Brest was an important stopping point for us as Admiral Ingrid was planned to come onboard and join us for the rest of the trip towards our dreams of warmer climates. All clear from the hospital, with only a small bandage to show for the surgeon’s activity.
It was also a moment to do a little boat maintenance and general clean up – we needed to get rid of the accumulation of pizza boxes and beer cans.
The next job was the one I was least looking forwards to – the voyage to the top of my mast. I actually need to do this two times – once to see what was missing/needed for the fitting and a second time to actually make the installation.
The next job was the one I was least looking forwards to – the voyage to the top of my mast. I actually need to do this two times – once to see what was missing/needed for the fitting and a second time to actually make the installation.
With the relentless westerly winds, it was difficult to find a moment between the rain showers and at a period of lighter wind to make the ascent in safety. My ascent was helped with our powerful electric winches, but the angle of arrival of the rope onto the winch led to a riding turn almost as soon as I started (this is where the rope jams on the winch) leaving me dangling just a few feet off the ground. This was repeated a few minutes later at 3 meters whilst Stuart worked out a way to get the lines free – but much better at 3 meters than at 22 meters.
Dangling at the top of the mast, carrying a delicate wind instrument, spanner and setting screw is not the easiest activity in the world, but after 15 minutes of fiddling and doing my best not to drop anything, the job was done. A
Being up so high, I thought that I must take the opportunity to take some photos from this vantage point. Holding my phone ever so tight I managed to take a photo my thumb, my leg and various items that are quite unrecognisable. However, with perseverance and my heart beating away, I did manage some quite reasonable photos of the boat below.
Here is the birds eye view of The Ocean Deva from 22m above on a sunny morning in Brest, doesn't she look great !
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