14 Aug

Joe and Pon left for Germany. They had a very relaxing break and unfortunately could not stay longer. Always great company. Spent the rest of the day washing all the linen and getting the boat back in ship shape condition, particularly my berth now all Matt's  clothes etc. no longer had to be catered for. I printed off a notice to advertise for crew to assist me whilst Alex Blake was on board (due to arrive 16th), as it would be difficult to deal with the boat with just Alex and I until Bill arrives on the 22nd. I posted one notice at the pontoon finger gate and took another to the Irish pub.

15 Aug

3 guys from Formual 1 masts came on board and spent the day removing the inmast furler gear box, relacing the damaged shaft and refitting. Unfortunately the small thrust bearing was left in Southampton so a temporary teflon thrust washer was fitted. The original thrust bearing will be fitted at a later date. I met two young fellows who responded to the crew advert, Edward and Florian. Forian had to change his plans but Edward is locked in.

16 Aug

Alex Blake was due to arrive in the morning but missed her flight from Heathrow and would now not arrive until about 6pm. I decided to ride 21km to Aubergne to visit the Cabenestan chandlery. An intersting trip made challenging by trying to read google maps on my phone whilst riding one handed. Eventually I got there after many false turns but no luck finding parts for the Whale greywater pump. I decided to return with the bike on the train to Vieux Port as I was stuffed from the ride. I picked up packages from Discovery at the Capitainere office including the teak plank lsot from the dolphin seat (during Gibraltar Strait belting), the repalcement teak cockpit sump grate (previous one had split along grain), the replacement 240v cable and transom plugassembly (damaged during stay in St Cyprien) and the thrust washer for the inmast furler. Alex arrived at 5pm but I did not locate her until 6.Sshe had had a long day starting a 5am in London, being bumped by BA, waitting for 3:30pm flight and then waiting in the heat at Viex Port until I found her.

Attached pix covering Westralia in Viuex Port, Marseille and during bike ride to Aubergne.