Your clue to happenings is the interesting new loop added to our track. You're not mistaken - Zofia went for a walk in a mighty zimmer frame this week - ON LAND!
What should have been a routine lift, reapplication of anti-fouling, engine service and general polishing fest had to be abandoned when the lifters didn't have a cradle to put Zofia in. This was not entirely a surprise for us since we'd already observed 2 other yachts on the hard-stand and cradles are few. In fact, we confirmed not once but twice on the day before the scheduled lift that Zofia could be accommodated. Apparently the lifters knew something we didn't but then it turned out to be the reverse: the lifters didn't know anything at all so Zofia got her derriere power washed, had a suspended trip around the hard stand for a view of what might have been, and then got put back in the pond. Now we wait for a cradle to become available.
Are we grinding our teeth? Well, maybe to begin with. Is this delaying departure? Not at all since we had a couple of light globe moments recently that will no doubt create 'white out' conditions in the bank account but will add a few days to exit date. First of all, attempts at getting another season from the bimini and dodger failed to provided total confidence. The dodger we both agreed was a success story after treating it with Renovo, but somehow the binini seemed a bit thin. Sadly our favourite canvass trimmer Ron is out of action after back surgery so after getting recommendations for other local canvas people a quote was sought. It turns out that the reason for the seemingly thin bimini was that it was made of Sunbrella while the dodger was of Sunbrella plus. The things you learn. So we talked ourselves into believing that only the bimini would need replacement (with the addition of some side flaps) and that the dodger would be OK for one more season. Quote accepted but "we'll only get the bimini done thanks". I don't recall being on "stupid" pills but obviously they have slipped into the diet.
We had asked "Phillippe the rigger" to visit to create a new furling line for the mainsail and since it was hot and the bimini absent at the trimmers, he had to shelter beneath the Dodger. We unzipped the centre panel for some air flow on a hot day - ahhhhh so lovely. This even improved our view when Phillippe casually popped up the mast for a quick once-over to confirm the rigging from masthead light to foot. We got a tick BTW; all good - phew! The Bloke was so proud too that Phillippe's aerial work was accomplished using the newly serviced winches. The smooth clicking of the pawls - music to his ears. A few cable ties were attached to our wind instruments by way of a "while you're up there" request. Wretched parrots love to peck at the VHF antenna and bend it when they hang off it. The upturned and un-snipped cable tie ends should be a good deterrent. If we had been up on the hard stand as scheduled, Phillippe could not have made his inspection so this is clearly one bonus from the days earlier hardstand walkabout disappointment.
The 2nd bonus for the day came in the last moment rush to pack up and get back to Perth for our (postponed until Tuesday) 'Mummy Monday'. The attempt to zip down the centre panel in the dodger was met with resistance. I declared this needed a bloke since it seemed jammed. The Bloke declared this needed Innox, and lots of it. Ooops mind the teeth, they seem to have parted! And that is why, pink faced, we took the dodger to the canvass trimmer the next day to be replaced along with it's neighbour - our bimini.
So how is this a bonus, except for to the trimmer who has the joy of more work and some eye rolls? Imagine how annoying this could have been going across The Bight?
Teeth grinding is banned! We will leave, I'm sure by mid November. This is after all when we originally projected we would leave anyway and we will depart with everything in good service so that the only surprises will be from Mother Nature herself!
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| Our lucky rainbow |
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