Sunshine in Abersoch

Just a quick message - currently sat in Abersoch at anchor off the beach. Very hot (25 degrees - hot for the UK!) and sunny. Playing in the dinghy and swimming with family and friends.

We are off to Pwhelli tomorrow to lift out to check the prop after our issues earlier in the week and to get the sail cover modified. Subject to weather we're hoping to be off to Ireland on Tuesday.

J

An update at last ....

Sorry for the delay in getting this out - a few technical issues have been in the pipeline!

We eventually left Fleetwood on Monday and despite some horrid weather (pics to follow!) we got underway. On leaving we trapped something around the prop - it appeared to clear in the river but all the way down to Abersoch I wasn't 100% happy with the engine speed / performance. We motored all the way due to wind speed / direction. We saw lots of tall ships leaving Liverpool which made for a fun night passage around Holyhead!

We missed the tidal gate through Bardsey by 30mins so added 4 hours to the journey fighting the tide around the Llyn Peninsular.

Arrived Abersoch Tuesday early afternoon and anchored off the club. J trapped his finger in the windlass when dropping the anchor (great start!), but anchor seems really good. Had great weather for the last couple of days, sun sea and champagne with friends!

We are now in Pwhelli - we need diesel, gas and to look at the prop. I dived in the marina (nice!) to look at the prop and the rope cutter seemed a bit bent but nothing else. However later on whilst doing another job I was running the engine and heard a bang - the prop shaft had come out of the gearbox! Hmmm, a few hours and lots of blood and sweat later its now back together, think the guys at Glasson put a grub screw in that was too small.

All good now though - sat in Pwhelli marina - off back to Abersoch tomorrow for more friends and beer. We're being lifted out in Pwhelli on Monday to check the prop and give her a scrub.

Speak soon!

J&K

p.s. the alternator wasn't working 100% so didn't have enough power to send the position reports - should be back working now though!

False Start!

We arrived in Fleetwood after a crazy day on Friday - lots of goodbye's, leaving work, packing the final bits from the house, and handing the house over to the letting agents. Eventually, after some to'ing and fro'ing between Asda and boat we were picked up by Grandma and taken to the boat for the last time!

The weather looked bad for Saturday and sure enough when we awoke the force 8 forecasted was coming through. We had a load of jobs to do (seeing the local chandlers - the Yacht Shop, receiving visiting relatives, and my firm had arranged a press photographer to come along (some great pics - will post when we get to wifi) so postponed departure until Sunday.

Well, today is Sunday and we are only 50 yards closer to Australia! The wind was up again this morning but was forecasted to drop significantly. We um'ed and ar'ed a lot and decided to go (fed up of Fleetwood now). At 12:30 we motored out of the marina amongst mutterings of good luck from the harbourmaster and farewells from Dave and Barry (our neighbours in Fleetwood), and Grandma and Grandad waiving from the shore line. The wind was up but we decided to dip our toe in and try - it was fine in the river, but 35-38 knots in the main channel! We discussed it breifly whilst waves broke over the decks and decided that for a first leg (and a 24hr one at that) this was daft, so at 13:45 we re-entered Fleetwood (the lock keeper had a welcome home sign for us!!).

So we're still in Fleetwood, although our berth was taken when we returnedso we're a little further down and the berth nearest the lock gates! Fingers crossed for better weather tomorrow.