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.

Episode 6 (28-04-14) Back to Work

Six (28-04-14)

Rebecca has gone back to work today. Leaving our two month old even for the short time she is in the classroom (feeding between bells) would be tough for most mothers. I was less than helpful by being offshore at the time. The re-fit is coming along, apparently. We have now employed a surveyor to chase and reconcile the invoices, schedule and work executed as the invoicing has all been a bit muddled . Will be happy to be able to finish up here in Nigeria and get on with what needs doing on Dark Horse.

Episode 5 (20-04-14) Adjusting the Plan

Five (20-04-14)

As said before “few plans survive contact with the enemy” I have been refused leave request and am expected (obliged) to work until the end of my three month notice period. So some rapid re-negotiation has Rebecca and the kids going back to the UK with me on the 6^th June. A few days work on the boat, get her in the water 10^th June. Rebecca goes up to Edinburgh to ready the house to rent. I go back to Nigeria to finish up until the 30^th of June (my birthday).Let’s see if this plan works.

Episode 4 (7-04-14) All Back in Nigeria

Four (7-04-14)

Short weekend in Edinburgh and we are all back together again. Flew Nigerian – Edinburgh Thursday shut up the house and back home all together Edinburgh – Nigeria Sunday. Landed 0530 Monday morning, Monday at work was to be honest a struggle. Good to be all back in one country. The wee man is good as are the rest of the gang.