ARC Preparations and Social Events

Austins' Travels
Chris & Lynn Austin
Sat 12 Nov 2011 08:15

I have spent all week getting Spindrift in order.

A rigging check identified no significant problems so hopefully the mast will stay up and the safety check also presented no problems.

We even had a visit from our insurers to check that we are happy and everything is correctly insured.

.

All the significant problems seem to be sorted out now:

The mainsail reefing (in mast furling) was fixed, the satellite phone works and we have fitted a new aerial for it and the gas alarm/cut-off now has power so we can cook.

The SSB radio, for receiving weather forecasts and ARC information has been reconnected although I have yet to fully test it.

I still need to service the watermaker (desalination unit) and fit new filters but it has been working OK so far.

 

It has been great to be in the apartment so that we have access to the boat for work and sorting out the equipment and for next week when the crew arrives and we have to find the room for food for 5 people for 20-30 days.

 

On the social side, everyone is enjoying the events. There have been drinks sessions each day with free drinks provided by various sponsors.

There have been seminars on different aspects of sailing – weather, routeing, rigging, provisioning, etc. I have missed a few due to working on the boat but they are all repeated next week.

Shaun and Wendy took Oliver on a tree planting excursion, set up to offset the carbon footprint of the yachts in the ARC. Oliver had a great time and planted his own two trees.

Today is the children’s beach party and games and tonight is the yacht owner’s cocktail party…..and it all continues next week.

 

My daughters, Emily and Jenny, arrived last night, just in time for the official welcome party hosted by the Las Palmas City Council – with more free drinks at a club very near the apartment. The cross-dressing and scantily clad dancers were a bit weird but everyone had a good time and several of our party stayed until 0200! This was mostly because it started pouring with rain and they had to wait for it to stop (they claim).

 

Ken and Neil, arrive on Monday and we will finish preparing the sails and deck equipment and do the provisioning and attend more parties.