February in Troon

A short update on our activities.

This time  last week we were in the marina at Troon, having left home at 5.30 AM.

The weather being almost dry we started work on Albatross' hull.

Her topsides were transformed from a dirty cream colour to an almost  shiny white while Peter decided he could not do the new seacock and plumbing as he need an extra right angle bend.  This saved cutting a hole in the bottom of the boat, a lot of fibre glassing and probably a day's work. I was not sorry.

The Anchorage Hotel in Troon is the oldest licenced premise in the town and thus looked a bit run down and dodgy but proved to be the most comfortable place we had stayed in in Troon and extremely convenient being only a short walk from the marina. 

The food was good but we both now feel at least a stone heavier, especially after cooked breakfasts...

Saturday morning, fairly early we were out attacking the hull at great speed before the forecast rain/sleet/snow at 11 am.  The last few licks of paint went on just as the first snowflakes fell.  then it was 'indoor' jobs like polishing up the propeller after removing the largest barnacles I've ever seen on our boat.

Albatross is the the one on the right with the very nice new paint.

Sunday dawned wet, cold and windy.  Peter fitted the new stern gland while Jean read the whole Sunday Times waiting for the moment when her help would be invaluable.  It was eventually as the fitting turned into a wrestling match and needed about 6 pairs of hands.

Our very nice new stern gland

That completed the necessary on-land tasks, so feeling very virtuous we went to ask if Albatross could be launched a day early.  No problem, except for the impending gale (average wind speed about 40mph with big gusts).  We turned up hopeful on Monday morning, but no go.  So I went for a run (and didn't quite get blown over) and Peter fitted our smart new life raft box, lovingly fabricated from marine ply and fibreglass at home.

Our very nice new life raft box

It didn't actually rain until the afternoon.

Tuesday (average wind forecast 30 mph, gusting 45) we arrived expecting another cancellation, but Albatross was duly lifted and put in the water between squalls.  Quick clean up and clear out and we were off south again.