Saturday 25 January Happy days

It;s a happy week – when things come together beautifully. We'd returned to Ao Chalong anchorage in Phuket on Tuesday after our fun trip around Phang Na bay to collect goodies.

First we hired a motorbike again and rode up the coast to Boat Lagoon marina where we'd left our chart plotter for repair. Not only was the plotter repaired but the cost was a third of the original quote due to being able to use parts from old stock. David mentioned we had a problem with the flux gate (feeds the electronic compass heading to the navigation system) and hey presto they had one of these on the shelf. A good find as the model we have is discontinued and likely to become harder to find. In another shop a small pressure gauge smiled at David so we took it home and the third find of the day was the exact Jabsco freshwater pump for our engine; an essential spare to have to hand. One day, three good boat bits. Wish boat bits could always be this convenient to find.

Boat spending completed we were free to do tourist visits like visit Big Buddha. This is a very large statue which is being built on the top of the hill overlooking Ao Chalong Bay. I've seen him shining white in the sun everyday we've been here as he gazes over the island. The trip up the hill was fun passing elephant trek centres with their elephants being washed or fed and feeling the temperature drop as we climbed. Sitting Buddha is lovely – cement clad in tiles of marble with golden Buddhas under his feet - and wonderful views over the east and west coasts.

new sail!

Buddha continued to smile on our good fortune. There was no wind this afternoon to hamper raising our beautiful new mainsail which was delivered this afternoon. It looks really good. All that remains is to see if improves our sail speed when the wind returns.

To complete the warm fuzzy feeling of the last couple of days, Jackie and Gary (Inspiration Lady) our long time friends, anchored next us and we all went out for dinner.