31:28.6N 21:25.1E

Friday 2 May Hard weeks work. Unexpected early launch.

One day of sun, the next cloudy, and so on. Chilly nights. Occasional spectacular thunderstorms

Cool wind, hot sun (when out) chilly nights – need to dig out the hwb! Electric kettle misbehaving – seems to be the only winter casualty! Take one day off, then get to work on polishing hull (twice), rub down and antifoul bottom (two coats hard black) and waterline (two coats self eroding white). All hard work as find new electric polisher bit too heavy – better to use muscle power. Dennis had kindly left some foam matting to lie on when crawling underneath - prevents many grazes. Varnish companion way, new anodes fitted, transom anchor guide fitted, and then the new shiny prop after some time filing down old shaft key. Marina engineer had 6 months to refit overhauled starter motor with power relay, but hadn’t – boat keys were put in wrong box (A to C, not D for Dragonfly) by marina office staff. Many promises and eventually turns up. 30 mins late (based on the latest promise), and then spends 20 mins chatting to friend, before going for a coffee. Eventually comes on board to fit. All done. Quick test fire. It works. (Towards end of 2013 had been failing to get any sign of a start on occasions which was worrying. Apparently Yanmar’s succeptable to this issue – hence overhaul and power relay fitted.)

 Wana get back in water asap as night time excursions down stern ladder to loo a pain, and unable to run keel cooled fridge – actually not an issue yet as v cold nights do the job. Told not a launch slot till 12^th. Jane has hissyfit. May be able to bring it forward, then Fri 2^nd Gregory says we are being launched about midday, so they can swing in big Aussie cat just beside us. Spend morning urgently hauling marked bow anchor and kedge chains aboard and completing other below waterline work. Just ready in time. Gentle lift; lower keel for helpful launch team to antifoul the bits skip couldn’t reach, swung out and lowered in. Even pointing right way to motor all of 20m to recently vacated berth next to Blue Elephant. Go bows to pontoon with marina stern line. Now very happy and can relax a bit after working flat out for a week.