First family sail of 2012 is behind us now. We’ve had a good month so far; a few decent sails, everything works, what more could you ask for? Maybe wind from a different direction. So far, wind’s predominantly been from WNW. This means either short-tacking upriver on the return leg or motoring. And we don’t short-tack. Well, not much anyway.

This WE has been dedicated to the domestic side of things. For the past 3 years Guapa’s very much been, and looked like, a work in progress. I wanted her to look and feel like ‘home’ again.
Yanni – our most reluctant sailor – has been most helpful. Most of the ‘junk’ had accumulated in his cabin anyway.
I’ve re-discovered lockers and inventory. Some useful stuff, other kit less so. And some ‘what was I thinking’ stuff. The useful stuff got dusted off and tested. The rest sold or found its way to the marina skip.

With the help of Yanni and his electrical skills I have been able to establish beyond doubt that the electrical bilge pump is FUBAR. Looking for a replacement. Bilges too big for a manual pump-out. After all, I’m not 21 anymore.
Also on the scrounge for some replacement lighting for the forward head. Shouldn’t be a big or expensive job. In fact, I think even I couldn’t mess this up.
Eberspracher works fine – in fact, it works better than before. Wouldn’t have managed without Yanni and his expert directions. ‘Hi, I’m Dori’ (family inside joke) – it’s been several years since the Eber last worked, and I tend to forget things. Old age. Or so they tell me.
Autopilot recalibrated. Now steers a very, very straight line. Even in a chop. Only the two small forward hatches to replace.
Been given some top tips on the internet on how to deal with some scratches in our saloon table. All doable and cheap. ‘I like’. Again, nothing major, but it annoys the perfectionist in me. Only the best is good enough. And then some.
Shortest to-do list for a long time.

The old girl really looks at her best down below right now (I hoovered) – warm & welcoming. Result. Feel-good index peak.

If these first few weeks are anything to go by, 2012 is going to be a cracking year. And it needs to be. Our last serious cruise was in 2008. Since then, the refit, work or the weather has scuppered all our plans. A good year is long overdue. Think positive thoughts, people.

The planned/hoped for summer cruise will either take us North, or South & West. Either is fine and I look forward to it immensely. And from April, if the weather allows, I might even have another go at a single-handed Channel crossing (and even a bit further). We’ll see.

In the mean time, I hope to be able to squeeze in another sail before I start work again. At the moment it’s not looking good, as all the indications are that the next few days are going to be hectic. And for all the wrong reasons.

Let’s just fast-forward to the end of the month. Onwards & upwards.