Progress - but not as we know it
Niord's Big Adventure
Tony Gratton
Tue 18 Jul 2023 22:06
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Tuesday 18/07/2023 Pavoa de Varzim
Tried out the little local cafe this morning. Great,
apart from when Tony tried to pay in Portuguese and the waitress turned round to
him, and said in English "What language?". "Actually," he said "I was trying to
speak in Portuguese". "Better have another go then," she said, so he did with
better results second time around!
Finally got the quote from the marine propulsion
supplier, so spent the rest of the morning discussing that with them. Now
between a rock and a hard place. Wait for the engineer to arrive or go it alone?
Decided to see what was happening at the Nautica Vaga, the engineers. Made it
clear to them we needed to be in Lagos by the end of the month, and left with a
promise of "he'll be around this afternoon". Did he come? Of course not. Ordered
the parts to replace the coupling, but not due to arrive until next week.
Decided to get the old coupling back together in the meantime, so chased around
after imperial high-tensile bolts three inches long. About as common as hen's
teeth! Still haven't succeeded with those, despite having sent off a written
quote as per instructions, so have to get back onto that tomorrow. Not enough
time left in the day for engine alignment, so cleaned up the aft engine bay
(again), and started looking for the source of our woes. First clue: The
coupling is generating a shower of dry rust into the bay which needs constant
cleaning up. Never did this in Blighty. Second clue: Lateral play at the key.
Not much, but enough probably to shatter a bolt after 30-hours running.
Conclusion: The rust which evidently used to hold everything together has been
shaken about by the abuse the drive train received crossing Biscay, and has been
steadily drying out as we move South, allowing more and more lateral play
between the shaft and the coupling. Found a couple of worm-drive holes in the
coupling which have never been used. Cleaned them up and lo and behold when a
hen's tooth is screwed in everything tightens up. Might be onto something here.
Only thing is, we need even more of those rare high-tensile steel bolts...
There's always a catch! Plan B is to make up a shim to drive into the keyway,
and take the play out that way...
Now that we've become part of the furniture here we're
starting to feel like second-class citizens. Every boat which arrives gets a
lift in the rib over to the office. We, on the other hand, were left to get on
with it and "follow the stones" in the mega-hike over there. Wonder if it's
because we're Brits, or is it just us? Perhaps this is another "Brexit
dividend"?
Whenever we go to the distant facilities we come across
a couple of the other long-term residents. A couple of mutts just lazing around
in the shade. One of them only has three legs. Probably why he spends all day
lying around. Come to think of it we also saw a cat here with only three legs...
Looks like there's a bit of a theme going on. Better get out of here while we're
still able! Speaking of shade, it actually felt hot for the first time today.
Didn't last long though once the wind got up.
We went for a walk into town tonight. Finally found the
old bit which has character. Only trouble is it was dead at 9:30
pm!
There are some big mullet in the marina. They seem to
spend most of the day asleep on the surface. At night it's like having your own
personal aquarium, as we are moored next to a floodlight which makes the water
go green, and the fish really stand out.
Engine alignment beckons tomorrow. Oh no, now I'm
starting to repeat myself!
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