The sea-cocks shot

Every year, before she goes back in the water, the seacocks are inspected and serviced - usually just by re-greasing the cones and tightening to suit. The last day or so before re-launching are alway a bit frenetic, so to re-assure myself that the jobs has been done - and that all the valves are back together and closed (as they should be when not in use and on the water) I take photos of each one.

Some our sea-cocks

Metal seacocks can suffer from dezincification, when the zine in brass is lost to electrolytic action in the same way as a sacrifical anode, which makes material brittle. Its good practice to check every year for the distinctive pink colour which indicates this process and replace if it is eveident.

Spring in the air

Its dark outside, is cold and has been overcast and showerign all day, but in the distance the oystercatchers are calling to each other again. It spring and a new season is about to start...

Sad news

It was saddening today to learn, rather belatedly, of the passing of Ron Robinson a few months ago.
He had carried out work for me in repairing a good quality Kelvin Hughes sextant which had been vandalised by a postal courier and I later had no hesitation in asking for his assistance in getting the Sestral steering compass on Annabella back to working order. It is still the best compass on board.
I found him not to be an easy man to get to know although we only had brief dealings, but I think once he was confident that one wasn't a complete waste of time, he softened almost imperceptably
and there was trace of a sense of dry humour. Perhaps it was just me.

Another sextant by the way

"Robinson" was able to draw upon a wealth of expereince and knowledge in a field which is becoming incresingly arcane, and I really now do not know upon whom to call.
Life was much richer for knowing him, even briefly.

... In the boatyard

It about 1850 and dark outside. The wind has picked up, which is driving the wind generator and charging the batteries, it s a bit noisy but at least I can use the cabin lights without worrying. It's very cold, and I may go bed soon, just to be somewhere warm.

New year, new season, new plan

With the turn of the year its also time to start planning for the new season.

This season we're hoping our long cruise will be to meet up with one of the first mate's friends who lives in the Scillies. Time to start planning the trip now!

More top kit:

I'm really quite impressed by the arrival of a new hands free vhf which arrived during the festive season.

As far as I can see it incorporates two ideas whose time has come:
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Firstly: handheld VHFs are devilled by not being charged sufficiently or completely flat just when they're required - which is often an emergency. The distinguishing feature of this kit is USB charging - which means it can be charged in the car, in the boat if you have USB charging (  :-) like we do) from a 12v / cigarette lighter, from a pocket phone charger or just about any where on land.
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Secondly: A soft aerial which substantially reduces the risk of "antenna ear / eye syndrome"  which is guaranteed to make any emergency worse.

It also does all the usual stuff and does not have DSC incorporated - which I see as an advantage.
I will carry out a radio check with the marina office next time I'm at the boat to see how that works.

Thanks to the First Mate and Mrs Clause - just to say, this post is not sponserd by Standard Horizon or anyone else.

22 December at last!

Like sailors everywhere, the heart is cheered by passing the winter solstice, when the sun declination reaches its southerly maxium and begins to decrease.

Hurrah - the days are getting longer!

End of the season - back on the hard again !

That's it - that's all there is.
We'll be out of the water by the end of the week and up on sticks in the customary place. Many thanks to those who sailed with us - we slipped more than 600 nm under the keel - and those who helped in so many other ways. Here's to the winter work !

Last time out this year

A super end to the season with light airs on a crisp autumnal day, with a relaxing trip around the islands. Light easterlies all day Saturday, although they threatened to fill an any point, but Sunday turned out to be too much of handfull.

Good sailing with an old friend, a new friend and my trusty boat

One more weather post

Wow, just look at that low in the bottom right corner of next Sunday's chart ....

















....not that we're going anywhere near there. It will be interesting to see how it fills as if crosses the Atlantic. (I'll be interested anyway)