Year 3 -21 January 2026 – Galle - Sri Lanka
It was a nice morning when we woke and we had some papaya and yoghurt for breakfast and Paul again made scrambled eggs.
Peter worked on improving the system we have of getting ashore which had come loose. I charged the batteries and we were waiting for the electricians to come and put a point near where we are moored. They came about 10.00am and we were able to connect up to shore power again which was good and very useful for when we go on tour in a couple of days’ time.
Mark started to take the top off the starboard main winch which looked a bit lopsided. When pulling the boat in the other night a riding turn came on the winch and pulled up the top area.
We did get the top off and it seemed the thread was a bit bent. We therefore called an engineer who took the winch off and we took it to a workshop nearby where they will fill in the thread and create a new one. I just hope they know what they are doing and can put it all back together again.
I have not heard from Transworld Yachts about the help required for the furling repairs and will make contact later today.
Rhys went off to town and Peter went for a swim. When Rhys came back, he and Mark went off to the beach to continue their surfing careers. Paul helped work on the winch and then rested.
When I came back from the workshop I tidied up and had had enough. I therefore went off to the beach and met Rhys and Mark. We had a good swim and they surfed and are getting on their feet now and are quite good. It was great to have a cold beer after a swim looking at this lovely beach with the waves rolling. It seems we are miles away from the news in the world- Trump, Davos, Greenland and Ukraine to name a few issues going on. It is good to be away from it all.
We came back and had a sundowner and changed and went for supper which was good.
Paul’s wife Judith flies in overnight and we need to prepare for our two-week tour which I am looking forward to but I need to arrange for someone to look after Stormbird.
The picture of the day is of Stormbird anchored in our new position off the wall in the commercial harbour.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town (mid June to end of July) and from Cape Town to the Azores and then to the UK (mid August onwards). If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com