Monday 10 December 2018 - Again?

Having nothing to do except arrange several maintenance items with yard, coordinate departure with immigration, prepare boat and psyche for extended truancy, pack for said absence and bid au revoir to friends at braai tonight in the club, noticed that "Cruising Friends" section of blog page was inexcusably obsolete. All but one has either swallowed the hook (this is painful, but only if not tired of cruising) or just stopped writing so will be eliminated without prejudice. We are fond of all even those who've become dirt-mongers.

After working all day at removal of bottom shoe, elimination of various impediments (pins and things) and best efforts by yard crew (involving a considerable amount of rotating and trepidatious banging), rudder remains attached to boat. Assume collar and top of shaft, both stainless, have become such intimate mates over twenty one years they are loath to part. Potentially beneficial heat would damage waterproof gland so introduction of appropriate chemicals has presumably been effected for continued persistent exertions tomorrow.

Tuesday

Yard guys finally got rudder off after unscrewing flange at top of post.. who knew? Thing should be rebuilt by 21st, at least that's the story. No work then until 2 January when it will be re-installed. This is a triumph of hope over experience, the audacity of hope if you will. What? He said that? Wrote a book and all? Oh. Never mind. Jannie (Africaans yard guy, pronounced Yahnee) and assistant Arno give evidence that this may actually happen. Boat crew scurried around all day disassembling parts to create access for work while we're gone, organizing mess to the degree possible, packing then got to airport early for flight to four hour wait in Johannesburg. After 20,000 flight hours and probably 5000 more just sitting around in airports the thrill is gone. Faster than sailing there, but way less fun. At least it's not in America, the bete noire of air travel.

Won't really be a sailing blog since we're away from the boat, but may write anyway just for fun. Location will follow bodies. For those prone to believe we anchor at night during ocean crossings, don't mind if you think we actually did sailed here, but sailboats are really, really slow compared to jets so we didn't have time and some of the places will not be near water, which is generally necessary or sailing tends to be even less efficient.

Jack