St David's Day (no not me) & Dallimore Bows

Well, we're into March, have been putting in trees today, however I did go aboard Athena today to retrieve a hammer to wack some nails in, tacks for the chicken wire. So hoping to buy some wacky hens, they are going in the orchard with access on good days to the woods. So finally started planting the hornbeam hedge @ last, it's curved like a Dallimore Bow. Love curves, so there are not going to be many straight lines in this garden. Well Athena was smelling just great when I went aboard, not bad smells. a lovely day so could have sat their all afternoon. I do love these wonderful spring days, with a gorgeous setting this evening with a bright red glow silhouetting the skyline.

Athena's Vire 7 to be rebuilt

Crickey, after all the problems of the last year or so with the engine, have decided to rebuild it. Have Jerry Blake to do this job of Walton on the Naze. He will probably make it better than New. It will mean Athena is a bit under powered but not over weight, Need to loo @ the power useage from the GPS as this may be of some concern as the dynostart wasn't recharging the battery, why?, I hope we find out! At least we will have a functioning engine again. It was a toss-up to getting a new Beta, have chosen an 'economical' option.
Maybe spend money in other places. The Cabin still needs an upkeep of repainting, something has been on the job list for the last 2 or so years.

Yes if someone came along and wanted to buy Athena, I would sell her, only if someone falls in love with her, they can sail her more sedately than she has for the last 6 years. There is one thing about Athena is she revels in being sailed well. The value of Athena is that for her size she gives great value for the money spent, & the payback is just amazing experiences that stay with you for ever. Being on a pefect point of sail, last for ever. She looks after you.

RBYC last Saturday night, Dinner & Talk

It was a great evening, enjoyed doing the talk, lot of people came up & thanked me, it was great to tal for the first time in front of a crowd 34 plus hangers on. Great to see lots of people including new faces to me. Seems a few have knowledge of this blog too.

This is the skipper having a great time with Nico & Elyn in Brest, having a Tuna Barbe & a glass of French Red, a great lunch thanks N & E.

Memories are wonderful, & takes some lovely people to be part of them.

It's Pissing Down

Gosh should have got more jobs done this week. Now I'm upagainst it!
Sadly had to put a friends dog down this week & bury it. We had a beer to celebrate, her life.
First time I've seen anything die. There was beauty in it, very peaceful. Even Audrey is missing her too.

Engine Out

Yes it came out easy, Monday was a good day in Hereford, now ready for transporting to Walton on the Naze. Have to make a copy of electrical diagram of dynostart so I can get it all back together again. It a lovely space again with no engine, it's very enticing to no put an engine back in, trouble is I tink some electrics is a good idea. so that says it all I guess, damm.

Athena to Brest & Back 2008, the Slide show/Talk

Below is an outline of Athena's trip, hoping to talk about the people we met, along the way, the good, the bad, & yes them too. The best thing about this trip is there are more lovely people than anything else, even the man in Brest who went to go & get my tickets for me. I had tried but couldn't find the place, it was about a mile away from where we were on the pontoon. I was in tears & exhausted. I was close to leaving! He was very kind & came back with my 'Brest' bag. Even more funny was was that Nico & Elyn found Athena without even knowing in Brest where we were.......knocking on the cabin with me still in my bunk.......we had an excellent Saturday @ Brest.

The outline of my slide show broken down into 23 headings,
@ RBYC next Saturday 31st January

1. Depart Titctmarsh Marina(the yard lads)

2. Aground & Again(halls)
3.Rebuild Engine(Gerry)
4. Set-Off Again to Brightligsea(Sue)
5. Brightlingsea to Yarmouth, via pit stop in Brighton(Steve)
6. Yarmouth to Alderney(the marina people)
7. Alderney to Paimpol(the bb man)
8. Paimpol to Triguier (pontoon)(John Lui)(& tourist office girls)
9. Triguier to Tregestal (anchor/Mooring)(John Lui)
10. Tregestal to L'Aber Wrac'h (Mooring)(man black knickers)
11. L'Aber Wrac'h to Cameret(not eng. chap advise catch tide)
12. Cameret To Douarnrnez(tourist office girls)
13.Dournenez to Cameret(no one)
14. Cameret to Ille De Sein(Quentin)
15. Ile De Sein to Cameret(the Irish mermaid/ lady)
16. Cameret to Ile de Molene(Chaps on pontoon)
17. Ile de Molene to Cameret(french family from Dijon)
18. Cameret to Port Launay(Hilyard skiper)
19. Port Launay to Brest(Pete Goss's boat builder & family)
20. Brest to Cameret(Nico & Elyn)
21. Cameret to L'Aber Wrac'h(the chap who exchange money for petrol)
22. L'Aber Wrac'h to Falmouth(the harbourmaster)
23. Falmouth to Hereford(Garry)

Started to get Engine Out

Yes I have less than a week to get the Engine out of Athena. One thing is that usually once I have stripped the bit like heat exchanger, dynostart that I can lift the engine out, my back is bad @ present so may ask for some help. This week While stripping dropped, actually kicked my socket set to the bottom of the bilges, oh dear, those little sockets in the bilges, there was a little water and it was freezing, and then to start work, with freezing fingers, ow. Well got the propeller off, & prop shaft out.

I must admit I wish I was a good enough sailor not to need an engine. Think of that dead weight you carry around when you are sailing in a wonderful sailing breeze. like pulling you anchor thru' the water.

Just hope those 4 nuts that bolt the engine down are not frozen(rusted) to thread. Crikey it already seem a long time since Athena & I last sailed, it was early July after 3 months exploring Brittany.