Today my father-in-law leaves for a 35 day cruise around the Pacific Islands. It will be nice to have the tiny flat, our temporary accommodation, to ourselves. I’ll be able to do my Yoga again and work without disruption. Maybe I’ll even get some time alone – what a treat that would be.
This week also marks our first free week in quite some time
On Friday, Simon and I finished our Mechanical Engineering course on ancillary boats items. We took apart a starter motor, alternator, gear box, water pump, fridge motor, air condition unit and water maker. I learned about AC and DC and felt enlightened by all my new found knowlege. I probably went a bit overboard, but I started referring to myself as ‘Chief’ as I will be the chief engineer on our boat.
Making the decision to spend 5 days in a classroom and pay a substantial amount of money was a hard decision to make. Especially after we’ve already shelled out for an engine and first air course. However, when the class ended my husband and I agreed that it was money well worth spent. I’m positive we’ll get our money back within a year at the most. We’ll be able to service the various engines and motors on the boat! Furthermore, we’ll be less likely to be conned.
What else has been going on?
Well, we’ve successfully changed our boats name from Pear Fisher to Britican (BRITish and amerICAN) as a tribute to Simon’s country (England) and mine (America). We knew what name we wanted on our dream boat several years ago. Hubby and I would talk about Britican not really knowing what size or style she would be. Actually renaming her is a massive stake in the ground towards are dream becoming reality. Renaming her was an easy paper exercise.
We’re also in the process of getting the actual artwork of ‘Pearl Fisher’ removed from the boats aft section, mast, u-shaped floatation device and the tender. Once it’s removed, ‘Britican’ will be put in it’s place. It’s bad luck if you put a new name over an old name…but it’s fine if you remove the old name and replace it. Not that I’m superstitious!
We’ve also developed a lovely email relationship with a marine repair services contact in Gibraltar
His name is Trevor and I’m so happy he’s helping us out. He’s assisted us to remotely fix some leaks, patch our busted tender, service out engine and do a few other bits. I keep updating him on my new found engineering education and I think he’s pleased to see some boat owners actually learn about how it works rather than pay others to keep it running.
On the repair side of things, we’ve also had a company reseat our toilets as they were leaking a bit from the base. When we fly down to Gibraltar we’ll only have one week before we head to Malta so hubby and I thought we’d get the major jobs done before we get there.
And we got a gun, but not the kind you’re probably thinking about…
Yesterday hubby and I went to an electrical store and purchased a few things to help us with the electrical side of things. Our engineering teacher made a list of things for us including a multi-meter (tests continuity and oms), battery charger testers and a temperature laser gun. With the gun, the way you use it is to paint points around the engine and any moving part that can heat up. Durning a voyage, when you update the log, you take the temperature of your paint spots. By doing so you’ll get a trend and if something is getting too hot, you’ll catch it before a problem becomes a disaster. I thought it was a cleaver idea. The gun can also be used for freezing temperatures also so the fridge and freezer can be measured. If we see that it’s heating up we’ll know that we need to investigate.
In addition to all this, the website that you’re looking at was created this past week
I’ve been writing for ages and saving my content until I had the time to put it somewhere. I’m now spending time uploading posts and back dating them to the actual date I wrote them. I’m also trying to figure out how to make video films, get them on YouTube (under my SailingBritcan channel) and then embed them on this website. Last night I went to bed in a huff because I couldn’t figure it out. Well, today is another day.
I suppose it’s important to note that we’ve also done some non-preparation things
Last weekend was our Godson’s birthday so we drove 2 hours back to our old home town to catch up with friends and celebrate. It was nice to be back in Aylesbury however I must say that it didn’t feel like going home. Neither my husband or I miss it. We just miss our friends. As for our daugther, Sienna, she seems to have adjusted very easily. Her new pre-school teachers say that she’s doing great. Sienna seems to mix with everyone. That felt reassuring for me as I’ll need her to be sociable when we’re meeting new kids in foreign countries!
And I finally got a date for my British swearing in ceremony
On the 3rd of March I’ll officially become a Brit too! Simon and I thought that me having the ability to carry both an American and British passport would be beneficial. Sienna already carries both so we’re hoping it will make our travels easier. At the very least I’ll finally be able to get in the short line when I arrive in Heathrow!
So, going forward we need to fill out a pallet with all the things we’re sending down to the boat. We’ll put clothes, life jackets, galley stuff, books, spare parts, new kit and perhaps some knick knacks to make the boat feel homey.
But how do I feel?
I suppose I’m feeling a bit fed up. It’s cold and rainy in England – in fact the whole country is flooding. I’m tired of paying out all this money and not really getting anything back for it. It feels as if our bank account is emptying and I’m a bit nervous that we won’t have enough money to really enjoy ourselves once we get sailing.
Simon and I just want to get going
I know, I shouldn’t complain. I suppose it’s important to realise that everyone’s problems are relative. And even though I am living my dream, it’s still not all happiness and smiles. In actuallity, I’m feeling so run down. And it doesn’t help that I’ve been having wine most nights. It’s just that we’re all in limbo and it’s scary.
My next article is entitled, The contrast of sailing around the world and cancer
Hi Kim, as a recent new owner of an oyster 56 (one also in palma) i was interested to read about the mechanical engineering course you have been on – sounds like a perfect think to do given the amount of equipment on the boat — where did you do this course and what did it cost?
all the best with the amazing experience ahead.
Chris