The Boat is Taken Out of the Water

A bit later than intended, the weather was near perfect for the trip to Valentia for "Baltic Amber" to be taken out of the water and stood on the hard.  A couple of months would give time for the hull to dry out, get the anti-fouling done, service the prop and change the anodes. Jill and Breda set off on Monday morning (9th Jan ) and by 4 o'clock she was out !  Then the business of taking off the sails and tidying everything away began - and continued the next day until another friend took the car over and brought them home.

 Leaving Dingle Harbor

 Valentia Lighthouse at the entrance to the harbor.

 The RNLI  lifeboat was in the harbor getting a repair fixed.

 Getting ready to get the boat ashore.

 And here she is getting an anode fitted.

In general terms all went well, but you are always a little anxious. This time he had a new device to do the hauling out and the ground was quite slippery near the water's edge which caused the boat to slide and slew about on the cradle. Still, no harm done and here are a few photos to amuse and inspire.............

News from the West Indies.

Well, we've got the New Year over now and it's howling a gale outside. It's just a matter of bolting down the hatches and sitting it out - and I've got a horrid cold !
          So, what could be nicer than receiving communication from the Caribbean from a young woman out of Dublin who is sailing to Tasmania.  She's at the Panama Canal at the moment and should be going through it in the next few days.  Then she is going to the Galapagos Islands and on through the Pacific Ocean.  I'll keep you posted and let you know how she gets on.  Here is a photo from the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean.

 The Witches Tit,  St. Maarten, The Caribbean. Christmas 2011.

I hope that when she comes back in our summer, she will come sailing with us.  Just for a change, you understand !