Off we went.  Carol at the helm.

Gently at first while we wiggled our way out of the marina then upped the revs on the engine to be greeted with a thudding rattle under our feet.  Concerned glances exchanged.  Throttle back, throttle on, throttle back, into reverse .... mmmm still rattling.  Turn round and back into the marina.  Aft cabins cleared so we could get to the engine and the prop shaft.  Much listening and more rattling.  Most likely cause is a thing called the cutlass bearing which goes round the prop shaft.  Most likely cause of that being damaged... the fishing net. 

Very annoyingly we had moved the boat within the marina once the net was removed and there was no indication of a rattle or thud so it appeared that all was well.  If it had thumped then we could have had it fixed while waiting for the radar not to be fixed.

We tried to locate the marina manager who has a fantastic ability to not be around while keeping his mobile switched off.  Various offers from marina staff who had a friend who could dive down and help but none really inspired confidence so we hung on and eventually got hold of Kai the manager.  The diver engineer would come to see us.  But then it was lunch break and that goes on til 3 o’clock.  More hanging around.  Finally a fine young man in a wetsuit appeared, introduced himself as Gilson and apologised for coming into the boat without a shirt on.  Under the circumstances we were prepared to relax the dress code and allow this breach of etiquette.

He took a good look inside and out.  Agreed that it was probably the cutlass bearing and not to worry it happened all the time and he could replace it in the water (as opposed to being hauled out which they can’t do here).  He then zipped up his wetsuit, on went his goggles and with the words “OK lets dance” he flipped himself off the back and under the water.  Some time passed; then some more and eventually he came back up showing no signs of being out of breath.  He had a couple of bits of black rubber in his hand; the cutlass  bearing had indeed been clobbered.

Fortunately, due to all the careful planning of the bits we can control, we have a spare bearing. 

By way of morale Kit set forth and bought Magnums for everyone.  This requires a trip to the bank to exchange Euros for Escudos because we had run our local currency down to nothing.  It is a closed currency and can only be exchanged here so we had spent up in order not to take useless notes away with us.

By way of further morale Michael and Kit went to the fish market and came back with a fabulous, fresh, fresh, fresh tuna like fish which Michael set about filleting on the pontoon.

We had reported our troubles to the fleet on the 1800 radio net and had much sympathy from the net controller followed by a visit from the couple on Egret currently anchored in the harbour.  They suggested a trip to the floating bar where the transatlantic sailors were meeting for a drink at 5.30.

To do this meant another trip to the cashpoint but it was worth it to buy a few beers.  We foregathered in the floating bar and met some of the others who we hear on the radio net each day.  More sympathy accompanied by offers of help and stories of problems others had had.  All really nice. 

So now we have cleared everything out of the aft lockers, opened up the engine compartment and are waiting for Gilson and team to arrive.  They were due half an hour ago.....