Life in Almerimar Boatyard

Living on a boat 12 foot off the ground in a dirty, hot, dusty, oily, muddy, windy boatyard is more fun than you think. I had a lovely time one day sitting in the shadow of the boat in the scorcio heat dismantling an outboard engine chatting to everyone who walked past.

We've made loads of new friends some not human.

Because we can't use the onboard toilets, sinks and generator it was a good excuse to eat out every night and meet up with our new friends, a group of sailors who are heading across the Atlantic this year. 

Because our copper coat was going to take some time we had 2 weeks away from the boat. The first week was spent at Trotty and Annie's place in Nerja. A beach holiday where they spoiled us rotten. 

Then it was back to the UK to pickup our passport and see family and friends for last time before crossing the Atlantic. Saw my Mum and sisters. Mike made a delicious barbecue.

Went for a night out in Conway with Burkey, Shane, Damien and Trotty. Lovely place Conway, haven't been there since I was a kid.

Stayed at Jenny and Nick's and Jenny dragged me onto the golf course to do a bit of stargazing, uk style.

Went to see Tim and Allie and Tez in Leeds.

We had the most amazing curry ever. It was like a curry tapas. Those Yorkshire boys really can make a curry. If you're near Leeds go there, Punjabi heaven.

Back to the boat yard after 2 weeks and our coppercoat was nearly done. A massive job where timing of layers of paint is critical. Chris and his boys did an amazing job and also polished the hull.

Then it was done, sails cleaned, hull polished, propeller painted and bottom copper coated, a new boat. We actually did do some work ourselves. I spent a good 2 weeks covered in hydraulic fluid fixing a leaky steering ram and replacing a broken autopilot pump. 

Mandy made more cushions, polished the upper deck, cleaned water tank and we both cleaned the bilges as they were full of hydraulic fluid. We had a rigging check and survey done for the insurance and now we are ready for the Atlantic.

We got put back in the water and had a surprise visit from Nick and Jen who are travelling around Spain in their campervan. We had a couple of wild nights out in Almerimar and of course played cards. I won. 

Sails back up after cleaning, then it was time to head to Gibraltar to pick up the cook and wait for a weather window for the 5 day crossing to the Canaries.