The flag has been raised on Daislebee's stern both in the yard, as shown below but also during a Solent cruise, about which more later.
I needed to rig her to get her on the water---god what a frustrating experience. I used my new lifter pole that worked ok and will certainly help in years to come but at the moment it is easier to push the mast up manually. I will take some pictures of the finished lifter for any of you that might be contemplating a similar arrangement.
Easier to lift ...but not when it needs to be done four or more times ....grrrr..I cannot believe how many lines got twisted, were incorrectly reeved etc etc ..but lessons learned.
I needed the mast up so I could launch and take the trailer for a service which I did at Fawley Trailers, with a big shout out to Adrian there who did a good job, and thanks also to Sharon at CBL for using her powers of persuasion and contacts to get it arranged for me.
Adrian did the job between tides and having got it to him at 08.00 that morning having launched the night before I recovered her that evening..all sorted. He commented as I arrived at the yard " You'll be needing new bearings then, I heard you coming down the road"....enough said.
The next job, believe it or not was to de-rig her ready for trailing to Cornwall.
I had arrange with Crabbers to give Daislebee a face lift and remove the scratches and polish a very faded gel coat. They also did all the wood work that looks like new now. We had a family gathering in Hayle, Cornwall so the journey down killed two birds with one stone.
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| Returned to Ashlett looking shiny and bright |
I dropped her down the Ashlett the following Saturday, just glimpsing the departing tan sails of the 1st May rally as I came over the hill. I spent the Saturday rigging her and launching, ready for the Sunday tide. Sharon came down to visit Glenys who was camping nearby, so came out for a quick sail before the tide dictated that I set off for Cowes to meet up the the fleet.
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| Setting off - well wrapped up |
I had a good brisk sail across to to Cowes and rendezvoused with the gang in Shepards Wharf where we adjourned to the pub for a meal.
Monday
The following day I wasn't certain if worked beckoned so set off back towards Ashlett, picking up a buoy in Owers Lake whilst I waited for the phone call and/or the tide.
Thankfully the phone call came first, I wasn't required....so I set off to Newtown Creek to catch up part of the fleet, some had gone to Ryde and joined us the next day.
Tuesday
A lovely sunny day that the others wanted to spend reading and sleeping...I set off for Lymington to do some shopping and collect a bundle of flares for Marcus. It was a great sail over and I managed to get onto Town Quay which was very handy - not something likely to happen when the season is in full swing.
Back over to Newtown for the night on the raft.
Wednesday
A very windy morning meant the raft had to split up and I went over to the Clammerkin side of the creek and picked up a buoy and watched a seal play around for awhile.
Once the tide had turned we set off for Ashlett once again and the sail back was great, even beating a Drifter, which doesn't happen very often.
The others recovered but I needed some work done on the trailer so stayed on the pontoon overnight.
Thursday
A quick trip to Adrian fitted the new bit and then I changed over the conventional strap and fitted a Dyneema cable and the turning bloc I posted about, which worked wonderfully on recovery, taking the strain out of the winching. I'll post a picture of the arrangement soon but I have to thank Nick Payne for the idea. Whilst waiting for the tide I fitted some storage sleeves to the cabin sides - gradually the important items are finding places and the less important get left ashore - she actually looks quite tidy inside.
Once recovered I snugged her down - starting to get ready for the trip to the Morbihan at the end of the month.
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