All dressed up and no where to go
06 June 2012 | Fambridge
Jackie
The last week has seen us continuing to prepare for our departure. The first and most major part of such preparation is putting on the sails... after all a sail boat is not dressed until she has sails to parade.
Well.. The main was easy, it hanked on and went up no problem.
The foresail was another matter. After much heaving and winching the furthest we could raise it was about a water of the way up. Tired and frustrated we fought to heave it down again. It shouldn't be that hard to either hoist or drop. So we retired below to think.
Next day brought sun and only a light breeze, so foresail hoist take 2. Again it went up a little then nothing. Pete heaving, winching and sweating trying his best, Jackie sat at the front guiding it in but to no avail. The tension on the rope was tremendous and after last year's breaking of the same halyard we again gave in and pulled it down again.
Take 3.... OK try a different approach.
Jackie at the front of the boat with a large tub of Vaseline, greasing the edge of the sail as Pete again hoisted. All was going well when, stopping for a breather, Pete shouted 'keep rubbing in the lube love its going up nicely' !!!!
This caused Jackie to collapse into giggles before Pete twigged what he had said!!
Bearing in mind there were people all around on other boats, we were outside AND he shouted it we can only hope that no one heard him, so far we have had no comments.
Anyway, the sail went up well and that job was ticked off- she is now properly clothed.
The Jubilee weekend of course brought the flags out. Union Jack flags up the forestay flapping noisily in the wind and all the country courtesy flags we own strung together hoisted from the mast to the transom.
She was 'dressed overall' and looked very impressive. Before long there were boats all around the pontoon flying their flags proudly.
Unfortunately that is where we still are, on the pontoon of Fambridge yacht station. The weather is foul, too much wind!!! (gales forecast). This is where we are staying put until the weather picks up. We remain all dressed up ... and have no where to go.....