Slopping out!

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Sat 13 Oct 2012 19:33

Thurs, Fri and Saturday – 11th, 12th & 13th Oct

 

Well slow progress is being made and Rob is getting to look more haggard and tired by the minute.  Nothing is straightforward in this marine world:  the Raymarine chart plotters are choosing not to do their worst while on test with the electronics firm on site, typically;  the new piece of stainless steel arrived unpolished and possibly the wrong size; and weirdly the boat stops charging every morning which we thought was another problem with the inverter but may just be a voltage over-demand on site, as it recovers mid-morning!  But we have made a decision on the new sail, going with hopefully the best option and a sailmaker who has made a few of these lightweight Genoa/Code Zero cross sails before and importantly, for other cruisers rather than for racing boats.  And we have found a guy to polish the hull, somewhat reluctantly he has even agreed to do it by hand as I am still managing to maintain its surface without buffing mechanically.

 

Otherwise I have arranged wheelchairs and buggies at airports - Rob is delighted that a) his knees will also get a lift around the airport and b) no duty free shopping.  

 

Friday I managed (well mainly Candy did, who came to offer help) to get the laundry up to date and have a shower in the disabled shower with one leg propped up a la stork.  Then I packed away clothes and bed linen for the winter.  And then I was pooped!   Am seriously wondering whether I have also cracked a rib.   Dione, good friend and magic nurse, pointed out I should be taking aspirin to combat possible DVTs on the flight - why didn't I think of that?!

 

So it is our last night on board tonight (Saturday) thank goodness: there was frost warning forecast and it's damn cold without heating, but lovely sunny days.  After this on Sunday and Monday, we to and fro from our hotel room at the resort at the sister marina (Herrington South), unfortunately 15 mins drive away begging lifts as and when.  Sunday the hull polishing will be done and Chuck from Enterprise Sails is coming out to measure up which is very good of him.   We are almost at the stage of our last jobs that all depend on the previous one being completed before we can proceed - we will triumph!!

 

All sorts of offers of help have come from everyone around and we certainly do not feel alone or abandoned!