Another hectic week.
Moorglade's Voyage
Ted Wilson
Mon 21 Mar 2011 00:49
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Position
unchanged.
Sunday 20th March
Well hectic might be overstating the case a bit,
but it seems to have been busy and has certainly flown by.
It has proved difficult to get the summer storage
firmed up and deposit paid. The uncertainty about the exact height of the doors,
and whether Moorglade would fit through with mast up, was resolved on Monday
when Tot Club member John Duffy called in on his way to the airport with his
laser measure and confirmed the clearance as 57ft 4inches, so 3ft to spare above
the mast. Derek Joe and Peter (yes from the Tot club) were going to the
chandlery at Jolly Harbour on Wednesday, so I went along. We did a detour to
Tom's Boatyard on Crab peninsular and sorted out the quote, cleared up a few
questions and paid the deposit, so Moorglade will spend the summer months
indoors protected from hurricane, rain and UV. All very satisfactory, but these
things take time and before driving back it was decided to have lunch at OJ's
down on the beach.
I was getting on nicely with various
straightforward boat jobs, cleaning, varnishing, ropework etc. when on Thursday
discovered that the fitting on the bow that secures the storm jib forestay was
loose. Further investigation showed that the timber backing pad had collapsed
and as all the load was then round the holes some cracking had developed. No
doubt it had happened during our Atlantic crossing when we were using that stay
to carry the small headsail in strong winds. It's a tricky job to fix because
access is so poor, through a hole at the front of the anchor windlass
locker so it can only just be reached and only seen in a mirror. Mike (Tot Club)
suggested a source of materials that was within walking distance, though
certainly not close. On Friday a plan was agreed with Michael at Woodstock and I
walked back later with templates so I should be collecting my parts cut to
size from epoxy composite board on Monday and with some epoxy resin and filler I
should be able to make the repair much stronger than it was
originally.
On Saturday Ross and I climbed Boggy Peak (now
renamed mount Obama). Getting to the start of the trail took two bus journeys so
despite our best efforts we ended up climbing in the heat of the middle of the
day. It is only 1,319 ft but you do start at sea level and it is unremittingly
steep. The top was disappointing as there is a security fence surrounding the
Cable and Wireless communications dishes on the top which prevents you from
getting clear views above the trees. Good Exercise though.
Went to Keep fit this morning. We are still working
on the same site. Although it was a small group we got a lot done concentrating
on using the chain saw to get rid of the bigger stuff. I felt I had to do boat
jobs this afternoon as the extra work on the bow fitting has messed up my
schedule and only two days now before Kay is back.
I was one of the two Rum Bosun this week. The Rum
bosuns collect the cash for the Tots, makes sure the water, rum and
glasses are set out and measures the tots for probationers and guests. You
have to read from this day in Royal Navy history and propose the right toast for
the day. Barry and I seem to manage OK and it was good to have an away tot
on Wednesday.
We were invited to a 137ft superyacht by it's
skipper. The owner, American, was not on board. The yacht was very impressive in
terms of scale and build quality though the excess was a bit hard to take, The
hospitality of the crew of four was first rate.
Kay is due back on Tuesday so, after a day or two
to settle in, we will be on our way again, and the blog will be more about
sailing and the islands and less about rum.
 Cap shroud bottle screw. (Chris is regular
size)
Wednesdays Toast on Islandia's deck
 Skipper Frank on the left. Mate second from the
right.
The upper saloon
  Main saloon (The painting is the
original)
The engine room. (The holding tanks can take 1000gallons of
.......)
 View from Boggy
Peak
The Island of Redonda can just be seen on the horizon.
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