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Patrik Naindenel
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Jun 18 2022
Back onboard Luna Azzurra
Then I am back again onboard Luna Azzurra. As we wrote two weeks ago, this trip were needed.
This to finish up a few things before our holiday later this summer:
- Installation of the anchor chain counter. http://www.quickitaly.com/en
- Service on the engine (oil, filters, water pump etc.). https://www.volvopenta.com/
- Installation of the inverter. https://www.victronenergy.com/
- Installation of a healing meter. https://silvasweden.uk/
I drove down Sunday which make life easier on the roads. No trucks allowed in Switzerland. So it took me a little more than 6 hours and then with a stop at the supermarker in Varese to buy food etc.
Monday I was up early to start with the anchor chain counter. As the sky was totally clear and it should be approx. 32°C. It was better to start early and be finished before lunch. I had to change the sensor itself and install a new magnet on the gipsy on the winch. This ment to take down the forward wall in the forward cabin.
Over all this went good and with no drama. When everything was correct installed came the time to calibrate the counter. to do this you measure the length of the chain around the gipsy, for us 25cm. Then feed this in to the remote. This done then test and see that it is correct in the real world too. Which is was. 1 point off the list.
Tuesday it was even hotter so I took the opportunity to install the inverter, two sockets so we can charge the epropulsion battery or our computers among other things. I installed a shunt and a Victron BMV712 instrument this so we can see how much battery power we have left. This job was not that heavy so it fitted good a hot day. In the end everything worked perfect and I was able to charged the epropulsion battery.
Wednesday the it was time for engine service. Started early with running the engine and get the old engine oil up in temperature. Connected the oil extraction pump, which is of a vacuum type. You pump 5 times then it suction out the oil by itself. Installed new oil and fuel filter. Filled up oil again.
Then it was time to change the impeller in the seawater pump. As one bolt was broken I had to organise new bolts, But in the end that was everything which was not good. With everything done it was time to start up the engine again. To see that the water pump working and to check for leaks, oil or water. No leaks detected so we are good to go.
Thursday was a more easy day, could sleep longer and just take care of some small stuff plus start writing this post and vacuum and clean the boat.
Friday I will leave for home again. Time goes quick when you have fun.
Jun 11 2022
A Lovely Trip
Patrik and I decided to take the day off on Friday.
After the pandemic we were finally able to visit my 94-year-old aunt, who lives in “Brunnen”, central Switzerland.
It’s a very scenic village (or more of a small town these days), which lies directly at the Lake of Lucerne! As a child I spent quite a lot of time in this area, and I treasure many happy memories ☺
Here are some pics, we hope you enjoy them 🥰
Jun 04 2022
A Successful Week
Our week in Loano was very effective and we completed our (most important) tasks!
The old bench in the salon is finally gone and instead our new sideboard shines on its place! It took almost the whole day, since we realized that we had to cut the hight a bit. But it was worth the extra effort!
What a transformation it is. The galley/salon looks completely different and suddenly there is so much more storage 🤩 I didn’t have the time yet to organize it, but we are more than happy about the change!
Then the new Raymarine radar was installed! That also took its time, since first I had to haul up Patrik a couple of times. My turn came as well (still afraid of hights, though), as I had to feed the new cable through the small hole in the mast. It was too heavy for me to pull it down on deck.
Afterwards, Patrik had to get up again in order to mount the new radar. In the end – and after several tests – the case was closed, and the updated instrument works perfectly *check*
Patrik’s next job was to install the new depth-sounder. That work was also completed nicely and now we can measure the depth again, what a relief! It makes boating a lot easier ⛵
A few other things were done, such as to find a good spot for our e-bikes *check*, stocked up basic supplies, such as coffee, pasta, some tins and 72 bottles of water! *check* I also prepared the guest cabin for the summer. Our friend Pascale will be joining us the first week of our vacation 😎🥂
Luckily, the weather was rather cloudy and rainy at the beginning of the week. So it was OK to do what we had to do.
It changed on Friday and especially Saturday when we had to drive home again. The sun came out and the temps climbed up to 33° C! It was such a shame that we couldn’t go out sailing like many others did.
Instead, we cleaned Luna Azzurra on Friday afternoon and went out for dinner in the evening. In the morning we quick-decided to visit Kla and Gualtiero, aka MALDIMARE, in Andora. They did such a fantastic job by re-doing Luna Azzurra’s salon, so we brought them a bottle of prosecco and thanked them personally! GRAZIE AMICI!
On Saturday morning we did all the laundry. Just after 12 lunchtime we said good-bye to our yacht and to Loano – alla prossima volta e ciaooooo 💖
Patrik will most probably drive down one more time in June or July. We still have to fix the boat chain counter – also a huge help when anchoring 😅 Our chain isn’t marked with colour or some plastic clips, the way others do. For obvious reasons: We don’t want to pollute the sea with bits of (micro-) plastic 🐬 Therefore, we opted for the chain counter!
Aaah, and he’ll also mount the new pedestal for the table in the salon! It just arrived and looks very fancy ✨ The hight can be adjusted on this model, which will be very comfy (after we have a fitting matrass of course 😉).
I’m sure he’ll do this and that too….. One never runs out of work with a boat *haha*
Wish you all a fantastic week, take care!
May 21 2022
Loano, we’re coooooming !
Saturday today and we’re on our way to Loano *yeah* ⛵
Next week we’ll spend on board Luna Azzurra and hopefully will manage to shorten our to-do list 😅
That’s
- Replacing the radar (we’re still discussing who will be the lucky one, hanging on the mast. Hopefully not me, because, unfortunately, I’m afraid of heights. I know, I know, not very practical with a sailing boat… 🤣)
- FINALLY remove the bench between galley and salon and mount the cupboard
- Fix the anchor chain counter, and get it working (counting the meters)
- Filling up our water storage under the bench (preparing for our summer vacation)
- And bits and pieces (which will be a lot again, I’m afraid 🙄)
Well, mostly we’ll enjoy being on our beautiful yacht. With or without work. We’ll make sure to have some spare time for the odd beer or glass of wine 😉
So long and be good!
May 14 2022
Eventually Convinced
Originally, my idea was to buy “normal” bikes – foldable of course since we’ll have them on board.
Being on a boat usually means you won’t get much movement. So, by having an ordinary bike, we would get the exercise we would lack, while exploring the surroundings on land (or simply go grocery shopping).
Well, Patrik wasn’t veeeeery enthusiastic about my thoughts and tried to convince me otherwise, whenever we discussed this topic. In the end he just ordered an e-bike and so I saw myself a tiny little bit forced to buy one as well.
I mean, imagine this: Say we are in Corsica – which is hilly, it’s 37 deg. C, sunshine and Patrik sitting on his e-bike, cycling easily and smiling uphill. Now I’m coming with my non-e-bike, puffing, sweating, red-faced…. 🥵 Until I would finally reach Patrik, the break is over, and we continue our adventure. Not very tantalizing I must admit 🙄
In the end I gave in and ordered my own one on May 02nd. The delivery was scheduled for the day after. Only that it never arrived, although the tracking said the parcel was delivered. Was it karma? 🤨
After contacting the company and explaining the situation, they checked and decided the parcel must have been lost somewhere during the transport. They would send me a new one immediately!
WOW, what a customer support! And so I received my e-bike on Wednesday, and it looks very nice. It’s also easy to handle (important for me). Is that karma???
However, time will show if both bikes were worth the money and if the promises can be kept!
We’ll definitely keep you updated 😎
Pictures of Patrik’s electric bike above.
May 07 2022
It’s Time to Empty The Tanks
Today Patrik and I post a theme which is a special heartfelt wish to us.
The 07th of May marks the 10th anniversary of the Empty The Tanks Worldwide Event. It’s a global call to action to end the dolphin and whale captivity and pressure the marine park industry to stop using animas for entertainment.
So undoubtedly, we wanted to be a part of this movement!
The pandemic showed us that being locked up is no way to live, but for these captive animals the confinement never ends.
They are endlessly suffering in artificial tanks, most of them heavily traumatized from the capture, many had to witness the brutal slaughter of their family members.
So how can you help?
Wherever you are in the world, you can join the Empty the Tanks movement. Use the official event map to find an event near you and stand with others against cetacean captivity.
You can also do your part from home on May 07th. Create a poster or download one from the Empty The Tanks site, take a selfie and upload on social media, using the hashtags #SelfieForCetaceans and #EmpthyTheTanks.
Luckily, in 2012 the Swiss Parliament decided on an import ban for cetaceans, after eight dolphins had died within three years in the last existing dolphinarium called Conny-Land. In 2013 it finally closed, and the remaining two dolphins were sent to a sanctuary in Jamaica.
Therefore, Patrik and I participate on social media and we’re happy about this fact!
We certainly hope that many people join the cause, and that these degrading dolphin shows soon will belong to the past!
Create a poster or download one from the Empty The Tanks site
And never forget: The facial expression of a dolphin is their doom – they keep “smiling”, even when being tortured.
Apr 02 2022
Shetland Island
so A week ago I had to visit Shetland Island. As it was the first time for me to be on Shetland I really looked forward to it. Even though it did make my trip to USA more complicated.
To come to Shetland Island is not that easy and quick. From Switzerland I needed three flights. First Zurich- Amsterdam then Amsterdam – Aberdeen then last Aberdeen – Shetland. It took me 10 hours to make this trip.
I arrived late evening to the super tiny airport with the smallest baggage claim belt I have ever seen. The length of the belt was approximately 10 meter.
When arriving my taxi pick up was waiting and which was organised by our customer, This make it smooth and quick to come to the hotel in Lerwick.
The day after I was picked up by my customer outside the hotel, Then I needed a safety brief before allowed in on the power plant. When in I was presented to everyone and shown around to see our equipment.
Second evening I stayed at the hotel and went to bed early. Third evening I took a stroll through Lerwick downtown and harbour.
Then the day after I was out early to the airport heading for London where I needed to take a PCR test before my trip to Huron, South Dakota, USA, But that is another story which will come another time.
We care……you may too with your next donation?
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