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Hi again to all,
To carry on from the previous blog - we duly met Chris from Sevenstar and he informed us that the shipment could be a fortnight or so earlier than we had thought. So early rather than late March. That will put skates under us! But mixed feelings about that as it will put us in Europe in very early spring which could be a shock to the system after tropical temperatures which we've had really since Cairns - and at times before that. That's at least 6 years by now. But with cargo shipping (unless it's a liner service) you just go with the flow. The main thing is to get there. Our friend, Linda kindly posted Jim's wool jumper from Auckland so he'll be all right and we will need to buy some warmer clothes once we are in Istanbul again.
We had a quiet few days and now have started the preparation phase for shipping. Cleaning stainless, deck caulking and stripping the deck, including the sails. The latter 2 haven't started yet but they're not far away.
We met a very pleasant couple on another double ender (which we had noticed at anchor as we came in the other day). He is Jim - born in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia (with a delightful accent) - and she is Wendie - a NZ'er from Northland. We hired a car for the first time this visit (THB1,000 - NZD44 - for 24 hours) and all drove into town. The traffic is noticeably worse than when we were here 3 years ago, but that's the same the world over. We first paid a visit to Michelle Hawryluk who is a Canadian lawyer who we first met 3 years ago - a delightful young lady who runs a law practice here on Phuket and who is married to a Thai kick boxer! She used to be the honorary Australian Consul, but Australia now has its own Consulate on Phuket. We needed her to witness our signatures on a document. Michelle now has a child and it was great to see all the photos and to briefly make acquaintance again. Jim and Wendie also needed some documents witnessed so that was taken care of as well. Then on the road again to the Smiley Dentist where we dropped off our X-Rays which had been done on Penang. Just to make sure our teeth are going to stay in our heads before we leave for Turkey. Then we headed off for Phuket Marine with our old Raytheon GPS unit which is at least 8 years old and which has seen us all the way from NZ and around Northland over that time. It still works perfectly, but has developed a greyish black patch in the middle of the screen. Apparently that's fixable and we are indebted to Tricia of "Pelican" - a NZ boat - for that information.
On top of that we are determined this time to get to the bottom of our charging issues. The system works as it should with shore power and Somsak of Andaman Electrical is adamant that our batteries are fine. We had earlier thought that one was faulty. So, it probably comes down to either the alternator and/or our "Smart Charger" battery regulator. So, (sorry Ian!) we have taken both the alternator and regulator off the boat for workshop testing. Hopefully that will answer the question once and for all - we'll see. BOATS!!!!!
We've also got a weecping leak around the laminated stern post (which is heavy enough for an 80 ton trawler!). So, thanks to Zara of YHM, we met a Turkish lady, Adelina, who is a classic yacht broker and a former boatyard owner in Turkey and who visited us on the boat a few days ago. She could well be instrumental in organizing a sale for us - just when we have arrived in the Med and looking forward to some sailing there!!! Murphy's Law - but we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves. Her partner, Nick, is a wooden boat shipwright here on Phuket and he kindly came on board and inspected the problem. Doesn't think it's serious - possibly a broken fastening, but that will have to wait until we haul out in Turkey - possibly Gocek which is just north of Fethiye and just south of Marmaris. At least we won't sink!!
On the Colombia front - we have, thanks to our property manager, Noelia, at long last leased our apartment in Envigado, Medellin for an initial 6 month period to a Dutch couple. They have a right of renewal for another 6 months so, if the boat sells meantime, we could be homeless until March 2019! Still, no doubt we'll handle that. There are plenty of apartments around the world that one can rent very reasonably.
Down at the Living Room Restaurant (with its sand floor) we met another very interesting couple - Dick and Debbie. They are Canadian and recently bought a yacht on Langkawi and sailed it up here. They are hauling out at the Premier Boatyard just near here. They've sailed extensively in the Mediterranean and have given us some more invaluable information. It's amazing who you meet along the way - great people and helpful with all sorts of information in both directions.
So far we've had a great time here at YH - very social and it seems far more alive than Langkawi. As a result we feel far more confident about Turkey and the Med in particular. Our big concern now is that the old girl might sell before we can enjoy the Med sailing experience!! That would be a conundrum indeed. But, one thing we have learnt in this sailing environment is to just go with the flow. The other thing is Med mooring (stern to) which, with our congested canoe stern is an issue, but again we just go with the flow and perhaps moor at the end of a trot and use the dinghy to get on and off. Or simply anchor off. Things usually work out.
We've had the dinghy in the water for a few days to clean the hull and it was time to get it back on board and thoroughly cleaned as we plan to roll it up for the passage to Turkey. Jean was cleaning one of the floorboards on the dock when it slipped through a gap in the decking. As it is made of a high density plastic, it seemed likely to sink so Jean jumped in to save it! She'll be one of the only people to go swimming in the YH Marina - shades of the Norsand slipway. Sorry you missed this as well, Noel! We did recover the floorboard!
We try these days to have our main meal no later than mid afternoon as it's not good to go to bed on a full stomach. Apparently digestion can take up to 70% of available body energy and that definitely causes sleep disruption. At our advanced age we cannot afford that. So, today (16/02) we are having NZ lamb shanks slow roasted with pumpkin and potatoes and Watties frozen peas!! Couldn't get them in Langkawi - had to put up with the Aussie variety which aren't lamb at all. Hoggets at the very least!!
So, we are looking forward to that.
Well, that's it for now you'll be glad to know. Hope everyone is in the pink....................
Lotsaluv from us on Phuket, Thailand.
Jim and Jean
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