32:44.50N 16:43.17W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Thu 1 Nov 2012 14:46
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"Madeira - 1st November"
Reinforcements have arrived in the form of Tony
and Michael, our two crew members for the Atlantic crossing. They
immediately set to work to remove the roller furling gear ready for the arrival
of the new drum. As "sod" would have it the stainless screws which need to
be removed have corroded onto the aluminum foil. As is so usual with boats
this five minute job will not be a straightforward repair. Not only that
but, the new part being sent by 48 hour express delivery, was held up at
Basildon and is now in transit somewhere in Belgium with a delivery date of 6th
November having departed from Colchester on the 30th October! I had
consoled myself with the fact that at least it is a weekday
not the weekend, so that purchasing extra tools, drills and taps etc
would be possible, only to discover that it is a Bank Holiday here in
Madeira. How did I ever dream that cruising, once safely tucked
up in a quiet anchorage or marina, would be stress free and away from it
all? Still with three strong enthusiastic competent sailors on the case
(and several others of different nationalities from along the pontoon),
I can take a back seat and quietly produce the tea and escape to
the tranquillity of the Marina's WIFI room as the need arises. Earlier,
there was some mention of me going up the mast to lift the foil back up. I
think I shall keep my head down for a while, just in case it might become a
reality.
Being stuck in Madeira is not exactly a hardship,
and hearing all about Hurricane Sandy's destruction in the USA, one can feel
very warm and comfortable to be here. The weather is somewhat unsettled
with heavy showers, but then it is a Bank Holiday in Madeira today and
being Brits we know just what Bank Holiday weather is like. One of the
yachts here has arranged a bring your own bar-b-que for this evening by the sea
pool and so the social life continues despite the
weather!
Photo: "Mangled Roller Reefing Drum"
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