The hours are now counting down before leaving the Hamble River for Gibraltar.
It was a busy day on board today and at one point I had - RS Divers under the boat cleaning the hull and checking all the skin fittings and anodes, Marine Clean washing away the winter grim deposited by the adjacent boatyard and Fisher Panda running me through a much needed training program on how to maintain and service the HRO Watermaker.
However, Watermark IV is now there and looks fantastic. She's ready for her journey down to Plymouth on Wednesday morning and then onto Gibraltar.
Cathy and Charlie have moved their clothes and personal belongings onboard and we are now long on Lego and fantasy figures. Hmmmm, all good for the speed - not!!!!!
A desk has been assigned to Charlie for all things school work and I've now become known as "Headmaster Marky"!!! We are looking forward to teaching Charlie for the next 6 months.
Colin and I have now put the dried food on board and we have a bag for each day, 12 day bags, 1 breakfast bag, 1 overflow bag, 1 biscuit and goodies bag and enough tea to recreate the Boston Tea Party. Planning a passage time of 8/9 days with some contingency. Cathy has been purchasing wisely over the weeks and the menu consists of many 3 for 2 items. Hope the boys like Pasta, Curry, Chilli and Fray Bentos pies - there is rather a lot of it as you can see from the back of the car.......
And on top of this we still have the frozen and fresh foods which will all be delivered to Plymouth on Saturday morning before departing...... I think the bigger risk will be putting weight on rather than losing...... Anyway, a big "Thanks" to Cathy for getting us this far on the food front.
Oh yes, todays food panic was the loss of electricity at 02:00hrs at home. It didn't return until 14:00hrs and there was a plan in development for moving out all the cooked pies and frozen pre-prepared meals. Fortunately - not needed in the end. Didn't see or plan for that one.
Leaving Drinks - Sunday 27th March
On Sunday afternoon, Cathy Charlie and I met with some family and one or two friends for drinks before departing. The weather was stunning and we all hope a sign of the summer ahead of us. We were able to sit outside in the sun with signs of condensation appearing on the beer glasses - lovely. We eventually got everyone to smile at the same time and produced the picture below;
So - just one more day to go and all that is left for me is to pick up the Sextant and Sight Reduction tables, install the fishing gear and check the weather. Yes, I'm navigating down by the stars and the sun so that I can complete the final part of my RYA/MCA Ocean Yachtmaster - the interview. (Gather the rest of the crew have all gone out and brought there own handheld GPS's.........!!!)
Hopefully the next instalment will be pictures setting off from Hamble for Plymouth.
