part 3 - It's Getting Closer!
22/02/00
Call me Mr Diesel Digits if you like, but doesn't
the damn stuff linger!
My cabin, however, is reasonably odour-free, thanks to the
help of my old chum Kevin, who spent a jolly Saturday
afternoon supervising my journey through Pamela
Jane's fuel line. Having someone to hold the
drip-tray is a major benefit, especially when that someone
actually understands how diesel engines work, and is happy to
chat away about the process.
In any event, all filters are suitably checked and changed,
I'm glad to say.
I had a big spend in the chandlery at Levington today; isn't
amazing how quickly a £100 can appear when you buy a can of
antifouling? But having said that, I got quite a lot for my
dosh - a gas foghorn, some spare SS shackles, a set of
(special offer) flares, and some other odds and ends.
I had a very jolly time today, sorting out the engine cooling
inlet sea cock, which the previous owner had kind of
"assembled" with central heating fittings. I have removed all
of these and replaced them with a single hose fitting, which
I think is what the maker intended - we'll find out pretty
soon!
Tomorrow, the yard men come to draw a couple of keel bolts,
which should be interesting, and then I carry on with the
bottom. That's a quick rub with wet and dry, a wash-off, and
then a coat on Thursday and another on Friday if it doesn't
rain! Then a proper polish on the hull, and in she goes.
Previous readers, incidentally, should note that I still
haven't found that ruddy deck leak . . . . . if it rains this
week, I'll be the guy with the cabin headlining in the
cockpit, waiting for drips.
02/03/00
I'm a pretty happy bunny after seeing just how bright and
shiny the keel bolts were - no trouble at all, by the look of
them. My two coats of antifouling went on a treat, too, so
Pamela Jane is booked with Bob Gibbons to go
into the Levington water on Thursday, 9th March - wow!
Of course, the best news is that I gave my notice in on
Tuesday, 29th February - thereby formalising my intention to
quit at the end of March, and winning £10 from my good friend
David Child - I do like to see grown men cry!
I hope that on the 11th or 12th of March I'll be able to
report how Pamela Jane goes under sail and
motor . . . it's getting seriously exciting now.
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