Cross It Off The List

Current Date: 3rd February 2020
Current Location: Arrecife Marina, Lanzarote. Destination Sunshine.

Yesterday we went for a sail! A test sail primarily to see if our two main automatic steering systems work. And they do! On arrival from Portugal the autopilot sounded like a cow in pain and Paul, the Aries windsteering, was temperamental to say the least.

Before that though Robert "I'm sometimes a doctor" Scott-Jupp and Terri (of Call the Midwife fame) spent time with us. By chance(?) they happened to have a large car which not only took us exploring around the island but also to Lidl for many drinking water bottles and delicious food, and to IKEA for pans, cake tins, hanging nets, a duvet cover and pillows. Good food and great company.

Dr Robert tells us about ancient earthworks, Brexit and antibiotic resistence.

Lanzarote, you may well have been here, is famous for stark volcanic landscapes which you either love or hate, Cesar Manrique and his amzaing anti-establishment architecture that is dotted around the island, cruise liners and black volcanic vineyards where each plant is in its own little rock circle to protect them from the wind.

Inside a volcano.

Looking northwards to La Graciosa where we spent two weeks at anchor back in 2014.

Vines in walls.

Robert and Terri, having identified another 100 euros of missing critical medical supplies, left for UK and Brexit leaving Hugh and Linda behind on the boat with us.

Now the serious list crossings off began. Daunting at first, and as it happens, still daunting, just a little less so now.

A later version of "The List". Cross it off if you can!!

Gill and Linda started on concerted provisioning with Linda's past Clipper Race experience coming in very handy. Hugh and I tackled the two biggies - autopilot and Aries windsteering. So whilst netting was being netted (sorry Linda!) and cupboards reorganised, Hugh and I identified a damaged hydraulic fluid reservoir (new one ordered from Spain) and several difficulties in dismantling the Aries. Eventually after spending a couple of afternoons in the boatyard's workshop we resorted to the local machine shop who were VERY helpful. They removed the obstinate shaft and made various bushes for us.

Removing the shaft going from left to right was the biggest problem.

Still time for putting the world to rights.

In his spare time I got Hugh to build an On/Off, Ammeter and Voltmeter box for our towed generator and he also designed improved security for the main hatch. Good work mate.

The Black Box.

Eventually as Hugh and Linda departed the spare part arrived and so did our new crew, Mariel. This is the Mariel we recruited through Crewbay where boats meet crew. Inexperienced but very keen to learn she has thrown herself into everything we have asked her to do.

Up the mast.

In the bilges.

Changing the engine oil.

The first of many batches of delicious Mariel sugar free cakes.

Whilst I've been on the fun technical jobs Gilly has been bringing Mariel up to speed with how the boat works and where everything is located. I have to say my knowledge of what lives where is very sketchy - this is Gill and now Mariel's domain. They've done passage planning, food purchase, cooking and reorganising of the cupboards. On her own Gilly's been busy with insurance, translation, marina queries, chandlery, washing, organising the divers. You name it, it never stops. We all flop into bed around 9.30, the two of us at least pretty tired.

Divers to clean Mehalah's bottom. A lesson learned from our previous crossing.

We completed the two big jobs a couple of days ago. The Aries work consisted of many steps, a few each day. The autopilot was a single day job once the new reservoir arrived but what a day. Me in the lazarette (again), the other two at the wheel or the control panel. Topping up with fluid was quick but bleeding. I know why that's what it is called. It was over three hours before the last bit of air was squeezed out and it ran sweet as a nut.

Rebuilding the Aries.

New plastic reservoir for the autopilot.

So there we are. Tomorrow Irish John arrives and the full crew will be together for the first time. The weather for the weekend is a bit windy so we're hoping to set off on Wednesday if John is ready. Destination a shakedown cruise to La Palma, the most westerly of the The Canaries before leaving for the Caribbean early next week. Bon voyage to us.

PS: If you would like to follow Mariel's view of our passage go to https://marielstravels.co.uk to check out her own blog.