Taking stock and dog sitting

Reflecting on the short summer cruise this year, we figured out that it was not all bad. Far from it. After the lockdown getting underway felt even more special despite the first trip down to Miford Haven being probably the bumpiest.

For the numerical types, we only ran 119 main engine hours this summer and a paltry 5.5 on the genset. However, we did manage to visit all four countries of the UK and see how they were (or were not) reacting to the Covid pandemic. We covered around 890 nautical miles at an average speed over the ground of about 7.5 knots, well above our normal speed through the water. The delights of timing trips to get tidal help (and a higher rpm run from Bangor back to Milford Haven). 

The boat behaved very well, no major issues and really only a blown navigation bulb during a night passage that was an irritant. We had a first (for us) lift at Whitehaven and the team there were very careful indeed which lessened the usual stress of seeing our home dragged out of the water and dumped onto dry land. A reminder:

Perhaps the strangest part was having an empty forecabin for the entire time. Covid saw to that. It did reduce our alcohol and food bills a little though!

We quickly settled into Penarth life again, catching up with some folks, wandering around the barrage and then into town to collect a hire car which transported us to the New Forest so we could collect our own. We saw how the Covid numbers were increasing and did not want to be locked down in Penarth with no wheels. Click and collect at Asda by folding bike would have been a bit strange. 

Anne (Izzy the goddog's owner) had a poorly hind paw. Well, big toe actually. She was undergoing an operation in a Cardiff hospital so we took on the role of Izzy sitters and post operative care. We are probably better at the former as Izzy seemed quite content afloat again:

even if she had a Fumanchu like beard going on. She was back in charge pretty quickly:

comandeering a blanket and laying whereever she chose to. Normal service resumed.... 

Meanwhile, her owner had some hind paw surgery and spent a bit of time recovering on board, with her leg duly raised above heart level as instructed by the surgeon:

although the gin and tonic might not have been on his instructions. You can see that the lifelines we have for clipping on outside when in rough weather were quite useful too despite the flat calm conditions in the marina.

One small peice of excitement was watching a little yacht head out with what looked like a very nervous crew and skipper on board only to find it towed back in shortly afterwards. Once she had been lifted out, we saw why they needed a tow:

Quite a dramatic rudder failure indeed. 

Plenty of dog walking and amusing was needed. Most of it seemed to involve throwing balls, rings / whatever for Izzy to chase, often in water:

She loves paddling but does not go out of her depth. Smart dog.

On the maintenance front, total disaster. OK, that is over-egging things but we have to try and build some suspense in this rather tedious blog you know. One of the wooden blinds in the saloon had a moment when the guide wire fitting pulled out of the bulkhead. A new length of wire was needed as the old one snapped when the "disaster" happened so eBay was our friend again. Some 1mm stainless wire, some ferrules that can be crimped up and a little while later the blind was "restrung" and duly refitted into place, as the nights draw in it will be used more and more. Pity but there it is.

Other fun activities included doing a genset oil and filter change (very very easy) and drawing up a list of tasks for this winter. There always a nice big list on on a boat. This time it is a bit more main engine focussed as we need to replace the gearbox oil cooler O rings (4 years since last done) and also the torsional damper on the front of the engine (5 years old so due now).  Such fun to come for you spanners and oily bits addicts. Such boredom for the rest of you.