Countdown to take off

OMG only 17 days to go before we set off on  our much anticipated voyage up the coast of WA, hopefully to the Montebellow Islands off the coast of Dampier on the aptly titled "full Monte" cruise (thanks Nick - great title :) !)  We were originally going to go last year but our yacht Mika was not even close to being ready as we were only half way through an extensive refurb and then our little dog Remi got diagnosed with lymphoma, so we cancelled the trip and rescheduled for this year. She went through chemo but sadly succumbed to the disease and died last week, but she did really well on the chemo and had an extra year. - she was very much loved and will be fondly remembered!

So there we were with Mika pretty much ready to go and then we decided that our lives clearly were not stressful enough, so we bought a new boat to cruise on with only weeks to go. This stemmed from the fact that our cruising buddies Nicka nod Robyn, went and got a bigger boat and we had a severe case of yacht envy! :)

So we have been madly trying to get the new boat ready to go, with a lift, bum scrub and hull polish.  Mike and I would like to thank Rob, Nick, Robyn, Dad & Mum for all their help with the boat and keeping the house running during this frantic time.

During the time on the hard stand, the first thing that came off was the old name and the renaming ceremony then took place before she was relaunched with lots of family and friends - and plenty of champagne of course. I get lumbered with the master of ceremonies role and there was expert champagne flinging from  chief champagne flinger Mike. The yacht now looks very smart with her new name "Aqua Vitae " which is Latin for "water of life"  (vitality water), which when translated into Gaelic means Alcohol - specifically 'whiskey' - most appropriate :).

Aqua Vitae is now back in her pen looking very smart, with several small jobs on her that need to be completed before we go.  She has had all new rigging and Mike has worked so hard replacing batteries, parts for the anchor windlass, new anchor - to replace the aptly named (by Robyn) deck ornament that previously posed as an anchor the fridge has been fixed, new hot water element,  new bilge pumps (the old ones didn't work -very helpful when you are sinking  - NOT!   Cooker being fixed Thursday. Fans been wired in (thanks Rob) and fitted....just to name a few of the jobs completed.  I have been jack of all trades, running around getting the parts, cafe extraordinaire, cleaning and being the trades apprentice. I am getting quite handy with spanner, hammers and power tools - watch out boys!! :).

We will be heading off on 12th April with our good friends and co pussy club companions Nick and robyn, on their Catalina "Divided Sky" and good friends and musos Margie and Jeremy on their yacht "Moonshadow" as they cruise off to new climes. Still have lots of of jobs to do, so had better go and get on with them. Aqua Vitae signing out for now........ Karen