15 June 2008
Hilary's Blog - 15 June 2008 (day before launch)
We must be the camping equivalent of neighbours from hell! As the sun rose this morning and crept into the sky, so the RBD team rose and crept out of their respective camper vans to face another day of challenges. Some of the crew had only fallen into their beds a few hours before, namely Mike and Paul, who had returned from Chichester at around 2am with the new mast. At 3am Mike had to be reminded by Paul that it was probably not the best time to return to the boat to check a measurement that he was unsure of and that he would be better served going back to bed.
Toby made himself universally popular by getting up at 4.15am to make an early start, waking the whole camp, for the second day in a row drilling, marking and riveting the new mast, helped at a more civilised hour by Mike. It took the whole day, but between them the new mast now has all its fixtures and fittings and will (hopefully) function. I have spent the day watching the mast progressing and running over the more complicated settings on the electronics, familiarising myself with all the functions. I sat outside the CPT amid a whole host of batteries, wires, boxes and gadgets.
The rest of the crew got on with camp life sorting through boxes in an effort to be ready to pack up and leave tomorrow. We were pleased to receive a visit from Richard and Jan Gaskell, great friends of mine from Westbere Sailing Opportunities, mid-morning, especially as it coincided with the return of Mike and Paul who had been sent out on special doughnut duty! After a sugar fix and a good chat we were ready to say goodbye to them and return to the tasks at hand, but not before Richard had volunteered his services onboard the RIB, should we need them. We are a man down since Martin hurt his arm, so it is an offer we may well take up.
We have been so lucky to have had this week in camp – hot showers, power and remarkably tolerant neighbours who have kindly turned a blind eye to our early mornings and assorted mixtures of tools, electronics and kit laid out on the ground. Although we are all desperate to get going tomorrow, I know that we will miss the kindness and comfort we have found here.
Page last updated on 22 June 2008 at 17:14