46:05.98N 60:44.91W Baddeck, Cape Breton Island
Cantilena returns from North America
Des Crampton
Tue 17 May 2022 00:15
|
Having flown into Halifax, NS about
midday last Friday 6 May our first task after getting ourselves through
immigration and customs was to pick up our new liferaft. Covid problems had
contrived to delay its manufacture and shipment to Canada so it was with
some trepidation that we showed up at the Air Canada freight terminal at Halifax
airport. To our surprise and delight it had arrived courtesy of Ocean
Safety in Southampton via Heathrow the day before. Customs
clearance turned out to be straightforward so we were soon on our way into town
to collect new lifejackets and a full set of fresh safety flares. From there on
to the delightful home of our friends Sue and Jim who live at St Margaret's
Bay south of Halifax. Not only were they wonderful hosts but they
kindly offered to drive us to Baddeck on the Sunday. Thank you Jim and
Sue.
We were in the boat yard first thing Monday morning
ready to commence preparing Cantilena for her homeward voyage. Cantilena has
spent three freezing winters in a storage facility some four miles out of
town so we were anxious to see how she had fared. First impressions were
good with the spaces below deck all being clean and dry. Work was already
underway to install the Hydrovane self steering gear shipped from Kent and
to service the folding propeller and fit anodes. The Coppercoat antifouling
applied at Sodus Point, NY remained in excellent condition. We returned to
the yard and began detailed inspection and preparation of the mast and rigging.
The boat was brought down from the storage shed on Thursday and went straight
into the water. The mast was stepped immediately
thereafter. We moved on board on Friday and cleared enough
space between all the equipment and tools to cook and sleep. Getting the engine
to fire took a whole day as the fuel lines between the pump and each injector
had to be removed to clear solidified diesel fuel. We cleared the anti-freeze
from the fresh water and sanitary systems and filled up with clean water. The
generator fired up quickly thankfully. Over the weekend Hydrovane installation
was completed together with a much needed deck clean. It soon became clear that
the battery charger had not survived the rigours of inactivity. Today the mast
electrics were reconnected and the electronics switched on. No major problems
luckily. Terry has been steadily bringing the clothing and bedding from its
storage place in the roof space above the chandlery shop back on board,
much of it via the washing machine. We have made good headway down the list of
jobs but there much left to do. |
