Reading Time: 6 Minutes
Nerdiness Quotient: Variable
Monday 13th April until Sunday 19th April
Day One
I dropped off Tilman, our dog, with the dog sitter and I think the dog suspected something. Mind you, he always looks a bit miserable. I was not going to see him again until June. We will miss each other.
I wasn’t feeling very well. I was trying to shake off a cold, but it was hanging around and I was feeling very grotty.
I drove up to Ray’s farmhouse in Yorkshire. I had arranged to give a talk to the Knaresborough Men’s Forum on the Tuesday morning (don’t ask), so everything wrapped around that date. I tow a small trailer behind the van, and it is a devil to reverse as it hides out of sight. Country lanes really scare me!
After dealing with a dashboard warning light saying STOP!! with the help of a friendly nearby mechanic I eventually arrived in beautiful Yorkshire about an hour late. Ray treated me to a couple of beers and a very fine stew. I needed an early night.
Day Two
The morning of the talk I was feeling worse than ever and very worried whether I would even get through the event without keeling over but somehow it worked out. I think they enjoyed it.
Peter, who organises the well-attended talks took Ray and I out for a fine fish lunch at the Crab and Lobster. I stayed with Ray that night and set off to the boat in the morning.
Day Three
My plan was to arrive at Dunstaffnage early in the evening, check over the boat and then enjoy an evening meal in the marina’s bistro – The Wide Mouth Frog. Sadly, the Frog was closed. The sign said it was open from Thursday to Sunday. I would try again tomorrow.
The boat was fine, the cover was intact, I peeled a bit back and climbed onboard, gave a quick blast on the diesel heater and snuggled up in my sleeping bag for a well needed sleep. So far so good.
Day Four
After fitting a new Autopilot socket, I went to the Frog for some warm coffee. It was actually open but I couldn’t find any staff and after 20 minutes gave up. It was raining heavily. I met the Marina Manager to check if it was still OK to put the boat in the shed as planned and he told me the shed was busy but he hoped there may be space at the end of the following week. That could be a major problem if the weather doesn’t improve. My schedule revolves around being able to work all daylight hours and working outside doesn’t always allow it.
Warning – Nerdy bit coming up
I serviced all the seacocks and gave some thought to fitting the new bilge pump to comply with insurance. It needs a 1 1/8” hose but finding 1 1/8” skin fittings is a devil of a job. The one I eventually found had 1” BSP but with a 30 mm tail. I needed a 28 mm tail so I will need to sweat the hose on. The 1” BSP refers to the internal diameter of the threaded section. The external diameter is 33.25 mm. I’ll pop into Oban in the rain and buy a hole saw. No luck, never mind I’ll order one online, no luck again. How weird that no one sells a 34 mm hole saw to fit 1” BSP. B&Q list one, but it’s not stocked at any shop and with no delivery option. What’s the point of that. Decided to buy a 34 mm Forstener bit instead. That job goes on the back burner.
Nerdiness Over
Day Five
Still pouring with rain and cold and I am feeling no better. Messed around tackling jobs that can be done in the wet and cold. At least the Frog had opened, and I could get a warm coffee and some food.
Day Six
Getting very fed up with the lack of progress. I simply can’t afford to get held up.
I shouldn’t really have had the time but I have been reading a new book lent to me by Ray called “Life and Death in Eden”. I have a new rule never to read a book over 18 mm thick. I gave up trying to struggle through Cherry Aspley-Garrard’s “Worst Journey in the World” at about 54 mm thick. This new book is about Pitcairn’s Island and measures 20 mm but there is a removeable section making it compliant. I am picking up tips: Captain Bligh insisted all his sailors would dance from 17:00-20:00. I think I will instigate that rule on Sumara. Good for the mental and physical health. Or maybe the cause of a mutiny?
Later in the day, the sun came out and everything changed. The covers are off and I’m feeling a tad more positive.
Day Seven
At last, a good day. It was still raining but only in the morning. I made good progress and I am back on schedule.
All I need now is a dry week and I can continue to work outside. Hopefully the boat will go into the shed on Friday. Let’s see what happens.
Leave a Reply