Balanced Day
The night anchorage was not too bad and we were tired so we slept well despite the nightclub accompaniment. We work to another typical blue sky day and decided to take the dinghy ashore to Ponta Cais – which is a holiday destination on the Ilha da Cultata. There are about 1000 permanent residents.
This was a charming small town with a few shops and bars and little one story houses. In amongst them we found time for a coffee and a shop. We had intended to go to Olhao but thought that on a Sunday the markets may not be open. Whilst having a coffee we saw a gas man with new cylinders. Our small gas cylinder gas was empty and needed to be filled. We realised that the man sold propane as well as butane and took his number. We returned to Stormbird to put food in the fridge and I went ashore to meet the gas man with the empty cylinder. He could not fill ours but had a larger one which I thought could go on the gas locker. We had 60 cm of height and this one was 57. It was also in terms of capacity almost double the size. So we bought it and when we tried to install it would not fit due to the securing rings. Ahh. However we too off the rings and with a bit of persuasion we were able to fit both large cylinders so our capacity not for gas was considerably extended. As I would be going for large distances and may not be able to fill that often this should be a considerable help and the world gas fitting kit was a very useful purchase.
This work in the heat (30-32 degrees) meant we were very hot so we decided to have a swim. It was quite difficult going in but once in and when you get used to it – it is very refreshing. Jules preferred to paddle board.
We had also bought some Sikaflex (waterproof sealant) which we used to seal some of the fittings on Puffin (the home made dinghy-which we have yet to use) and new clips for a boat hook on the starboard side which we drilled and sealed. During this time – the generator had been on and the washing machine was cleaning the sheets used by the girls. Stormbird looked somewhat salty so I then got out the fire hose which is a special pump in the engine room and there is a pipe fitting at the mast. Stormbird was looking salty so a good wash down was what was needed. However I thought the pump was using sea water but after realised we had been using freshwater from our tanks. I therefore found the right fitting and changed it. It is only by using these type of systems that you realise how to work them. Not to oneself.
A very satisfying day of pottering and doing jobs – for some reason this always gives a feeling of sense of achievement. We got out the cobb and had a delicious supper of barbecued pork and chicken kebabs and sausages washed down with lovely Portuguese red wine
The star spectacle of anchor lights came on and we played a game of golf using liar dice. A most enjoyable relaxing day.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions – do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com