Email from Will and Lucy
Date: 9/11/00 21:03:37 GMT Standard Time
Subject: Diary 5/11/00 to 9/11/00
Sunday 5/11/00
Got to Culatra with 115kg of luggage. Wind W5. Cloudy and not warm. Lugged bags to cafe and borrowed two shopping trolleys from the next door neighbour to get it all to the end of the path. Then about 3 trips by hand over the sand to Meira. Arms v long by the end of that. Meira in good shape, exactly as we left her. Rest of day was unpacking and trying out new deck tent. At sunset (5.30pm) the temp dropped like a hail-stone. Shivering we went to bed at about 7pm aftet having made an outline things to do list.
Monday 6/11/00
Took mast down using slightly new technique, taking the main sheet tackle from it's traveller straight to the shrouds. Worked v well (Note to Wharramites: Meira's mast comes down forwards). Shrouds removed along with haulyards. We took off the main beam and replaced the padding underneath, after having jacked up the pod (using beer crates and driftwood), which normally rests there.
Tuesday 7/11/00
Started rewiring, which first of course means 'unwiring'. Messy, sticky and confusing. Weather much improved (W-SW 3, and sunny!). Reconditioned jib roller, which involved the not much fun practice of drilling out 8 stainless rivets, with a hand-drill. Sore. (This is a beach, not a boat yard!). The afternoon was spent getting very painty and gluey as we waterproofed the battery compartment at the front of the pod. Evening drinks with Gerry and Maureen (local liveaboards, who have 'If Dogs Run Free' (Wharram Classic Design) (=The House), and a fine 30 foot tri named 'Swingalong' (=the boat). Our livers were not up to the pace, and we wobbled back to Meira along the beach under the stars.
Wednesday 8/11/00
Wednesday morning came too soon for Lucy, but not for Will, who was up at 4am with a brain full of boat electrics, and how 'this system is really simple and easy to make.....'. The mast was rerigged fully, and the rest of the day was spent gutting the electrics, with a break aroung midday when Meira floated for the first time this trip. We moved her to a slightly better birth, now she is level side to side when dried out. By nightfall there were no electrics left in the pod, so a hasty system was lashed up to operate the cabin lights and allow some emailing too. Weather beatiful, NW 3.
Thursday 9/11/00
Main beam lashings were replaced, and work on the electrics continued. Mid afternoon Richard of Saroa (Pahi 30 which came from UK this Summer) arrived after having been hiking in central portugal for a week. The base board of the new electrical system is in place, and looks the biz. Another gorgeous day, wind E4. Not a cloud in the sky.
Cheers,
Will and Lucy