As Susan puts it, I am now 10 days into living the dream. That also means 10 days without a paycheck.
Mulan tasks planned included a quick haul out for bottom paint in Blaine. As with all plans, they are subject to change - it this case the quick has not been so quick, as upon draining the oil from the saildrive unit (the bit with the propeller attached to it for the novice sailing readership), there were all the telltale signs of saltwater intrusion. Therefore Mulan is still out of water, but some Google sleuthing found me the seals required for the unit, and they have now arrived from Denmark. In the meantime I have been commuting to Blaine most days, and have now installed an additional cockpit drain and the Hydrovane self-steering unit. Hopefully we will be back in the water tomorrow (Canada Day) and I can start sleeping over on the boat to avoid the commute, and to squeeze in a longer work day.
The other curve ball was the need to take down the wind generator in order to get the hoist correctly positioned for the haulout. Once you are at the facility it is difficult to consider rescheduling at a different yard, who usually book time slots several weeks in advance.
Other tasks are progressing, with the house rented from September 1 and the boys school materials collected. Must say we weren't expecting 8 cartons of stuff. Maybe they will be on a Readers Digest version of their respective curriculums next school year.
The boys have now finished their regular school years - Sam 'graduated' from Eagle Harbour Primary, and Steph (the boys' nanny for the past 3 years) put together a DVD to celebrate the graduating grade 3 class. Judging by everyone's comments, Sam was Mr. Popularity!
Susan finishes work this week (paid work, anyway), so in 8 weeks we'll be leaving, ready or not (sounds like we are playing hide & seek!)