Still not sailed!

[Silkie]

Went up for the weekend and got the mast up and rewired. Radio check went fine although it was only over a quarter of a mile. This was a relief since the VHF hadn't seemed quite right the last time I switched it on in November. Might be able to think more seriously about a new anchor now.

The Venerable Yamaha seems in good form too. Why does it all take so long though? In the end it was a bit breezy today and I didn't bend on the sails so no shakedown sail.

Only one chance left before the CC.

[ash]

Why does it all take so long though?

and why is there so much stuff !

I went up on Thurs aft with the car full of bunk cushions and half the sails.
Met someone so chatted for ages, but managed to vacuum all the bunk spaces, wash the saloon sole, un plumb the dehumidifier, deplumb the engine cooling, refit the boom.

SWMBO insisted that the grass get its first cut before we left on Fri so the two of us got back up on Fri aft with another carload - I can never believe that it's all going to fit (in the boat).

By late Sat aft, SWMBO had the interior squared away, and I had managed to wash the deck areas, refit the sprayhood, dodgers, stackpack/main, headsail sheets, mainsheet, kicker, backstay tensioner and test start the engine.

It was still sunny, and a nice breeze so we decided to go out to see if we still remembered how to do it. SWMBO helmed downwind to Island I Vow, and I circumnavigated it and beat back home. Only some 5 nmls, with a max speed of 5.5 knts but it was great to be out again.

Sunday wasn't very nice - those sudden gusts which come from any direction - my (limited) understanding is that they are caused by vertical, downwards plummets of air which hit the surface and spread out in 360 deg - but what causes the plummets I don't know. Anyway we didn't go out - I washed the topsides, and spent ages checking through the wiring ( which of course is in an awkward position ) for the domestic radio only to suddenly remember that the knob had to be turned and not pushed to switch it on!

Started raining on Sun and still raining today, so we came home after lunchtime.

So, only a tiny little sail, but it's still early - here's to a great summer.

Ash