Chasing silver linings… You have to laugh, or you will cry… Dave James are you ready for another pearler…
OK last two weeks went more or less like…
Que music: my old friend Alana Morrisette singing “Isn’t it ironic.”
A fortnight ago the week started with lots of anticipation looking forward to seeing our new baby (Saboteur – Tayana 47ft) come out of the water to get ready for the work that was about to begin. In particular, removing the teak deck and re-glassing the deck.
Back track to late the week before…
We did the sensible thing to try and confirm the boat yard was ready for us “as agreed” to do the haul out on Monday morning. We did not hear from them and were starting to get a little nervous. I had organised my calendar keeping Monday clear in order to be first mate to Captain Marty as we needed to motor Saboteur from East Coast Marina (Manly) to The Boat Yard (in the Brisbane river). Martin had organised the week of work to help with removing the teak deck.
This situation was further compounded by the fact that Martin’s phone was starting to play up which saw it come to an untimely end by what is now called “telephonic homicide perpetrated by owner” (The Prep).
And I cannot find my favourite sunglass…
Back to the boat yard. We had not heard from them.
Also, slightly more difficult when you have not thought ahead and bought a new phone yet…
Finally, we connected on Saturday afternoon. They did not think we were booked in for the haul and… they were two days behind schedule and not ready for us.
The days were a bit of a blur… but somewhere along the line we got Martin a new iPhone. His old phone was not backed up for a while so all the new contacts of the various tradies we had engaged were not saved.
I had a few of them…
And I still cannot find my favourite sunglass, or my watch…
Back to our unravelling plans…
We had already extended our berth at East Coast Marina, and also taken everything off Saboteur. Turned the fridge off etc…
So, staying on her now just got a little more expensive as we had to eat out when we are seriously watching our spending. We threw our hands in the air. This week was seriously expensive.
The Boat Yard and pre-arranged haul out were not ready for us on Monday. And I was not available any other day of the week.
Quick phone a friend (Thanks R) who could help Martin move the boat. Phew – one challenge solved. The next challenge was the friend could only do Wednesday, not Thursday which was when the haul out was now scheduled. No problems, we reserved a berth (at The Boat Yard) for Wednesday evening. Turned out we needed it Thursday evening as well. Terrific, for two nights this week we paid for three marina berths. East Coast Marina Manly where Saboteur started the week. The Boat Yard where she spent Wednesday and Thursday evening and The Gold Coast City Marina where Phoenix is moored.
The good news is Phoenix is sold and the new owner after seeing her and taking her for a sail went back to Melbourne, put a deposit down and under-took the mammoth task of downsizing and divesting of all his worldly possessions in just three weeks. I was super impressed. He flew back to Brisbane Wednesday with one checked-in bag and three carry-on bags. Even more impressed!
Somehow it still does not make our 4 months to downsize and move aboard feel luxurious.
Unfortunately, the week unfolded with best laid planned dates creeping. It was super frustrating for Martin who only got access to Saboteur late Friday morning to be able to start stripping her of her stanchions and other deck fittings… But first we need to remove all the soft furnishings.
We are hardly stressed. And I still cannot find my sunglass and watch…
On Wednesday we both left the house in a hurry and I was the last one out and totally forgot to check the front door. I received a text message saying the front door was wide open when a friend of ours got home. And I had left the front gate open. Fortunately, Zac (the cat) was at home and had not ventured forth. And even more fortunately I had put the dogs on the deck otherwise they would have gone looking for me.
Martin and Co. successfully motored Saboteur to The Boat Yard and naturally it was between 30 to 40 knots winds. Of course, it had to be the strongest winds we have had all week. Not complaining they are a bigger problem for the fire fighters, who are doing an amazing job with the bush fires.
All week I was pretty disappointed to be missing the haul-out.
When it was finally scheduled Thursday afternoon, I had a coaching session. It was rescheduled at the last minute. I thought I would dash over to The Boat Yard and watch the haul out. Martin told me it was now rescheduled until Friday. Bah humbug.
Friday morning, Martin heads off to the boat yard and I headed off to a one-day event called INSPIRE + SUCCEED full of anticipation at the prospect of hearing Richard Branson live.
I got to the convention centre only to realise the event is Saturday. Chasing silver linings, I called Martin to ask him if Saboteur had been lifted out yet and he told me to call him back on FaceTime. To which he showed our Saboteur already above the water creeping slowly forward on a 300 tonne haul out machine.
Super cool, but I was sorry I missed it.
It was a big week. We were hardly stressed… I have not found my sunglass and I have lost two train passes. But, I did find my watch!
And my old friend my Alana Morrisette was still singing “Isn’t it ironic.”
Chasing silver linings… We had access to the boat over the weekend. Martin continued to remove Saboteurs stanchions and other deck fittings on Saturday, and I was able to help Martin on Sunday.
This week started as a typical week for both of us. Work as usual.
The end of the week has seen Martin helping on the boat. It feel’s good to see the work progress.
#Ilovesailing
