Only a month to go before we leave the dock....

The trouble with getting ready to sail for a year is that really we haven't had a whole lot of time to sail at all in what is turning out to be the summer of the century. OK, so maybe I'm whining just a wee bit. We've actually only had our boat off the dock three times this year. I'm volunteer driving a vanload of kids down to the Port Dover Harbour Marina all summer for the Port Dover Yacht Club Sailing School (I'm program coordinator, popsicle delivery person and general gopher). Coming over the crest of the hill, the view of Long Point Bay is spectacular nearly every day. Sun shining, setting sparkles over the white crested waters. Sigh. Lucky little whatsits.

We are planning a jaunt across the lake in early August to shake down the boat - we have run out one night to test the new anchor windlass. Very very cool. So easy it seems a sin. One press of the button and the anchor comes up and neatly slides into its groove. No muscle whatsoever. Scott had taken apart and cleaned and repaired the auotpilot so that needed to be reinstalled and tested and that seems to work well also.

The new roller furling that curls the genoa up at the front of the boat is a wonder. It's weird how effortless it is to put the sail away. I can see the attraction for the main. If living in the lap of luxury.

The new batteries are installed, and thanks to Ken and Linda Foote we have a lovely new bimini and joiner at the back of the boat to create a full enclosure around the cockpit. We can now sail in all weather.

I'm trying to squeeze in dishes, pots and pans, utensils and baking equipment into the galley and new storage shelves Scott has built.

I've also started taking loads of books down to what is fast becoming a floating library and schoolhouse. So far though, there is a surprising amount of room on the bookshelf. Scott just pointed out that we still have all of our charts and guides at home. Ugh.

I've said it before but I really mean it this time, pictures this week!!!!