Two New Shiney Bits

Currently I am learning to become a 'fish botherer'.  Which seems to me an incongruous pass time for a boat inhabitant.  However, it will be useful when I want to inspect my boats bottom...  Whilst waiting for my final lesson to qualify as a PADI Open Water Diver I have done a spot of varnishing.

Above is my weather worn tiller in need of TLC after many years on the high seas.

And after said TLC it is looking all nice and shiney.  Smart enough to sit next to my new cocktail table...

Quite a nice combo :)  If you are thinking the table would look better with a nice glass of something on it, I think you are right :)

A little more up to date

After what seems like quite a while at last there is a step forward in my home comforts.

And in plush faux suede they look just fine :)

If you where hoping to see a new sprayhood... So was I.

Unfortunately that did not work out and so is a continuing saga......

At Last a Calm Day.....Nearly

After a long wait finally the spray hood team could get to work.  the template stage is completed!

And a small picture of Capt Drew!

What a Hobbit Did Next!

For those interested readers wondering what happened to my Christmas guests a picture update and a few details.  One got a a boat crossed an ocean got shipwrecked and ended up in Brazil!

As far as my Yacht goes it is a varnishing project.....

Teak Oil

Well, no more excuses.... Well not many!

So it starts like this:

Then with a bit of sanding and Teak Oil you get this:

Still lots to do though.....

Splice

It realy has been too choppy to do much, yes it has...

However, last night I did my first splicing.  I can only assume nylon rope is not the ideal type to learn with, results below:

The picture also shows I have sanded one panel ready for varnish.

Other excuses for slow progress are; every time I start a job at some point I meet the wiring and it makes me wince;

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Or wonder if something is not quite right:

In other news.  I have had my first stay aboard guest.  So have shared a bottle of wine on the patio with the moon reflecting on sea and the stoic rock for a backdrop.

My guest had a visit to ATC and a trip to the flag, you can't get that through Thompsons....  She left with a bag of powder procured from an old man in the back streets of La Linea. It was purely for culenary purposes..... 

Windy

 

Lots of bobbing about slowing boat work to a stand still.  Not that anything is 'still' at the moment....
It has taken a while to upload this video so it does not represent the current situation.

Dawn and Domestic

Well it's not all toilets and polishing the domestic routines neeed to be attended to but the veiws from the back garden are fine.

Don' think I will be keeping up with the Jonses though...

Letting in Water

Well as I managed to get the loo going without shipping too much water yesterday, today I deliberately hosed fresh water in to my water tank.  It was a success! Well no leaks and the pump works and in fact looks to be fairly new.

Perhaps not an impressive site when you live in a house but out here on the ocean one has to be careful as water is also the enemy!

Anyway then I polished the floor after throwing the carpet out.

It looks lovely and a bit of moody lighting too :)

Tonight is the first evening that it has not been blowing a gale. The sound are very different I am not listening to the yacht straining at the mooring lines but to something gentle tapping in the rear storage facility, will have to go and sort that.

In other news I might be at the club on Monday if anyone else is going?

Toilet Time

I discovered that the toilet does not function.  I had it recofirmed that calcium loves all the wet bits of my yacht.  On the plus side I was bequeathed a brand new toilet by the previous owner.

The only thing that does not get replaced is the bowl.

It all gets very messy

I think you'll agree a fine throne !!

Moody Lighting

Sorry about the picture quality!  But I though I would give you an idea of the small amount of progress being made.  I have some LED strips to trial and apart from boat repair, maintenance and upgrade I have to fit my 'life' on to the boat and attend work etc.

So one side looks like that.... nice

And the other is getting some polish and mood lighting.

The more astute will spot bottles of white wine vinegar.  It's for the engine and I seem to have resolved a technology issue so will be able to provide more and better pictures... 

Boat Bits

Butyl tape to seal the windows.  New hinges for the ship's table.  Gorilla glue as I have heard great things about its' strength.  Enamel touch up to do some touching up :) 

Catch up Pictures

Hopefully I can upload these pictures, technology.... humph!

 She needs a polish and her bilge pump cleaned:

A bit of tent practice

The she produced a 'baby'

A bit of polishing

A yacht Petunia!

Bilge

Today was the first full day of boat work in Gibraltar.  It started trying out cockpit covers, then the dinghy then the bilge pump maintenance.

And the picture are refusing to upload, so just close your eyes and imagine the scene...

Yes,Yes,....No, No, No, Yes! And an Arrival

At last the day has come!  Lift booked, a choice of Captains a spare marinero and me.  It all came together; boat lifted, finishing touches applied, boat in water and crew aboard.  Then start the engine.... Errr... Start the engine...... Hmm batteries flat!  Boat plug does not fit the shore socket..  Ah ha! something I can do, pass me your plug and I'll put it on my lead.  Simples!  So a quick charge, motor starts and we set to sea :)

In the water and leaving Spain..

Land Ho!Well a large Rock :)

 

And safely tied up at Bert 211, Marina Bay.  The neighbourhood is not what it was.