1200
Arrived at The Hamble checked in with charter office and was given very detailed instructions about what I was signing up for! Boat not ready, it has a water leak. If only I knew then!!!
Steve and I went to Safeway to buy the boats victuals. Forgot list so had to do shopping by memory. Announcement promised a free kitchen tool being given away up stairs.
Bought £80 worth of cholesterol and booze. Lunch in cafeteria then picked up free gift.
1500
Met Chris and Bob in Hamble village for a pint then back to take over Aeolus, a 36' Halberg Rassey
Long takeover counting spoons. Paul Chessman turns up, Paul Johnson has gone to the wrong Marina. Don't think I will let him navigate.
1700
Slipped and went up river to practise reefing as force 6 westerly winds promised. Aeolis has a pronounced kick to starboard in reverse. Boat is impressive, very stable.
Motored sailed to Cowes, Marina it was full, some rally on. Moored on outer pontoon in Sheppards Marina.
1900
Into Cowes for drinks and a Chinese meal in China China. Great food "Hen How" and Tsingsao beer.
Back on board to have a conversation about golf, caravan, ISA's and farting.
Friday 16th July 2008
Log reading 25829
Weather, overcast wind SW 2-3
12 miles to Needles
26 miles to Poole
Tide west going 1100
One of the crack team.
One of the crack team.1100
Large home cooked fried breakfast, Bob anointed the cabin sole with bacon fat. Sailed to Needles wind increasing to a force 6. Fender overboard recovery. Engine on. Slamming into waves and water over the bow. About 5 miles out of Poole Steve noticed carpet wet in main cabin and then the oil warning buzzer sounded. Shut down engine and hoisted sail. Checked bilges and boat was awash to cabin sole level, why hadn't the automatic bilge pump kicked in? Tried manual bilge pump and mercifully it reduced water level. However pumping it made crew feel sick and boats violent motion would not allow close investigation for leak. Steve turns green and Chris feeds the fishes. Pumped until we reached the Marina "Rip off by the sea" £34.00 for one night exasibated by P.J. using shore power to charge his phone!
Lifted floors and P.C. found log sender unit dislodged and water coming in at a rapid rate. There are 13 through hull fittings on this boat decided not to check the rest for fear of what we would find.
Called Hamble and they said they would send someone. SeaStart turned up and fixed sender unit and tried to fix automatic bilge pump but failed.
Called Hamble and they said they would send someone. SeaStart turned up and fixed sender unit and tried to fix automatic bilge pump but failed.
This was skin fitting after Paul C managed to reduce the flow.
Run ashore Classic Cars on show on the front. Chris stays on board on leak watch. Fish and chips in a pub.
Prepared myself for another sleepless night listening to Steve snorting, borrowed P.J. wax balls and stuffed them in my ears. Have given up all ideas of smothering Steve and makeing it look like an accident. Paul J. stuffs his ears with similar then fits his Haniball Lecter mouthpiece which keeps him breathing when he is asleep and snoreing! Hmmmmmm.
Saturday 19th July Log 25862 later found sender now fixed not sending.
Early start with full breakfast after manageing to block out the sounds of the walrus on an iceberg in the next bead.
Complaints from Hannibal about the presentation of his Earl Grey in the morning.
Discussion about where we were when Princess Di died and did we care.
1900
Bob did a difficult manoeuvre out of the Marina, taking the boat with him of course.
Running on Genoa took north passage to Needles. Eyes very sore from sun tan lotion. Spoke to Mum and wished her Happy 85th birthday.
Running on Genoa took north passage to Needles. Eyes very sore from sun tan lotion. Spoke to Mum and wished her Happy 85th birthday.
1450
Arrived Yarmouth moored on piling by Paul, Chris, P.J. and Bob ashore to watch cricket. Got some eyewash and my own wax balls from the chemist. Steve and self decide to take a bus tour around the west end of island. Trip takes 40 minutes and costs £9.00. It was the trip from hell, a bus built in 1950 and roads rejected by the Roman roads quality control officers. Within minutes spine was working its way through skull and kidneys swapped places with liver. I have no idea what the views were like as my eyeballs did not stop bouncing until 20 minutes after I got off of the bus. P.J. went back to the boat early to prepare his usual gourmet feast.1900
Boys playing pool had a beer then back to the boat pass a vision in a black dress. Splendid 3 course meal prepared by P.J. Cheese and tomato starter, Chicken Pasta and Rattatoie main,Topped by Blackbury and Apple Pie. Outstanding.
Sunday 20th July
Chris took Aeolus off the mooring. Decided to use the tide to East until 1100 then beat back to The Hamble. Solent very busy an weather sunny with a strengthening west wind. Cracking beat back to The Hamble, boat sails like a dream.
1400
Packed up contacted Charterers by phone then home..............................................
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