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!