We had returned to a boat that was pretty grubby. Actually, very grubby. Lots of nice black streaks. Well, we felt bad about the neglect and had a fun day washing off the gunge. We use the word fun rather liberally there. After a day of "fun" we decided that proper fun was in order so we had to visit the favourite local pub for lunch. Have a look at Pilot pub weblink.
The kind of place that from the outside looks like a local "pour beer down your neck" place. Inside is far from posh but it has great staff, a French front of house manager who remembers everyone and everything with humour and a French head chef. The resulting food is, well, rather good. We ended up with plenty of spare meat and a couple of huge bones for Izzy to enjoy in future:
Our freezer seems to be rather busy with things for a dog we don't own. There is a little space left for for us luckily.
After the day of rather nice dining, it was back to work. The RIB was launched, given a run and then we used it to wash off the remaining grubby black streaks on the port side of the hull. It was as amusing as usual, cold soapy water running down the captain's arm when trying to sponge off the higher forward parts of the hull always amuses. The rather lower than Spanish temperatures didn't help either. Still, it was done.
Then it was the turn of the big boat to warm up her engines and electronics. The usual route around the bay followed:
with a little diversion off to the side that you can see when a couple of yachts decided to come out to play as well. The good news was that everything worked well. The bad news was that the water levels were very low and getting back onto our berth was irritating - the copious amounts of weed still evident in the marina grabbed the keel and tried to prevent nice manoeuvres under engine alone. Shame that the directors of Boatfolk (the marina operator) spent a fortune on ill advised catering / hospitality operations that duly failed and nothing on a nice weed cutting craft for the marina business that generates their real turnover and profits. Now there is no money left of course...
On the social front, we met up with Lorna and also Steve who now has a new puppy to amuse / scratch / occupy / wake train him. Emily is seriously cute, as you can see:
with a lovely sideways "are you really serious" look when needed:
We rounded off the time afloat with several cycle trips in and around the city that were most enjoyable. Then it was time to schlepp along the M4 once more to visit the dentist, to take Mrs Toddler to a hospital appointment and for the captain to have a third attempt at sorting out a much needed root/canal treatment, This time they did manage to numb the offending tooth but at a seriously specialist centre and then do the job. Then we returned and met Anne (better known as Izzy's mum) in Cardiff for a night afloat with us before we headed off to a week or so away. Busy, busy few days
Maintenance news:
After the bay trip, the main engine had a gearbox oil and filter swap. Each time we replace the filter we bemoan the mess it makes and the wild cost of the thing itself. The oil feels like for free in comparison.
Having launched and run the RIB, it was treated to new engine oil, filter and gearbox oil too. Nice fresh stuff to sit in the motors over the rather inactive winter period. The motor was then fitted with a splendid new cover that Mrs Toddler had carefully machined and edged too. It seemed a shame to put the big overall cover in place on top of it. We are no longer worried about folks stealing the RIB. The posh cover is under more threat.
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Thanks for your ideas / cheek / corrections / whatever! They should hit the blog shortly after the system checks them to make sure they will not put us or you in jail.....