After a sunny summery blissful day,yes,raining again!
Went to Lifeboat staion and gave them £5 for their funds (from the lady in E.Tarbert) and came back with a carrier full of biscuits!Went down to recommnended chippy (Wee Hurrie), by the fish market, which closed as we arrived,so diverted to the Anchorage,assisted by a local man who seemed to know everyone and everything,but on questioning people it transpired otherwise!Recommnend the food and decor in the Anchorage.Particularly a running water mirror with the dictum:'Always carry out the things people say you can not do'
Trailed behind an Irish couple who told copious tales of their sailing holidays.We rejoined at the Harbour Inn, where Richard met some old 'oppos' from the Fleet Air Arm,even comparing tattoos and one in particular was Peter the RNLI mechanic and they had one tatto 'a galleon' exactly the same!They started drinking OVD (Old Vatted Demerera,bottled in Dundee)and I smoothed the evening by drinking a spice rum,they thought I was strange.The Irish couple (from Bangor) drank whisky.Lovely atmosphere.And they played 'Land of Hope and Glory' on the juke box and saluted,everyone stood up and we all cracked up.The mechanic called Richard a 'bomb head!'
18/7
Saw the RNLI D Class-boat and called the guys over for a cuppa.Whilst onboard the coastguard came over and I told him he'd only get a cuppa if he gave us a forecast.Didn't ,so he din't!(they've been on strike over most of the summer for better condions of pay).Then before they could finish off the biscuit tin they had a 'shout' and off they went to a steel yacht with gear box failure.They assisted the Trent class larger boat to bring in the distressed vessel.
Started to prep the boat and found the primary fuel filter looked clogged.We dismantled it and started the process of cleaning and changing it.We put the old seal in the skip and I had to scramble back in to get it as the new seal didn't fit,of course.Things went from bad to worse as we tried to prime the new filter and decided (no names mentioned here)start the engine.As it was turned at the ignition I smelt electrical burning and then smoke from around the solenoid!Turned off the power.Gave up the day up as a loss,will continue tomorrow by filling the filter from the top and checking the wiring.The miserable weather always makes these matters worse somehow.
Mary left for France and we tootled back down to the Wee Hurrie.Had amazing Hake,mushy peas and chips ,with great view of the fishing harbour and market.Richard spotted seals and we walked along the harbour where we counted 8.All bobbing ,as they do,with their cute heads just above the water waiting for the fishermen to feed them.Wandered back to the boat.Time for a bath!
Planned to sail to Bangor early tomorrow (Sat),though weather actually better Sun.So when we fix things,hope towards Campbeltown tomorrow afternoon.Then Bangor on Sunday. |
