Final post 2019-20

We decided to cancel Louise’s trip home and bring forward the launching of the boat to Monday 23^rd March so that we would have somewhere to stay when we are due to leave the house on 12^th April.

It would be a problem if we were not allowed to launch Camira and she was on the hard for an indefinite period. A small boat is challenging enough but up & down ladders with a cat!

It could be a good or bad decision as it turns out, who knows in these crazy times. Indeed the day after the launch the lockdown procedures came into force. Unnecessary land travel etc was prohibited for the foreseeable future, and all sea movements already banned due to the Turkish crisis were extended.

A positive “benefit” was that the villa we are renting was now available to us for a longer period as a result of holiday cancellations and as we were on good terms with the owners they offered us it at a further knockdown price just as long as we watered the garden & plants. We have taken it for April & May at the moment in the hope that some semblance of normality is restored later in the summer – but who knows – we could be here throughout the summer into the winter and next year before we are allowed to leave, in which case the boat could have remained out of the water.

This past winter saw an extensive maintenance schedule and only for my own record I have listed it below. Still some final things to do but the parts are currently stuck in Scotland.

Camira was looking good and in normal times we would have been making plans for this year’s cruise.

Sandblasted , primed & antifouled

The launch itself was a train crash with the crane operator bashing the backstay 4 times. I would not lift out here again, which is a shame as I have come to really like the Marina, Mytilini & Lesvos.

So this is it the last post of 2019-20:

8,600 miles and 6 years to date………

All the best and see you after in the continuing blogs of the intrepid threesome, lol

Captain Chaos, Louise and, of course, Lily xx

Appendix

    
√    Winterise outboard    
√    Engine –  renew engine mounts
√    Engine –  change fuel filters
√    Engine – flush / antifreeze
√    Engine – change oil & filter
√    Engine –  remove batteries & check VP seal
√    Engine – remove exhaust elbow & clean
√    Engine – refurb spare water pump
√    Engine – repair ignition wiring loom
√    Engine – new ignition panel
√    Renew heads toilet pipework
√    Renew heads sink pipework
√    Renew galley sink pipework
√    Service sea cocks
√    Remove & service diverter valve
√    Service Jabsco pumps x 2
√    Clean speed log impellor
√    Fit & test new Pilot Mini gas alarm
√    Fix pressure gas hobs &  remake all connections
√    Fix annoying leak in fresh water sytem
√    Clean keel nuts and paint bilges
√    Epoxy in NASA EX1 exhaust alarm monitor at hatch
√    Glue compresion post & galley headlining
√    Sandblast & epoxy keel
√    Fair up rudder, clean shaft, prop & p bracket
√    New cushion zips
√    Replace velcro on cushion arm
√    Varnish oars
√    Sand & varnish outboard bracket
√    New foam for upolstery
√    Polish hull & prop.
√    Fit new hull & shaft & engine annodes
√    Install new VHF speaker  

    Fit new aquasignal bow navigation lens
     Oil teak
     Repair toerail – alum powder & epoxy
     Engine – emergency start button
     Fit new compass bulb 
     Fit new fridge thermostat
     Fit wichard pad eye
     Fit decals for new ignition panel