Living Contentedly

This weekend passed has been a good one with regards the refit of The Clancy, as follows:- Autohelm : my initial assessment had led me to believe a separate structure was needed to attach the Autohelm. But today's check had revealed an almost too easy fit. Drill + Goo = Done. The pin fitting on tiller was a repeat. Wiring, completed on day 2, was made easier by prewiring I'd done months ago. It was a great relief to discover this as I loath wiring of any type. Ive not yet tested to autohelm, but reckon that will be a fun thing to do when we're afloat. Its not free of power consumption like a windvane, but I cannot fit a vane on my little ketch due to the stern-sweeping mizzen boom. But I trust a with a slightly upscaled solar-battery setup, this system should be as good.  Sea Chair: A comfy chair in which to sit at sea has long been of interest. Sitting sipping coffee or dozing, while the little ship guards herself, is the epitome of cruising for me. And a quirk of the NIS1...

Beautiful autumn morning here.  The liberating feeling that smashed me after selling a motorcycle is LIBERATING. Its also ADDICTIVE, I want to keep going. I need a car to tow my trailable NIS18. I have 2 other motorcycles, I will sell one once the one currently being modified, has run for a while. Being remote I feel a need of a second vehicle, though my bicycle is stepping up with ongoing fitness improvements.  I am undecided on whether to sell my house. This would force the purchase of a new larger boat, sale of car, any motorcycles and months of work to prepare the property.   Today I worked on Clancy & got a lot done.  a) Hanging Points by the main hatch. Added 3 saddles and a large hook for hanging oilskins, knife, sunglasses etc.   b) Tethered Hatch Boards.  c) Mounted Autohelm.   Now I just need to wire it up. d) Ordered Domes. Yes domes, two. One for each hatch.  e) Bought a Gamers Chair to be used as a Skipp...

The mission for today was to deliver and sell my Homalayan. I was annpyed when, for the first time ever it refused to turn over. I knew the cause was a lose plug from a cable I had to move to fit the new battery. A two minute repair, but it irked me.  I didn't want to pass or on like that, but I had little choice. I plugged it back in and she fired right up.  The new pwner, who I thought might be Indian as Aussie as. A nice guy. I'm list about to text him to let him know of he has a problem, to check that.  I dropped by to see my sister afterwards. Good to catch up with her and with family news. She will be missing mum on Mother's Day in two days time. I felt free as soon as I left. Just me and a small pack, walking and catching the train home, walking from the station. Something about walling I love, lately my exercise routines are all full on; jogging, cycling and weights. Walking is enjoyable and done like this I achieve things, travelling to or from places I have to b...

Sailed Ilona, Lemon Tree to Corlette : When I realised I'd left my wallet at home & had to backtrack 15k, I wondered how the rest of the day would go. I needn't have been so pessimistic. Trying the Trailer Skids: I had been frustrated with the old trailer set up. Four sets of rollers on two way tilting brackets tended to hammer the hull severely, knocking paint off, for one.     I'd followed my gut instinct to fit simple skids, two six foot long runners, topped with thin rubber wear strips. To say they worked flawlessly would be an understatement.  Rigging Up    I stripped her rig months ago & hadn't really reassembled her yet. So I rowed across the passage and anchored while I attached the halyard to the yard, & the mainsheet tackle to the boom & centreboard casing ... & got underway. Wangi Queen Vibe The "Wangi Queens Showboat" was boarding as I rowed away from the finger wharf. A few passengers had that whimsical look asxtgey eyed Ilo...

Huh, I got married on this date in 1991. Thirty five years ago and have been  ecstatically separated for the last nine years. But the social worker in me says its useful to acknowledge these things.     Of course, I focus little upon those years beyond the happy times parenting. But there are also reflections of years missed; fitness goals, sailing miles, and so on.     But today I am prepping the most expensive sail boat Ive ever owned, for a sail early tomorrow morning. For me, there is nothing better than stopping midsail on a smooth anchorage for a snack, coffee and a book. Perhaps there will be a beach walk and swim? Bliss.   Clancy, LBG While I was visiting my daughter last week, my son was left to "care" for the cats, chooks and house. Sadly he did a lousy job and part of that was leaving a fate open to let the goats graze my garden. I lost 20 lettuce, raddish, cabbage, book choy, beans, onions, tomatoes and the last of the...

This bike (2017 Classic 500) got me back into motorbiking after giving it away when my children were born. Actually my son got a bike and I thought it was probably OK for me to have a crack.  I immediately loved it's styling, simple build, ease of repair and with a smaller muffler, her sound. Over time I moved on to a Honda Shadow and after a while letcmy son ride The Royal. Initially he loved it, but lost interest when he graduated to a Honda 650 which he bought new.  So I got my Royal back andxits become my daily rider; Honda is being chopped and Himalayan is now for sail. I am still in love with The Royal, her note, nimbleness and knowledge of the fact that if she goes  down I can pick it up again.