Opua: after and before
Opua: after and before
Today could not be more perfect, particularly for so late in fall.
The storm ended with a final half hour of heavy rain late Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday was partially sunny. I rowed ashore where people were complaining about the storm, which was less serious than I had expected.
I overheard while in the shower, two cruisers talking about their preparations to go north next month. One was “way behind. My Single Side-band has packed up. My generator. And the water-maker.” None of which, of course, have anything to do with sailing. But then the truth is that most cruisers aren’t sailors. It has frequently been stated by other writers that the average cruiser sails only thirty days a year. This year I won’t even do that. But then I am not a cruiser.
There is a forest of anchor lights beyond THE HAWKE OF TUONELA at night. At least thirty boats are at anchor. Only one of them is too close to THE HAWKE OF TUONELA, and only when the wind is from the north. He is anchored on line, which is usually a sign of incompetence. Line is as strong as chain and has the advantage of shock-absorbing stretch, but its disadvantages of being subject to chaff and snarls, make it a distant second choice except in extremely deep water.
I don’t ever recall seeing more boats anchored here, but then I haven’t been here in May for the past two years.
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Yesterday afternoon’s slanting sunlight shining into the cabin revealed blisters in the paint on the starboard bulkhead. So this morning I removed a couple of square feet, sanded, wiped down with mineral spirits, and repainted.
This took only a few minutes; but a second coat may be required.
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The photos are after and before painting the deck with non-skid paint shots just as they came from the camera. The vertical surfaces had already been painted in the ‘before’ photo. While there is brighter direct sunlight in the ‘after’ shot taken today, I like to believe that the results of my labor can be seen.
Thursday, April 29, 2010