Arguing with the system!

Hello, updating the blog after we had trouble accessing it. Sadly I think we have lost all our images! I'm sure we will get them back on soon!

Sorry.

Now on facebook!

We've set up a page on Facebook for Shoestring: Come and join us here!

Sailing updates!

Caught up reef lines are rare but a pain to free without lowering the main!

Sorry for lack of updates! Must try harder, especially now I've done a nice shiny new website for Shoestring!

First sail of the season went out in March. We took Michael's Mum and Dad up river to Lawrenny and back. Quite fun, fair wind and was made a bit more dramatic by a shackle on the jib giving out sending the Jig flying from the forward stay and whipping ropes behind it. -All sorted out and fixed now!


Second sail was slower but equally fun. We went out last week down river this time to Milford Haven. Wind was hardly a Force 1, so progress was mostly motor-sailing or dead slow. But we weren't in a rush so it was enjoyable to just potter along. We still managed to break a cleat behind the starboard winch, the screws had rusted away so it simply snapped off under a very light load.

A seal swimming in near the LNG terminal came over to say hello and show off that with the lack of wind he could move faster.


We turned at Milford Haven to head up river -and down wind towards the mouth of the Pembroke River, The Pennar Gut, which together with being out of the main channel of the Haven is also a nice quiet spot to anchor.

We had lunch there at anchor then with no wind at all started to head back to Neyland.

Michael "posing" at the helm. He has been told off over lack of his life jacket!

Waiting for the new season

King is waiting for the 2009 sailing season to star, hopefully we'll get a chance to get her back up to scratch for the spring and summer.

Restoring the boards

We took Shoestring's floor home with us just after Christmas so it could be stripped back and restored. The varnish had been re-painted several times and was looking a bit tired.

Luckily to help with this, we found an orbital sander in Tescos for £7.80, it did a great job! The floor looks like new, just the varnish to add before we re-fit it.

Next it is time to tackle the cockpit restoration and cabin sides!