Ok, no excuses, other than it is hard to imagine other people getting excited about sitting in a marina that we have been to and blogged about several times in the past 3 years. Mostly we have been taking our time getting Voila ready for a new season. I’ll give you the quick view of some of the projects and outings – feel free to ask for details if you find something fascination (or not)
The only small things we had to accomplish before the launch were to buy and install new anodes on the shaft and propeller, grease our Max Prop folding propeller, change the raw water impellor on the engine, grease the rudder post and stuffing box so they don’t leak any more and most importantly put in the plug! All jobs on a boat require a trip to the chandlery so it was off on the bus.
As we were settling in, we slowly put away 150 pounds of luggage. I keep saying that next time we will have less – ha ha. Technically this is true as the 1st time we did this we took home 250 pounds including many books and charts.
We had to clean the sink drain and install a new water filter for clean drinking water.
It was important to attach our flag. It is a good conversation starter. “You didn’t sail all the way from Canada did you?” Our usual answer is “Not this year”
Bending on the sails is always a satisfying job. It makes us feel like a sailboat and gets them out of the way. We brought a new propane solenoid to be installed because the UK system is different. We also got the head (toilet) working. It was a good thing we were right next to the marina office. Due to the really rough treatment of our arrival, the luggage needed to be repaired. These two rolling duffle bags have stood up amazingly well. We bought them in 2014 dirt cheap, almost as disposable bags. they collapse to a few inches tall and store under the cockpit locker when not in use. They will certainly stand up for at least one more journey. We definitely can’t lose them.
Putting them away is always a challenge though. It gives us a chance to tidy the locker.
For the first week or so we lived on minimal groceries, buying just enough to to keep us for a day or two. Homemade scones, clotted cream and jam can be enjoyed any time of day. 
We enjoyed the walk into town to check out the sights and occasionally a meal out.
It was time to begin provisioning the boat. Because we leave it for so long, there are almost not groceries aboard. It is amazing how many staples, sauces, seasonings we rely on. We headed out to a Sainsbury’s Superstore to start stocking up. We walked the 2 miles there. On the way we stopped at the train station to buy a discount pass for train travel. It will give us 1/3 off all of our tickets as long as we travel together.
It is always fun to check out all of the foreign foods – even in England. I love lamb and this packaging is something you do not see in Canada.
I wandered around for about 90 minutes and bought everything from milk and eggs to a new duvet cover.
The taxi came quickly and whisked us home to put them all away.
It is obvious the weather is getting warmer. The dock has been busy with visitors coming and going. Local boats from down the river, one trailer sailor from York, French, Belgian, German and Dutch boats of all different designs. Several were school boats that had crossed the English Chanel. One French boat last night had crossed without coffee. They were desperate so we gave them a pound of coffee. They produced a cold beer in return. Note that we can return the bottle for the 10 cent deposit in Quebec.
While we are staying put for a while we have been ordering supplies like fenders and new pillows. Amazon sent vinegar, coffee, raisins and other goodies. One special thing we have received is a life jacket for our new crew member!!
We are excited that our granddaughter Vanessa is coming sailing with us this summer. She is 10 and flies in all by herself in 3 weeks. She will sail with us across the Channel and then hop east along the coast through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. We will transit the Kiel Canal and head to Copenhagen. It is there that out daughter Pamela (Vanessa’s aunt) will meet us for about 10 days. They will fly out together including a couple of days in Paris. At that point we think we will head to Stockholm and back through the Gota Canal.
We plan to leave Ipswich in a day or two and are excited to get moving, even if it is only as far as London.
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