May. 19, 2007 - Floating again at last.

Great rejoycing in Lagos as Conachair finally floats again. Looking good, she is. Well, certainly the bit near the water, topsides look a bit scruffy but all in good time (and wallet only so big). I may have donated a few more euros to the local community than I had hoped for (engine parts not cheap) but have to say the boatyard (Sopramar in Lagos) did a great job. Paint job fantastic, engine looks like new.

But great to be afloat again, no more up and down ladders and now have running water again. And seemingly dry boat. Had worrys that seacocks were on their last legs (maybe they are and I'm just lucky) but they seem to be drip free. Blakes bronze ones they are, this time I put loads of grease in and didn't do the bolts pushing the taper into the plug too tight. Seems to have done the trick. And though I only motered from the boatyard round to the marina the stuffing boxs seems fine as well. Used stuffing with PTFE this time, from asap supplies, which is supposed to be drip free. One hopes. And also have clean main bilge now as well, great fun that was, 20 odd years of engine oil (not any more I hope) and god knows what else to clean from a narrow bilge about 4 feet deep. Anyway clean now and hopefully will stay that way.

So next stop where?  Well, for starters that forward planning thing is greatly overrated. Just leads to stress and disappointment. So I shall be planning not to plan more than a bit ahead. Initial bit ahead will be to turn left. Alright, maybe I should plan a little bit more precisely than that, but only in that a quite fancy anchoring off Isla Du Cultara for a day or two. Island just off Faro, big estuary and wildlife reserve. Sounds very peaceful. And might go up river Gaudiana, which seperates Portugal and Spain. You can get about 20 odd miles up the river in pretty much unspoiled countryside with the occasional village to visit. Sounds nice. But generally just turn left, do a bit of sailing and see what happens. Something always does so why worry.

But before all that this afternoon I'm going to pick up laundry and hang it out to dry. And not watch the cup final. Got to be enough to be getting on with on a hot Saturday afternoon in Lagos.

adeus e sorte boa