Sunday 31 July:  Today's Blog by David. 36:08.91N 05:21.32W

Sources  tell us that there is concern that we may have sunk ….   on account of the fact the blog has been quiet since we arrived in:

Gibraltar!!!

Avid readers will know that we had Journey of emotional ups and downs -  up on deck sunbathing and whale watching and head down the toilet. 

The last 200 miles were quite dispiriting as the wind unexpectedly - although perhaps not unpredictably - turned into the east just at the time we rounded Cap St Vincent to head east to Gibraltar. Anyway, to Gibraltar we finally got which was fortunate really because we had sprung a minor leak (but one which was presenting  all over the 240v AC panel) and we were hoping for a man from Landamores (the boat builder) to fly over to fix it.

At this point it probably would be helpful to explain that Oyster work pretty much on the Dell principle: they brand it Oyster but have someone else to build it (one of I think five yards). When something goes wrong , Oyster expect the supplier to deliver on its warranty. The significance of this will become clear as you read on.

I should mention that we were also concerned about the steering. It was very noisy making all sorts of squeaks and graunches  evidencing friction and thus wear. It needed to be fixed. I had expected Lewmar  (the supplier - another warranty job) to visit personally but they first asked me to "lubricate" the system.  Having just sailed circa 1200 miles nonstop, rather than do what comes naturally, this happy sailor  began stripping down the boat to stick oil into inaccessible places  but strip  it and oil it I did – to my surprise with positive results. This was good news because it meant there was one less persons to fly out from the UK.

You might ask why no mention of Raymarine?  That's easy - the only guy in Gibraltar who know which way is up is in fact on vacation until August 15. (Wish we had known that before we left Jersey!!! ) However,  given that the jury rig has worked without fuss since we left Jersey – the present plan is to carry on until Tenerife and book someone in advance  to fix it when we get there.

Susie and John both rendezvoused (Sp?) with us as planned and we had a quiet night out in Gibraltar and that long awaited -  and in my view well deserved  - beer.

Landamore’s man can’t come until Monday so we had the week end to kill – look out Gibraltar!

PS We are  STILL finding fish pie in the most unlikely places