Category Archives: Repairs

Men time – Technology and lots of TLC

28. January 2016Dietmar Henke

Katja is now already for almost two weeks in Germany and spends time with her family, Friends and horses. Before she departed, she has me a decent list with some quite tricky “homework” to hand over, so it will not be the man on board in the Marina Bas-Du-Fort boring. After the nearly 2 Years to travel with her husband at times exhausting, it was once again time, to define the standards of our trip again and align then fit new. The joy and the desire for new destinations and adventure does no abort, but rather increases or desire. With the outlook, after all, the views and perspectives on everything that is going on around you also change. In any case, we're looking forward to that 8. February 2016, wenn ich Katja in Antigua wieder an Bord habe und Ihr dann die vielen neuen Errungenschaften und Verbesserungen an unserer CESARINA präsentieren werde. Außerdem feiern wir dann am 22. Februar unser 15. jähriges Zusammensein. Hab sie immer noch so lieb wie am ersten Tag 🙂

Eigentlich hatte ich mich mit meinem alten Kumpel Martin für eine Woche Segeln und Tauchen verabredet. Die Freude darauf war beiderseitig groß bis zu seinem Anruf. Gesundheitliche Probleme ließen unsere Pläne wie eine Seifenblase platzen und die Enttäuschung war ganz besonders auf Martins Seite sehr groß. Allein wollte ich auch nicht segeln, weil mir das Schiff bei den Anlegemanövern einfach zu groß ist. Und es zu riskieren, meine geliebte CESARINA zu beschädigen, kommt für mich nicht in Frage. Somit hatte ich wieder Zeit für meine lange Liste an Aufgaben.

Eine gute Gelegenheit für mich, meiner langjährigen und auf Dauer auch ruinösen Lieblingsbeschäftigung zu frönen. Die zahlreichen Yachtausrüster verführen einen ja schon direkt sich eingehend mit den angebotenen Leckereien zu befassen und bereits schon beim Aufrüsten des Einkaufwagens eine Argumentationsmatrix für die Notwendigkeit der Produkte gegenüber der Chefin zurecht zu legen. Darin bin ich aber geübt und kann das auch schon ziemlich gut 🙂 Nur als ich den kompletten Bestand an “Height”-Paint had cleared out of the shelf and have asked the seller at the counter, I wondered it myself, if I had, it might not again somewhat exaggerated. Had I but also immediately in discussion with other yachties, who probably wondered, where I or let it all. will process. In general, the recognition and appreciation among boat owners quite large, if someone makes zoom to the painting of wooden constructions. The smell of fresh paint is attractive and the gloss on the fine woods just beautiful. That's how it is, if you have a true classic. A lot of work, much joy and much TLC (Abbreviation of “Tender Loving Care”).

After three days I had about 30 Journal sandpaper consumed, 6 worked up brush and 3 Liter “high brilliant varnish” painted. the cockpit, the deckhouse, the cover strips, the table, the stairs in decline, the windows and the doors I have from first- or. abraded and 2-3 times painted with glossy paint. Previously, I had cordoned off with tape access to the ship, so just no one can accidently step on the surfaces. Partly it looked after grinding, as if someone has dumped a bag of flour over the CESARINA. The result has become really convincing to a very large extent. It looks, than if the timber is under a thick layer of clear water. One can partly truly reflect the fact. So slowly I am learning, how to make a perfect “Finish” and perfect surfaces hinbekommt. Ein Jahr weiter und dann werden auch noch die letzten Fehlerstellen ausgebessert sein 🙂 Lackieren ist wirklich alles andere als trivial. But it's very satisfying, if the result is correct.

On the days in between, I installed a fan over our bunk during the day. That was at the top of Katja's list, because when the air is in the boat at night, it gets pretty stuffy and hot. This means, that the woman sleeps badly and is not in a good mood the next morning. It's not good for the man at all. The next big construction site was our air conditioning. We have two of them on board and the one for the salon was unfortunately out of action. Whenever I look at the tangle of pipes, engines, Pumps and hoses, they cast deep built-in inside plant, I have the door closed and the same rate again. Too complex and confusing, To deal with it in detail. Today then was the technician of the company ICEBERG aboard, to solder a crack in the piping of the gas supply of the compressor, to evacuate the plant after that and be filled with a special gas, and ultimately to take the unit into operation. The day before, I had already isolated and expanded the whole unit from the water circuit. Also I already had a new water pump for the secondary circuit incorporated. A backup of the control was to renew and after two hours of joint work we started then the device. The result was overwhelming! From the ventilation slots in the salon, There was cold air in the bathroom and bedchamber! Almost jumped out of his pants for joy and the technician also had the big grin on his face. Now I have finally understood the system and then properly wired and screwed it again. It can go on like this!

To celebrate the day, I installed a loudspeaker for our VHF radio with Martin's help over the phone. Now we can finally follow important messages in the cockpit and don't always have to go to the radio below deck. In addition to a lot of other work on the ship in almost all areas, the list is almost finished. But a big task is still waiting, to be done. In Martinique we had a gas alarm on board in the middle of the day. The reason for this was our batteries, that were charged by one of our two chargers with a voltage that was far too high. 27,6 Volt is the absolute highest voltage that our batteries can handle. With the displayed 32 Volts start to gas the batteries and go dead in a very short time, when they are then dried out. Thank goodness we noticed that in time. So the VICTRON charger is gone! Tomorrow the new device will finally be delivered, that I before 10 Days at Solarshop in Aiblingen / Bavaria. Twice the performance, High-frequency technology and that with the same dimensions as the old device. Mr. Lardy is there, the managing director and has settled really over backward, that all hurdles such as customs and shipping were taken. This I will then install itself and I am looking forward already huge. Every day, one learns that, and that alone keeps me at least in a good mood and momentum:-) I'm curious, What is Katja say to all….

but the evening entertainment was just as great and diverse as it did the entire day. Frank from the SY Jucunda, who had also arrived here with his brother Stefan and all our sailing friend Kai day before Katie's departure, had before, to treat his ship here a new underwater paint. It was really fun, to drive the ship together to the boat lift and put it on land there. In the evenings we were mostly out and about together and had a lot of fun together. A few days ago Peter and Petra from SY MERIDIAN took me to go shopping and in the evening we had dinner together. Yesterday I met Regina and Matthias from SY JASINA. The two come from Lübeck and Hamburg and sail on their ETAP 32 already since 3 Years through world history Another beautiful evening with loved ones and very interesting and meaningful conversations. The last few days I have once again felt very comfortable and in good hands. It's just like that, that I need this community and it's very nice, to exchange ideas with other people and to spend time.

On Friday my old friend Maik from Los Angelos will land here. We already plan 31 I learned the trade of glass apparatus builder together in the same company for many years. Maik emigrated to America shortly afterwards and has his company “Glassware” founded, which he still manages successfully today. We never lost touch and I'm really looking forward to our time together here on board. We will cast off here on Saturday and will be sailing for a week, Dive and have fun together. We are almost like brothers and I am very happy, that maybe I can teach Maik something about sailing. What could be better than a tour with friends? At least I'll try, that we have a great time. Everything else arises!

Karibik für Anfänger

6. January 2016Katja Henke

Martinique liegt zwar in der Karibik, ist aber ein Teil von Frankreich. So findet man hier sozusagen: Karibik light 🙂
Man bezahlt mit Euro. Das ist natürlich sehr angenehm und erspart einem das Umrechnen mit dem Faktor 2,8. Das im Kopf zu rechnen ist schon recht anspruchsvoll. Die Preise sind moderat und weder vom Nasenfaktor des Verkäufers noch von der Hautfarbe des Käufers abhängig. Außerdem bekommt man auf der Insel fast alles, was das Herz begehrt 🙂 Und gibt es keine Boatboys, die einem dauernd etwas verkaufen wollen. Somit liefert aber auch niemand mehr direkt ans Boot. Das ist eigentlich etwas schade 🙂
Die Straßen sind in einem guten Zustand, es gibt Verkehrsschilder, Speed limits and fortunately one is driving on the "correct" side of the road. That was enough of a reason, to convince us, rent a car here.
The disadvantage of the French "colony" is however, that many people speak little to no English. Now we had to muddle through with our French rather badly.
In the morning right after breakfast we picked up our rental car. That was a real challenge, because the rental car station in the marine center had moved and everyone, that we asked had never heard of her. On the other hand, orientation on Martinique's streets was child's play. Past the capital Fort-de-France, it went on a small winding road into the mountains and the rainforest. Our first stop was in Batala-Touret, where a scaled-down replica of the famous Parisian Sacre Coeur cathedral can be seen. Well, but we weren't particularly enthusiastic about it, but good. You can find photos in the picture galleries, then you can get your own picture :-). But the view of Fort-de-France was very nice.
But the rainforest, which pulled up the steep mountain slopes to the right and left of the road, was wonderful. Again and again streams crossed the road and low-hanging clouds with rain showers made it clear, that the name says it all.
In the far north we actually wanted to drive up to the island's volcano, but shrouded in dense clouds. Entering 19. Century was the trigger of a disaster, in the former capital St. Pierre completely destroyed and 30.000 People were killed. St. Pierre was at this time the Paris of the Caribbean and the People, who lived at the foot of the volcano, underestimated the danger. At the 4. More 1902 a 7.52 AM was the city of a 150 overrun kph and 2000 ° hot lava avalanche. Even the ships caught fire in the port and the windows melted together into clumps. The residents had no chance, and burnt to ashes in minutes.
Part of the ruins is still very well preserved, such as the old theater or the prison. Here were the helpers, after the volcanic eruption to St. Pierre kamen, the only survivors. The man was in prison and after three days he was badly burned and half starved to be released. It's always amazing, die das Schicksal so spielt 🙂
The city never recovered from the volcanic eruption and is sadly rather dilapidated. Nevertheless we found a nice restaurant, in which we enjoyed a delicious lunch. Then it went back along the coast to Le Marin. The mainsail was due to be delivered at four o'clock, to which the sailmaker Garvin from NORTH SAILS still had to sew the mast slides. While Dietmar took care of the sail, I wanted to use our luxury car to do some extensive grocery shopping. Here in Martinique there is the supermarket chain Carrefour and after that, what we heard, The choice should be wide and the prices (by Caribbean standards) be small.
Am Abend waren wir dann noch mit Ralf und Sylvia von der SY FELUKA verabredet. Die Beiden haben auch an der ARC teilgenommen und bleiben bis Ende der Saison in der Karibik. Schon in Saint Lucia hatten wir am selben Steg gelegen, aber ein Treffen hatte sich nie ergeben. Das würde jetzt aber auch mal Zeit 🙂 und natürlich war es ein lustiger Abend. Wir freuen uns schon auf ein Wiedersehen.

Endlich neue Segel

5. January 2016Katja Henke

Wir waren wieder in Europa und das Wetter gab sich sehr deutsch. Den ganzen Morgen regnete es ergiebig. So waren wir erst gegen elf Uhr auf dem Weg zum Einklarieren, ordentlich verpackt in unseren Regenjacken 🙂 Das erstes Mal in der EU einzuklarieren ging ganz unbürokratisch am Computer und hat nur fünf Euro für drei Tage gekostet. But after three days you have to repeat the whole game. That sounded a bit annoying. Good, that we didn't want to stay that long.
With the customs and ship's papers we made our way to the local NORTH SAILS agency. Our sails had been at customs on Martinique since before Christmas and were supposed to be imported directly onto the CESARINA. If everything went well, they would be delivered tomorrow afternoon.
Now we just needed a suitable berth. As is often the case in the Caribbean, the boats lie in the marina with the stern facing the jetty and are held in place by a mooring at the bow. But because the slender yacht stern makes it so difficult to get off the boat and certainly not come on board loaded with our sails, we were looking for a berth with a jetty on the side. There were a few of them in the marina. Now we just have to get hold of one for ourselves.
In the marina office they couldn't help us any further and so we had the harbor master on the canal 09 spark. This poor and really busy man was not that easy to reach. We had found a suitable berth opposite the petrol station. A German boat was still there, the SY SUNRISE, that we still knew from the ARC. The crew planned to continue sailing in the afternoon and we wanted to take over this place. We communicated this to the harbor master by radio, who had no objection to it. He wanted to let us know, wenn die SY SUNRISE abgelegt hatte und unser Platz verfügbar wäre.
Die Geduld des Kapitäns wurde heute mal wieder kräftig auf die Probe gestellt, denn es dauerte bis kurz vor Sonnenuntergang, bis wir endlich an der Reihe waren. Schon lange hatten wir das Dinghi auf dem Deck verzurrt, die Fender und Leinen klar gemacht und waren bereit, unsere neue und schon lange freie Box anzusteuern. Aber hier ging es nicht wirklich der Reihe nach. Vom offenen Meer kam ein Boot nach dem anderen und alle wollten einen Liegeplatz. Um das Chaos im Hafen möglichst gering zu halten, mussten zuerst die versorgt werden, die am meisten im Weg standen. Wir lagen vor Anker und lagen damit gar kein bisschen im Weg 🙂 Aber immerhin hat er uns nicht vergessen. Vielleich deshalb, weil Dietmar ihn alle 30 Minuten freundlich nach dem Stand der Dinge fragte 🙂
Den Abend verbrachten wir in netter norwegischer Gesellschaft. Bernd, der an Bord der SY Santa Cruz durch die Karibik segelte, war bereits schon unser Stegnachbar in der Rodney Bay Marina. Auch in Bequia waren wir ihm wieder begegnet. Und da ja bekanntlich alle guten Dinge drei sind, gingen wir heute Abend gemeinsam zum Essen 🙂
Die Nacht in der Marina war unglaublich war und die Mücken hatten es auf uns abgesehen. And, Ihr habt richtig gelesen: auf UNS 🙂 Anscheinend gibt es doch noch Gerechtigkeit im Leben. Die karibischen Mücken sind Dietmar nicht so abgeneigt wie die deutschen und auch wenn sich die Anzahl der Stiche noch nicht ganz fair verteilt, bin ich doch nicht mehr die Einzige, die geplagt und gebissen wird. Die Zeiten, dass Dietmar mich scherzhaft als „Opferanode“ bezeichnen konnte, sind eindeutig vorbei 🙂
Etwas übernächtigt machten wir uns am nächsten Morgen daran, unsere Segel abzubauen. Bernd half uns dabei und zu Dritt war die Arbeit schnell erledigt. Trotzdem zehrte die Hitze an unseren Kräften und schlug besonders mir heute sehr auf die Motivation. Sogar zum Schlafen war es tagsüber zu warm. Und im Hafen schwimmen war keine reizvolle Alternative.
Aber da sich die Arbeit bekanntlich nicht von allein erledigt, halfen keine Ausreden. Am Nachmittag machten wir uns auf dem Weg zu Garvin von NORTH SAILS. Der Zoll hatte sein Versprechen gehalten und wir konnten unsere neuen Segel auf einen Trolley laden. It felt like Dietmar had to maneuver this halfway through the city to our jetty. I was pretty tired and soaked in sweat from just running in the warmth. But we wanted to know as soon as possible, whether the eagerly awaited sails would finally fit on our ship. Not, that there was a rude awakening now.
So we went straight to work. The wind had pretty much died down that afternoon too, which is ideal for pulling up the sails in the harbor. Unfortunately, there was no cooling down. We started with the smallest sail, the cutter jib. Our CESARINA had an excellent position and the genoa, which was attached a little later, also fitted like a glove. We only had slight problems when rolling in, because the new sails were still stiff and bulky. But that would change over time.
Now only our old sails had to be returned to NOTH SAILS. Because the mast slider should be cut off from the old mainsail and sewn back on to the new one. So the trolley was heavily loaded again and it was the same arduous way back to the sailmaker. The work should be done by four tomorrow afternoon. We wanted to use the day off for an island excursion. So we reserved a car for the next day and fell into bed after dinner.

Karibische Weihnachten

25. December 2015Katja Henke

Bequia ist so, wie sich Klein-Erna die Karibik vorstellt 🙂 Übersichtlich mit kleinen Häusern, Geschäften, Bars und Restaurants. Die Leute sind freundlich und offen, aber nicht aufdringlich. Zusammen mit Kathrin machten wir uns am Mittwochmorgen auf den Weg zum Einklarieren. Jörg war der letzte Segeltag leider auf den Magen geschlagen und er musste das Boot hüten 🙁 Wahrscheinlich hatte er zu viel Sonne abbekommen.
Das Einklarieren war einfach und ging schnell über die Bühne. So blieb noch viel Zeit für eine kleine Erkundungstour durch Port Elisabeth, einen Einkauf auf dem Markt und eine Eisschokolade in dem gemütlichen Kaffee „Cameleon“ 🙂
Zurück auf dem Boot verbummelten wir den Nachmittag mit Schwimmen und weiterer Reiseplanung. Am Abend waren wir dann auf der SY SEABEE zum Grillen eingeladen. Mit den letzten Nürnberger Rostbratwürstchen und einer großen Schüssel Obstsalat im Gepäck waren wir natürlich herzlich willkommen 🙂 Der Abend mit der schwedischen Familie und Kathrin und Vincent von der SY VIA war sehr lustig und wir freuten uns schon auf den morgigen Weihnachtsabend, den wir in derselben Runde verbringen würden 🙂
Der Heiligabend verlief also ziemlich untypisch 🙂 Nur das traditionelle Weißwurstfrühstück ließen wir uns nicht nehmen. Während ich meine persönlichen Weihnachtsgrüße verschickte, machte Dietmar noch einen Dinghi-Ausflug an Land. Nach einem ausgiebigen Weihnachtsbad im erfrischenden Wasser und einer nachfolgenden ausgiebigen Süßwasserdusche waren wir ausgehfertig.
Am Dinghi-Steg war schon einiges los und wir hatten Mühe, einen schönen Platz für unser Dinghi zu finden. Aber irgendwann dachten wir, dass wir unser Schlauchboot so sicher festgemacht hatten, dass wir es alleine rücklassen konnten. Diese Annahme stellte sich nachher als falsch heraus, aber das wussten wir ja jetzt Gott sei Dank noch nicht 🙁
Das offene Strandrestaurant war schön dekoriert und jeder Gast bekam einen leckeren, warmen Glühwein als Aperitif.

Das hört sich zwar ziemlich merkwürdig an, aber schmeckte trotzdem sehr lecker. Das Restaurant richtet jedes Jahr ein schwedisch-karibisches Weihnachtsbuffet aus und somit passte es wieder 🙂 Das Essen war ganz hervorragend. Schon als wir ankamen, wurden die typischen karibischen Grills, die aus halben Ölfässern bestehen, kräftig eingeheizt und bald duftete es verführerisch nach gegrilltem Fleisch und Fisch, aber auch nach den typischen schwedischen Hackbällchen 🙂

Irgendwann nach dem Dessert fing die Band an zu spielen und jegliche Unterhaltung wurde unmöglich. Wäre da nicht der heftige Regen gewesen :-), der innerhalb kürzester Zeit die Musikanlage in die Knie zwang. So blieben wir noch ein Weilchen, bis die Band Ersatz beschafft hatte und flüchteten dann vor dem lauten Karibiksound, der unbarmherzig aus den Boxen dröhnte 🙂 So unbesinnlich sollte Weihnachten dann auch nicht enden.
Zurück am Dinghi-Steg mussten wir feststellen, dass sich unser Dinghi unter dem Steg verhakt hatte. Nach der Befreiung war zu erkennen, dass sowohl Motor als auch Dinghi kräftig darunter gelitten hatten. Da war doch eine Menge kaputt gegangen. Immerhin taten Beide noch Ihren Dienst und wir mussten nicht zurück zur CESARINA schwimmen. Den Schaden wollte Dietmar aber erst morgen früh begutachten.

Am nächsten Morgen betrachteten wir das Ausmaß des Schadens im hellen Sonnenlicht. Eine Halterung des Steuerarms des Außenborders war gebrochen, deshalb hing der auch so windschief herunter. Außerdem war die Außenverkleidung kräftig zerschrammt. Dietmar machte sich sofort ans Werk, reparierte die gebrochene Halterung mit „Plastikstahl“ und ersetzte die verbogenen 10mm Schrauben durch ein paar neue aus Edelstahl. Jetzt funktioniert er wohl wieder besser als vorher 🙂 Das lädierte Gehäuse ist vielleicht gar nicht so unpraktisch :-), denn den Außenborder klaut jetzt bestimmt keiner mehr 🙂
Für den ersten Feiertag hatten wir die SY VIA zum Weihnachtskaffee eingeladen. In einem meiner Geheimverstecke hatte ich noch einen Stollen für diesen Anlass versteckt. Die Drei hatten die CESARINA auch bisher nur von außen gesehen und es war endlich mal Zeit für eine ausführliche Führung. Danach saßen wir im Cockpit zusammen und der Wind versuchte, uns den Stollen vom Teller zu wehen 🙂 Ich hoffe doch sehr, dass das bald zu Ende geht mit den Christmas Winds 🙂

A Black Friday – in every relation

14. November 2015Katja Henke

Somehow this Friday was not probably our day. It was also Friday the 13! But so far in our life this date has still been no cause for alarm. The next Friday 13. werden wir sicher etwas skeptischer entgegen treten 🙂

It started right after breakfast, though the radiant sunshine a good start to the day promised.

We still expect a package from Germany. Our passports with US visas and some little things have been around for almost two weeks on the way to us. Since Monday the package at customs stuck. Today then was finally time, to take the whole thing more closely. In order to perform such calls, reichte unser Spanisch aber ganz sicher nicht aus 🙂 So war ich froh, dass das ARC-Büro mir Unterstützung angeboten hatte 🙂 So dauerte es nur eine geschlagene Stunde um herauszufinden, that our package is on the way to us though, but you could not say exactly, where it was and certainly not, when it would arrive here. But the probability is very high, that would land it in Gran Canaria before the start of the ARC. Those were wonderful prospects, da brauchte ich mir ja keine Sorgen machen 🙂 Und wozu brauchen wir auch schon Reisepässe 🙂

Back on the CESARINA I met Dietmar in very dark mood. How actually every day he had telephoned with North Sails, to clarify the exact date of arrival of our new sailing. We had received a firm commitment from the beginning of the week, that they had been sent from England on Monday and waited eagerly for the tracking number. Imports of goods to the Canaries is quite special and complicated, as had some of the customs in advance to be clarified. So far we had but North Sails nor can report no tracking number. The reasons were not understandable for us and it crept over the days feel uneasy a. Today we wanted to finally know the truth. So Dietmar starting a true phone attack both in Belgium at the sales office as well as in England at the production site.

At about three clock in the afternoon then was made final: There was no sailing for our CESARINA. The manufacturing plant in England had never received a production order. Alle Telefonate und alle bis heute erhaltenen Informationen waren Schall und Rauch 🙁 nur leere Worte und Lügen.

What should we say, We were totally floored. Due to a recommendation we decided, to order not in Jan-sailing in Germany. Now we are left without a sail. The old sailing we had brought to the sailmaker on Wednesday, damit dieser sie entsorgen sollte 🙂 Was nun? Rowing is truly no alternative.

So we introduced our next way to the sailmaker. Perhaps the disaster was indeed to prevent yet. And Lo and behold, the owner told us relaxed, that they would always dispose sailing only, if the boat had left the port with new sails. A very clever approach, the evidence of a lot of experience. Since we are probably not the first, must make such experiences.

But the day had yet another terrible news ready for us. Late afternoon found himself “Jerry, The Rigger” with us aboard one ordered for Riggcheck.

With his assistant, they took everything very closely examined and unfortunately they were successful: a crack in the mast, directly at the level of first Sailing. With which we can not sail. That needs to be fixed first. This will certainly be a scarce number, until the start of the ARC next Sunday. The ship has to be repaired from the water, and then maybe even the mast be drawn. So this is nothing with a relaxed last week in Gran Canaria. In my mind I stressed before the island tour, I would like to still have companies. Maybe then the next time…..

Our mood had now reached the nadir. Kerstin and Thomas from Munich, who today paid us a visit on a holiday afternoon, sat pretty scared in the middle of chaos. That would probably no longer be with the planned nice evening together, while the afternoon but had started quite promising.

So they decided to, better to leave us this evening alone. Much was also really no more to do with us.

We both had once digest. Now participation in the ARC is suddenly on shaky legs, quite apart from all the work and stress, who would come to us. We also had definitely once the noses painted full. After a big dose of Tortellini (Noodles do just happy) I retreated with a good book to bed. Dietmar tried to the ARC opening party distract something, but he was definitely not in a celebratory mood. Shortly before eleven he was back.

After a restless night with many confused dreams and thoughts of a shock followed in the morning. At about eight we received the news of the attacks in Paris. Very quickly moved the crack in the mast in the background. So we both sat silent and stunned at breakfast. Again Paris it had met, a town in the heart of Europe. Our deepest sympathies go to the families of the victims and many injured. Our problems appeared to us in the face of such a tragedy suddenly small and unimportant. That could certainly take care of everything, because there were only just yet “Luxury Problems”.

Portugal wants to let her live us

27. October 2015Katja Henke

Lunchtime, we ended up with a lot of luggage as planned in Faro and later deposed us a taxi to the Marina. Been still busy on the CESARINA, sowohl innen auch als außen 🙂

By the rains in the last few days were the work on the deckhouse unfortunately significantly behind schedule and thus we come away from here in the direction of Canary Islands. At the earliest on Tuesday the carpenters could be finished when weather would play with. Thus, we got the impression, dass uns Portugal einfach nicht ziehen lassen wollte 🙁 Aber auf die paar Tage kam es jetzt auch nicht mehr an und wir fügten uns in unser Schicksal.

Auch die Programmierung unseres AIS wollte am Samstag nicht im ersten Zug gelingen 🙁 und es stellt sich heraus, that a plug was defective. This is of course even better, as if the entire antenna would not work. But it was still annoying. Since today we are but at least www.vesselfinder.com again to find online. While we still lack a beautiful photo, but that I will furnish any day. Sorry, no images are accepted in portrait orientation, so ein Pech aber auch 🙁 Morgen steht also noch ein ordentliches Foto-Shooting auf dem Programm.

Otherwise, the last days have been determined by the weather. Portugal presented itself further with an awful lot of rain autumn. It was great for us to determine, that our repairs were crowned all along the line of success. No more water in the ship, which was previously run by improperly mounted bracket of the liferaft in the interstices of the ceiling and walls. Each cabinet and each compartment – absolutely dry. A great success, of a very relieved wellbeing below deck. One might not always think about it yes, in welchem Schrank das Wasser jetzt gerade wieder irgendwelchen Schäden anrichten könnte 🙂

If we do not continue assorted things below deck and verräumten, was finally time again for a good book – almost like the German Autumn. In the now completed equipped kitchen there was also quite excellent cook and also it was now once again time. Our pressure cooker, which is unused for Grömitz with on the trip, durfte endlich in Aktion treten 🙂 Ich muss gestehen, I am but until then been very suspicious. So far I had not used such a device. Not, dass ich das Boot in die Luft sprengen würde 🙂 . With two 11-kilogram gas cylinders on board the buzzer, the incentive was, To save gas by the use of the pressure cooker, always been too low. So I had to push myself successfully before use. Now we have but “the only” two 5-kilogram gas cylinders available. That had me motivated, the first goulash “under pressure” prepare. Although I had decided, prefer to watch my pot during cooking with distance from the salon :-), but the result could be really. So I'll experiment from now on continue. Especially the cooking times are purely a matter of practice. Until I've got the hang of it, We are probably still several times mashed potatoes instead “al dente” essen 🙂

In order to keep the list of open work on Gran Canaria as low as possible, haben wir heute morgen noch einmal für zwei Tage ein Auto gemietet, denn Einkaufen kann man ja bekanntlich auch bei schlechtem Wetter. Und alle haltbaren Lebensmittel, die wir jetzt schon gebunkert haben, brauchen wir in Gran Canaria nicht mehr zu kaufen 🙂 So sind schon größere Vorräte an leckeren Obstsäften und Süßigkeiten unter Deck verstaut. Die muss ich nur noch vor dem Kapitän schützen 🙂 Nicht, dass ich auf den Kanaren wieder von vorne anfangen muss 😉

Fully befuddled

10. October 2015Katja Henke

Solvent vapours are not completely foreign to me as a chemist, But today I had a smell experience of a special kind.

Because the weather should be worse this weekend and even rain was announced, had I made me for Saturday, to paint the kitchen cabinets from the inside. Directly after breakfast, I turned the Interior of the CESARINA so again in a battle field, because it had everything back out from the cabinets. Finally everything was empty, was I really impressed with, how much space our new pantry (ship german cuisine) However, bot. Diligently I started, to grind and clean surfaces. I wanted to experience again so not a fiasco like in my first attempts of painting . Everything was prepared, I put the 2-component varnish and began after the wait respect to by 10 Minutes to swing the brush highly motivated.

Actually, the work went me quite easily by hand, but the depth of the cabinets made bothers me a little. The Cabinet underneath the worktop has an impressive width of over a meter more than 60 Cm depth. There, you must creep already in blending, If you want to catch all corners. So kämpfte ich mich hustend im ekligen Gestank durch die Tiefen der Schränke und war nach kurzer Zeit völlig benebelt 🙁 Bald war im ganzen Schiff die Luft so dick, you could cut them into slices. Airing was not possible due to the heavy rain. I had planned this so super – about the odor problem I had made but at all worry me. Und gerade ich sollte es doch besser wissen 🙁

Good, that the MIELI was still with us at the pier in Vilamoura. Emil und Marita gewährten uns Asyl inklusive frischem Kaffee 🙂 Als ich nach vollbrachter Arbeit etwas später zu der Runde stieß, rümpften the three short nose. Anscheindend war ich im Moment eine wandelnde Geruchsbelästigung 🙂 Also verschwand ich schnell unter schnell noch unter der Dusche.

Auch das Abendessen musste heute nochmal außerhalb der CESARINA stattfinden 🙂 Kochen wäre ja auch schwierig gewesen denn die gesamte Einrichtung stand ja noch im Salon herum. So we enjoyed a delicious sushi from Japan us still even four. When we in the evening back on the boat were later, the solvent plumes were already as good as gone, and nothing in the way was our night's rest.

Separate bedrooms or the revenge of the buzzer

9. October 2015Katja Henke

Apparently the time comes in every relationship or marriage at some point, in der getrennte Schlafzimmer gefragt sind 🙂 Das war bei uns jetzt auch der Fall. It sounds now but much more dramatic, When it was really. It was not about marital strife and irreconcilable differences :-). No, which was a totally different cause underlying.

Last Saturday, Dietmar and Christian had, the new owner of the buzzer, the SUMMER with their brand new cover securely “packed”. This was tailored it perfectly on the body and was therefore also like a glove. Attached was around with many hooks and straps on the Seereeling. And to properly install these attachment lines and clamping rubber, had to “Man” under the tarp on her hands and knees crawling, with the weight of the heavy canvas in the back. So Dietmar complained after work on Saturday evening over severe back pain. Apparently, the last occasion had used the SUMMER, and be Avenged on the unfaithful captain. Da konnte ich sie wirklich verstehen 🙂

So we left the Sunday only once quietly go and hoped for improvement. Unfortunately, it was instead better still worse. Heat ointment, Also no relief of the torments brought pain pills and hot water bottle. Forced almost idly next to a huge mountain of work to sit, deteriorated Dietmar mood with each passing day, He went to the country. Well intentioned advice, Finally a doctor to consult , were heard but still beflissentlich. Only on Wednesday after a made by night despite high-dose analgesics , When really nothing at all went, My captain made his way to an osteopath. Our RAYMARINE specialist Janusz raved about the man as a true “Faith healer” and let it not take therefore, Dietmar personally there to go. With so much crush you will healthy almost while listening to.

While the two were, I went on the way, our ordered rental car pick up. Still on the way, I received the message, dass der Kapitän nahezu wieder hergestellt sei 🙂 Nur einmal schlafen und morgen wäre er wieder wie “new”. It sounded very promising. Quite so rosy as described, not the State of health of my dear husband but then developed but still. When I in the evening loaded with the purchases from the hardware store at the port came to, had I wear but better once alone all reasons on board. Did I like to do, I wanted to say yes miracle healing way.

So it went better much him the next morning. But it was very important, due to the fast and careless movements, again to destroy this fragile condition. In the afternoon our coffee pot then made all the progress to niece. Spoke with someone while Dietmar on deck, had I placed the jug with the coffee residues from the breakfast next to him on the bench, so that he could dispose of the coffee grounds over the side when the call. I believed, that he had perceived me and also the jug. Well, believe is as you know don't know. And a short time later the pot and any remaining coffee ended up on the cockpit floor. That would have been not so bad, but when you try, to prevent this, heard an unhealthy and loud resounding crack in the back Dietmar. Now, he could no longer move.

Dinner with Emil and Marita by SY Mieli, today came from Albufeira to Vilamoura, to visit us, He took brave yet behind it, but a subsequent glass wine could no longer imagine Dietmar. So again heat ointment and pain killers on the troubled Cross and go to bed. Ich verbrachte noch einen lustigen Abend mit den Beiden und trank einfach Dietmars Wein mit 🙂 Als ich zurück auf die CESARINA kam, I decided, prefer to sleep in the living room. Dietmar rolled from left to right and with a width of berth 1, 40 m eh no place would have been there for me more free.

The next morning we were both sleepy and tired. The pain had robbed the sleeping Dietmar and unusually narrow bed without me soft mattress. Because a speedy return to common bed in the course of the day was all the more improbable, I set out, Finally the forecastle to dispel. Here we had still a comfortable berth, buried under all the things, yet no new space in the ship had found. Aber nach zwei Stunden hatte ich mir einen tollen Platz für die kommenden Nächte erkämpft 🙂 Das sah wirklich sehr vielversprechend aus.

So Dietmar could cure on his back alone and with uninterrupted sleep on the wide mattress, and I couldn't find even a good night's sleep in the forecastle. Manchmal sind getrennte Betten nicht die schlechteste Lösung 🙂 Trotzdem freue ich mich darauf, When my dear husband is healthy again. Denn eine Dauerlösung ist das zumindest bis jetzt wohl noch nicht 🙂

He came, saw…..and bought

7. October 2015Katja Henke

Yes you should not talk about unlaid eggs, Therefore, we can introduce you today.

Am letzten Freitag hatten wir Besuch 🙂 Der erste Interessent für unsere SUMMER ließ es sich nicht nehmen, get to know the good even in the water. The crane was scheduled for the afternoon, at 2: 30, and Christian was just in time to 10:00 with us at the pier. After a short coffee break the two men once again made up, to turn a lap at sea with the buzzer. Sailing was not possible, no wind today there was. Was a check of all aggregates but also not so tragic, Optimally, the outing was sailing and facilities.

I remained alone on our CESARINA back and tried there, the chaos to fight. This morning we had the last things, more or less ordered over worn. Actually, there was no getting through more – All bags, Boxes and baskets. Only on our bed, in which we so our first “official” Night had spent on our new home, was delivered not with stuff. This should change in the course of the day but.

After lunch the two men were already short back and in the best mood. Now even the second Headsail had to be cut off and stowed in the bow of the buzzer. Also here was Christian Dietmar skillfully to the hand. If he should decide for the SUMMER, would he have met already quite well so in any case. Meine Hilfe wurde heute auf jeden Fall nicht benötigt 🙂 Und auch zum Bootslift fuhren die Beiden auch ohne mich. Maybe a good decision, because I built on the water yet always so close. So I was able to see one last time from a safe distance, how our SUMMER lift ashore has been raised.

By evening, everything was done then. The summer neatly cleaned the Marina was on a stable hard stand on a safe place at the end. The Lords approved himself a well deserved beer of investors and had still have a lot to tell. It went funny in subsequent eating sushi. What a nice and funny guy. We would really like to leave the Yes our SUMMER.

Also on Saturday was still a lot to do. Today, the cover produced specially for the SUMMER would come at last to the usage. She travels with unused for two years already and well packed in one of the back boxes. The building proved to be costly, but the result could be really. Only in the afternoon were Christian and Dietmar back. Now but still important things had to be discussed. Das war ja keine Vergnügungsreise 🙂

In principle, everything was actually clear :-), but on such a decision it must be thought a bit. Also was to have a conversation with the better half, She had unfortunately not so spontaneously with can travel to Portugal. To prepare further steps, füllten wir aber schon einmal den Kaufvertrag komplett aus und vereinbarten eine Bedenkzeit bis Mittwochmittag 🙂

So Christian went on Sunday morning on the way to Germany and we turned to us again our work on and the CESARINA. Slowly came the time in the country and we are guardedly optimistic about powerlessness Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday afternoon, we both were then somewhat frustrated. No message, no call – nothing!!! That matched at all with our first impression of Christian. If he had decided against the SUMMER, dann hätte er sich doch wenigsten gemeldet 🙁 Irgendwie sehr merkwürdig.

Wenig später klärte sich die Situation auf 🙂 Schon am Mittag hatte Christian versucht, to reach us by phone. But somehow, Dietmar phone had boycotted all calls. Also the email then sent arrived only late at night. But about five o'clock Dietmar was again available and could take then but personally opposed the good news:

Our SUMMER is sold!!

And it comes in really good hands in our opinion. We wish them only the best, many great experiences and always a Handspan of water under the keel. To put it simply: Es soll für die Beiden mit der SUMMER so spannend weitergehen wie bisher 🙂

Time, to take stock

4. October 2015Dietmar Henke

Undoubtedly some pretty eventful weeks behind us lie for us. Everything could have been simple, would have us not the CESARINA on the way in the Azores. We had to leave everything, as it was and with an admittedly in every respect continue our journey as planned can perfectly equipped ship. Stress-free, worry-free and with plenty of room and time for more excursions, to know how far country and people to learn. But everything was just different and from the very first day the CESARINA has let me think just more "straight". She has captured me and since that day, was I thinking of you, When I went to sleep in the evening and then again when I am aufgewachte. Every day! So it was at that time also, I got to know Katja or was possessed by the desire as I someday, to start a business. Reason or any general conventions are me since always been always been foreign and have always my wish castles and visions subordinate themselves must.

But the adventure "CESARINA" is somehow playing in another dimension. In contrast to my time as an entrepreneur, I always my ideas and visions could implement in the, because a great team and a strong woman behind me confessed, I stood this time often all alone. Katja had made yet over two months almost daily me, She would get off, If I would stick seriously. She had built it, that the subject over time would burn itself out, If the fever would have laid back. Pieter, the previous owner, had I listed all the disadvantages, that would bring such a ship. He said so aptly, that there is absolutely no rational reason, to decide, but only love and passion could justify this enormous effort. But that was the case and so it was as it had to happen. For two days, the SUMMER's country and we live on our CESARINA.

14 Full work days are now behind us. The first time was in the last three months for a period no longer good with our decision. The reason for this was, I have felt, how much Katja suffers stress induced the ambitious project and the mostly by me. I had the sentence "I can't" only once in the last 15 Is years of her. It was even under the skin. The pace with which we've pushed the conversion of the CESARINA, but it was not bad parents. Which to implement in two months, What we used 2 Years have used, can be considered quite well as "very ambitious". Only at that time, we had engaged a company with the equipment of the SUMMER and today we ourselves are. Yet the fact is, that the SUMMER waiting for a buyer. The long-planned holiday with Katja's mother on Madeira has it on top of that even have to cancel, because the time has not simply would have been sufficient. It was just too much for them and me serious doubts, whether I this time not have exaggerated it. I had offered you, to make your holiday on Madeira with your mother. But leave she didn't want me too. As a wife and partner must think very long search "Man".

Katja's mother will come visit US now so in the Caribbean. There is diving and swimming determined as much fun. Katja has established our CESARINA already very comfortable and beautiful and we look forward to the coming and certainly exciting weeks and distant countries.

My dream has become our dream! What could be better? We are good things, finding a new and hopefully happy owner for our SUMMER. Ever the good feeling is back on board, to have everything done right. Also, I can not deny, very proud to be, that we must continue our journey with a such jewel of construction art. Almost every day we come up with other people in the discussion, take our 'vision' for himself as occasion, to work on the implementation of their own dreams. Das muss nicht unbedingt ein Schiff sein 🙂 Einfach nur das Bewusstsein zu haben, It can be very rewarding, If you are trust, einen Schritt ins Ungewisse zu machen 🙂 Auf sein Gefühl zu hören und etwas zu wagen! Es lohnt sich immer 🙂

SY CESARINA

A log of our travels