Guernsey ~ propeller back on again
Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Wed 27 May 2015 20:21
002.31.921w
Outside Victoria Basin on the 'departure pontoon'. It is with much relief we sit in a heap this evening after 24 hours that really went like clockwork.
Harbour Patrol came at midnight to take us alongside the harbour wall, we then began the process of securing TC with ten lines ashore. Two bow lines, two stern lines, two springs, two lashings around the mast and two halyards ashore. Bol had also built 'feet' to go under the two spinnaker poles which were lashed vertically at the stern and the bow to prevent TC tipping.
And then we waited for the tide to drop. It was as slow as watching paint dry but actually quite mesmerising watching the depth gauge reduce as the hours went by, finishing with a horrible grinding noise around 4am as the boat settled down on her keel. A magic moment which indicated that the crew could finally get some kip ~ skipper's prerogative to stay up and fret until dawn.
Before the engineer arrived, we began scrubbing TC's hull. Isabelle and Harry were enthusiastic helpers which was lovely and actually the job didn't take too long. When the engineer arrived, he tested the new nut, took some measurements then reappeared a short while later with a newly machined key and our prop. He rebuilt everything quickly and efficiently with plenty of locktite and grease!
Probably the worst bit of the entire experience was when the tide was high enough to float TC which coincided with the moment that yachts could come into the marina. Their wash created a vicious swell that made us bump up and down on the keel for about ten minutes until the tide rose enough, ouch, really horrible to feel so helpless and yet to have TC bashing away on her keel.
However, the weather has been perfect, we are very lucky, and now we are on the 'departure pontoon' outside the sill and waiting for a fair tide tomorrow to whisk us up through the Alderney Race towards Cherbourg ~ we don't think we will beat John B's record of 12.7 knots as it is neap tides!
