Play d’eau’s new (almost white!) carpet click to enlargeWe started planning this year’s upgrades by having new carpets in December 2018, ready for Christmas.
New carpets
After 16 years of sterling service the backing of our brown saloon and companionway carpets was sad and disintegrating.
Due to a broken arm, the original carpet supplier was out of action (how thoughtless was that?) and we couldn’t find anyone in Guernsey with the equipment to whip carpet edges.
But all was not lost. Turning to trusty Google, we found Marine Boat Carpets and entered into long and encouraging discussions with boat carpet maker Toby Butlin. On the appointed date, I was at the airport to meet him and after a fortifying coffee and Jammy Dodger, the choice of an almost white, 80% woollen carpet was made, and Toby painstakingly began creating templates.
The plan was for Toby to make the carpet and send it to us. ‘What about fitting?’ I asked. ‘Just unroll it. It’ll fit, but if it’s not as you want, I’ll come straight back.’
Play d’eau’s old (brown) carpet click to enlargeIn time for Christmas, we carried our material prize to Play d’eau, and as Toby had instructed, we rolled it out. Perfection! A bonus? With the off-cut, Toby had made a fitted carpet for the engine room…
By the way, we really aren’t paranoid about marking the new carpet. Really. No. Not in the least…
Electrics
The electrics upgrades to happen from March onwards, include,
Wiring the ability to parallel both alternators whilst underway to charge both 24v battery banks, using an automatic charging relay
Adding 2 voltmeters to monitor both 24v battery banks above the existing 12v battery panel
Potentially, replacing the existing transducer with an Airmar UDST800 Doppler speed and depth transducer
The existing 12v battery panel click to enlarge
The ‘usual’ Marine and General annual hoist
And then in April, Play d’eau will be lifted at Marine and General for her annual spa and flattery treatments. The works list includes:
Power wash and clean below the waterline
Clean and polish the running gear, trim tabs and props
Anti-foul with Teamac
Instal a replacement sea-cock for the port engine
Refurbish all sea-strainers
Plus, completing the works to remove the last traces of the second time she was covered in iron filings.
Whilst chocked ashore, Lin and I will replace all 26 anodes and work on the engines and generators to ensure all is ready for the new season.
Piers and Lin
from the Planning Office of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
We’d suffered the most horrendous effects of a NNE storm whilst moored in St Peter Port’s Victoria marina in October 2018.
It had taken 11 of our 18mm multiplait ropes to hold Play d’eau but seeing the immense strain they’d suffered, we knew they should be replaced. But this time, they’d be bigger and tougher.
PLAM HT Popeye Double Braid
With advice from members of the YBW Motor Boat forum, I approached the Italian company PLAM for their High Tenacity Popeye Polyester Double Braid.
After discussion and much measuring, I ordered 6 new 26mm warps. 4 x 7m and 2 x 9m, each with spliced loops and tails.
26mm would have an approximate breaking strain of 14.6 tonnes.
Result?
Ah, what can I say? they arrived courtesy of FedEx and they’re just beautiful. the braid is lovely and the splicing just perfect. So much so that it’s almost a shame to use them.
But, needs must, so they’re in full use, and drawing many admiring comments.
The end splice of our new rope click to enlargeGood question. We can’t bring ourselves to throw them out so they’re all in the lazarette in a large and overflowing box until we can decide.
Maybe we’ll choose the best and have them for light mooring use. The rest? Maybe cut out the worn bits and use the remainder for short breast warps or similar. We’ll see.
Piers and Lin
from the overflowing warp locker of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Carentan marina click to enlargeAfter 21 years we’re back in Carentan on the Normandy coast. I was first here with the MBM Cruise in Company fleet in the mid-1970s (can anyone remember those days?) and then with the family in 1997.
But seeing the mile long yet narrow marina now, I just wonder if it’s become a forgotten destination?
Fat, rolly, polly seals
The 8 mile approach from the fairway buoy through the estuary and along the river is just gorgeous. Hundreds of fat seals basking on the beach and flock after flock of birds flying up from the wetlands. Approaching the end of the river you see the lock which opens HW-2 to HW+3.
And here’s the ‘but’. After 21 years the marina doesn’t seem to have changed. Same old bouncy pontoons mostly covered in gull and duck pooh, same old 5A power supply in lichen blackened boxes, looking dowdy and unkept.
Yes, there’s a new-ish Capitainerie and shower block (water is somewhat tepid) and a Brasserie but it’s shut for the summer hols. A number of boats seem to have been left to die, covered in green and unloved.So many unloved and dying boats click to enlarge
Far from the madding crowd
What is so, so lovely, is the peace and tranquility. Just perfect for being and unwinding. Apart from Play d’eau, there are no visiting boats and no-one working on their boats. It’s as though it’s a ghost marina.
Walking into the small town with its large 12c church. Again, it’s so quiet. So few people around. Some modern buildings have been shouldered in amongst the old, architecturally more beautiful buildings, many of them shut down and up for sale. From what we’ve seen, there are hairdressers, opticians, pharmacies, clothing shops, but only one small supermarket, two boulangeries (the third is up for sale), one butcher and one ironmonger.
On the other hand, there’s a new indoor swimming pool complex and a separate small sports centre, but neither seem really used – good use of EU money?
Duck a l’orange?
As I’ve said, what we love about the marina is the peace. It’s so, so quiet. No visitors. Only dozens of really vociferous ducks. What if we fed them with oranges? Would they be marinaded ready for the pot?So quiet and tranquil click to enlarge
Having met our Carentan goal we’re undecided on ‘where next?’
Maybe we’ll head back around the Cherbourg peninsula to the north coast of Brittany which we love.
Piers and Lin
from the Saloon of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
The split fitting which connected the galley tap to the ship’s pressurised cold water supply click to enlarge‘We have a leak – a big leak,’ I shouted to Lin.
What the…?
I’d reached into the cabinet under the galley sink for a bottle of Fairy liquid (yes, I really was about to do the washing up) but all I felt was wet. A lot of very wet, wetness.
Quickly looking inside with a torch, there was the culprit (hiding behind the Fairy liquid). A brass fitting was dripping to the point of a constant flow as well as spraying a fine mist courtesy of Play d’eau’s 80psi pressurised cold water supply.
With the water pump isolated and the heads’ taps open to bleed the pressure, I began removing the cupboard contents. Plastic containers were brimming with water, rags were sodden and sponges were dripping. Puddles of water were seeping underneath the cupboard flooring.
How long had this been going on? What was the damage?
Exactly what had failed?
Having mopped up most of the water, I turned to the culprit. On removal, it was obvious. The smaller of the two threads to which the galley tap’s flexible hose connected, had split. Hence the dripping and hence the spray.
But what were the threads? The larger was obvious, but the smaller looked odd. Really odd. Not even our fount of all plumbing knowledge, Richard Poat, knew.
Herm Seaway to the rescue
Out with the old, in with the new click to enlarge‘Try Herm Seaway,’ said Richard. ‘They can make anything in metal.’
Showing the brass fitting to Colin, Herm Seaway’s machinist, it was the smaller thread which baffled him. ‘There’s little I’ve not seen over the years but I’ve never seen this before. It’s certainly non-standard.’ ‘But can you make one for me?’ I asked cautiously, almost dreading the answer.
‘It will have to be turned especially out of a block of brass, but yes, I can do it.’ ‘How long with it take?’ I queried, thinking we’d be without water in the galley for days and days. ‘Erm, well, let me see. About an hour.’ Really? Wow.
I’d only just turned into the marina when my phone rang. ‘It’s ready, when can you collect it?’
Is that service, or is that service? Astonishing.
Clean and dry and working
Having cleaned the mess, checked for damage (there wasn’t any) and blow dried everything using a really powerful fan to reach the parts arms and rags cannot reach, Richard installed the new fitting. It had been made to perfection.
With the water pump fired up, pressure built. Was it leaking? Any signs of water?
No, all bone dry. Thank you Colin of Herm Seaway and Richard (plumber supremo).
Piers
with head under the galley sink Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Play d’eau follows the bright star… (photo courtesy Kim Hollamby) click to enlarge
Happy Christmas, everyone!
May we immediately assure everyone that our radio silence for the last two years has not been because we’ve finally navigated to the great marina in the sky.
No. With considerable quantities of fuel left in life’s tanks, we’ve loved many months in the magnificent country of South Africa, spent time with family and dear friends, cruised the west coast of France (again), remedied some difficult faults on Play d’eau, and, and, and….
I mean, they say that when you retire you become more busy than ever and we can attest this to be absolutely true.
Now it’s Christmas 2017
So after such a long period of silence, the keys of my new laptop have started clattering away as I renew friendship with our website. Hence, we take this opportunity to trust you will all have a magnificent Christmas and an exciting New Year.
The Reason for the Season
As we know, the reason for the season is Jesus. Hallelujah indeed!
2018
Whilst we contemplate 2018 and make plans, one of our New Year’s resolutions is to keep the website up to date. So we thank you for your patience and ask you to keep a listening watch on this channel.
On a personal note
Whilst thinking of the reason for the season, Lin and I especially thank Him for the recent miraculous healing of a dear friend of ours. And we mean miraculous. Reality is reality.
Happy Christmas!
Piers
from the Pilot House of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Kimberleigh’s engaged! click to enlarge‘I’m engaged!’ whispered Kimberleigh to Lin and I.
We were staying in a small boutique Johannesburg hotel where Head Chef Kimberleigh had been feeding us far too well and we just knew the extra pounds were winning the fight against our trying to eat sensibly.
When?
During our stay, we had many conversations with Chef Kimberleigh, most of which were ‘foodie’. But when we learned she had been going out with Waldo for over four years, we couldn’t stop asking the obvious question. ‘When he’s going to propose?’ ‘No idea.’ said Kim.
He just did!
Two days later, as dinner was being served, Kimberleigh came over to us whispered, ‘He’s just proposed!’
Apparently, as Kimberleigh and Waldo were walking in the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, he produced the ring and proposed.
Completely unexpected.
The date is set
Kimbereligh’s sparkling engagement ring click to enlargeHaving become engaged on 6 March 2015, the marriage is set for 7 May 2016.
Congratulations
Our hearty congratulations to Kimberleigh and Waldo and we trust they will have a great marriage and many, many years in which to enjoy it.
Both Kimberleigh and Waldo are Head Chefs.
Piers and Lin
from the saloon of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
A kingfisher watches for his lunch near to Play d’eau click to enlargeIt was a sudden flash of colour that caught my attention as I was changing some light bulbs in the Pilot House. Orange and turquoise.
Looking up, I espied a Kingfisher on the wall by Play d’eau.
Camera
You never have a camera to hand when you need one, do you? So whilst Lin brought me the camera and changed lenses, I kept watch on this fragile bundle of colour.
Just about ready – and he flew off! I waited and kept waiting. And then he appeared again, fluttering those turquoise wings until he settled on the wall some 5′ above the waterline, watching for his lunch.
Success. And welcome to a new resident in Beaucette Marina!
Piers and Lin
from the hide on Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Play d’eau enters the narrow Doyle Passage between the shore and the outlying reefs click to enlargeCaptain Kim Hollamby and Executive Officer Guy Nicholls cast off from Shamrock Quay, Southampton, at 2248 hrs on 28 December 2014 under a clear night sky, to bring Play d’eau home after her plastic surgery.
The temperature was well below freezing, ice was on the decks, but inside the central heating was working perfectly.
——————–
Capt Kim reports…
The pontoons crackled with frost as we approached Play d’eau at Shamrock to prep for her night return to Guernsey. It was cold, but eerily still, a welcome lull after the high winds of recent days. So far so good.
Underway by 2250 we were soon heading away from the shore lights of the Itchen and Southampton Water, revealing a captivating canopy of myriad stars from horizon to horizon. The decks were slick with ice outside but inside we were toasty warm in the pilot house, faces basked by the warm glow of Play d’eau’s mission control array of screens.
Traffic…and passes inside Platte Fougère click to enlargeAll of her electronic capability was put to good use throughout. Off Hurst we had to keep a wary eye on an inbound Cowes Southampton car ferry well off her patch – was she lost or returning from a secret assignment?
Then, a few miles south of the Needles we had to dodge two large cruise liners as they headed with purpose towards the Western Solent. With no quarter given by them, we conceded to ‘might being right’ and dutifully made our turns to starboard as per ColRegs.
An hour or two of peaceful cruising followed and a chance for a late night bowl of soup and a few Zzzzs. Me first, Guy later. But then more traffic as we entered the English Channel’s busy shipping lanes, with several course alterations needed.
In a final hurrah no less than seven ships presented themselves in Froggerlike formation. With them plotted on radar, we made our move and crossed safely ahead of all.
SunrisePlay d’eau about to enter framed by Eabora’s masts click to enlargeThe winter sunrise was a late waker – but sudden in appearance, zooming though hues from dark blue, to grey to lighter blue. It also heralded a freshening wind on the quarter with Play d’eau cheekily wiggling her bottom in deference to the odd white horse or two. Our consolation? A plate of steaming bacon sandwiches.
Then finally the run down from the Casquets to Beaucette, under sunny blue skies, with Guernsey, Herm, Sark, the other island (Jersey), France and Alderney all visual, waves calming a little.
Final Approach
Our final approach along the narrow Doyle Passage included a fly past one very windswept camera toting Piers on Fort Doyle, before we sized up the swell for an entrance through Beaucette’s narrow, rocky jaws.
I could see Piers watching up from the Harbour Office, again, with camera at the ready. No pressure then!
We were all lined up for a grand and stately arrival until another playful wave slapped Play d’eau’s quarter in a final giddy up. This couldn’t end in tears though, her gleaming flanks could not be scarred and she responded quickly to corrective action.Through the entrance channel and turning to port to enter the lagoon click to enlargeWe were through and into the idyllic lagoon beyond and ready to perform gentle final manoeuvres before handing her back over to rightfully proud owners, Piers and Lin.
Lines secured, my shoulders sagged. Relax. Mission accomplished!
Kim Hollamby
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Play d’eau’s home
Capt Kim, naturally, manoeuvred Play d’eau with precision to her berth, whilst Guy was officer in charge of fenders and warps. Although somewhat salty from the crossing, Play d’eau was gleaming whilst Kim and Guy were glowing.
With teas, coffees, welcomes and comments of admiration from many Beaucette residents, Play d’eau, home at last, looked regal albeit in need of a good soapy bath.
The crew’s return
After lunch at the marina restaurant, we drove a weary Kim and Guy to Guernsey’s International Airport to catch the 1615 Blue Islands flight to Southampton, and bade our farewells to Play d’eau’s tired crew.
Welcome home, Play d’eau.
Piers and Lin
from the ‘toasty warm’ Saloon of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Capt Kim brings Play d’eau to her berth click to enlarge
A triumphant Guy Nicholls and Kim Hollamby click to enlarge
Capt Kim, taking well earned applause click to enlarge
Launched, sea-trialled and waiting to come home (photo courtesy Kim Hollamby) click to enlargePlay d’eau’s been launched and awaits a weather window to come home.
Gleaming
As Play d’eau gleams in the late afternoon light, she’s moored and floating free at her berth with sea-trials and pre-flight checks completed. It must be so good for her to feel the water, again.
Captain Kim Hollamby
Kim Hollamby, who has taken time out to oversee the launch and sea-trials, will bring her to Beaucette at the first opportunity.
Guy Nicholls of Solent Marine Surveys, the surveyor for Play d’eau’s blister and GRP correction work, will crew.
When?
With an area of high pressure about to settle over the UK bringing chilly but calmer weather, Kim is planning to cast off on the evening of the 28 December to arrive at Beaucette at midday 29 December, to coincide with high water.
We’ll be waiting.
Piers and lin
from the Christmas Meteorological Office
of our eldest son’s house
not on Play d’eau
Fleming 55
The chart for 0001 Tuesday 23 December 2014 click to enlargeWhy can’t the weather behave and do as it’s told? But then I suppose it’s no more then expected.
Although one of the fronts moved slightly north, the other moved south and is hovering over the north coast of France sandwiching the English Channel like jam in the middle with WSW F6 winds gusting F7 and rain.
Post surgery
So after plastic surgery, is it really fair to send Play d’eau into such weather? Even for a sea-trial?
No. Certainly not. She’d have to battle her way straight into high breaking waves and rain for more than fourteen hours without being able to pull off the road, so to speak, and take a break. The passage would be really nasty and certainly no Christmas present for her, let alone for her crew.
So we wait
So we’ll wait. There’s bound to be a break in the weather, sometime. We’ll take it and arrive in Beaucette Marina in glorious style after a good and gentle crossing, feeling and looking good.
from the Meteorological Office
of our temporary abode
not on Play d’eau
Fleming 55
These were the voyages of Piers and Lin du Pré aboard their Fleming 55
