ESCAPISM 2 UPHEAVAL!!

CAPTAIN FELIX

G'day All,
Itz been a long thyme since my last update!
Once again I've had an extended visit from my demon.
This downturn is only now beginning 2 lift!
Captain Felix took over 4 awhile and I found myself shanghai'd to Magnetic Island one evening, it was here I realized my battle was fruitless and distracting!
So with much renewed vigor!, itz all ahead full for Groote Eytland in September.
With the renewed forward  motion my appetite returned and just a little bit of cre8ivity.
I had a half pumpkin left by my vegetarian house matez of the last few weex, so it was roasted with bacon, garlic and fresh thyme. While a spud was roasted with rock salt and chorizo 4 a totally different taste, then the toppings were switched on the plate and served with a dollop of sour cream and fresh herbz.
Oh!, and a pint of Felixxer...
I'm finding myself more and more angry with every week I spend tied to the shore...
So it was really nice to find Bowen waiting for me when I returned Galleycat to the slip.
One of the major aspectz of my battle, was my desire to fill the void left not having Cameron in my life.
With his birthday passing during the past few weex I've found myself spending many hours in not very quiet contemplation (wkoa)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my special little man! Who is not so little anymore.
The faithfulness of a dog is such a comfort in darker thymes even if itz not your own dog.
I've currently got a "perfect" dog with all of the playtime and companionship but without the long term commitment
With the negativity flowing lately it was gr8 to get this foto from Brother Andrew.
This Rapala Magnum Lure met itz match in the waters around Groote.
While I've managed a few nice mudcrabs (not Hill inlet nice, but still Ok) and a really ugly stone fish.
Mr Mick haz returned to Perth just in thyme 4 the demersal ban. He's already begun planning our next trip. It remains 2B scene if this trip is on the East or West coast of the Island

 The escapism of Felix haz now given whey 2 the total upheaval aboard with 5 or 6 BIG jobs underway again.
The internal flooring has been removed in readiness  4 the new refrigeration (wkoa)
All the old fridges are now running on 240 volt power and the new power circuit is in place.
The old dividing wall near the inside kitchen haz been knocked out to make way 4 the new slouch lounge that'll be fitted on top of the fridges.
While all this iz going on the front aluminium trampoline haz been removed as haz the hand safety  rails down each side of the Yot. This will make the job of painting the foredeck (front part) a whole lot easier.
Also another big hole haz been cut in the side of the Yot  allowing me 2 remove the troublesum steering arm that failed during our return trip from Airlie Beach.
As I said itz a thyme of true "Upheaval".
The new steering arm will be made out of a 63 mm 316 stainless steel pipe that'll be welded together meaning no more corrosion or weak pointz.
This will be a case of absolute Ovakill but apparently steering is important!
 I've place another advert on Gumtree in an effort to find a few willing helperz to transform Galleycat bak in2 a working sail boat again.
Slowly the chaos of the past few weex is returning to sum semblance of order, with the internal flooring now refitted and the 2 new EvaKool 60litre fridges fitted.
I still have to convert the refrigeration (wkoa) area into a slouch lounge but this is a task that can be left for a period when then is less 2do on the exterior of the Yot.
By the end of this weekend I should have the entire foredek (front) of Galleycat ready to begin sanding in prep 4 painting.
The temperature and humidity is steadily climbing leaving just a few hours early and later in the day a practical work hours.
Still the job must B done!
On the contact front I received a blast from the past with one of my former CB radio friends making contact after 20 odd years.
It seems Evette without one,
 is now Evette with 4.
Hubby and 3 kidz!
Congrats to you Evette! Seems as if life is pretty good.
I've lost touch with both Mermaid and Fridgy Brad over last few months which is sumthin that needz attention.
By now young Cooper (Big Ash's kid) should of received a special gift of "clic" sunglasses to protect his damaged eye.
While both Brother Mark and Brother Andrew's kids are having a defin8 period of change and flux.

Cameron is probably giving Skye (his Mum) just as much grief.
Teenage years can be "So" much fun if' you can just let go as a parent.
Not that I've got that option just now! Thyme will change that!
Bak 2 the Yot!
With the removal of the troublesum Waeco fridges the power issues aboard should diminish over the next little while.
The new EvaKool units use less than half the power while giving a 50% increase in storage capacity. Thyme will be telling factor hear 2.
With the removal of the steering arm I found major damage 2 the hydraulic ram that steers the Yot.
With no spare parts available a new Ram must now be sourced.
If you need steering components don't by "Ultraflex".
Hydrive have a couple of rams that'll do the job, so I'll sell the Waeco's and buy a bigger, stronger ram to replace the damaged one.
It seems a never ending task of maintenance and replacementz aboard with all aspects of the Yot.
Jason has provided a new desktop computer to operate the video editing software, this to is something I need to spend more thyme learning as the ability to produce short video clips is sumthin I've wanted to achieve from the very beginning.
The temperature is defin8ly on the rise with work now finishing around 8 in the morning and recommencing around 4.30 in the arvo.
This sux but if you plan your day rite you can actually achieve far more than if you simply slogged on through the heat and humidity.
My Gumtree ad haz been suxcessful with a Scottish couple arriving this week. My goal is to have the front of the Yot reddy to sand I'm hoping to have this major task complete by Friday.
With the weekend approaching I'll close this entry and begin anew!
Captain Felix