A grey day today, the wind is out of the east and rain is forecast overnight.  We tackled repairing the furling gear and the two new stabilising plates were fitted relatively easily, but then I was only watching and passing the tools, bolts, washers and split pins. They certainly look as if they could not possibly get twisted whatever the weather.  

Later, we went to collect the outboard engine, only to be told that it will be a week before it is ready as it needs new parts.  Beware all you fanatical sailors with 4 stroke outboards and heed our newly learnt lesson of the day!  Cheap 4 star (bio fuel) has a large water content which evaporates onto the fuel tank lid.  The lid then starts to corrode and the bits then pass along the fuel line.  Ah, but there is a filter to stop these particles or at least there was, but the bio-fuel has eaten that too!  The particles then carry on their mischievous journey to the carburettor where they then create havoc and jam up the needle valve!  The moral of this story is to use premium petroleum! 

I wonder if we shouldn't go home and get our bicycles out!