Weekly update !!

Hello to all our faithful friends and followers!!  I am sorry to say that I am writing you from Cornwall!!  Although, since my last post, we have made some progress!!  Joe from Roger's Marine came on Monday, and with George's help, the two of them managed to get the transmission out...not an easy job!!  They then took it to the shop and discovered that the output coupler is shot!!!  All the mechanics out there know what I am talking about, but for the rest of us, essentially, it is the 'gear' within the transmission that helps us change gears.  At some point in it's history, it was not installed properly so had extra movement in it, causing it to bang up against the 'o' ring, wearing it out, and then allowing transmission fluid to leak into the bilge, at which point we became aware of the problem!!  Eventually, the teeth would have worn down and then we would have lost the ability to change gears too.....hmmm (sort of like the teeth on the cogs of a bicycle gear)  All in all, although it is frustrating to be now so far behind on our planned sailing schedule, we are also glad that this sort of problem has shown itself early enough that we can do something about it while in a comfortable location!!  So, for your viewing pleasure, this is how Monday went:

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Copper silicone compound that was supposed to get hard.....

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emptying port cockpit locker to help facilitate removal of transmission








 

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attempting to reach transmission bolts from 'the back door'....ie cockpit locker.....now if we can just figure out how to get him out of there....

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Taa-Daa!!!  Transmission out!












Okay, now on to more fun stuff!!

After we took out the transmission, we decided to move the boat over closer to the marina office.  This puts us closer to the river (Yea!!  30 feet closer to our destination!!), but also we have a beautiful view of Cornwall Island and the river, we catch a lovely breeze which keeps us at a nice temperature, and we are closer to the bathrooms and showers!!!

Due to our lengthy stay, we have gotten to know quite a few of the 'seasonal' boaters here...all of whom have been wonderful!  Everyone has been very friendly and helpful.  On Tuesday, Mark, on Full Tan, asked us if we wanted to get out of the harbour and go for a boat ride!  We quickly agreed that would be a great idea, and so he took us out for our own private, guided tour of the Cornwall waterfront!  He was a wonderful guide, as he has grown up in the area and knew all the stories behind the various landmarks!  While we were out, the only other sailboat at the marina ran in to some engine problems (??!! what's with sailboats and their engines????!!).  Art owns 'Victory', and also lives across the street from Mark, so we ended up 'rescuing' Art and his partner, Madeline, and successfully towed them back to the marina!!

Captain Mark  aka 'The Mayor'

We are starting to share the water with the big boys now!

towing  the Victory home!

Art and Madeline, enjoying the ride?

Wednesday we walked out to the Lamoureux Park and enjoyed a concert in the park by the Seaway Winds!!  I had forgotten my camera, so unfortunately, no photos of the park, but it is amazing!!  I don't think I have seen so much parkland!  Very impressive.  I bet it takes up about a kilometer of the waterfront!  They also have a lovely bike/walk trail that follows the water as well as meanders up and in to the park, ultimately leading to Water St. and the town.

Yesterday, Elizabeth and John came for a quick visit and dinner.  They are off to get their boat in the water and start their boating season!!  We have enjoyed a number of visits with them as they keep their boat close by, so have been able to drop by on the weekends to both Prescott and Cornwall!  Although George and I have enjoyed a number of meals in the cockpit, last night was the first time we were able to entertain our friends out there due to the history of inclement weather!!!  It was lovely to finally enjoy sitting in the cockpit with a cool drink, enjoying a meal (kung pao noodles) with good friends, and listening to...you guessed it!...Mediterranean Cafe!!!!!  (inside joke for all my long-suffering family members!)  Since we are on the subject, for the foodies out there, a couple of pictures of meals we have enjoyed so far.

Father's Day supper

Gado Gado....'an Indonesian extravaganza'!!

I will sign off for now....I have been trying to download a tour of the wyvern for you, but having problems, so will send it on another post!  Meanwhile I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and summer, too has finally (and officially!) arrived!  Happy Summer Solstice!