Hand pump toilets are not our favourite, so Bob had been searching for a couple of reasonably priced macerator versions. Just a finger press required, when used the number two and toilet roll becomes slush and doesn’t over time become a rock hardened mass that is nigh impossible to remove from the holding tank. A […]
Operating on the American system, the washing machine was 110vt and 60 cycles, which is an American standard that is incompatible with pretty much everywhere else in the world. That being the case, the decision was made to purchase a 240vt at some stage. Well, that turned out to be sooner rather than later…… Out […]
We’ve gone and done it. Purchased a new yacht! A Tayana 55 with a 20m mast and good water line: she averages 8 – 9 knots. Now we have the best of all worlds: a caravan for Oz, a boat for Europe and the Med and now a boat for Asia and the Pacific! The […]
Prior to departure, Bob wanted to check out his theory of the engine issues being caused by the muffler and therein found the problem: something he had never thought would occur. The water and exhaust box lives at the bottom of a sump in the lazarette, and it was down there that Bob had crawl. Fortunately, […]
First thing this morning, Bob went through all of the engine system checking for blockages and found nought. This left only one other scenario causing the engine to cut out: the muffler. Believing new parts would be required to solve the problem, we continued on our way, taking care to keep the revs below 2000. […]
How the weeks are flying by. It’s difficult to believe it’s been three weeks since we returned to Europe. A burst of cold weather found us glad to be indoors as Bob and I continued working on the renovations. Monday the outer frame work was installed. Tuesday I took a bit of time out as Bob […]
There’s a saying amongst boating cruisers: Cruising is boat work – or in our case, make that renovations – in exotic places. How true that is, as this week Bob and I worked at a pace to complete painting and varnishing the pilot house. By late Saturday, the pilot house reno was finished, with the […]
The hard yakka has been completed and today the painting of the pilot house commences. Quick snap shots taken during the last few days. Clean out and removal of fans etc. Things always look worse before they improve… Bogging completed Ducting that covers the wires installed. Bob’s famous bean salad ready for dressing. Last muesli for the season…. […]
Bob spent the day sanding the pilot house ceiling.
Bob spent the day on installing our new hot water system It was a bit of tight fit, but he made it work! I relaxed and worked on photos There is so much water traffic here that it is like being on a sea full of swells. I actually felt ‘sea – sick’.
By 08:30 this morning, the phone call informing Bob the new starter motor had arrived came. Like a rocket, off Bob scampered, collected it and, upon his return, promptly installed the new part. It was at this point in time that he discovered the true source of the fault: a faulty soldered connector in the […]
Around lunchtime today, came the phone call informing Bob that the starter motor was kaput and we had need to order a new one. This duly done, and fast track courier paid for, it will be Monday before the part arrives. In the meantime, my sister, Terry, and I went shopping.
Today our intended eastbound journey to Aurich came to an abrupt halt as, with the turn of the key, all that was to be heard was a choking croaking sound followed by a ‘whirrrrrrrr’. Key turned off, water shut down, ‘Bo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-b!!!!!’ Up he came to have a go. ‘Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!’ ‘Electrical problem,’ said Bob, and down […]
At last the readying of the engine is complete. Big Bertha is ready to roll! A flock of Egyptian geese have commenced paddling up the channel around 8:30 every morning, the lead male honking all the while, and the swans have returned with their days’ old cygnet. I had an interesting experience whilst doing the oiling today. The […]
It’s all happening. Bob readied the decks today. They have never looked so tidy!!!!! A big grin as he finishes. Now I can commence oiling the bowsprit. Skyline behind: a massive set of apartments going up. There is always something happening around Marina West. The ducks provide some good laughs. This fella was not at […]
The 2017 season in Gratis will soon be underway for us. Connected to the tractor in preparation. Bob keeping an eye out as the crane is readied. Up she goes and the last of the supports is removed. Out over the water goes Gratis. Down she goes. Fully down.
Bob spent the day in the engine room readying Big Bertha. For me, it was scrubbing the cabin top and sides. It’s amazing how much grime collects on surfaces. Big G is set to return to the water tomorrow.
We have been enjoying the days of relaxation that have been interspersed with undertaking small work projects. Yachthafen Potsdam is a lovely mooring, with walk paths and a swim beach just out the door. The toilet now has a small tap that means the guess work of closing the inlet/outlet valves for our guests is no longer […]
