30th July 2019
Well Guys and Dolls, an impressive blog title eh? - Optimistic to say the least because we ( I say 'we' but you all know I mean 'Ricky') still have loads of boat jobs to do before the adventure can commence.. We need to install the new engine starter battery, that arrived safely in the marina before us - phew. Also water pump needs attention, both heads (loos for our landlubber friends)need TLC and Ricky wants to put a natty fuel cleaning system in to prevent diesel bugs. Also there was much jubilation in our house when a handful of plastic washers arrived - apparently these are gonna save the day!

We zopped over here two weeks ago to do a recce and Ricky completely insulated and relined the fridge, Good News- it is now so much more efficient, won't drain the solar panels, Bad News -not gonna hold as many beers.

So dear readers this is really a prelude to the adventure. Ricky is currently in the hot, sticky engine bay, surrounded by filters , lumps of metal and of course the magical plastic washers. I am sat under the shade of the trees by the bar, with a cold glass of shandy, in a gorgeous marina in the South of Italy, writing this. Life is so unfair some times, although if you asked Ricky he would rather I was as far away as possible when he is 'fixing stuff'

I'd like (if I may?) to finish this blog by asking all of you who knew him to raise a glass at sundown to our wonderful friend and fellow sailor Johnnie ,(Captain of Jambo of the Hamble) who will be sadly missed. Having survived the dreaded virus, he lost his battle with cancer. Remembering the happy times Johnnie, when we were in Greece and how jealous I was that you had given Peter Andre a lift on Jambo. I was convinced it was a wind up until I saw the photo. Here's to you Johnnie -Chin Chin