Change of plan...
W2N 'Where to Next?'
Rob 'Bee' Clark
Wed 18 Feb 2009 09:03
Quite literally, as I was about to raise the anchor, the fresh water cooling pump seized. Not only is that something for which I'm not carrying spares, it's unlikely that I'll find anything on the island. I'm waiting to find out if one of the two Volvo Penta dealers in Cape Town have any in stock and then, if they're quick about it, I might get it dispatched on the RMS St Helena. Well, she is due to arrive here on 28th Feb so I'm stuck here at least until then.
There are worse places to be stuck of course but I was ready to go this morning and was prepared, psychologically, for what is going to be a difficult leg of the voyage. It's really not worth risking attempting it without an engine and to be honest, there are still a few walks I'd like to do here on the island so I'm not too upset by it although it's going to an expensive repair. I am comforted a little by the fact that it was not through any fault or negligence of my own and that it happened while I was still on the anchorage and not at sea. It's just unfortunate that I am in perhaps one of the remotest places on the planet with no air access, no mobile phone network and no chandlery! Ah well...!
Right, so I'll keep you up to speed on developments but don't hold your breath - nothing here happens very fast.
Bye for now,
Bee