A ‘Working’ Week

A bit of a break from my ‘normal’ routine this week as I spent a lot of time doing some paid work on another boat.

It was a simple job but quite a taxing one. Long neglected muscles were shocked into action and boredom had to be fought.

‘Stardust’ is a fairly new 44ft Leopard catamaran. She’d had 14 solar panels fitted to her huge roof. They’d all been well bedded onto the diamond textured GRP with Sikaflex.

Unfortunately some of these PV panels had failed. The owner Matt decided he wanted them all removed and the GRP restored back to original.

It was a 4-stage process.

1. Slice into the Sika all around the panel using my old faithful Fein multi-tool fitted with a scraper blade.
2. Follow up with a hammer and thin paint scraper to finish slicing through the Sika. Pull up the panel as it released and cut through the remaining Sika until it came free.
3. Fire up the multi-tool again and carefully scrape away as much of the remaining Sika as possible without damaging the GRP.
4. Using a small electrical screwdriver carefully scrape Sika out of the diamond pattern. Finish off with fibre brush fitted to a power driver.

I put in 30 hours this week. With what Matt had already done and including the help he gave during the week I’m guessing it took some 60 man-hours to finish the job. Like I said, taxing.

That aside I kind of enjoyed it. It bought back memories of all the long hours I spent working on ‘tedious’ tasks when I was building ‘Gleda’. Sanding, mixing epoxy, sanding, filleting, sanding.

Doing that work taught me a few things. Don’t think about how long it’s going to take or how much is left to do. Focus on what you’re doing right now and just keep going. Use the time to ponder life, the Universe and everything. Do that and before long you’ll find it’s done.

So now I’ve got a few more Euros in my pocket and a head full of thoughts and ideas to work on.

Thanks to Matt and Laurie for giving me the work opportunity and for inviting Gail and I to share that wonderful Japanese food last night.

WRITING

Progress had been slow this week. I’ve not actually written anything new. Rather than charge ahead I decided to go back over the rough draft of the first few chapters and re-write.

I’m much happier with them and now have a good solid foundation to move forward.

The theme of the book seems to be changing as I write. It’s beginning to look as if there will be more about my philosophy of life, the lessons I’ve learned and the transformations I’ve experienced.

I want this book to help and inspire others. That’s not going to happen if I focus too much on the boatbuilding. We’ll see. I’m writing what I feel the need to write and I may yet end up in an entirely different place.

HEALTH

Two runs completed this week and a new goal achieved. Yesterday (Saturday) I made it all the way to the beach at Cala Cortina without stopping. That’s just over 3 kilometres (2 miles).

A selfie seemed appropriate.

Both runs have been early in the morning and I’ve really enjoyed them. It feels like I’m creating a good habit.

GLEDA

I’ve done nothing but Gail has been busy in the soft furnishing department.

Some friends of ours have just had their boat re-upholstered and kindly let us have their old cushions and backrests.

Gail has been going through them seeing how we could re-use the foam and covering material. It’s much better quality than ours.

She’s already found some that almost fit the helm seat in the pod.

Midweek she had a guy come give us a quote for re-making the saloon seating cushions with better foam and the same leatherette material. We’ve lived with less than comfortable for nearly three years. This upgrade is well overdue.

THE REST

Pretty much everything else has lapsed this week so I’m aiming to kick things up a gear in the coming one.

More writing.

Pick up the Spanish again.

Sort out the affiliate links mentioned last weekend.

Some ‘Gleda’ work if weather permits.

I’ll leave you with a couple of photos I took yesterday. Dragon Boat racing. Cartagena; Always something new.