Brother Andrew has come through his operation far better than expected. He's now able to get out of bed, talk and generally is recovering well.
This is a HUGE relief to Family and friends alike.
The period after we got the news of the operations success was very strange. All the emotions of the previous week sort of just "stopped". Leaving an uneasiness. I know I felt incredibly drained and "flat". Itz taken a few days to get over this uneasiness with mixed reports coming from the hospital but the general consensus is that he's out of the woods and on the road 2 recovery.
With the success in the West my focus has returned to preparing the Yot for the trip 2 The Whitsunday's.
The second of the wind generators has now been fitted to the pergola roof. Still, I'm not overly impressed with wind power but I'm in a very protected area of the harbour and as the 2 generators haven't cost anything I might as well have them fitted and operational as any extra power source has got to help with Galleycatz constant thirst for energy.
My beloved dinghy took an unfortunate journey to the bottom this week, shortly after this rear deck foto was taken. The tide went out (as it does) then the wind increased, as the tide rose again during the very early hours of the morning the dinghy was blown under the rear of the Yot. Then it was simply a matter of pressure and something had to give, in this case I leapt out of bed at around 4.30am just in thyme to watch the dinghy fill with water and sink. I dived in pulled the now sunken dinghy out from under the Yot's hull before waking "the Fonz". We then used his van to tow the dinghy to shore before bailing her out then draining it completely. It then took most of the day to strip the outboard and get it going. Hopefully no long term damage, but outboard motors simply aren't designed as submarine engines.As this foto shows the massive task of repainting the rear deck is well underway with Ken, Noah and Myself having a HUGE week sanding and painting 3 yachts. This was a monumental task that'll be ongoing over the next few weeks.
The high build primer coat has now been sprayed on the deck and walls plus all the furniture in the shed. The final coat paint has now arrived and should be sprayed early next week.The light mushroom colour will be sprayed on the rear wall of the cabin, all the cabinets and the side wall on the kitchen area. The deck will be rolled then coated with fine glass beads while that coat is wet. Once thatz dry another coat will be put over the whole deck. This finish is incredibly tough and provides grip for your feet when the deck is wet.
This is a huge job but itz the first stage of finishing the Yot. Then once the cabinets are fitted back on the rear deck it'll be thyme to load the Yot and head towards my christmas destination somewhere near the Whitsunday Island group. Lotz of fishing and sailing should be the order of the day.
This week also marks the final countdown to BATHURST! With just 5 days to go before I find myself heading towards Sydney then out to the track on Thursday. The level of excitement has begun to build with final preparations underway.
I can't wait!
Friday's lunch this week was an extra special "thank you" lunch. With grilled creole chicken halves served with baked potatoes and american style coleslaw. I've also made a fantastic beef and cashew stirfry.
Plus I made a multi layered chocolate gateau for Kenny's birthday on Monday. Not bad considering I don't have my kitchen at the moment and the rest of the Yot is coated with a fine layer of sanding dust. Itz everywhere! The lack of rear deck furniture hasn't stopped the production of Fellixer! With today's effort being to produce 5 litres of Jamesons Irish whisky in preparation for Amanda's visit next month. Well 4 litres are for Miss Mermaid, but 1 special bottle will be sent to Brother Andrew for his celebratory recovery drink (when he's allowed to). This is a small conciliation his operation has meant that he can't travel 2 Bathurst with us. He will be sending his oldest son Christopher in his place. As Chris has just turned 18, he's requested some Jack's be bought for him as well.
All things considered itz going to be a huge week for this Grotty Yotty.
By this thyme next week I'll be trackside watching first practice. Yippee!
Not only that but Miss Mermaid will be in Australia staying with her best friend Ellie in the Blue Mountains. Just 100km from Sydney, If things work out we may cross paths in Sydney so that'll be something else to look 4ward 2.
So If there's no blog next week it'll be because I'm not due back aboard Galleycat until Monday week. I'm sure lotz of stories and foto's will follow once I return to Townsville.
So for now itz back to sanding and distilling in a vain effort to have the rear deck finished before next Wednesday.
Keep smiling and enjoy this Gr8 country and Lifestyle.
Captain Felix.
Skipper GALLEYCAT
"Lifestyle vessel."
