February 16th

Tuesday morning and we are all set up to be splashed into the water. It is always a very tension filled time watching your boat swinging on the lift. There is no doubt that the expertise of those staff handling the lift is fascinating. Now it is not a fast process , as it requires precision, patience and skill. When we eventually get splashed Nandad noticed the bilge pump light on the dashboard is on. Now for those of you who do not know , this is a safety mechanism that when water is coming into your boat it turns on to empty it out so your boat won’t sink. Now as you can imagine you are very happy it is working but not so happy water is coming  into the boat! 

Despite that we could hear the strong flow it took lots of brainstorming , with multiple experts , and a call to Holland to find the source. Naturally NH could not stay in the water so out she comes and is back on the hard again. 

Nanadad and Nana after a very long day return to Gasperilla for the perfect sunset, dinner outside at the South Beach restaurant , which is right on the beach. Just what we needed. 

Ash Wednesday : After the perfect breakfast at the outlet we head to Our Lady of Mercy for Mass. Mass was held outdoor and ashes were sprinkled on our heads - Covid times! The sound of the bell ringing while sitting outside was very comforting and listening to the water fountains. We return to NH where Joe had spent the night trying to problem solve where this leak was coming from. We are very grateful to both Joe and John at Safe Cove for their time and skill. It was finally concluded that the zinc on the port (left) side of the boat had fallen off at some point and the struts ( the pins that hold it in place ) had broken inside! Now the holes needed to be plugged - another call to Elling to make sure that this could be done. Nana and Nandad are grateful for the solution.

Once again a very long day - we feel our brain cells are about to explode! Another relaxing walk along the beach , which seems to clam the nerve cells while the sun sets. Dinner tonite outside at the Eagle Grille at Millers Dockside where we have stayed several times on Ireland’s Eye.

Thursday 18th and we are ready to stay onboard, provision, and leave Safe Cove. NH gets splashed again and this time there are no leaks! Electrical systems not working but that’s  for another day. Nanadad and Nana did what they do best and stocked up the boat so we at least could eat onboard and be ready to leave. Our first overnight stay onboard sure felt good with a nice breeze from the river.