It would appear that it is more than three months since we posted a blog!! What have we been doing in all that time? It seems to have passed so quickly.
Unfortunately, not a lot of sailing - in fact, none. We had considered sailing to Singapore but in the end it was just too easy to stay here in the marina at Miri. So, what have we been doing all this time?
Jon has all but finished the varnishing job and is now working steadily on the central butterfly hatch. This is the 'window' in the main saloon, made of solid teak, hinged along the centre and with perspex fitted to each side to let in light. Recently, it had been letting in water as well and as it was starting to look a bit worse for wear Jon decided to replace the lens. This turned out to be a mammoth job as what looked like two pieces of perspex was actually one long sheet and the framework around the perspex is wide. Sikaflex or some similar adhesive had been used to glue it in and took days to wedge apart. Then came the job of cleaning off all the old adhesive and sanding the whole thing before a couple of coats of varnish. Once the other side is done the whole lot will be varnished properly.
Along with the shiny varnish the coachroof has had a new coat of Poliglow applied so Tweed is looking a lot more respectable than she did back in November when she arrived from Japan. The topsides need doing but we may leave that until a bit later in the year.
Not all our money has been getting spent on the actual boat for a change and we have purchased a washing machine, an industrial sewing machine and an airconditioner!! All are working well and the aircon makes life aboard so much more comfortable, especially at night for sleeping. The sewing machine has been used to make a new cover for the liferaft, new weather cloths for the cockpit and to convert some side curtains to side windows by inserting some clear plastic in them. Other jobs are planned or on the drawing board.
Lambir Hills National Park
During this time we enjoyed a day out with friends from the marina, Rob and Margie, Geoff and Karen, and spent a day tramping through the Lambir Hills National Park.
The lure was a waterfall with a lovely pool. A nice break from the heat and a change of scenery.
Marg and Karen enjoy a cooling swim at Lambir Hills National Park
England
We have spent five weeks abroad during this time as well. Most of it in England where our daughter was married in Worcestershire. The weather was fine until they emerged from the tiny chapel and a squall came thru... sounds like boating!
After quite a nice start to spring we encountered a return to winter. Cold temperatures and wet or overcast days keeping us in our winter woolies for most of the time we were there. We think it was warmer when we were there at Christmas time! Record rain fell during April so we didn't just imagine it. The rain and cold continued into May as well but it did not really dampen our holiday and time with family.
And while in London we just had to pay a visit to Neil's Yard at Borough Markets to pick up some Stilton for the canal boat trip...mmmm!
Canal Boating
After the wedding we hired a canal boat from Viking Afloat for seven days and made our way along the Worcester-Birmingham Canal as far as Alvechurch. We were hoping to continue on thru Birmingham and then return to Worcester down the Severn River but all the rain had put it into flood and it was closed!
WE had an email to advise that a proposed camper van hire was cancelled due to the insurance company not accepting that we only had a PO address!! Plan B - we hired a smaller canal boat and went on the Droitwich Canal. This canal had only been reopened last year following many years of closure. Once we arrived in Droitwich the Waterways man locked the lock behind us as the levels had risen and we would not be able to get back out!! Droitwich has a long history going back to the Romans when salt was mined in the town.
We had to wait for these two boats ahead of us when the lock was re-opened at Droitwich.
Luckily, it was re-opened about midday the following day and we were able to return to Worcester in the given time. The rain and the high water didn't stop us from having a good time though and we would certainly love to do it again some time in the future.
Venice
By this time we had an invitation from good old Kiwi/US friends on Silver Fern to join them in Venice along with another couple they know. We hummed and haaa'ed a bit as Pam had a chest cough and didn't want to keep everyone awake at night with the coughing. In the end we decided it was too good an opportunity to miss so we flew off to Venice for five days and had a wow of a time in great company.
Well, we are working when we are not having fun!!
Jon, Pam, Bryce, Martha, Christine and Lindsay enjoying Venice
Now it's back to the boat. Jon continues with the other side of the butterfly hatch but seems to have it down to a fine art now and the Sikaflex is all removed.
On the horizon is another trip back to Australia in a few months. When we return we are contemplating going over the top of Borneo to the Kinabitangan River in Sabah to see some Bornean wildlife. Then, or instead, we may go to Palawan in the Philippines. Time will tell....
Unfortunately, not a lot of sailing - in fact, none. We had considered sailing to Singapore but in the end it was just too easy to stay here in the marina at Miri. So, what have we been doing all this time?
Along with the shiny varnish the coachroof has had a new coat of Poliglow applied so Tweed is looking a lot more respectable than she did back in November when she arrived from Japan. The topsides need doing but we may leave that until a bit later in the year.
Not all our money has been getting spent on the actual boat for a change and we have purchased a washing machine, an industrial sewing machine and an airconditioner!! All are working well and the aircon makes life aboard so much more comfortable, especially at night for sleeping. The sewing machine has been used to make a new cover for the liferaft, new weather cloths for the cockpit and to convert some side curtains to side windows by inserting some clear plastic in them. Other jobs are planned or on the drawing board.
During this time we enjoyed a day out with friends from the marina, Rob and Margie, Geoff and Karen, and spent a day tramping through the Lambir Hills National Park.
The lure was a waterfall with a lovely pool. A nice break from the heat and a change of scenery.
Marg and Karen enjoy a cooling swim at Lambir Hills National Park
We have spent five weeks abroad during this time as well. Most of it in England where our daughter was married in Worcestershire. The weather was fine until they emerged from the tiny chapel and a squall came thru... sounds like boating!
Erica and Andrew
After quite a nice start to spring we encountered a return to winter. Cold temperatures and wet or overcast days keeping us in our winter woolies for most of the time we were there. We think it was warmer when we were there at Christmas time! Record rain fell during April so we didn't just imagine it. The rain and cold continued into May as well but it did not really dampen our holiday and time with family.
And while in London we just had to pay a visit to Neil's Yard at Borough Markets to pick up some Stilton for the canal boat trip...mmmm!
Canal Boating
After the wedding we hired a canal boat from Viking Afloat for seven days and made our way along the Worcester-Birmingham Canal as far as Alvechurch. We were hoping to continue on thru Birmingham and then return to Worcester down the Severn River but all the rain had put it into flood and it was closed!
Pam was a natural when it came to manoeuvring the 65' boat in and out of the locks which had about 2" to spare either side.
WE had an email to advise that a proposed camper van hire was cancelled due to the insurance company not accepting that we only had a PO address!! Plan B - we hired a smaller canal boat and went on the Droitwich Canal. This canal had only been reopened last year following many years of closure. Once we arrived in Droitwich the Waterways man locked the lock behind us as the levels had risen and we would not be able to get back out!! Droitwich has a long history going back to the Romans when salt was mined in the town.We had to wait for these two boats ahead of us when the lock was re-opened at Droitwich.
Luckily, it was re-opened about midday the following day and we were able to return to Worcester in the given time. The rain and the high water didn't stop us from having a good time though and we would certainly love to do it again some time in the future.
By this time we had an invitation from good old Kiwi/US friends on Silver Fern to join them in Venice along with another couple they know. We hummed and haaa'ed a bit as Pam had a chest cough and didn't want to keep everyone awake at night with the coughing. In the end we decided it was too good an opportunity to miss so we flew off to Venice for five days and had a wow of a time in great company.
Well, we are working when we are not having fun!!
Jon, Pam, Bryce, Martha, Christine and Lindsay enjoying Venice
Now it's back to the boat. Jon continues with the other side of the butterfly hatch but seems to have it down to a fine art now and the Sikaflex is all removed.
On the horizon is another trip back to Australia in a few months. When we return we are contemplating going over the top of Borneo to the Kinabitangan River in Sabah to see some Bornean wildlife. Then, or instead, we may go to Palawan in the Philippines. Time will tell....
