Whether it’s climate change or a natural progression the Sahara is definitely on the move and an irritating amount of it keeps being deposited on our deck. Yesterday John had just finished cleaning everything down and polishing the brightwork, ready for us to set off on our first voyage IN FIVE YEARS. Last night it rained and today he is out swabbing again. The good news is the water did not come in. The work he did resealing the joints on deck kept it all out. So far we have spent a couple of weeks cleaning, carrying out repairs and checking the systems. Finally the dominoes are falling into place. All the bagged and stored books and bedding are in out. The engine starts, Broadsword can converse with Danny Boy, the sails come out and go back in again. (Granted a bit of trim is dangling from the mainsail, but it is not vital and the worst it can do is fall off into the water rather than onto the deck.) All the new instruments are working and today John has managed to re register the new set on the AIS, so other craft will be able to see us coming. If it doesn’t rain again tonight Lyra will be at her sparkling best.

So tomorrow watch out world here we come!