So what exactly have we been doing I hear you ask……
Certainly spending lots of euros in the local M Bricomache!
We have had the hull done underneath and up the sides by the guys here and we are generally working our way around the rest……
Never fast …… you know what it’s like….. try to do one thing and you find 3 more that need doing. And we are battling with the ‘Mr Bodge-it’ and ‘slap-it-on’ type approach of our predecessor. So everything takes much longer that expected. It does mean, however, that we are getting to know Piedaleau intimately and we are trying wherever possible to solve and fix problems rather than just ‘paper over’ them. An example is the top lockers…. just needed to do the rails around the outside but then looked inside, saw rust and grot and did it out properly. Took about 6 different coats of paint! I got a little high on the fumes inside at times but you could eat your dinner off it now.
The high temperatures also didn’t help the painting but we now have the correct thinners and new paint ready to go. So it started raining over the weekend. If in doubt do more preparation of other areas and get waylaid but the new problems that you uncover!!!
The boatyard is more like a boat-owners-do-it-yourself club – lots of people working away, strange noises and some very bizarre sites..
I think we must be a little mad but I’m hoping that the sense of achievement we gain at the end of it will be worth all the sanding down, washing down and painting. Doesn’t sound so much when listed like that but me poor old knees know all about it! Just as well Adrian isn’t woriied by ladders as he’s spending quite a lot of time high up trying to do the sides.
We are also having enjoyable ad hoc evenings with other boaters. Comparing notes, tips, advice and usually sharing several bottles.
Piedaleau 