First overnight stay on board

Date: Dec 30, 2016

Weather: Drizzly in the evening, sunny the next morning  
Waters: Fairly flat
On board: C and A  
New gear on board: Cushions, potted plants, kettle, kitchen linens, bathroom and kitchen sundries 

We scheduled an overnight stay, specially to spray-paint the length of the anchor chain/rope at 5-metre intervals for a visual guide on just how much of it is paid out;  we were also expecting to meet Peter, the guy who will install carpet runners below deck. 

Arrived at the marina just past 4pm, headed for berth F11 (where Eric had earlier berthed the boat) and met Peter. With his two assistants, he had taken templates to make button-down runners that will protect the pale beige carpet lining the below-deck area. Eric had recommended these canvas overlays, which can be easily removed for passengers to enjoy the soft carpet - such as when everyone is all showered and has clean feet!  

We picked a pale beige canvas, just like the colour of the carpet. It will cost $750 and be ready in a week. 

The drizzle came and went, and we nearly couldn't get started on marking the anchor chain/rope with spray paint amid the wet. When it seemed drizzled out, C and A laid out all 30 metres of the chain/rope in five-metre zig-zags on the deck. 

Tape measure, old newspapers and
some back exercises.

We applied a layer of "flat white" (matt white) paint at five-metre intervals,
so that the second coat of fluorescent orange would pop. The hardware store
told us that, without the white, the fluorescent orange wouldn't
be truly day-glo.  

 
As we waited for the paint to dry, we brewed our first cups of coffee on the stove, using our Ikea whistling kettle and some Jed's coffee bags.

Below-deck area looking cosy with cushions,
bedsheet, flannel blanket, kettle, coffee cups and
(fake!) plants.  Almost like home.    

Time to enjoy a coffee and a ciggie while watching paint dry (literally). 

 We sprayed on the orange an hour later - not before A photographed another of the marina's spectacular sunsets:

Do we really need a caption for this? 

We then adjourned to the marina's bar for dinner and wine, and finished the wine later on board, sitting on the swim platform, just enjoying the quiet of the marina and the blue underwater lights. 

Retired for the night and were planning a shower on board the next morning, but thought better of doing this, because the marina was rapidly getting crowded; lots of boats were being launched for folks taking a New Year's Eve trip out. We canned the shower plan and C took his first drive back to the marina from berth F11. A, waiting by the dock, helped tie the boat when C pulled in without incident. Yay!