An interesting evening, winds moving to 30 knots and plenty of movement on the berth leaving a few chafe marks on Poor old Miss Liz II. This morning, with the full complement on board after Rob's late arrival and comforted by a late Tapas the night before, and a thorough drenching in town, we faced our neighbors, Hera, having lost a bow line being blown onto the pontoon. So bow lines had to be rigged between us, and also from Miss Liz II to Bikini on our port side. It also meant the bathing platform had scraped the pontoon - with some minor gel coat damage.
If that was not enough, the dress flags had broken off at the main halyard, and so Jon-Boy was volunteered to climb the mast - in 20 knots of wind, sporting our new ski helmet for protection, a go-pro on his head and a fierce grimace on his face. Eventually job completed, and ready to go - until the morning news update on VHF. Cruisers cancelled for 18 hours. Probably for the best. I can imagine the fun of a couple of hundred yachts trying to leave the Harbour this morning in this wind. I think a lot of damage, and money has been saved.
The good news is that the winds favour the shorter northern route, so that should save the time we have lost.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
The difference a day makes....19th November
What a difference a da makes. A low passes over so the day is rain followed by more rain and then rain with thunder. Perfect. Nigel is on his way, having left Houston last night so eta tomorrow morning to be crew #1, followed in the afternoon by Chris and Jon. Today more lectures, so it keeps me dry, and we should have the last glitch on the aircon fixed (only blowing out of one vent in the forepeak - not an issue but the one working is like a hurricane! New main halyard on order, hopefully it will work better than the existing sloppy dyneema we have on board...back to basics with braid on braid. So, fun day ahead.
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Preparations
The yellow brick tracker is now on the boat and you can track our travels at www.worldcruisingclub.com/ARC. Then click on the tracker, don't be too much in a hurry as it takes time to load. Apparently you need to download the tracker app if you have an iPad etc.
My friendly German neighbors were in the water this lunch time, so I asked them to check the anodes. All ok apparently which is good news....but I think I need to check them myself before Thursday.....
This afternoon we get to attend the provisioning lecture.....as I've already shopped I just hope I got it right! Then last of all, down wind sailing. Should be fun. Then relaxation with a few glasses and friends at the sundowner.
Nearly ready
18th November
Well, not far from the start now and hundreds of boats have arrived in Gran Canaria. Many jobs to do, but luckily nothing major. Although food shopping has become a major event! Today an area of seminars, from rigging to food provisioning to downwind sailing. Plus a big load of food arrives. Good suppor from Corte des Ingles. Also found an M&S. So the excitement builds, and the crew arrived Thursday...almost all, with Rob risking a last minute Saturday arrival!
The big question at the moment is weather...whether or not we will have a good blow at the start!
Photos will follow this evening once I get back to the computer.
Well, not far from the start now and hundreds of boats have arrived in Gran Canaria. Many jobs to do, but luckily nothing major. Although food shopping has become a major event! Today an area of seminars, from rigging to food provisioning to downwind sailing. Plus a big load of food arrives. Good suppor from Corte des Ingles. Also found an M&S. So the excitement builds, and the crew arrived Thursday...almost all, with Rob risking a last minute Saturday arrival!
The big question at the moment is weather...whether or not we will have a good blow at the start!
Photos will follow this evening once I get back to the computer.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
October 26th - Quick Update
Well, less than 28 days until we leave Gran Canaria for the Caribbean. Last plans being made, plus starting to plan the voyage home next year (easier said than done with none of the crew available for the return trip!). Good news in Gran Canaria with Rolnautics checking out the main halyard jammer...and I am told it does now Jam! Same team have received the replacement units for the a/c in the forepeak and so that will be installed next week. So, by the time we return to MLII she should be 100% shipshape and ready to go.
Well, less than 28 days until we leave Gran Canaria for the Caribbean. Last plans being made, plus starting to plan the voyage home next year (easier said than done with none of the crew available for the return trip!). Good news in Gran Canaria with Rolnautics checking out the main halyard jammer...and I am told it does now Jam! Same team have received the replacement units for the a/c in the forepeak and so that will be installed next week. So, by the time we return to MLII she should be 100% shipshape and ready to go.
Sunday, 12 October 2014
October 12th, 2014 - Gran Canaria
A visit down for a long weekend to work on Miss Liz II. Miss Liz in attendance to make sure the work is done properly!
Friday saw the visit from the Aircon team to look at the fore peak unit. Bad news is that it is kaput, good news is that a new unit is being sent from the UK to replace it and it should be here early next week. Under guarantee so better news still. Water maker working well, and the generator kicked in on demand.
Dinghy had its first airing of the season and the Old Zodiac still floats and holds its air. The 2.5hp Suzuki outboard started first time - a year after it was last used in anger, All praise to Suzuki engineering!
No main halyard replacement Jammer yet to replace the existing "no grip" version, but hopefully Hanse will have it here soon. Other small jobs now ticked off include the furthest Aft furling line block, a perennial problem with the seldon blocks is that they lock and as the line runs through it they wear unevenly - eventually the friction just flattens it out and it seizes completely. Now have a Barton block in place so hopefully that will solve the problem. Transom lock replacement received from Hanse did not fit (last one the bolt flew off into the deep blue), new one requested so hopefully it will be here soon. Annoyingly a spring loaded design - which no chandlery or DIY shop seemms to stock!
Socially, many ARC participants are here, including Julian and his wife and their Benateau (met on the HYS week long maintenance course earlier in the year!), good to see he made it safely!
Yesterday we had a quick tour of the island, Tapas at a restaurant high in the mountains - excellent. Day spoilt when we found out that our house in Switzerland had been burgled. Definitely not a way to cheer up your day!
Tomorrow the Volvo team come to service the engine before we journey home on Tuesday. Hopefully no more shocks and surprises on the boat or at home!
A visit down for a long weekend to work on Miss Liz II. Miss Liz in attendance to make sure the work is done properly!
Friday saw the visit from the Aircon team to look at the fore peak unit. Bad news is that it is kaput, good news is that a new unit is being sent from the UK to replace it and it should be here early next week. Under guarantee so better news still. Water maker working well, and the generator kicked in on demand.
Dinghy had its first airing of the season and the Old Zodiac still floats and holds its air. The 2.5hp Suzuki outboard started first time - a year after it was last used in anger, All praise to Suzuki engineering!
No main halyard replacement Jammer yet to replace the existing "no grip" version, but hopefully Hanse will have it here soon. Other small jobs now ticked off include the furthest Aft furling line block, a perennial problem with the seldon blocks is that they lock and as the line runs through it they wear unevenly - eventually the friction just flattens it out and it seizes completely. Now have a Barton block in place so hopefully that will solve the problem. Transom lock replacement received from Hanse did not fit (last one the bolt flew off into the deep blue), new one requested so hopefully it will be here soon. Annoyingly a spring loaded design - which no chandlery or DIY shop seemms to stock!
Socially, many ARC participants are here, including Julian and his wife and their Benateau (met on the HYS week long maintenance course earlier in the year!), good to see he made it safely!
Yesterday we had a quick tour of the island, Tapas at a restaurant high in the mountains - excellent. Day spoilt when we found out that our house in Switzerland had been burgled. Definitely not a way to cheer up your day!
Tomorrow the Volvo team come to service the engine before we journey home on Tuesday. Hopefully no more shocks and surprises on the boat or at home!
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