Year 5, Days 139 to 141

Day 139
Wasn't sure if they would come this week as the weather doesn't look too good, but they arrived at the usual time this evening. Looks like we're going out tomorrow! Seems like Luke has had his offer accepted on a house in Weston-super-Mare - no need to be that excited though; you would be forgiven for thinking they were happy he was going. After a couple of drinks and watching television for a while they went to bed.
Day 140

The weather was much better this morning and he got me ready to go out. With the tide running out and the wind from the NE F3-F4 he decided to go to the Ore Stone. Silly twit got his fishing rod out - he won't learn. After sailing to the Ore Stone (and not catching anything) they decided to turn round and go to St Mary's Bay and stop there for lunch. Just as we turned he spotted a dolphin and they messed about with it for a while before sailing off. Anchoring in St. Mary's Bay they also spotted a seal - let's not do any more fishing then. After lunch and a rest he upped anchor and we went home. It got interesting when the estate agent called and told them they had been made an offer on the house. Shame it wasn't enough - he refused it. Good boy!
Day 141
It P'd down all night so they decided to go home. Shame the car wouldn't start - he'd been in a good mood up till then. Looks like they won't be down next week as they're all off to Dublin for a party but he's going to take us to Jersey when they get back. I do like night sailing!

Year 5, Days 132 to 134

Day 132.
She must have let him in as I still had his card. Anyway, they plan to go sailing in the morning so the forecast must be looking good. From what they've been saying it looks like there is some very positive interest in the house as someone is going for a second viewing.
Day 133
Back to the normal routine - he gets up and goes for a shower, then comes back and has a coffee. She gets up and makes breakfast, then has a shower while he gets me ready to leave. I was quite surprised he didn't forget anything important for departing as he had to do the jobs she normally does. Anyway, we got away quite easily and had a good sail around the bay. He played with my sails - using the whisker pole and putting reefs in, then we came back for tea. They watched TV then went to bed.
Day 134
We didn't go out today. Don't know what he was drinking yesterday but today he washed and polished my hull instead of going out to sea! Made me feel better but he should have put on more factor 15 though! Late afternoon they went home. He's left his card again! I wonder how the viewing went?

Year 5, Days 124 to 128

Day 124
They brought their bags this afternoon and loaded them on board (why does she need so many clothes?). At 8:30pm I was started up and I took them out of the marina and just up to Berry Head before my engine was switched off and sails hoisted. Pointing me 153 degrees and with the wind on a broad reach, we went off towards Guernsey - see, I was right, he was planning this! The weather was ok but a bit cold. However, as the sea was 'slight' it was a cracking all-night sail!

Day 125
We reached the main shipping lane (westbound) at about 3:30pm. He normally keeps at least one eye open most of the night. However, we had a 'Mary Celeste' incident where he closed the other eye for a few seconds. Thinking we were about to collide with another vessel he had been watching, he changed course quickly. He later admitted it was my lights reflected in the pushpit rails he had seen (why does she leave him in charge of me overnight when we both know what he's like on his own - dangerous). I've noticed he wears his glasses a bit more these days - blind old git.
We finally reached St Peter Port at 10:15am, he tied me up on the waiting pontoon and went to bed for a couple of hours. By the time the tide came in and we could go into the marina we were treated to Guernsey's 'drought'. The wrong type of rain fell all day. That evening they went out for a meal - she must have paid because he was in a good mood they got back.

Day 126
They left me to go on the bus trip this morning. This is the £1 'round the Island tour' they always go on. Unfortunately the drought was severe and so they didn't see much. Didn't stop them having more to eat and drink though - I'm the one who floats! Did I mention the cold?

Day 127
He got up and moved me out of the marina at 8am. They had breakfast and then set me off home. Initially the sailing was good but by mid-day the wind disappeared and my engine started. It stayed on all the way home. Apart from him playing a game of 'dare' (and losing) with the big ships the return home was uneventful. He put me into our berth at 10pm and put me to bed.

Day 128
They cleaned me up and decided to go home as the drought was still in force. Wonder how he's going to get back into the marina next time he's down - I didn't ask him to leave his swipe card behind.

Year 5, Day 116 & 117

Day 116.
I've cancelled the collection - he's not dead after all! Came down this evening and fitted the repaired spray hood. Now I'm dry in the cockpit again.

Day 117.
Good job he put the cover up when he did yesterday evening - it really rained hard all night and the wind picked up. Blowing up to gale force now - even I don't want to go out in that! It would appear he came alone as she is still not steady on her feet after the knee operation. However, he's up to something for the Bank Holiday as he was looking at the Guernsey route on the chartplotter.
There were more people looking at the house today too - she said they had wanted one without a garage! So the photograph and plans showing they have a double garage weren't convincing then?

Year 5, day 90 & 91

Even though the weather was bright and sunny during the day on Friday I could have told them it would be b****y freezing in the bed at night. You would think that they would remember from last year - dozy old gits! Anyway, despite the cold, he got up early and then changed all my internal halogen lamps for LED ones the next morning. Only one left to do - how's he going to get up the mast then? I was hoping to go out for a sail around the bay later in the day but because the spray hood hasn't been returned from servicing the wimps wouldn't go. I got a proper Spring clean inside whilst he pottered about on deck. The next day was much the same - but colder. However, I now have a new Rodkicker so he should be able put the reefs in much easier (if we ever get to go out!). They were compiling a list of what viewers to their house said: 'too expensive for us'; 'looking to modernise'; 'would be ideal if it was in Nailsea'; and 'it's too big for us' were the best so far. Why ask me? how would I know why people don't read the estate agents brochure, advertisements and on-line descriptions.

Year 5, day 83 & 84

Day 83.

They both turned up in the late morning. I was being moved closer to the jetty in preparation for the big event when they arrived so, whilst waiting for this to be completed, they ate their lunch in the car. Once I was in place, they unloaded the freshly laundered and ironed bedding and other items taken away at the end of last season and he hauled them up onto my deck. She safely stowed these things below. Then both my sails were refitted, water tanks replenished and my engine run-up. Satisfied that I was ready for launch, they left me and drove off to leave the car at Brixham Marina car park. After they were back I heard them talking. On the return journey their taxi had dropped them off at the Manor Inn where they had eaten a meal and washed it down with a few beers and glasses of wine. It looks like she is going into hospital on 12th April for a knee replacement.  However, the biggest surprise to me was that they've finally put the house up for sale. So the 'Plan' is still on schedule after all!
Day 84.
The big day! He got up at 3:00am thinking it was 4:00am - later claiming to have mis-read his watch in the dark . He went for a shower anyway. The morning chorus (which had been starting progressively earlier with the coming of Spring) was already underway. When he came back on board he dozed off until 5:00am. He then got dressed and made a pot of tea. It was getting light outside but there was one concern - it was foggy. In the distance we heard the engine of the launch crane burst into life - not long now. Although not due until 06:45am, they came for us 30mins early. The slings were fitted fore and aft and I was lifted off the cradle and slowly moved to the jetty. After being lowered carefully into the water, they both got aboard and he started my engine. Satisfied we would float, the slings were removed and we slowly backed out into the creek - into thick fog! We inched out of the creek and down to Dittisham following the moorings as he knew these were either side of the deeper water. By the time we got to Dartmouth the sun had risen and the fog was behind us. We cleared Castle Ledge buoy, rounded the Mew Stone and headed to Brixham. Although bright and sunny, there was a cold edge to the wind. After an uneventful journey he backed me into our pontoon. I'm back home!

Year 5, day 70

He was here early this morning, not as early as the guy next to me but early for him. He spent some time rummaging in the back of the car before getting up the ladder and starting to paint along the boot line with a paintbrush. I bet he left the masking tape at home - idiot! He donned a one-piece, disposable over-all (the same one that I'm sure he's had for four years now) and finished anti-fouling the underside of the hull with a roller. Then he re-fitted my anode and propeller before stopping for lunch. After lunch he re-fitted the raw water impellor removed at the end of last year, tightened the drive belt and ran up my engine - all fine. He 'phoned home - normal conversation about 'getting home' time - and then mentioned 'estate agent'. What are they up to? Anyway, next time they'll both be down and it looks like I'm being re-floated - can't wait!