Back afloat and (briefly) underway again

The return from Toddlerville to the boat took way longer than usual. Several stops during the journey to allow the crew to walk and lie down on the back seat to rest and move her pesky back elongated the process. We even had an overnight stop too,  to break things up.

The good news was that this time her back was OK when we returned to the boat and unloaded the car.. It felt good to be back on the water and the weather was kind (well, for the first week anyway). The captain was back on duty as chief cook, provisioner and cleaner but did manage a few little jobs and walks alongside his daily task list.

The poor neglected boat had not been run since our arrival in Penarth and since the crew was not supposed to be lifting fenders and managing mooring lines, Simon joined us for a brief run around the bay:

He was responsible for these tracks and any oddities in them, being back in the pilothouse helm seat and looking very much at home there. We think that a Nordhavn is in his future. He thinks that our Nordhavn is in is future for £50K. We think he is a bit deluded. 

Apart from the excitement of the bay run, we had a very very quiet time. The odd osteopath trip for the crew, the regular walk to the food shops for the captain. Resting the crew's back and some careful exercises as per the healthcare professionals instructions seem to deliver progress albeit at a glacial pace. 

Maintenance news:

The genset was due a coolant change so it was properly pampered this time. Coolant drained, then it had a run to flush it with dishwasher detergent added,  then drained and refilled with fresh coolant. The flushing mix came out pretty cleanly really, considering that it had not been done during its entire life. A satisfying job though, knowing that the closed cooling system is nice and clean. 

The RIB had a run around the bay area and the pre-winter oil change too. A sad time of year really, doing all the "laying-up" stuff.