Just a quick update.

Things are going ahead a bit more quickly on the boat. DC electrical system is almost finished, which hopefully means that the AC system will be started and finished by the end of next week. Plumbing is on the way to being completed too, so we'll be able to run the taps, have a shower and flush the loos without fear of sinking or flooding the boat. John has been busy with the electrician, Pete, trying to get the old fridge to work. A fridge technician is coming to the boat this morning to assess whether it is worth continuing with the repairs. Robin, our refit manager, remains hopeful that the fridge is salvageable, but John and I are pretty sure we will be replacing it, we'll just have to wait and see.

Yesterday, Adam was helping out with some measuring and problem solving in the galley. He was quite excited about the fresh water manual pumps for drinking water.

We've decided to splurge and replace out saloon windows. They old ones a rather badly scratched up and T-Cut and polishing doesn't seem to be helping all that much, there are just too many scratches. So, I am off to Southampton with the old windows so they can be used as a template for the new ones. Hopefully these windows will be ready the about 10 days. May the lovely sunny weather continue until then.

Beautiful Day For Hatch Cover Maintanence

So much for weather forecasts from BBC. According to them it should have been cold and grey today, but I was pleasantly surprised to be sitting on the lovely foredeck of Dark Horse scrapping away at old Sikaflex with John and Adam. It was a great way to spend an afternoon!

Ruth took some time selecting the right tool. In fact she kept complaining she had the wrong tool. Unfortunately it is just one of those jobs there is no perfect tool. She even tried beating the mastic with a spanner. I must admit I felt like doing the same at times

A pokey tool works for a while

Finally just about finished

Now, tomorrow we will find out if our fridge works...keep your fingers crossed. I know that Peter, the electrician, was anticipating pops, buzzing and just perhaps a blow from the old thing, but I remain optimistic. 

On the Move

Standing in the garden/yard looking back at our little home with the For Rent sign hanging above the door we said a rather emotional goodbye to Glenisla, in Edinburgh. The realization that soon this little home would be alive with the sounds of another brought a sense of closure and a need for a deep breath--really, we are moving onto a 60ft schooner as a family to sail where the wind and our whim take us?! So we shut the doors on the two white panel vans that contained all our worldly goods and made the 430 mile journey to "Grandma's" house in the New Forest. Normally we would have made this journey in one hit, however, we were not driving a speedy little car, but two whales, so we took it a bit slower and had a two night rest with friends, Duncan and Sarah in New Mills, just outside Manchester.

On Friday, we were treated to a tour of the river valley where the mills used to be, now mainly ruins, and a gentle walk up a hill to gather a view of the surrounding area of the Peak District. Each night came to a close with fabulous food, wine and company. A fabulous start to this next chapter in our lives.

We arrived at Maureen's Saturday evening and we were treated to another lovely meal, but after a bit too much fun at Duncan and Sarah's, we were all feeling a wee bit tired, so it was early to bed to prepare ourselves for the unpacking of the vans on Sunday. 

Thankfully the unpacking happened quickly and easily. Things are a bit less organized than we would have liked, and I think we have come to realise that we still have too much stuff and will be taking a lot more of our possessions to the charity shops before we push off, but at least we have somewhere to start from. Now the real work of sorting our possessions from Nigeria and Edinburgh into one organized, easily moved onto a boat, set of boxes. Wish us luck, I imagine this will take a few days!

Moving Day (14-06-14)

Up early and out the door, it is moving day- boat moving, that is. John, Adam and I are going to be taking Dark Horse from Cowes to Berton Marina in Lymington today. Hopefully we will have little to no wind and a clear sky as we are motoring.

Later...

The crossing was great! She hands well and it was great to be out on the water becoming aquatinted with our new home. Adam was a star, slept most of the way. I even got to bring her into the berth with joh. Handling the lines. I am pleased to say, that she was brought in without damage to her or any of the very expensive boats near her. Now to stripping the boat.

Launch Day (12-06-14)

We are all very excited. It is launch day. We are finally going to see if Dark Horse floats...I am pretty optimistic that she will ;) We are heading over to Cowes with the kids, and Maureen will be joining us a bit later. The sun is shining and it promises to be a spectacular day. One step closer to heading off.

Later...
It was a uneventful launch, which is what you want really. John was able to get on board for the motor away to the fuel pontoon. Dark Horse is now moored alongside Powerplus to have some remaining work done, and John and I will be back to take her over to Lyminton in a couple of days. Now, for a pub lunch!

Episode 8 (11-06-14)

I've woken to the beautiful dawn chorus of the New Forest. The field of rapeseed is tall and green, it looks like it may be ready for harvest soon. I can hear the girls playing in their room. It is time to get up and head for the ferry to Dark Horse. I am both excited and nervous. Will she have her masts back in, will the hull be anti-fouled? Will we be able to put her back in the water on Wednesday? We'll just have to wait and see, but I hope we are pleasantly surprised.

Later the same day

Pleasantly surprised we were. The mast were in, the engine was being prep'd for testing, the primer for the anti-fouling was on and they were getting ready to put on the first coat of anti-foul. So, it looks like we are on track to be ready to launch this week, but it would appear that we will be launching on Thursday rather than Wednesday. That is okay, it still gives everyone time for a sea trial and for us to get Dark Horse to Berthon's over the weekend before John has to head back to Nigeria to finish up and I up to Edinburgh with the kids to pack up the house. 

All in all a great day!

Episode 7 Leaving Nigeria (08-06-14)

School is out. Shipment has left Nigeria. Bags are packed for the airplane. We've said good bye to friends. So it must be time for us to leave. I find it hard to believe that this is the last time I will be taking this journey on the Total bus from Ocean Parade to Lagos's International Airport. The last time I will cast my eyes over the stilt village of Makoko, blanketed in smoke from early morning cooking fires as we cross to the mainland. I will not say that we will never find ourselves back in Lagos, because we just might.

So farewell, Lagos, you have brought me much happiness and I wish you strength and stability.