Year 3 -28 February 2026 – Kochi- Another Jobs day -India

I woke early and then went back to sleep. It was a pleasant morning when I properly woke. I had a fruit and yoghurt breakfast and caught up with the world and before I knew it my driver was there to take me to the tool shop and the barbers.

We got to the tool shop and we tried 2 or 3 but they do not seem to have 4.5-inch angle grinder discs here. They have 4 inch and 5 inch but not 4.5inch. I therefore sent my brother a text to bring some out when he comes in about 3.5 weeks’ time. However, I did manage to get some small drill bits as a few have been broken. The barber did a good job and made me look a bit more respectable than the wild man of Borneo that I had gradually become!! It cost me £1.50 and he did a good job. What are we normally charged in the UK? Crazy spice so he got a good tip.

I returned to Stormbird looking a bit smarter and the examined the work in the engine room regarding the new water pressure cylinders. These had been working fine but the fittings (round brackets) to hold the cylinders in place were fitted to about 6-7 small pieces of wood in a sandwich type operation. This looked very mickey mouse and was not that stable and would not have survived rolly seas very well. I also noticed a few screws not screwed in fully. I therefore photographed the situation and sent them to the agent explaining that I was not happy with these fittings etc. To his credit he understood and said he would deal with it.

In the meantime I got on with other things. The carpet in my cabin needed cleaning and so I took it out on to the pontoon and hosed it down and then scrubbed it with a brush and soapy water and then hosed it again and hung it over the boom to dry which took all day. I also took the carpet out of the bunk room and did the same and both gave me good results. At the end of the day they were dry and fitted back in dry and clean.

The light fitting in the engine room had been knocked by someone coming out so I glued it back in place again. The securing fitting on the electrical panel was not closing properly so I took it part and oiled it and checked the ball bearings were in place and working – and after this refresh it worked.

I used the washing machine to do two loads of washing that needed doing and this included the tea towels. The washing dried quickly and was soon inside and back in place again. I filled the soap dispensers in each heads with some liquid soap I had on board.    

Buckets were used and everything put back in place.

The Italian boat nearby had to leave today as their visa was running out and he could not stay any longer. He had decided to go to Oman. Franco the Skipper came over and needed a new shackle for his genoa which I had so I gave it to him. He had all sort of works going on during the day and was supposed to leave at lunchtime. They did not actually leave until about 4.30pm and I helped them with their lines as they left. I was going to invite them for a drink this evening but there we go. I wish them a safe passage. They left without any life jackets and fuel jerry cans on deck which were not strapped down etc. A different attitude to safety.

I got on with some packing and preparing for what I need for my two-week trip with Jules.

Binu, the guy who runs the maintenance company came over and he had obviously heard from the agent about the pressure tank fittings and he brought some different men over. They agreed the current fitting was not good and they said they will make a steel arch to which the fittings were fitted. They went off and came back about 5.30pm with the fabricated steel arch which they proceeded to fit. One of the guys had to go off and get some further parts but they eventually finished about 8.00pm and I inspected the work and was happy with it. There were no loosed screws and the whole structure was very solid.

It was getting late so I had some eggs on toast with salad and a cheese platter which was good.

I had been reading up about the situation in the Middle East and realised that it may affect Jules’s flight out which was going via Abu Dhabi. We liaised and I then heard that the flight has been cancelled and I am still waiting to hear the alternatives? I hope she will be able to find a way to get here reasonably quickly.      

The picture of the day is even more exciting!! It is the new fitting for the pressure tanks!! I took no other photos today.   

 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