This morning various yard folk came by to do a few snagging jobs that needed sorting while we await our gooseneck. We now have heating again although the forecast is for warmer weather thankfully!
Nothing doing today as the gale arrived as forecast in the night sounding like a freight train. Like all good skippers, David was up in the dark checking the mooring lines – all secure and the wind is blowing us off the dock which is also better.
We could see from our instruments on the chart table that the gusts were topping 30 knots and it is very sheltered in here so out at sea it must be quite fruity. On our drive to the shops we saw white horses in the previously flat fjords and a lot of debris from the dancing trees.
We spent the day back at Chandlers and IKEA getting our last bits and bobs.
The morning stood fine so we took the opportunity for a training sail with Simon literally showing us the ropes. We had a steady breeze of 15-18 knots and tacked up the fjord. As we furled out the jib I muttered about wishing we had electric primaries, so I handed the winching over to David and took the helm.
Today we stayed on the dock and La Bamba’s cabin demonstrated her cosiness and dryness!
Electricians and carpenters came and went, Simon showed us how everything works and, in an unusual dry moment, how to hoist the gennaker. We also managed to get her name on the stern. No sailing today as the rain has set in with unrelenting greyness.
As many headed for the polls in the UK, we met on a blustery day to be introduced to the beautiful, brand new, blue La Bamba. She lay proudly on the dock at Uddevalla yard where tens of skilled craftsmen have painstakingly sculpted her for our pleasure. It was love at first sight!