We have just about completed the commissioning, and should be ready to depart tomorrow morning, after filling up with diesel and paying the marina and yard bills. The freezer has enough meals stored for the passage, though we seem to have overdone the pork dishes! We have also been tempted again to buy Magnums for quick and cold “puddings”, having been corrupted by friend Martin on the east to west passage. Even worse, they do not do the mini versions here, so we have been forced to buy the full-size versions…..so much for the slimming passage!

The only glitch has been the discovery that the aft heads toilet has developed a crack in the base, which seeps water (and/or worse). We have concluded that it would be possible to bodge it, by dismantling and epoxy gluing the cracks, but doubt that it is worth the time and effort. That’s why we have two heads, isn’t it? Now, of course, we have only one working forward, and a toilet-free dedicated shower compartment aft. If the forward heads dies on us, it’ll be bucket-and-chuck it on the aft deck (Ali is not too keen on this idea!).

The weather seems reasonable, though anything beyond 3 days is a bit of crystal ball gazing. We will rig the third reef in the main sail this afternoon on the brolly principle (go to the trouble to prepare, and you won’t need it). We are assuming an 8 day passage, whilst hoping for something a bit shorter if we get the wind.

We will be trying to put some good sleep in the bank tonight, to compensate for the coming night watches…

Wish us well….

Watergaw