Spring - It's Official

Winter ended yesterday and today it's officially 'spring' so I thought I would show you a picture of our blossom lined drive.

Quick Update

A short post to let my many 'followers' of the boats journey.
It's starting to look a little less like a coal-mine with the new bulkheads being installed.
The next big thing will be to get the engine out of the boat, which is sitting in the companionway taking the place of the steps inside, the crane should be here this week so it can be serviced - I hope there are no nasty expensive surprises!

Fibreglass Itch

The boat stripping still seems to be an endless task, now with the added enjoyment of having bits of fibreglass finding ways into ones underclothing making life a little itchy!

Although I wear a full disposable coverall, still enough of the fibres get to places... already a number of clothing items have been consigned to the rubbish as being too uncomfortable to wear.

This week the engine will be removed for a full service/overhaul as the aged Volvo probably hasn't had anything done to it for 24 years..

As I go through the boat deciding what needs doing, I have come to the conclusion that the past owners were very lucky people making it from Trinidad through Panama and across the Pacific to NZ.

The front hatch was only a simple day sale type with 2 small catches not suitable for ocean sailing in it's new home of the Wellington Cook Strait area.
Glass boats can flex quite a bit in heavy weather and it's easy to pop the wrong sort of hatch, plus the boat had only one very small electric bilge pump which in test moved a cup of water every 2 seconds!, which could make entertaining sailing.

These of course are going to be fixed as I tend to be a bit of a belt and braces person.

Although the boat has been built to Lloyd's specs I will be glassing in some extra beams under the deck as we can get some big seas around this part of the island.

The new panelling for the bulkheads has arrived, so fitting of that should start by early next week.

I will post some pics as soon as this stage is reached, maybe next week.

Thursday's Child Arrives

The day arrived when our new project arrived.
All delivered on time with the crane arriving at the exact time the transporter arrived from Auckland, "just perfect"

We had to make the cradle props insitu but this was achieved without to much stress.
now all we have to do is the refit.

At this point we have had TC for about 2 weeks and it's already been stripped out and the burnt and smoke stained interior is being brought back to normal, it's moving faster than we had expected and at this point we 'might' have it in the water by January 2011.

Thursday's Child of Lee

We are now the owners of a yacht! a Westerly Corsair, it's looking a bit sad at present, as it has had a fire and the inside is in need of a total refit.
It's a little like going down into a coal mine when you go below.

I am bringing it back home, a trip of 817 km on the back of road transporter, it should take about 12 hours.
We will set it up behind the Cedar hedge, luckily we have plenty of space, plus a spare sea container that I can turn into a workshop while we work on our new project. ( I told Mrs DIY it would come in handy one day...)

The launch date has been set for May 2011 (watch this space!)
Note: Thursday's Child - has far to go...

While I Was Away

Before I left for Auckland to look at boats. We had 4.5 cub M of lime chip delivered for the side outside courtyard.
Mrs DIY stayed at home, as someone had to look after the dog.
While I was enjoying myself in Auckland looking at yachts, Mrs DIY moved and spread the huge pile of chip by herself!
What a great effort.
The next step is to build the pergola and install the stone (concrete) table ready for next summer's long lunches. (i hope)

Easter

Easter is now past, great weather, lots of work done in garden, with Mrs DIY in her usual style, did not stop gardening all weekend, with only a light break reserved for walking the dog.
We had the daughter and partner with us for the holiday really good to see them again, a little easier now they are not on the other side of the world, (we are going to be grandparents again in about 3 weeks!)

It has been a busy few weeks with my sister making a flying visit from Perth, one of the jobs we had to do was to scatter the ashes of our much loved aunt in the sea along were she used take her walks on the beach.

Makes you think of your own mortality, so it's now full steam ahead to get another yacht while we both are fit and can still both handle a sail boat.

None of us is getting any younger!

Deck

At last, the blog is getting some attention, I have been otherwise occupied with doing other stuff including, my colouring-in and building a deck.
Now we (I mean the dog) won't bring dirt into the house from 'his' alternative entrance into the house!

Xmas Projects

One of the big projects that we planed for Xmas was to transform the pile of bricks that we purchased at the next door auction last year.

As you can see it's a glamorous job requiring strength, a good eye for a straight line and the ability to be consistent in the building process, none of which for this little task I have.

The end result is a little rustic but I will put that down to the various sized bricks that I had to work with to create the curved wall, now called 'Ilene'
(note) By popular demand I have included the other side of the wall...
The lone brick in the foreground will be a 'tree'.

As Promised

The picture of the new front door, still a bit to do to complete the construction but it works...