As I went over to the marina office to get the boat hoisted out to fix the leaking fitting, they told me that the lock was being maintained and they could not hoist me out. However if we would go to the Sussex Yacht club in Shoreham, they would help us. We had to call them first though and make sure to go in on high tide. Otherwise there might be just enough water for the dingy...
So I made the call and we could come on Wednesday between 11:00 and 11:30. Since that was only 5 nm it would not take us more then an hour to get there. As we did, we were the last in the row and that made sense because they let us in the sling standing on the keel on timber. Barry came over to help me with the fittings. I didn't have the tools to do it by my own so I was very grateful that I was considered as an emergency that had to be helped out right away. The guy works 6 days a week from 7 till 7, but he left his workshop to help us. The other boats would not go out anyway so it didn't matter they'd has to wait an extra day.
Anyway, the sea cock came of quite easy and the fitting too. That did not look too bad though and after Barry had cleaned them they looked like new. Hmmm, I couldn't find any real evidence of leakage, which was fine but then again... So I checked again and thought it better to check the one below too. We couldn't go anywhere until high tide Wednesday. Barry didn't look too happy but he very quickly agreed that it would be sensible thing to do. Anyway the second fitting most definite was the leaking one. The hole turned out to be way to big for the fitting and it wasn't centered anymore. Probably I had done that myself when I replaced the sea cock last year.
Barry fixed it and after 4 hours of work we were all set and watertight again :-)
So at high tide tomorrow we'll be of to Brighton to pick up the alternator that is being refurbished today, do the shopping and pick up the toilet seat hinges that Zoë from the Brighton chandlers had ordered for us, we'll be off for La Coruna. Zoë too was very helpful in finding stuff out for us. I must say that I am very pleased with the excellent customer service everybody is giving us!!
Also I must make Andy a compliment for his great cooking ! He really is very good. Monday evening he made a fantastic curry, which Rutger finished today for breakfast as well as for luch.
The good thing is that Andy will teach Rutger how to cook, so he can take over during the crossing :-)
