Sunday 18th October (Lini’s Journal)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Fri 23 Oct 2009 21:22

 

   Armed with Phil’s top tips on walks on the island we planned to set off on foot first thing today. Breakfast took a tad longer than planned as Si decided on pancakes after his fruit in between Skyping family. I then managed to catch Ami which led to me checking out her website to view photos from the latest fashion shoot. (www.miamai.co.uk fashion section) While I was chatting and then making a banana cake, Si then started fiddling with wires behind the control panel which led to some very bad language coming from inside the cupboards. The problem with boat lockers is you can either put your head in and see what needs doing or put your hands in to work, but not both at the same time! Up on deck I was having a stressful time with version 65B of the mozi net, now under construction. I have never in my life taken so long to make anything and the finished result is very Heath Robinson with lead fishing weights, wooden battens and rope all sewn into the edges of the net. I can see Si knocking himself out when he goes on deck in the night to check the anchor! Needless to say our day disappeared with our packed lunch being eaten between jobs and no hope of squeezing a walk in.

   By 5pm we had finished our chores and with an invitation to an ARC pontoon party at 6.30pm I baked some salami, cheese and herb mini scone thingamies to take along. Si and I only ever sail on our own so all this socialising is new to us. We must stock up on booze and nibbles for these impromptu parties. While standing over the cooker I at last had my first look at the Tai Chi DVD I was given. I used to go through the 24 forms every morning in years gone by and so want to learn it again. Tai Chi inside a boat is not easy and form 6a became ‘Turning singeing scones in clappy oven’!

  Our evening was good fun. Ten of us gathered on John and Joyce’s boat, Ron on Zahara, the smallest boat participating this year came with his friend Chris who unfortunately is going home tomorrow to be replaced with new crew, and a Swedish and an English couple sailing together who had arrived this afternoon. Although not taking part this year, they took part in the ARC on their own boats a couple of years ago. They were very funny and we Atlantic virgins questioned them intensely. I think we were all able to add and receive something to help and it will be nice to know a few more faces amongst the thousand or so sailors at Las Palmas.