March 12th 2001, Monastir
TO DO LISTS
According to Tunisians summer has definitely started. Spring does not exist and winter, jumps to summer in the beginning of March. So far the weather has proven them right. We do not care as long as we can continue sanding and varnishing.
Our to-do list is still the same, but more items get a tick "DONE" behind them. And our motivation to continue is clearly visible on deck. All hatches are put back in place, with shiny (Marits polish work) metal parts and window-openers. You need sunglasses, if you look at them. One look at that sight and we refind the energy to continue with the other parts. Marit is busy with the cockpit and Roland has attacked the mast. Swinging in a chair, hoisted slowly as yes another meter is scraped down of its old paint (the International two-part epoxy paint only lasted six months). But we are approaching the top. Widely and loudly encouraged by the rest of the marina as the sound from the sanding-machine from the top of the mast can not be missed.
Two more days and than the first of 5 layers of varnish will be applied. What a joy that will be.
Thanks to Reinier and Bobby (the neighbour) the website is now enriched with a german version of all texts. I owe them eternally and shall think of them, when the first german client books.
In the mean time we are planning ahead. We will probably leave Monastir around the 15th of April, to make our passage to Malta. Through the intervention of Marits father (who had dealings with shipyards in Malta in the past) we are talking to a yard and probably are lifted out of the water for a two-week period by the end of April. To fix the last leakage along the stern and the fitting of the autopilot. Sailing Sylphe will never be the same after that. Those long nights behind the helm, with no one to make a coffee for you, because they are lying in their bunks, puking (Kenan, Jeroen and Marjon) will belong to the past. When the autopilot is fitted I can make it myself and leave Sylphe to modern technology……….Ahhh, those sweet days.
Still no news on a new assignment for Marit, so she will be able to help me get Sylphe on her way to Malta. As long as she promised, not to accept an assignment, which keeps her busy till beyond September the 15th, I am happy. She HAS to be present during these years Cannes and St. Tropez events.
We still have not seen anything of Tunisia, and we probably should be ashamed, but such is life. Ruud and Marjan (our latest visitors) did not get far either during their weeks visit. They made it all the way to Sousse, one day and returned exhausted… Still, I think they had a great time. Reinier and Brigitte actually made it to the desert, the camels and the salt-lake…. and also came back exhausted. So, it does not make much difference.
Together with Nynke and Jim, we tried to organise an activity for all these people in the marina and came up with the idea of a 'model-boat-regatta" The idea is to make something that floats, is no longer than 1 meter and with only the aid of the wind be the fastest over the finishline, 100 meters further downwind. Leaflets were made in three languages, posters were hung everywhere, prizes arranged…we thought the idea was quite neat. Some creativity could be set free. And since all these people have got nothing to do, we thought it would be a big hit. However, during todays BBQ, we had to cancel the whole event, due to a lack of competitors. A whole number of two had subscribed (one of them was mine). So another lesson learned……. For a group of people spending the winter here and being bored to death, even this escapada was too much. I guess it fell out of the imaginary scale, which beside the BBQ probably only includes the idea of a BINGO. Well they certainly killed my creativity. I focus on the mast from now on ………
Talk to you later
Love Roland and Marit
PS a new french saying has arisen here in Monastir: Pas trop vite le matin, et doucement l'apres midi.
(In Eglish: Not too fast in the morning and slowly in the afternoon)