Author: Scott
"Big Red" is gone, gone to where all engines go when they spectacularly fail. I don't think there will be a rebuilding reincarnation for the old dog, yes I think Red is headed to that big scrap pile in the sky. Bye Red, may you be turned into dog food cans before you rust away into oblivion.
Yesterday the Bob and Rob team showed up at ten to give Starship an engineectomy. That's right, they came, they cut wires and pulled hoses, and with impressive efficiency they ripped the sucker right out of Starship. Actually, we were quite fortunate to have access to two cranes on the RANSA dock that are normally used to lift race boats in and out of the water. The whole operation was really quite interesting. First, Bob and Rob removed a solar panel, partially removed our dodger, and then disconnected Red from its lifelines. We then pulled the boat across the fairway using a very long rope. Starship was positioned under the crane and with minimal effort she was rendered engineless. I think I suffered more on my last trip to the dentist! Bob and Rob proved to be quite innovative. Whenever faced with a challenge they would scratch their heads, mull a little, pull out some obscure and large tool, and in a flash the problem would be sorted out. When Red was free of the boat we held the beast three feet off the parking lot for all of our inspection. It was interesting how small and helpless the ferocious monster seemed when it was just hanging there in space. We then pulled Starship back to her berth and the surgery was complete. The efficiency of the whole experience gives us great confidence for the successful insertion of the new mechanical creature.
After Bob and Rob departed we turned our attention to a completely different task, we packed up our belongings to head over to the Marshalls of Paddington Bed and Breakfast. We are still in awe that such recently made friends have offered for us to stay at their Bed and Breakfast while they are away for the week. Once settled into our lovely new surroundings we headed out to "Five Ways" an intersection of five streets in the Marshall's neighborhood that hosts a number of local restaurants, stores and businesses. The culinary world was our oyster and we finally settled on scrumptious Thai food for dinner.
Today was a lazy day spent at the B&B. We were even more fortunate to stay at our new home away from the boat because a big storm from the south settled over Sydney, dumping buckets of rain. We were able to turn our attention to updating our journal, website and other BlindSailing administrative tasks. While poor Starship sat wallowing in the hostile weather, we were warm and dry on land in Paddington. Although we are now Sydneysider castaways waiting for our engine replacement, I can think of no better way to be riding through the literal and figurative storm than at the Marshall's B&B. Thanks Donna and David!
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