28 October A month of boat jobs

While we wait for our batteries to arrive from the States and inspired by cooler autumn temperatures we have both been working through our 'to do' lists.

David has serviced the anchor chain wash pump and fitted new anti vibration mounts. It should have been straight forward but this is a boat and a one day job becomes a week when there's a tricky leak to fix.

More straight forward was replacing the water maker pressure gauge which had leaked glycerine with a new one I brought back from the UK.

Another job was to service and grease the main sail outhaul shaft which if left will seize into the electric gear box, service all the other sail furling motors and serviced the windlass with new clutch cones.

Turning his attention to the dinghy and outboard motors; a new water impeller in Yamaha out board and fitted the new prop (which finally arrived) on the Tohatsu out board, fitted an inline fuel filter and water separator between fuel tank and engine. We bought this filter 13 years ago and have been waiting for the right opportunity to fit! In that time it's had a free trip around the world!

In the engine room he replaced the black rubber hose in the heat exchanger system for a clear reinforced pipe to allow him to see the water flow and to see if there any foreign objects in the system such as a shredded impeller.

Together we pulled out the anchor onto the dock for a fresh water rinse and using this opportunity to reverse it so that the unused last 40m now becomes the most used first 40ms. This was the right time to add a rubber mat under the anchor chain to protect the fibre glass deck. The rubber we used can from a small hardware shop in Galapagos twelve years ago. Another item that's had a free RTW trip!

I ticked off a job I've been wanting to do for months; a deep clean and oil of the teak floors in the main cabin. Our floors are oiled, not varnished so it was a case of dust and scrub, even a toothbrush to get into the corners, under every lift out panel and under the drawers. Applying the oil was the easy part. We sanded and oiled the cockpit tables and the teak trim. Now our wood floors have a rich glow of loving care and the table is a joy to behold.

The sewing machine was pulled into action for repairs to the dinghy chaps and sunshades. There were lines of stitching coming undone, worn by friction and sun. In the end I reinforced all the seams and top stitching just to be sure.

I also made new sunshade screens for the rear of the cockpit for the times when we are on anchor, wind coming from the east and afternoon sun is blazing on us as we repose.

Boats needed inside and outside maintenance and I set to the task of a deep clean of the interior from bow to stern, washing every surface, checking cupboard hinges and handles, vacuuming under the cushions, emptying cupboards. It's amazing how many cat hairs there can be and just as amazing to find treasures I'd forgotten we had. A few items unchecked from LOB.

Reading back this list suggests we were working from dawn to dusk. Not quite there's always time for a cooling swim and a walk on the beach and to watch four F1 Grand Prixs.