Photo: Sänna's hull is stripped, epoxy primed and antifouled using a new 'sponge' blasting cleaning process.

So, we somehow made it to New Zealand. Nearly a year has passed since we first arrived and it's been a difficult time. Whilst Sänna has been laid up in Dockland 5 we needed to return to the UK to face the reality of the real world. My mind has been in a dark and loathsome place I never wish to see again. I travelled back to Dockland in October to find Sänna resting sublime and peaceful in her cradle, covered in the grime and grit that typically permeates working boat yards. They are wonderful places to be. I returned to restore her shine and make ready to launch back into the muddy Hatea River. Marie, too, is back, following me here two weeks later; the mundane restoration work is completed, failing electronics restored and defunct radios replaced. Three weeks hard work and we are keen to sail again. The collision damage from Brisbane is repaired, we have changed worn out sheets and halyards and our new grey antifoul bottom is just fine.

In the spring sunshine afternoon everything is good. We sit drinking tea and Sänna suddenly nudges to one side in the cradle... we scramble on deck in a panic to find Charlie grinning his grin. The webbing straps lift us into the air and we are ready to launch...
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Please visit our SV Sänna website for more details of our circumnavigation voyage from the UK. Also at www.facebook.com/SV.Sanna. Like our Facebook page if you'd like to receive more news about our sail adventure. You can contact us here.