40:54.8N 08:42.1E

Pooh boat?

As some of you know, my daughter bought a house in SW London, which we nicknamed “Pooh House”.  Some thought this was because of an association with Winnie the Pooh, but others knew better.  The previous owners had an uncontrolled dog, with all that entails.  She has spent the best part of 18 months stripping out all the innards, and completely refurbishing the property.  Full marks to her and her husband for such a valiant effort, and they now have a fabulous property.  I will, of course, have to spend quite a lot of time there to ensure it has all been done properly……

Back to IOLA.  Our two daughters came to see us for the Bank Holiday.  We hired a car to bring them to IOLA, and the complaints started!  The cabins were smelly, the loos were like dead fish etc… No amount of explanation about boats, life afloat, etc… was sufficient.   We managed for the weekend, but after they left a certain amount of investigation was called for.

Oh dear.  Someone, who shall remain nameless, failed to open the seacock for the holding tank.  As you may know, the loos drain overboard most of the time, but when in harbour, or going to nature reserves etc…, the loos are drained to holding tanks.  These are emptied once 300m or more offshore, which we had done diligently.  The trouble is, if the seacock is shut, there is no way the pump can empty the holding tank.  Net result: it was full.  As more was pumped in, it overflowed.  Smelly…..  The bilge pump switched on automatically, sounding its alarm…..  Oh dear.

Once the family had gone, I had the chance to investigate, and find the cause of the problem.  Needless to say, the vent pipe which goes via a carbon filter had tried to cope with unspeakable “stuff” in its filters.  All had to be washed.  The bilges had to be cleaned, sterilised etc…  I can’t understand why lavatorial issues are such a major issue on boats.  So be it.  Once the holding tank was empty, and the other work done, IOLA smells like roses. 

Lesley’s friend arrived today.  Another mad dash to an airport, this time Alghero.  The weather is settled for at least two days, so probably off to the nature reserve (Asinara) tomorrow night.  Bad weather at the weekend, so expect to be back in port then.