Meeting Sea Dragon
4 -6th July 2009
My first time on the boat was a great experience.
When we arrived at Limington marina, with Blyth, Tim, Ron and Portia I expected to find the boat in water but, instead the whole thing was suspended 20 feet in the air. When we had to get on board there was a wobbly wooden ladder which felt like it was going to snap. But, terrified Blyth and I, both scared of heights, just had to brave it!
Straight away we were all put to work. I was mainly on sanding and varnishing the wooded shower racks. Finally we stopped for a well earned dinner. And then back to work again!
That night was a most uncomfortable one. Blyth and I were on either side of a table, on a very narrow, rock hard sofa. You could hardly roll over without falling off. Soon after I fell asleep, “THUMP!” I fell off. Then when trying to get back, “BANG!” I hit my head on the table. By this time Blyth was awake again too!
Next morning I was on plumbing duties– connecting new hoses for the drinking water system and drainage. But no time to rest - when that was finished – I was handed the hoover (or vaccuum as my new American associates call it!) Blyth and I finished off the day cleaning the trap doors to the bilges.
That night I was too tired to roll over and so thank goodness I did not fall out of bed!
Back to the Bilges
11 – 13th August 2009
This visit Sea Dragon was finally in the water. She seemed so much smaller but still spectacular. We only had to look for the tallest mast in the Marina to find where she was moored.
There was a team of specialists working on her mast. No time to watch! Ron and Portia gave us a big welcome and quickly put us to work. Blyth and I were thrown into the bilges with a hose, a sponge and a bucket of cleaner! For those of you who don’t know the bilges are found under the floor boards in the bottom of the boat and are used for storage, drainage and plumbing. They are small, tight areas not so easy to get in and out of – let alone work in! Of course all this cleaning filled the bilges with water so every few minutes we had to hand pump the water out – meanwhile the new electric pump was still being installed! After hours of scrubbing we had only managed to clean the stern half of the bilges but we had had lots of laughs especially when Blyth being the smallest had to get right in!
My next job was confused - trying to work out what Ron & Portia meant by Aluminum rods. When I realised they meant Aluminium I was well on my way. I can see that when I return you will be translating my new American language!
Getting Kitted Out
Summer 2009
I seem to have been begging, borrowing and buying kit all summer!
I have borrowed all sorts of diving equipment from my Uncle Tom.
Our local “Crickhowell Adventure” shop has become our new best friend. We have bought Gortex skins, polarised sunglasses and deck shoes. My Granny has dug out sleeping bag liners that she made for my Mum in the 70’s! Help!
