Friday, 11 April 2014

Grand day out Steve

Up early this morning, out by 7:30, Steve decided we could have an "easier " day today.
As they say, early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
I've been up at 6:00 am most of my working life, about 40 years, so looking at this proverb, i'm beginning to think it is quite correct.
I'm fairly healthy and of course wise !!!!
If being wealthy means, living simply, doing what you love and having a brilliant family behind you ......then i'm a millionaire.

Into the Wayfarer courtesy car we jumped and away we went to the cafe in Camden for our first coffee of the day.
We sipped our coffee and discussed the issues for the day and how things are progressing on Novara.
Steve wanted to have a look at the sails, which had been taken away to be cleaned. They are only a few years old, with little wear on them, however, Steve has been concerned about the stitching on them.
Due to UV and the ravages of time / use, the stitching can become very poor.
Off we drove to "Aurora Sails" in Hope, about 3 miles outside Camden.
On the way we went through Charity & Faith.........would i lie ????
Andy was there to meet us and immediately had the fore mast furling jib sail out on the floor..........frowns and huffs and puffs emitted from Steve and Andy, eventually it was the consensus of opinion that double stitching was required and a couple of areas need repairs. The deal was done and Andy promised us they would be ready next Wednesday.
Next, off to Rockport to pick up some struts for the cockpit lockers and a letter from the "Watermaker" company for Steve sent to Grasshopper (Bill & Johanna's shop).
On Highway 1 we sped, then all of a sudden the car swerved into the roadside............i looking at Steve, he grinned and looked a bit sheepish........we've run out of petrol......oooooooooooohhhhhhh joy.
Luckily we had just passed a gas station, stupidly i volunteered to walk back to the station and get some petrol. I wandered back on Highway 1, vehicles flying past me in all directions, eventually i got to the station.
In i went, spoke to the lady behind the counter, she looked me up and down and quizikly queried, "which part of England are you from?............Blackburn ?"
No, i replied, but you're close; i live just a bit further North in Cumbria, how did you know that, i asked.............."oh, i have a penfriend in Blackburn and we speak now and then" she replied.
We had a good banter for a few minutes and then she whisked me over to the shelving and found me a plastic petrol can.
Excellent, 2 gallons of Gasoline procured and off i went back to the car.
We were soon back on Highway 1 on our way to Rockport.
New struts in the bag, then onto Grasshopper, Steve picked up his letter and i went to purchase some bread for lunch, really tasty sourdough....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Back to the boat to sort out a few issues before we have a day out tomorrow, excellent

No comments:

Post a Comment