Wanda's home port and our first scheduled port of call this summer. Daughter Pip came to visit for a few days and we managed a quick sail out of the marina between the spells of bad weather. As we motored back into the marina we got an engine problem; we lost all drive as we approached the entrance.....big problem... we just had time to make sail and work our way offshore to avoid the rocks outside the marina wall. We then hove to.
This proved to be a drive shaft problem that happened once before in the Panama canal! All the coupling bolts had worked their way out.... simple diagnosis but we could only find two of the four bolts. We managed to align and screw these two back in. This allowed Wanda to limp slowly into port and onto a visitors berth. Phew. Close call, a few days later we were reminded of our lucky escape when a boat lost its engine in similar position and was indeed sadly lost on those very rocks.
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Storm Evert arrived whilst we were safely tucked up in the marina; we were so glad not to be out in it. Many boats arrived in the marina seeking shelter. Some expressing surprise at the weather; we could not understand their surprise as its arrival had been forecast and broadcast for many days.
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Returning to Brighton Marina we anticipated revisiting an old habit; to frequent the famous local hostelry for its traditional culinary offering; Curry of a Thursday night! Imagine our surprise to discover the pub has now designated every night as curry night! We found this break with tradition both beyond the pale and too much to handle; we insisted the event remained for us a strictly Thursday ritual.
The visit to Brighton will also be remembered for Pip's near, but not quite mastery of the "Wellerman shanty" on the old tin whistle; she regaled Wanda with her rendition at frequent and timely moments!