Yippee 😂⛵⛵⛵😂
We launch at 9am tomorrow , 7am UK time!
All is OK, seacock replaced without need for skin fitting repair. Thank you Cleopatra tech dept! Engine running like a dream, O ring reseated correctly! All cleaned of boatyard dust (again!) – thank you, Mary.
Another of yesterday’s gremlins – the life raft failed its service and not worth repairing. The most suitable replacement will take 7-10 days to arrive. Frantic research last night, calls to chandlers and insurance company first thing this morning. May 1 workers’ day so limited info available. Insurance say unlikely to prevent launch, but could we please send update of the work done to meet the underwriters’ requirements. The others are beavering away on board and I’m on the tablet and phone in the cafe with a freshly squeezed orange juice. It looks as though I’ve got the cushy number, but I’d swop to clean fenders in a heartbeat.
At 6pm, 4pm UK time I ring the insurance again and am told to launch and update them when we have a life raft. We mustn’t set out across the Atlantic, apparently!
Mid morning, the lettering man arrived and put the new name on the transom. We’re so pleased with how it looks, will try to take a pic tomorrow. We spent ages choosing the font! When afloat tomorrow we will need to do the ceremony for Poseidon. We hope and trust he will grant us the time of the short crossing across to Preveza town quay.
After a celebratory Mythos (beer) we are showered and across to the marina taverna for our last meal there until 16 October when we lift out for next winter. Between now and then, plenty of time for us to get to know LouLouDitsi and relax into retirement.
I’ve been watching the currents in the marina by the launch area, trying to plan how much throttle I’ll need against the cross wind to get safely out between the pontoons. One nightmare so far about messing it up, feeling better since I had a feel of the throttle lever during engine test today. Every boat is different.
We have fenders out ready, lines prepared fore and aft, port and starboard. The crane may arrive as early as 8.30, so an early alarm to get some coffees in first!
The moon is full and very beautiful, and we can hardly believe we’ll be afloat tomorrow, all being well .