Living @ Fox's Marina

We are now into week eight at Fox's Marina and have yet to go sailing!!  The task list has grown, and like most projects there have been time delays and budget over runs.  When we arrived we had approximately 80 jobs on our 'to do' list - this is now expanded to about 140!  The good news is that most of these jobs are now complete with just the residual tasks remaining.  The unscheduled task of removing the fuel injectors has delayed us two weeks as the injectors required new nozzles - with a 10 day lead time!  John re-installed the injectors on Friday and we are now waiting for the final engine parts (exhaust elbow) which will hopefully arrive Monday and we can finally go out for a sail this week. 

More gear to store.

In the meantime it has still been long days of hard graft, this included unpacking 1.3cu mtrs of gear that we had stored in the USA, although it did feel like Christmas had arrived early the downside was trying to find space to fit our excess in.  Thank goodness charity shops collect donations.:)  We also used the "down-time" to do some unscheduled maintenance, repairs, and minor improvements - cleaning, polishing, sanding, varnishing etc. 

Happiness = power tools.

John is enjoying the change from sitting behind a desk to be active and mobile each day.  No need for any gym workouts now - the daily routine keeps us fit!



There is no chance of getting bored in the marina as we have new 'neighbours' arrive every few days and are rafted up to us.  Often the salon
windows are blocked by the large motor boats that are moored alongside.  The favourite view so far is the tug boat. 

 

The salon view changes daily. 

Next post will hopefully report on our first sail .......

Loggie Stuff ....

Despite John's initial plan to head away by himself (what was he thinking - this phase was going to start together not repeating the patterns of the past!) to get the Sabbaticus work completed, even the operator has now admitted to the value of an experienced loggie on board plus an 'extra set of hands' are needed on a daily basis to hold/find or pass tools. The early days consisted of finding then surveying all available storage areas, measuring the space and then off on a local procurement run (aka shopping) to town to find suitable containers. Sounds relatively simple but no storage containers are ever the exact size/shape of the available space so there have been many trips into town - this is after spending time identifying what shop to purchase from.  Town is a 3.2km walk or 13 min bus ride to the marina so at least I'm able to get some exercise completed when doing some chores:).  

When the groceries are purchased they then have to be stored properly - yes - they must be logged into the database, all unnecessary packaging removed, labelled and use by dates written on all items. Sounds a bit pedantic but when you have limited space and the 'pantry' is the whole saloon you need to know a) if you have the item and b) where to find it.  Currently 141 pantry items and growing -  almost ready to start baking now:).
  

When I need sun and fresh air there is no shortage of stainless steel to clean and polish.  I actually really enjoy this task as Sabbaticus 'gleams' after all the attention and I get to listen to another audio book while enjoying the sun.

Then of course there is the online shopping. The list is varied and includes charts, pilot books, spare parts and any tooling John needs. How we ever survived before amazon, ebay and online stores I will never know.  Having a marina address for the deliveries to be sent is a bonus - this will be more difficult once we start cruising and have no fixed abode.  We are currently up to 68 online purchase orders to track, receipt and inventory - arrrgh loggie bliss:)

John's days are busy with the never ending maintenance   tasks - everything from routine to preventative.  Thank goodness he has an athletic build and is flexible enough to bend himself to get into the tight spaces of the engine room (this will be a topic for another blog).  

I never quite now what state I will find Sabbaticus, or John, when I return home. The floor boards are constantly up, just as well OSH are not onboard, as John gets into the bilges to check, clean or repair yet another fitting while being interrupted for a photo shot. What a lucky Captain he is:)