On the Countdown.

We leave in two weeks. No, actually we leave in LESS than two weeks, and that is terrifying, amazing, crazy and completely surreal all at once.

We arrived back from our AWESOME holiday in Perth very early Sunday morning and, even before the wheels grazed the tarmac, we were getting flash backs (and forwards) of things we have forgotten to do....
" The gas man? We called him right? That part is on the way?"
"Did you order those Jerry cans?"
"Do you think we have enough anchor chain?
" Zip lock bags!!! We need LOTS of Zip lock bags!!"

Ahhh... it would seem like a very odd day now if it wasn't broken up by several moments of sheer panic :) But we managed to switch off somewhat on holiday and between catching stray 'boat' thoughts, we had the most amazing fun in Perth. Seeing the Jarvis clan again and getting to be part of all the crazy adventures they get up to was so much fun. Everyday was so jam packed but i wouldn't have changed a thing. Catching up with the Amazing Tiff was definitely one of my highlights, going wine tasting with Todd and Shannon in Swan Valley and the 'Australia day' Perth trek with Ben and Aimee, were two of the best days by far. Such a great feeling to see those whom add such value to your life and who are really missed.


But now we are back and the clock's a-tickin'. We landed at Heathrow at 6am after a 22 hour flight and after racing home i managed to squeeze in seeing the Harwich girls for a quick lunch and what i thought was a final farewell. Yet, after letting on to what was my current biggest worry (still not having even started to make all the cushions for the aft cabins and being in a position where i don't even know how to thread a sowing machine), the girls ever so kindly offered their help to get the job done. And what an amazing job they did. A massive thanks has to go to Melly in particular. She put in a 12 hour stint where, quite honestly, she did most of the work all by her self so that we are now the proud owners of these delightful aft cabin cushions!! Gooooooooooooooooooooooo Melly!!!

Please find the proof below... i give you Exhibit A, B and C:

One Aft cabin cushion pre-covered

 

One AMAZING cushion cover. Proud?? Me thinks so!

The zip works and EVERYTHING :)

My parents had also continued to be amazing and act as our mail centre whilst we were away. (I think they must be on a first name basis with all the couriers in the Essex area) We found all of our purchases scattered across the house; 8 Jerry cans (6 clear for water and 2 blue for diesel), 2 anchors, 10 metres of heat ducting and numerous other items filling every nook and cranny and turning the house into an pro athlete obstacle course.

Now on arrival at the boat there was some news...

THE GOOD

• The alternator DID work. A certain someone (e-hem) had actually done the wiring a tad off - hence the lack of charging! Which in turn means the engine is 100% finished. WAHOOOO!!
• Diesel heating is working like a charm.... ummmmm toasty!!

THE BAD

•  The two front batteries are dead as a dodo, so no bow thruster or windlass for us.
• Looks like we need to get the sails serviced as well. One of the most important items on the yacht and we are only just remembering it. Eek.
• The bill from the engineer came through.... ouch!

AND THE UGLY

• Still no luck on the gas cooker. Apparently it is not the thermostat. Jarvis since tried to check all the pipes for a suggested blockage, which was also a no go but resulted in a small pool of gas building up in the curvature of the pipe and which let out one heck of a fireball igniting (and thankfully going straight out again) when he tested it ****PLEASE NOTE, EYEBROWS ARE STILL IN TACT***. Currently we are no further with the cooker.... i think its time to call Mr Gas Man.

Looks like although we are on T minus 10 days we still have an awful lot of of work to do... best get cracking!!

Tia and Jarvis, Over and Out