Day 447: Grenada Marine – 29/03/11

We meet up with Matt and Bill and get a lift to the boatyard.  There are no little men under our boat working away – surprise, surprise!  However, during the morning our new front window covers arrive and get fixed on which is a start.

I do more washing and on my return to the boat Mike greets me with the great news that the solar panels do not appear to be charging the batteries.  He goes down into the black hole and comes out with a fuse which he hopes is blown then goes off to buy a new one (and a spare).  When he returns and pops it in, they still don’t charge.  Eventually he works out that it is not the panels, and it’s not the controller (nor the fuse) but is in fact due to a problem with the fuse holder.  He can’t see well enough to work out whether there is corrosion in it but there’s a spare slot and when he puts the fuse in that one and moves the wires over, it all works again.  Thank God!

When he has finished he is literally dripping with sweat (nice) and covered in oil and I refuse to let him inside the boat but send him off to the boatyard showers instead.  He comes back nice and clean.

Bill comes up with his bolt cutters to help Mike cut the chain off the anchor.  Our anchor is now a rusting heap and Mike bought a nice new one in Cape Town but hasn’t been anywhere he can fit it until now.  It takes a few goes but eventually they manage to chop through the 1/2 inch chain.

Photo:  With bolt cutters in place, they go in search of some pipe to get more leverage

Photo:  Put your backs into it, boys!

With none of the work having been started that we have been hauled out for, Mike goes in search of the project manager.  We are assured that everything will start tomorrow.  We will see.  Around 4.30 m our lift back to the hotel arrives and Matt and I go straight in the sea for a swim.  He tries to get me to surf into the beach on the waves but all I do is end up with a wave over my head and come up spluttering and cursing.  Ever trusting I have another go and end up with the same result.  I give up.

We join the others for a drink in the evening , fully intending to head back to our room for our little supper.  However, the specials board says they have local lobster and we give in and stay to eat.  My lobster is GOOD!  Mike gives in even further than me and has the chocolate mousse for desert.  We have a good laugh over dinner.  A very enjoyable evening.