Cassini blog#144 36:41.864N 002:47.509W
Cassini's blog
Simon and Sally, Nigel and Catherine
Tue 20 Aug 2024 15:21
Sewing day After our busy weekend in Granada, we decided to stay another day in Motril, do a few jobs and have a fairly quiet day.Whilst walking back from the shower though, I met Robert, a delivery skipper who had a spray hood with the zip torn off. He had a sewing machine but didn't know how to use it. I offered our seamstress Sally's help. Robert duly arrived at Cassini with the spray hood and a beautiful wooden case containing a hand operated Singer vintage sewing machine. What a wonderful piece of machinery. Sally and Simon went off to do the shopping whilst Nigel and I began to search Google for information on how to thread the machine. We discovered it was a 1920s model and YouTube gave us instructions on use. Sally returned and we started following the Youtube video. After several unsuccessful attempts, we almost gave up. A fiddle with the bottom spool, changed wax thread to ordinary thread, and yippee, neat stitches produced! Repairing these large items is not a single person job. We had Robert turning the handle, Sally feeding the fabric through and I held the tension on the repaired side. We were delighted and amazed that the 100 year old sewing machine managed to successfully re-attach the zip, strong enough to go through several layers of canvas. A very happy Robert. We took the opportunity of doing some of our own repairs, adding strengthening tapes to and repairing our awnings which had been damaged in high winds. Simon was the handle operator this time. It was not quite the relaxed morning we had planned; I was initially feeling guilty offering Sally's help, but in the end, it was fun and productive. Sally would now like one of these machines; if any of our followers has one hiding in a cupboard or loft somewhere, we will gladly take it off your hands! It is amazing that this beautiful machine worked so well, especially as it had been living on a boat where the salt air can easily cause damage to anything made of iron or steel. Simon cleaned the last winch, laundry washed and dried, Nigel sorted various admin tasks, insurance, marina bookings etc., so all in all a successful (but not altogether quiet) day. We had our final visit to Captain Morgan's bar for predinner drinks and the free tapas. Robert, his crew and the owners of 'Champagne' were there so we enjoyed chatting to them. They are from Ireland so no Schengen problems for them. Oh to find a long lost Irish relative to give us eligibility. A delicious dinner of steak and salad and the end of our stay in Motril. Spending over a week in Motril wasn't our original plan but we have thoroughly enjoyed our stay. As we always say, a plan is a basis for change especially when living on a yacht! The marina staff are so friendly and helpful, there were good facilities, we will be back! Thank you to Roberto, Mar, their son Roberto and daughter Victoria. We are now on our way to Almerimar, motoring again with a little help from the main sail. The coastline has tunnels and viaducts passing through the Sierra Nevada. There are acres after acres of covered market gardens providing fruit and vegetables for the whole of Europe during the winter months. Catherine The Singer sewing machine made in the 1920s   Repaires underway and the finished repair….    Nigel (with something odd going on with his cap!) and Marina Motril's owner, Roberto Snr  |
smime.p7s
Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature