Sunday 27th September

First the 2 images above Low tide at Royan smiling faces after Lunch,and second the Marinaand yes you can just see 'Piano'We arrived in La Coruna at the crack of dawn today 0500. and have spent the day chilling out. Will add stuff next blog when we have some pictures for you!
Just to fill in the story where I left it at Royan. The batteries have now been sorted ! We now have two new engine batteries which have been working fine with all the rest of the latest electrical stuff. This means that 'Piano' is happy and Malcolm is too !
Reitpiet came into Royan on the Tuesday and called by for a chat, John & Bill have been up the Gironde sightseeing lucky them with time to take things easy. We decided to have a couple of hours on the beach as a compromise. Wednesday Marylin & Stephen Fillery came to lunch (while the electrician was here) and we had a truly memorable time chewing over the last 5 years and all the memories from the Challenge.
Thursday we set sail for La Coruna Spain. The weather out of Royan was beautiful and as usual we cracked on at 6 knots reefing at dusk just in case it increased. We didn't have to motor until we arrived, well by now it was 0300 and a decent nights kip loomed...

21st September Royan

We Sailed from La Rochelle to Royan yesterday getting in at just after 'teef time. (aperatif for those who didn't know). The weather started out gloomy first thing this morning but has improved to a comfortable 18 C. Just right for sorting out MORE BATTERY PROBLEMS! We did notice a strange smell on Friday but suspected it was the fish we had for dinner - when it lingered we tracked it down to the battery splitter and had the chaps come and fix it but it looks as though there may be an underlying problem. On inspection we have what looks like moisture and condensation in the battery compatment and the lead terminals leave a silvery deposit when touched. Scary or what? Two batteries are also showing RED which means they are dead so we will need 2 new.Another electrician is coming this afternoon so maybe he can fix it?
Meanwhile google on Corouan light house to get a feel for the gross history of Royan it would warrant a week even if we didn't have any problems.
I'm off to investigate...

17th September - La Rochelle

Today we are surrounded by the Clipper round the World Race - 10 Yachts which set off from the Humber on the 13th September and the first came in at Lunchtime yesterday. All 10 are now in and they are all happily cleaning their boats. See little 'Piano' far left of image. The sun made a poor effort to come out but I despair.
A nice French chap had a look at the battery problem and is setting up the Marina to let us stay and get it done tomorrow.
I must say that all contacts with French people have been positive They are all (so far) VERY helpful -
Meanwhile Malcolm is looking into the VHF (yes another minor hiccup) but I expect that will be easily fixed - most things seem to get done by magic they seem to have there own agenda!
Now for the daily trek to the shops.
Sailor Sue

Departure from Falmouth UK 12th September

Friday was spent with our heads in the locker putting a new computer into the autohlem. even that didn't sort it so Gary left us to continue trying to find a solution late Friday afternoon.
On Saturday we decided to finish setting up the Radar so we went for a sail and lo the autohelm kicked into action once again (after all the fiddling on Friday) so I said why don't we just
go ? and since we were on the right course we just carried on.
So here we are in La Rochelle - poor internet but I'm being quick the
trip took 2 days and a few hours. We averaged 6 knots . Piano goes like a
train. Even fully reefed and no yankee 6 knots !
I was pretty seasick so Malcolm did it all singlehanded. The new wind
generator made aweful howling noises at windspeeds 30 + and I think it
is broken !
We tied up at the new Marina and had a bite to eat then I went to bed while Malcolm checked us in. He came back and said we had to go immediately ! to the old Marina so we upped and left!
Today we went to the Marina Office and they have moved us again but we can stay for a day or two. It is the La Rochelle Boat show this week !! so everywhere is packed !!!
The engine doesn't seems to be charging the domestic Batteries so we would like advice please- if you have any ideas.
Apart from the incessant RAIN which has followed us here that is about it for today
Now to do some revisiting I haven't been here since the Challenge back in 2000.....

September 2009

The last few days of Falmouth, Cornwall and the dreadful summer weather. Malcolms' car has gone to its new home, Bohill Cottage is now a holiday let and the stores have all been inventorised so that they can be found. We now wait for the last 2 items and then a weather window to leave! Malcolm is prepared to motor to get to better weather!
We moved aboard earlier this week and have had a comfortable if wet few days, new port lights have improved the general bleak views. It seems as though everything we touch has caused some problem to hold us up. Just 2 tiny (I hope) niggles to sort out the positioning of the main Nav light and the sensor which tells us what charge the batteries have and which electrical systems are using power.
There is a weather High coming through which we will take to La Rochelle . Then let the fun begin.

As usual pictures in the Picassa album.
Sailor Sue

July 2009

July 2009
The latest, I expect many of you will have been looking out for our departure aboard 'Piano' – well we are still at the boatyard with the poor lady in pieces! Work on the saloon where the piano used to be is almost complete, presently being varnished before final fitting. The Nav area is causing problems fitting all the new equipment into the small area and of course wiring it up correctly. You notice this is all below decks ? Well there is the Cornish RAIN to contend with too, so above deck is going more slowly.
David Carne Rigger 'extraordinaire' managed to get the mast back in last week but it is wrongly positioned so needs lifting and easing forward a touch so that the standing rigging can be attached to its optimum position for fast sailing. Surprise today - that Rustler needed the crane again so Mast was repositioned and sits well.
Friday 24th ? And the Rutland 913 is up and running ! We christened her Wendy because she works in windy weather) Who said they were noisy ? Quiet as a mouse and 27 Volts in light airs ! (Notice the floodlights behind...)
I continue to bake cakes to keep the workers (shipwright Sol and mechanic/electrician Gary) happy aboard but I would much rather be loading up ready for the departure ! I'm guessing that it will be late August if they get a move on and the weather improves.
Expect more here when I can be more positive.
Sailor Sue

All Hands on Deck - Mast Out!

Wednesday 29th April - another 4 hour drive to Rustlers Boatyard! Managed to empty the contents of the lockers into a container with the help of Sol and a fork lift truck on Tuesday.Wednesday David and Ben arrived to demast 'Piano' see pictures for the full session.