18 jul: albatross, ness refit, a story from Sven

Reading Cape Horn Birthday, Peter Freedman. A memoir from 1985 of sailing Hartley 32' around the world via the southern capes.
Here he is on the 39° soith in the South Pacific spotting albatross and wondering if these were the last he would see as he sailed north.

During sea trials of my old Top Hat, also in 1985, I saw an albatross off Newcastle at 33°south. I first noticed a large white bird on the sea off our port bow. The conditions were between oily calm and cats paws, so I sailed over for a closer look. As I neared this vividly white creature stirred reluctantly and with massive effort set to flight with a deal of paddling and flapping. After witnessing the effort it had to make lifting off the sea, I immediately regretted disturbing such a peaceable bird. But, I did see it.   

NB: Freedman had two, then three albatrosses for company as far north as 35°56′ South.  Newcastle sits on latitude 33° South. 

Xxxxx.    XxxxX     Xxxxx.    Xxxx
17 & 18 July: Ness Progress
 Presently preparing the hull for cream paint. The wobbly rollers for'ard removed for better access. I may have to take off the rear ones as well so i can paint the hull in one go. That means propping the hull. As I write this a loud thunderstorm can be heard approaching.  
As the day unfolded it was too cold to consider painting, and a then, showers came. It may be snowing somewhere.
Meanwhile, today's video from Sven Yrvind was a gooden. He set off across North Sea, Irish Sea and Atlantic to the Bahamas in a rotten Albin Vega 27. His primary aim was to train Captain Thomas, a young Swede that came to Yrvind for advice. In a North Sea gale the furniture lining came away from the hull. In Scotland they filleted these joins with epoxy and put the sails in for repair. After they exited the Caledonian Canal, they headed for Belfast where they refitted 
Including having the unreliable engine seen too. Against advice again, they sailed to the southern shores of Ireland. Here they applied for visas and stocked up, before sailing without stops to the Bahamas. Good listening. 

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