Date is the 28th March 1999 and all is still going well.
Since my last missive, which no one has seen as I did not send it but is attached now, a lot has been done to the boat and I have had company staying on the boat for a week.
The boring bit first.
The boat was lifted out at the beginning of January and weighed only 27 tonnes so no problems although it a frightening experience seeing the boat suspended in mid air.
The problems with the sea cock did not involve problems with softening of the wood so just needed the fitting replaced. Found the bottom rudder bearing in the shoe worn out so removed the rudder and fitted a new bearing and the upper one was OK.
The hull was in excellent shape with no problems. The copper tingles, patches of copper sheet nailed over areas where the rubber coating was damaged, were removed and refitted after checking the hull was OK underneath. It was in perfect condition. New tingles fitted where they were missing.
Repainted the hull so now the varnishing has been done the boat looks like new.
A fellow cruiser John from a catamaran called Detour, who I spent Christmas with, worked for me for the three weeks I was on the hard. I learned a lot from him. Pay here is about a quarter of that in England!! and materials are also cheaper especially with pound so high.
Bought a table and had white seat cushions made for the seats on the aft deck. It now looks like a real cruise boat.
Getting worried about anchoring as I have not done much. So after reading up on it, talking to other cruisers and carrying out tests with a model anchor the same as mine, from someones key ring, I have modified the anchor and rewired the winch so I can operate it from the wheelhouse. Also organising how to launch and recover the big Danforth anchor. The general feeling is that with the modifications I have done and the very large anchor chain I will not have a problem. I also found a CQR anchor by the steering gear that I did not know I had.
The advise on anchoring is keep well clear of other boats, now that I have a 15HP motor on the tender I can anchor well out in deep water, and if it is weedy find somewhere that is not. Also to ride out a storm to see how the anchor behaves.
The young lady was a 35 year old New Zealand girl. It was an experience but I am not sure that all this tidying up is a good thing. Nothing serious, she is back in New Zealand now.
Two friends are coming down to crew me to the Balearics.
The social life here is getting very hectic, to get to bed before 2 am is good. Dances, Jazz evenings, quiz nights, BBQs, dinners on boats etc.
Regards to everyone
Tony
The address is only until the end of April but the telephone number is long term.
M.Y. Lady Coppelia
c/o Torre de Control
Puerto Deportivo Aguadulce
04720 Aguadulce (Almeria)
SPAIN
Mobile 0034 639 088823