Last week has been a mix of frustration and progress.

 

The plan was to be towed into the marina on Wednesday, going to the hoist and being lifted out so we could have work done to the Saildrive, and try to cure the irritating leak. One night at anchor became two, when the yard did not have space for us.  But we contacted the Yanmar agent and their mechanic (Mario) came out to True Colours in our tender (he is about 5'3" high, with equivalent girth, and sat proudly, like a Bhudda, in the bow of our dinghy).  After checks, and quick running of the engine he announced that there was no problem - much relief after worries that there had been serious damage.  Oil in the bilges was a small quantity of engine oil, and there was plenty of oil in the saildrive - it's just that the dipstick is so short it only starts reading when the oil is 90% full!

 

So next day we motored gently into the liftout dock - and again a delay - they could not lift us out until Friday. 

worse - Sunday and Monday are GC holidays - all shuts down, so lift back in not until Tuesday;  With Fiona and Daviid leaving on Sunday, it looked as though James would have to postpone his return, and would miss Oli's graduation.

 

So, after some discussion, lift out was achieved on Friday afternoon, we then all worked to replace the sikaflex around the keel, re-antifoul (and clear the weed we had picked up around the rudder in Biscay), Super Mario arrived Saturday morning at 8.30 to change the oil and fully check the Saildrive, and then we were back in the water at 10.30 - 18 hour turnaround.

 

Motored back to the Marina reception berth - to find they have no berths for a boat this size - maybe the next day.  2 days later (today) we have our allocated berth (although we have had a Frenchman along saying it is his berth!), and the decks have been scrubbed, water tanks filled, and we are all ready to leave tomorrow.

 

Mixed feelings about Las Palmas - probably a national holiday is not the best time to be here.  Marina facilities are basic but adequate - but the holiday means no cleaners, and with the gents on the reception pontoon being unusably dirty, for 2 days we have had to take a 2Km return walk around to the next set.  But the marina has all services (cannot fault Yanmar and Mario, and the sailmaker has been equally helpful re repairs to the genoa UV strip)

 

Away from the marina the food is good and cheap, and the weather has been baking hot (giving Fiona the opportunity to go to the beach for a swim).

 

Ryanair tomorrow, then back here November.