Aiming for the water... and missing

A year afloat: to the Caribbean and back
Sam and Alex Fortescue
Mon 9 Aug 2010 22:23
Yes, yes - we were meant to go back into the water this afternoon, but we're still on stilts in the yard; no more than a funny shaped caravan. A few technical hitches mean we've put back the launch until tomorrow at 7am. This is earlier than I ever got up for work, but somehow it doesn't seem to matter. now that I'm my own boss...

Alex is concerned that we could end up like others in the yard who seem to spend an eternity sanding, buffing and varnishing with no real intention of going to sea. As she said earlier: "I never realised that going to the Caribbean involved so much DIY." She has become unexpectedly good at spotting a Phillips screwdriver from several paces and can now explain what a socket set is used for.

There were triumphs today: the self steering Hydrovane is now firmly attached to the stern; enough belongigs to keep a large family going have been shipped and stowed; the alternator (generates electricty from the engine) is fixed in place. And therein lies the problem because it remains inert and impervious to charging charm. So if any of you, dear reader, possess a hitherto undeclared enthusiasm for, passion for or understanding of alternators please get in touch!

None of this should stop us being hoisted into the briny tomorrow. So you could say that our year off begins in earnest at 7am. Sleep well!

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