The Mighty Catamaran

After being out of the water for a week or two, Serenity II is now back in the water ready for action.
We done a good few jobs to her this year as she really needed it. She's been buffed on the hull and wheelhouse, a couple of patches been fixed where she had been knocked. Engines oils, filters and few other jobs done. Some new valves replaced and her hull anti-fouled.

We have the MCA coming tomorrow to inspect her in the water and all being well, we will be fully coded from the 1st April.

We are still sailing of course but we are limited to numbers through the winter period which means people get a big boat all to themselves.

Fingers crossed everything goes OK tomorrow but for now here is a few pictures of the before and after, then back into the water.

The sunlight was making her go green underneath but it came off really easy. I was a little worried about the height she was off the ground but thankfully we never had to much wind to worry about.

The green all removed.

You can see the difference as we buffed her.

Peter washing down all the mess I had made but what a difference.

Hull painted. Props looking good and I don't twang them on the bottom.

 

A bit of a tight squeeze past Serenity and the other boats.

Loads of room. (Not)

Going passed the Bamburgh Castle Inn and all the people inside watching.

Slowly down the slipway

And finally back into the water. Job well done.

 

Danio... A Year Today

Its hard to believe its a year on Sunday past when the Danio hit the rocks at the end of the Blue Caps. Where does a year go to and this time last year the weather was dreadful.

I remember all the sheep being stuck in the snow in the middle of the lambing season and the seas were unreal.

I still to this day can't believe how lucky the Danio was, as if the winds had been in a northerly direction she would have been ripped to shreds and be lying on the bottom today, but because they were in the east the Longstone Lighthouse and the island came to her rescue.

At least no harm was done and only the pride of the Captain, Captain's Mate and the owner of the ship was dented. Plus the ship.

This story will be talked about in the village for years to come.

Out and About

I have been around the Islands over the last few days and it has been a total pleasure. Calm seas and beautiful sunshine topped of with thousands of seabirds.

Over the last few days the number of seabirds have increased greatly and it great to see. It feels a bit early for them to be here but they seem to be settled and if this weather keeps up I can't see them leaving. I just hope they know the weather better than I do and they will be okay.

As I was looking around today you could see the Shags building their nests and they looked beautiful in the sunlight. The Fulmars are all pairing off and I love watching them fly around the blue skies with little effort.

The Eider Ducks are in full summer plumage and are in the mood for some courtship as they patrol the harbour looking for love. I must admit I do love them and if you have been to Seahouses you will know how tame they are and love a bit of bread. They are very intelligent to as they know the noise and colour of one particular fishing that come into the harbour as they follow it everyday looking for some scraps of food.

The cliff faces were covered in Guillemots and it looked very settled until I revved my engine and then they all flew off in a big circle and then landed again.

The Razorbill were rafting and the water around the Farnes and those little Tommy Noddies (Puffins) were back again. They are cracking birds and no wonder they are the nations favourite with their colourful bills and bright orange feet. They do put a smile on my face.

We still have loads of seals around and they are really enjoying basking in the sun. Its not very often you see as many on the Inner group of Farnes but today we saw loads on the West Wideopens.

We were also treated to 6 Harbour Porpoise going around the boat and it looked as though they were feeding which is a good sign that the water visibility is improving.

All in all and great few days around the Farnes and hopefully this is just the start of it.