Thank you very much for the many messages of support, sympathy, understanding and above all encouragement. We were very touched by the sheer volume of messages we received and by the various offers of help. For those few who had already booked flights and arranged their winter diaries around our trip, we are very sorry and think (hope) that in most cases you have managed to salvage something – even if it is going to be an extended holiday in Costa Rica or St. Lucia without seeing us or Valent.
Since the last update we have been getting ourselves sorted out and ready to commence repairs to Valent. We took advantage of the settled weather back in mid October and checked over the systems. The water maker was commissioned and worked once we managed to get the pump connected to the in-flow rather than the out-flow. The Blue Water Runner (our new sail specially designed for long distance downwind sailing) was hoisted and we went beautifully along the pontoon!
We also had the mast removed in preparation for going into the shed. This had to be accomplished around low water to give enough clearance for the crane to lift the mast up – a 20M mast is around the limit of the crane at Shamrock Quay. For those that wish to know the mast & rigging weighed in at a tonne.
We have spent the last 6 weeks living on Valent over in Ocean Quay Marina, settling into the routine and progressing the home schooling. It was all very manageable (even enjoyable) until the weather broke and the storms came along. Then with the hatches battened down (literally) and rags soaking up the drips life became somewhat more challenging. The addition of an electric heater and a dehumidifier made a big difference. Next week we are due to be lifted out on Wed 23 Nov and move into the shed and then the hard work starts. Our forecast relaunch date is mid March 2023. So from Wednesday I will be clocking in at the shed 07:30 every morning and doing my utmost to get Valent ready as soon as possible.
Whilst this was all going on we had to work out where we could live – staying on Valent was not an option as she will be uninhabitable whilst in the shed (and not permitted under the yard rules). Also, since Valent has no heating and a deck that leaks, being liveaboards over winter was not an attractive option. After a frantic few weeks of searching Rightmove, making phone calls and conducting viewings we have ended up in Lymington. We have a lovely 4 bedroom house that is normally a summer holiday let; so fully furnished, well equipped and very comfortable. More importantly, warm and dry. The house also affords plenty of space to store all of our personal possessions and bedding. We moved in a week ago and can stay until the end of March. There is no extension, so Valent has to be ready and back in the water as scheduled!
Over the winter months we will think about what trip we can do with the time remaining available to us. We plan to be ready to leave in April 23 and need to be back by July 24, so 15 months to achieve something memorable.
Thank you again for all of your kind words of support.