SL To AP Sea Trials
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 3 Mar 2019 23:57
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Trincomalee To Autopilot Sea Trials
   The 28th of February was supposed to
be a rest day doing nothing but as happens on Beez Neez – we got busy. We
stripped the bed, washed some of the salt off and Bear
nipped ashore in search of the laundry while I cooked. A long lunch and
back in the groove of a game of backgammon. Bear put the covers up, I wrote a blog or two and buried myself in admin
(credit card bills, chasing Chagos Permit and..... etc). A minute late, so it
seemed, sunset.
 1st March. Bear back to his old
tricks of ‘laying down on the job’ as he tackled the
naughty autopilot............. Words were bluer but you get the
drift.
   Whilst the skipper ‘rested’ huh and thrice huh, madam.....I stood by in the
cockpit to turn all the way to the left, now right,
now middle. More harsh words and a few stern words
and the skipper thinks we are ready for sea
trials.
   2nd March. We did have a day off and
it began with Bear’s Egg Event, one of my Aunt Ett’s had a flick of Bear’s but
inside – perfection. The rest of the day was spent organising our road trip.
Beginning Friday the 8th, we head for Colombo stopping at Lion Rock en route.
Then on to Galle, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and then back to
Beez.
 3rd March. Time for autopilot sea
trials. Permission needed from Port Control to lift anchor, spuddle about in
circles nearby and back to anchor. “Let us know when anchor down again”. Soon
from 2 metres below to ten, Bear took the wheel. Much clicking of buttons, a
very serious amount of concentration and an hour
later I think all is well, it is performing and getting
more accurate as we spuddle. A very deep sigh of
relief.
 I get the best
view at anchor time................
ALL IN ALL HUGELY
RELIEVED
SUCCESS |