Wednesday 27 March 2019

It’s such a joy to open the curtains in the morning and see the rich blue sky above the mountain, which towers behind the town of Aguadulce. Even better, then, to walk outside before 9.00am with only a t-shirt and light jumper. The downside is that it’s been blowing a gale here since we arrived. The wind almost knocks you over, at times.

After the frustration of yesterday, today our boat is alive with activity. We have guys working on a variety of areas including the rigging, the electrics, a sea cock, and preparing the bottom to be anti-fouled. The wind instruments show that the wind was a consistent 27-28 knots in the lulls, and the weather forecast says the gusts were up to 50 knots.

I felt for the riggers. They clearly cannot do any of the “up the mast” work but they were progressing on the replacement of a couple of the deck level sail control lines. One is a continuous loop, and the rigger had finished a beautiful splice to join the ends of a rope together before he realised that it was about 20 cms shorter than it should be. Prior to him starting, we had talked for some time about the required length, so he will return tomorrow to redo it.

I also sympathised with the guy working on the sea cock (a valve controlling the flow through the skin of the boat back into the sea. These are always placed in locations that are very awkward to get at, and it seems to be a real struggle to do what is needed.

I am writing this while sitting on the boat ready to answer any questions that the workman have. Although I am certain that it is secure, it is slightly disconcerting to feel the boat moving as the gusts come in.

Strangely, Gines has also said that he wants our boat in the water asap too, as he has other boats wanting to take our place. Why didn’t you get the work done then?, I am quietly thinking. It’s waste of energy and counter productive, to be annoyed though; we have to just encourage, as much as we can, and keep all these guys on side.

The Spanish Tricia has learned, over the winter, has come in very useful, not only communicating with those who don’t speak English, but also with understanding the gist of what they are saying in organising the work list. People are so friendly and nice too, it’s great to be here.

Distance covered today	0	nautical miles
Trip distance covered	0	nautical miles
Distance covered 2019	0	nautical miles
Steve (and Tricia)