Year 3 -25 February 2026 – Kochi- India

It was another cool morning when we woke and we had banana pancakes for breakfast which was good for a change.

I was waiting to hear when the engineers were to come to deal with the water pressure cylinders. Whilst we were waiting we had a look at the bilges which had a little water in them. We decided to add more water and to flush the water out. Once we started putting water in the automatic bilge pump kicked in and so we know that is and will work if the water gets to a certain level. We flushed it out a few times and it looked better and was in a clearer condition.  

We fiddled about and Mark went off for a swim and I heard that the engineers were coming about 3.00pm. I therefore joined Mark for a swim and to sit and read by the pool before they arrived. There was a nice breeze too.

I returned and the engineers came and they had a new pressure cylinder which they wanted to try. This unfortunately was the wrong size so they took one of my cylinders away to a store and later returned with one which seemed to be the right size and they fitted it and it seems to be working. They will return on the 27th with a second one to fit and so hopefully I will have two pressurised cylinders -one for each tank.  

We have still not found out where the gas leak is from (assuming the alarm is not faulty) and they will need to pressure test the system to see whether there is a leak or not. The outboards - they will take away soon to service them and they are trying to find someone who is familiar with the water maker so we shall see. 

Once the guys had gone we showered and changed and then went for supper in the hotel which was reasonable and cheap.

We returned to Stormbird and had a beer and then bed. It had been a hot humid day. It was a bit boring but days like this are where you are being and having to get things fixed and organised.  

  The picture of the day is the view from our cockpit across at night to the other side of the channel

 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 one crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town (mid June to end of July). 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