Having driven out to Gibraltar, ostensibly to unload the yacht of all the 'extras' accumulated over the past two seasons of sailing, I actually arrived with probably more stuff than I'm going to take back home. Eric (my engineer) has spent the last couple of days attempting to install both my Hydrovane and water maker. I'm experiencing problems getting the Hydrovane to fit due to the solar panel gantry being in the way. However, with emails and Skype calls to Will Curry we feel that we could be in business with an operational wind vane sometime next week - once longer tubes are shipped in. The water maker is virtually there, give or take a missed reading of where certain parts should be positioned, but should be ready to test tomorrow. Looking to also getting a bowsprit made to fly the parasailor rather than my 'Heath Robinson' setup used earlier in the year. Crew should get here from the start of next week so will begin provisioning the yacht then. Plenty of ARC flags flying in the marina and have chatted to several of the skippers. Not long now before we leave and head for Gran Canaria. I know several yachts left today as the weather has improved, making their passage much better.
Paul Chopin.