away to get rid of it. Then it was getting rid of the water left, all in all 225 litres of water/fuel (45 gallons). Then it was trying to clean the tank through the 2 small hatches, followed by cleaning up the mess in the boat and putting everything back. A full day’s work. And there was still the other tank to do the next day! But at last we have clean water, and the shampoo works again. Heaven knows how much diesel we managed to drink, and then there was the biocide and water repellent that gets put in before the fuel. Tried to do dilutions and such, and figure out how much diesel would actually have mixed into the water anyway, and gave up. We are now totally focussed when putting in water or fuel I can tell you! Dave is just happy it wasn’t the other way round, it might have hurt his lovely new engine. I think he is also dismal about wasting 90 litres of fuel – he had ideas of straining, cleaning all sorts of things to try and re-use it, but I can tell you diesel gets everywhere and this was not an option.
Another story. We decided to dry the sails that were being stowed on the deck so they could be brought down below. So pretty sail, as she is called, the lovey pink and purple, was hoisted up while we were on the pontoon. It soon became the talk of the town as I found out when I went to collect the bread and the papers. The chaps wondered how Dave let me get away with such girlie colours and the girls thought it was wonderful. I will try to add a picture when I find out how.
Then word gradually got round that we were about to leave at the end of the week. No matter how much you are looking forward to the adventure, you still get a sadness at leaving good friends. I think folk had got used to us being here and thought we were going to hang around for ever, so it still seemed to come as a surprise that we were actually going to do it. All we had to do was get Dave’s last bridge congress out of the way and then we would be off – all the way to Oban!
However.... We had decided that we would have do something about the kedge anchor on the back. The one that was there was far too diddy, and we would need to be able to use a sensible sized one off the back at times, going where we are planning. So it was look at the available ones we had and think which would do. Not as easy as it seems, as there is virtually no room left on the back with all the aerials and Harriet, and we have to be able to drop it and get it in again, also not so easy when it is 22 Kgs and has a length of chain that weighs more than the anchor. And to make life that much more of a challenge, the stern of the boat slopes outwards at sea level, so anything has to be thrown clear of that. So Dave and our local metal worker crafted a device to act as an anchor launcher to bolt onto the back end of the boat next to Harriet, and it was this device that we were still waiting for. At the eleventh hour literally, 5 pm on the day before our departure, it arrived in pieces for us to assemble and attach later – flat pack anchor here we come! A mighty creation it is too, and all I can add is it is quite unique and is certainly of industrial standards!
SO.......................
The day arrived. 4;30 am and we were awake and crawling around in the dark getting ready to set off. Yes, despite all predictions to the contrary, we have left Tobermory. Tears in eyes, we finally hoisted sail at 6:30am and sailed out of Tobermory Harbour. This was unusual too,, as recent experience had us motoring out, but at last we were able to sail off on our way to Oban, the first stop, as the tides were being very difficult to say the least, requiring daft o’clock in the morning starts. Bit of shopping and a tearful good bye to our friend Neil, who happened to be over in Oban for the day, and we were set for the next 4:30 am start for Islay. An excellent day’s sail, the best we have had for a long time, and we managed to tie up to a buoy at Port Ellen about 3:30 in the afternoon. I can tell you we had an early night!
Next day was another early and off we set for Ireland, cracking along with a really brisk breeze and we made it nicely to Bangor marina late afternoon. And we have now been here for 4 days as the wind is not only blowing a gale, but blowing a gale from the direction we want to go to. But we have not been idle, Harriet has had a lot o attention, charts sorted and some packed up to send back to worthy souls in Tobermory, radios sorted a bit more – I am delighted to say i can now get the weather faxes over the HF radio at last and produce usable printouts. And we have done the washing, explored the town, found the best lunch place and Dave says to tell everyone he is talking paddy at last.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
CATCH UP
We have been out of wi-fi range for over a week so unable to keep the blog up to date. First thing was a trip down to Oban. I had been referred to the hospital by the local dentist who was a bit dubious about attacking one of my teeth over here as it might be a problem extraction, and Dave kindly thought of taking our home down so I would not have to get the ferry back it it was too horrid. We were also able to fit in a few other things that needed doing, like seeing the solicitor to make sure all was set for our departure and getting the last of the survey completed. I can tell you I was the most grateful person alive to be able to get the taxi to the boat and fall immediately into miserable patient mode; it was one of those never again experiences. The surveyor came down the next day and did his thing and Spirit passed everything with flying colours, so we set off home in the snowstorm that had been going all morning. This could only be undertaken after brushing the snow off the deck and wrapping up in every woolly thing we had. No wind again so it was a motor home.
A day back in Tobermory and we decided to take the boat down to Ardfern where there is a marina and chandlery as we have been planning to upgrade the bower anchor. Only 7 hours down and an overnight and back again. The weather has been calm but freezing - -6 - -8 deg C every morning and heavy frost over everything. So 6.30 saw us on the deck throwing salt water everywhere to let Dave walk up front to let the mooring go and off we motored - no wind yet again. The dawn came up into the most beautiful blue sky and the mountains were heavily covered in snow and further down the Sound the sun touched the Cairngorms and made them a most glorious pink. Couldn't wish for a more spectacular trip. We threaded our way down the islands to Ardfern to find that the marina had frozen over that morning and a fishing boat had had to act as ice breaker. There was still floating ice when we arrived but caused no problem. We now have a very fine new anchor and woolly gloves. The next day was a repeat of the previous - get rid of the ice and motor, except this day had regular squalls of sleet and snow. Back to the mooring just as the light went.
We had just picked up the mooring buoy when I heard the phone ring down below. Nothing I could do at first, but as soon as possible went to see who it was - our Rachel. Little Alex had a really high temperature and snotty nose, poor little chap, so commiseration and a bit of what to do and said good night and fretted till the next day before i found out that he had eventually settled once he had exhausted his parents by being miserable all night. He is nearly 1 year old, impossible to believe, and this is the first time he has been unwell, so hence the worry. He is such a special little chap.
So now we are back in Tobermory doing last things.
We have a plan now. Dave has decided to go to the Bridge Congress that he used to run as a farewell gesture - this is over the first weekend in March. He will stay in the hotel with the other visitors who come from all over the country. I will have a whole weekend to turn the boat upside down (or have a party). Then we wait a week till the tides are right and if the weather agrees we will set off. The first destination is Swansea just before Easter as we have made arrangements to stay in Swansea marina and hire a car to go visit the family and have Easter in Oxford. We will spend a week doing that and then set off again and make our way to San Sebastien on the north coast of Spain. All we have to really do now is get the kedge anchor sorted, which is in hand if we can get hold of our resident engineer to make up a bracket for us, and the rest is food and off. It is starting to get to the scary/excited stage!
A day back in Tobermory and we decided to take the boat down to Ardfern where there is a marina and chandlery as we have been planning to upgrade the bower anchor. Only 7 hours down and an overnight and back again. The weather has been calm but freezing - -6 - -8 deg C every morning and heavy frost over everything. So 6.30 saw us on the deck throwing salt water everywhere to let Dave walk up front to let the mooring go and off we motored - no wind yet again. The dawn came up into the most beautiful blue sky and the mountains were heavily covered in snow and further down the Sound the sun touched the Cairngorms and made them a most glorious pink. Couldn't wish for a more spectacular trip. We threaded our way down the islands to Ardfern to find that the marina had frozen over that morning and a fishing boat had had to act as ice breaker. There was still floating ice when we arrived but caused no problem. We now have a very fine new anchor and woolly gloves. The next day was a repeat of the previous - get rid of the ice and motor, except this day had regular squalls of sleet and snow. Back to the mooring just as the light went.
We had just picked up the mooring buoy when I heard the phone ring down below. Nothing I could do at first, but as soon as possible went to see who it was - our Rachel. Little Alex had a really high temperature and snotty nose, poor little chap, so commiseration and a bit of what to do and said good night and fretted till the next day before i found out that he had eventually settled once he had exhausted his parents by being miserable all night. He is nearly 1 year old, impossible to believe, and this is the first time he has been unwell, so hence the worry. He is such a special little chap.
So now we are back in Tobermory doing last things.
We have a plan now. Dave has decided to go to the Bridge Congress that he used to run as a farewell gesture - this is over the first weekend in March. He will stay in the hotel with the other visitors who come from all over the country. I will have a whole weekend to turn the boat upside down (or have a party). Then we wait a week till the tides are right and if the weather agrees we will set off. The first destination is Swansea just before Easter as we have made arrangements to stay in Swansea marina and hire a car to go visit the family and have Easter in Oxford. We will spend a week doing that and then set off again and make our way to San Sebastien on the north coast of Spain. All we have to really do now is get the kedge anchor sorted, which is in hand if we can get hold of our resident engineer to make up a bracket for us, and the rest is food and off. It is starting to get to the scary/excited stage!
Saturday, 13 February 2010
BITS AND PIECES
i found myself doing something I have not done since we left the house - ironing!!! How did this happen I asked myself - I had buried the iron very deep under the towels in the bathroom, hopefully only to be brought out for important things like making quilts. We have been using the little laundrette attached to the harbour building, and if I got the timing right I could fold things out of the drier when they were piping hot and miraculously get wearable clothes. However the demand on the machines was so great they have been replaced by bigger ones, and that combined with a back log of washing because of washing ropes instead of clothes meant a lot was crammed in and then crammed into the drier which was still the old size - result Dave's shirts and jeans came out like crepe paper. Mine were OK as they are all very old and floppy. So there I was ironing - learned the lesson, don't stuff the drier. The other lesson could be don't wash ropes, but the boat is going to Oban tomorrow for the final part of the survey, and although we love Henry to bits, he is a bit of a sooty old thing on the deck and we look a bit like an old coal barge. All washable, and despite his occasional burps, couldn't do without him.
The last few days have been really beautiful - very cold with heavy frost overnight, but still, blue days with the sun shining on the mountains, so lots of deck work once the ice had thawed - cockpit lockers cleaned and organised and cockpit scrubbed out - you can say it in a second, but it has taken a considerable bit of effort, especially as everything is a 'treasure' and there is only finite space. had the sewing machine out to make socks for the fenders, so now the topsides are not going to get scratched away, Dave has been around the boat in the dinghy washing the sides down - moaning a bit as it wasn't 30 degrees outside, only zero. I think his transformation from frog to prince is still in progress as he has been feeling the cold something chronic. In the evening I have to change into a light top while he sits huddled up to Henry in this thermal vest, thick shirt and jumper. maybe a big kiss will work this morning as it is St valentine's day.
we went out to the mooring the other day and i was talking to Rachel while looking out at the sun coming down and making the sky and mountains a beautiful gold, when we had 2 seals appear at the back of the boat and have a good look at us before deciding we were boring and did that graceful curved dive and slid away. In the mornings when we go into the pontoon we have been having to avoid a little duckling that seems to have become separated from his brood. He doesn't seem to be troubled by it and is happily doing duck things and diving down for food and coming up and shaking his head before going down again. He has been a regular for a couple of weeks now.
One for Kate. Been knitting this lace shawl in black one ply lace wool - 509 stitches and lots of fancy stitches and I have had no less than 3 wool breaks!! AAAAAArgh. It means tweezers and midget knots while not losing my place in the pattern, not dropping any more stitches and trying to disguise the whole lots. heart stopping as there is no way I can unpick this stuff. I don't know why I do it to myself. Knitting in the evening also gives Dave the idea I would be the person to untangle the ropes after they come out of the washing machine. I did suggest that there was a difference between 1 ply wool and 16 mm rope. He sighed one of those big ones that means 'I guess I will have to do it after all' and sets to work. I did however get the job of putting netting on the forward guard rails - surprising how long it takes to wind bits of string round and round and round.
Biggest news till last - we have planned to be off in March and have booked us into Swansea marina just before Easter. We are then going to hire a car and go to Oxford for Easter and catch up with babies before setting off for Spain. More later.
The last few days have been really beautiful - very cold with heavy frost overnight, but still, blue days with the sun shining on the mountains, so lots of deck work once the ice had thawed - cockpit lockers cleaned and organised and cockpit scrubbed out - you can say it in a second, but it has taken a considerable bit of effort, especially as everything is a 'treasure' and there is only finite space. had the sewing machine out to make socks for the fenders, so now the topsides are not going to get scratched away, Dave has been around the boat in the dinghy washing the sides down - moaning a bit as it wasn't 30 degrees outside, only zero. I think his transformation from frog to prince is still in progress as he has been feeling the cold something chronic. In the evening I have to change into a light top while he sits huddled up to Henry in this thermal vest, thick shirt and jumper. maybe a big kiss will work this morning as it is St valentine's day.
we went out to the mooring the other day and i was talking to Rachel while looking out at the sun coming down and making the sky and mountains a beautiful gold, when we had 2 seals appear at the back of the boat and have a good look at us before deciding we were boring and did that graceful curved dive and slid away. In the mornings when we go into the pontoon we have been having to avoid a little duckling that seems to have become separated from his brood. He doesn't seem to be troubled by it and is happily doing duck things and diving down for food and coming up and shaking his head before going down again. He has been a regular for a couple of weeks now.
One for Kate. Been knitting this lace shawl in black one ply lace wool - 509 stitches and lots of fancy stitches and I have had no less than 3 wool breaks!! AAAAAArgh. It means tweezers and midget knots while not losing my place in the pattern, not dropping any more stitches and trying to disguise the whole lots. heart stopping as there is no way I can unpick this stuff. I don't know why I do it to myself. Knitting in the evening also gives Dave the idea I would be the person to untangle the ropes after they come out of the washing machine. I did suggest that there was a difference between 1 ply wool and 16 mm rope. He sighed one of those big ones that means 'I guess I will have to do it after all' and sets to work. I did however get the job of putting netting on the forward guard rails - surprising how long it takes to wind bits of string round and round and round.
Biggest news till last - we have planned to be off in March and have booked us into Swansea marina just before Easter. We are then going to hire a car and go to Oxford for Easter and catch up with babies before setting off for Spain. More later.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
BLESSING SPIRIT
We have been waiting to have Spirit blessed before we set off, and a dear priest friend of ours who used to be on Mull, but moved to the Mull of Kintyre a year ago, said he would be delighted to do the honours. He was coming on a visit to Mull and would fit us in his busy schedule. However....
It was a dark and stormy night, and a dark and stormy day that broke and we were unable to get the boat to the pontoon or us ashore in the dinghy for the morning Mass he was saying. So a bit later we get a call - where are you? and the reply that we were stuck, but were hoping things would get better. So off he went to visit some other folk and to ring us later. Lunchtime came and still things were on the wild side, so another call would be made later. Things did seem to be getting a bit quieter, so Dave went off in the dinghy to do a recce of the pontoon and came back saying it was actually loads quieter in there, so we thought we would give it a go. So big coats, woolly hats and gloves went on and we got on the deck. It still seemed breezy to me, but determination was Dave's watchword. I was wondering about the enthusiasm of my protestant husband for a boat blessing, but thanked The Lord and started the engine. So after untangling mooring ropes that has twisted themselves into evil knots in the high winds we set off. Approaching the pontoon i realise that it was just as windy there as out on the mooring, but Dave got ready to jump, so an approach was made, more by the guardian angel than anyone I think and there we were, despite the wind doing its best to blow us off down the bay. Dave got a rope on and at least part of the boat was tethered. Half an hour later after much grunting and groaniing and using of winches we had more string holding us on than you could shake a stick at, and very cold fingers. With excelent timing the phone call came from Father Stephen - he thought things were just as bad, and they were, but were able to tell him he could come down and do the business. So we had Spirit blessed at last - so much holy water going everywhere that Dave thought we might have to man the pumps. It was so good to see Father Stephen again too, and catch up on all the gossip. Time passed, and i said to Dave are we going back out. then the truth was revealed..
It wasn't so much getting the boat blessed but getting in to stay alongside for the night as there was a big bridge club meet!!!
So I revelled in a happy boat for the night while the chap had a great time with the cards.
Not too long now, just waiting the weather (still!)
It was a dark and stormy night, and a dark and stormy day that broke and we were unable to get the boat to the pontoon or us ashore in the dinghy for the morning Mass he was saying. So a bit later we get a call - where are you? and the reply that we were stuck, but were hoping things would get better. So off he went to visit some other folk and to ring us later. Lunchtime came and still things were on the wild side, so another call would be made later. Things did seem to be getting a bit quieter, so Dave went off in the dinghy to do a recce of the pontoon and came back saying it was actually loads quieter in there, so we thought we would give it a go. So big coats, woolly hats and gloves went on and we got on the deck. It still seemed breezy to me, but determination was Dave's watchword. I was wondering about the enthusiasm of my protestant husband for a boat blessing, but thanked The Lord and started the engine. So after untangling mooring ropes that has twisted themselves into evil knots in the high winds we set off. Approaching the pontoon i realise that it was just as windy there as out on the mooring, but Dave got ready to jump, so an approach was made, more by the guardian angel than anyone I think and there we were, despite the wind doing its best to blow us off down the bay. Dave got a rope on and at least part of the boat was tethered. Half an hour later after much grunting and groaniing and using of winches we had more string holding us on than you could shake a stick at, and very cold fingers. With excelent timing the phone call came from Father Stephen - he thought things were just as bad, and they were, but were able to tell him he could come down and do the business. So we had Spirit blessed at last - so much holy water going everywhere that Dave thought we might have to man the pumps. It was so good to see Father Stephen again too, and catch up on all the gossip. Time passed, and i said to Dave are we going back out. then the truth was revealed..
It wasn't so much getting the boat blessed but getting in to stay alongside for the night as there was a big bridge club meet!!!
So I revelled in a happy boat for the night while the chap had a great time with the cards.
Not too long now, just waiting the weather (still!)
Thursday, 28 January 2010
DAVE'S PLAY DAY
I wasn't about to start with this, but tragedy as my favourite (and only) stool to get into the front bunks for things has just broken - and it did this with me on it. Not hurt, but gave a bit of a fright. It was supposed to take the weight of an elephant, and I am definitely not bigger than that despite Dave's excellent cooking, but fall to bits it did. So now it will be back to the old box again which is not as good as it does not fold up and gets in the way. It was just about to go to a new home too - so there are small mercies I guess as it is still with all the other going to a good home bits. And it is still only early in the day, the sun is still asleep with Dave and it's not yet time for the weather forecast.
So back to the main part. Day before yesterday we were out on the mooring and it was horrid outside, windy and wet, so an excellent day to do the engine maintenance chap thought. My idea was to maybe do the odd bit of knitting while listening to the radio, maybe read a book or two....I dread engine maintenance as it means total destruction of the living space. 'Won't take long' says Dave, with that look of love in his eyes as he contemplates being able to caress the other woman in his life. I sometimes think she is the alpha female with all the love and attention that goes into her, but then she is pretty indispensable. She is brand new, fitted in place of the trusty old Perkins that has been the motive power for the last 25 years and which needed to go to a less demanding home (has been re-homed to a little boat on the south coast by another engine lover). I was allowed to choose between the red one and the blue one - so naturally we have the lovely silvery blue one. The engine lives in the middle of the saloon under the table, so this is a considerable evolution to get it uncovered. All bunks have to be cleared of the things that accumulate there like books and knitting, the top of the table has the drawers in it which have to come out and be stacked, the top then has to be carefully lifted up so the side leaves don't catch and somehow parked sticking up on the port bunk and wedged with pillows. The base is a big box, and this gets lifted and put on the starboard bunk, but by this time one of us is straddling the yawning chasm with the engine in it and has to take a leap over the top to park it. Then you look around and realise that when work begins the non-worker, me is now confined to the chart table, and this is chock a block with things from the saloon. And as it is raining then there is no option to sit in the cockpit and as it is freezing cold and windy the outside office under the spray hood is not an option. At least I can get to the galley.
So out come all the bits and Dave is as happy as a sand boy. You would have thought that years of playing engines in the Navy would have cured him, but not a bit. First is the diesel filter. Should be easy but won't come off. Tries one bicycle chain thing, no joy and holes in filter. Tries old undoing thing and happily it comes off. Now looks expectantly at me with a filter in his hand as he has not thought of getting a bin to put it in , but this is easily sorted. I retire for a bit to the steps with a book and then i am called into action. I am needed to go out into the cold and turn the engine on. So big coat, hat, outside furry boots on, I scramble out to turn the engine on. No joy, as there is air in the system. To cut a long story short this part of the exercise took a couple of hours, including getting out the spare battery. I would await orders up in the cockpit, Dave was fiddling around with injectors, the shout would come, try the engine start again, no joy, wait for further orders. The engine was not going to start. The voice of optimism from below assured me it would eventually, once it had had a good burp,but by this time i had added another coat on top of what I was wearing and demanded coffee to keep the insides warm. It is a bit of a problem if the engine won't start and the batteries are flat, as we would the have to go in by dinghy and recharge the batteries, and they weigh a huge amount, to much really to totter around getting them into the dinghy when the wind is up.. However, just as we thought the battery was going to give up on another attempt (we were now on the spare one pulled up from its hiding place under the floor), we had one last go and, behold, the magic sound of engine noise rumbled from below. with a sigh of relief I thought this was the end of engine maintenance. Not so lucky, even if it was now into the afternoon. We then had the oil change. Not too messy this time as he got a new gizmo to suck the old stuff out. Then the putting in of the new stuff. A minute later a big cry from himself - 'Jen , I think it's the wrong oil!!!!!' The can didn't say 'diesel engines'. So off he goes in the dinghy to sort it out. I am still on the steps with a book. Back with proper oil and then that bit's done. We are now well into the afternoon, as I had needed a short lunch break to feed the tummy. Now we are finished I think. Not yet. Bilge pump to connect up, and this needs my agile fingers to grope down into the depths under the coupling to join up the wires that had come adrift. Now we have the electric bilge pump again, so we shouldn't sink if we run out of energy to pump bu hand. Finished? No, need to go up and start engines again to get oil around so the level is right. Then it is the emergency engine stop. We had realised that we had no way of stopping the engine if the switch up top failed. so there is now a lovely bit of string we can pull. This meant going up top to start the engine so it could be stopped down below and make sure the string behaved. Then it was over, at last I could come back inside to the warm. Then back on with the box, the top, and the the drawers. A comfy seat at last and just in time for PM on the radio. Next engine day we will be alongside, I am sure I can think of shopping to do! To be fair, chap has realised why it took so long to get a good burp and promises faithfully it will be a doddle next time. As this happens every 100 hours I think sailing everywhere and absolutely no motoring should decrease the anguish quite considerably. But it is always good to end a day on a happy note, and the old boy was very pleased that his other love has been cared for and loved, and exceptionally pleased to have the bilge pump and pull string done - good to see him so contented. And I got some knitting in after all.
So back to the main part. Day before yesterday we were out on the mooring and it was horrid outside, windy and wet, so an excellent day to do the engine maintenance chap thought. My idea was to maybe do the odd bit of knitting while listening to the radio, maybe read a book or two....I dread engine maintenance as it means total destruction of the living space. 'Won't take long' says Dave, with that look of love in his eyes as he contemplates being able to caress the other woman in his life. I sometimes think she is the alpha female with all the love and attention that goes into her, but then she is pretty indispensable. She is brand new, fitted in place of the trusty old Perkins that has been the motive power for the last 25 years and which needed to go to a less demanding home (has been re-homed to a little boat on the south coast by another engine lover). I was allowed to choose between the red one and the blue one - so naturally we have the lovely silvery blue one. The engine lives in the middle of the saloon under the table, so this is a considerable evolution to get it uncovered. All bunks have to be cleared of the things that accumulate there like books and knitting, the top of the table has the drawers in it which have to come out and be stacked, the top then has to be carefully lifted up so the side leaves don't catch and somehow parked sticking up on the port bunk and wedged with pillows. The base is a big box, and this gets lifted and put on the starboard bunk, but by this time one of us is straddling the yawning chasm with the engine in it and has to take a leap over the top to park it. Then you look around and realise that when work begins the non-worker, me is now confined to the chart table, and this is chock a block with things from the saloon. And as it is raining then there is no option to sit in the cockpit and as it is freezing cold and windy the outside office under the spray hood is not an option. At least I can get to the galley.
So out come all the bits and Dave is as happy as a sand boy. You would have thought that years of playing engines in the Navy would have cured him, but not a bit. First is the diesel filter. Should be easy but won't come off. Tries one bicycle chain thing, no joy and holes in filter. Tries old undoing thing and happily it comes off. Now looks expectantly at me with a filter in his hand as he has not thought of getting a bin to put it in , but this is easily sorted. I retire for a bit to the steps with a book and then i am called into action. I am needed to go out into the cold and turn the engine on. So big coat, hat, outside furry boots on, I scramble out to turn the engine on. No joy, as there is air in the system. To cut a long story short this part of the exercise took a couple of hours, including getting out the spare battery. I would await orders up in the cockpit, Dave was fiddling around with injectors, the shout would come, try the engine start again, no joy, wait for further orders. The engine was not going to start. The voice of optimism from below assured me it would eventually, once it had had a good burp,but by this time i had added another coat on top of what I was wearing and demanded coffee to keep the insides warm. It is a bit of a problem if the engine won't start and the batteries are flat, as we would the have to go in by dinghy and recharge the batteries, and they weigh a huge amount, to much really to totter around getting them into the dinghy when the wind is up.. However, just as we thought the battery was going to give up on another attempt (we were now on the spare one pulled up from its hiding place under the floor), we had one last go and, behold, the magic sound of engine noise rumbled from below. with a sigh of relief I thought this was the end of engine maintenance. Not so lucky, even if it was now into the afternoon. We then had the oil change. Not too messy this time as he got a new gizmo to suck the old stuff out. Then the putting in of the new stuff. A minute later a big cry from himself - 'Jen , I think it's the wrong oil!!!!!' The can didn't say 'diesel engines'. So off he goes in the dinghy to sort it out. I am still on the steps with a book. Back with proper oil and then that bit's done. We are now well into the afternoon, as I had needed a short lunch break to feed the tummy. Now we are finished I think. Not yet. Bilge pump to connect up, and this needs my agile fingers to grope down into the depths under the coupling to join up the wires that had come adrift. Now we have the electric bilge pump again, so we shouldn't sink if we run out of energy to pump bu hand. Finished? No, need to go up and start engines again to get oil around so the level is right. Then it is the emergency engine stop. We had realised that we had no way of stopping the engine if the switch up top failed. so there is now a lovely bit of string we can pull. This meant going up top to start the engine so it could be stopped down below and make sure the string behaved. Then it was over, at last I could come back inside to the warm. Then back on with the box, the top, and the the drawers. A comfy seat at last and just in time for PM on the radio. Next engine day we will be alongside, I am sure I can think of shopping to do! To be fair, chap has realised why it took so long to get a good burp and promises faithfully it will be a doddle next time. As this happens every 100 hours I think sailing everywhere and absolutely no motoring should decrease the anguish quite considerably. But it is always good to end a day on a happy note, and the old boy was very pleased that his other love has been cared for and loved, and exceptionally pleased to have the bilge pump and pull string done - good to see him so contented. And I got some knitting in after all.
Friday, 22 January 2010
HENRY IS FORGIVEN
I think Henry has had to pull his socks up at last - especially as he has heard my comments about Harriet. You will meet Harriet soon. Anyway, after I had written how he had given up trying to produce heat in the storm, he managed to get going at last, and kept on keeping us warm and toastie non-stop for the next 36 hours of severe gales. We found out he likes to run at full speed, none of this turning him down to a moderate level. Bit like a boy racer.
Harriet has been with us longer than Henry, and is the wind vane self steering gear on the back of the boat. Harriet has been having a bit of a check-up and some cosmetic surgery before the big setting off, and on our recent trips to Oban we have missed her. If Harriet is not working, then someone has to steer the boat all the time, rain or no rain. And as Dave is allergic to rain, this is a bit of a problem. Harriet is a gem, the harder the wind blows the more she likes it. She doesn't ask for food or cossetting, all we have to do is set the sails up the right way for the direction she has to go in, and off we go. We can retire below (keeping a watch out for other boats etc of course) and the rain can do its worst. She has travelled many miles, indeed she has even been around the world without complaining. So when I said why can't Henry be like Harriet, I think he perked his ears up a bit and took on the challenge. Maybe it's a man/woman thing.
Yesterday was such a change - we woke up in the middle of the night not because of a noise, but because of no noise - the wind had died. After days and days of really big winds the silence was eerie. We were able to go alongside, and I got off the boat for the first time in five days. The forecast was good so we have stayed overnight so I can get the early bus and go to Oban to do a bit of shopping and Dave can stay and tinker about with one of the little jobs that still wait to be done. I leave at 7:45, have 1 and 1/2 hours in Oban, get back at 1:30. Carbon footprint must be the size of a yeti!
Harriet has been with us longer than Henry, and is the wind vane self steering gear on the back of the boat. Harriet has been having a bit of a check-up and some cosmetic surgery before the big setting off, and on our recent trips to Oban we have missed her. If Harriet is not working, then someone has to steer the boat all the time, rain or no rain. And as Dave is allergic to rain, this is a bit of a problem. Harriet is a gem, the harder the wind blows the more she likes it. She doesn't ask for food or cossetting, all we have to do is set the sails up the right way for the direction she has to go in, and off we go. We can retire below (keeping a watch out for other boats etc of course) and the rain can do its worst. She has travelled many miles, indeed she has even been around the world without complaining. So when I said why can't Henry be like Harriet, I think he perked his ears up a bit and took on the challenge. Maybe it's a man/woman thing.
Yesterday was such a change - we woke up in the middle of the night not because of a noise, but because of no noise - the wind had died. After days and days of really big winds the silence was eerie. We were able to go alongside, and I got off the boat for the first time in five days. The forecast was good so we have stayed overnight so I can get the early bus and go to Oban to do a bit of shopping and Dave can stay and tinker about with one of the little jobs that still wait to be done. I leave at 7:45, have 1 and 1/2 hours in Oban, get back at 1:30. Carbon footprint must be the size of a yeti!
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