Hot, sunny, some merciful clouds in the late morning.

Both Christy and I are up and working at the crack of dawn. We have a lot to do before we haul out at 1 pm today.

First up is the engine off the dinghy. This 20 hp Honda is a bit of a beast but the plan is to use the spare halyard to haul it up and attach it to the transom piece on the back of Milu. What could be easier?

Almost anything.

First off, the spare halyard is on the front of the mast so that won’t do. I switch the halyard for the topping lift and we’ll use it to lift the motor. Christy empties the dinghy contents on the dock and I attach the topping lift to the motor handle. I have done the research already (we have an English manual!) that says I can use the handle to lift it. Christy undoes the motor mounts then gets on the winch, while I help guide the motor upwards. Up we go. The motor goes horizontal as we lift. I knew it would happen but hoped I could manhandle the motor as it went up but on one leg I simply can’t do it. We attach another line to the handle and winch it horizontally on another winch to pull the motor upright. This is kinda working but it is still a beast.

Out of nowhere comes our friend the security guard – a great big strong local who berates us for not asking for his help. Between the 3 of us and two winches we get the motor up. Might have been able to do it without him but more injuries almost certainly.

We then maneuver the dinghy around the front of the boat ton the side of the floating dock. I replace the topping lift and we can use the spare halyard for this. We pull the dinghy out of the water but it is a bit of a wild card in the wind. Out of nowhere comes Matt, an English yachtie who sees our troubles and comes to aid. A big help to get the dinghy on the dock and upside down. Being on crutches attracts a lot of sympathy.

Next we have to take down the jib before we can put the dinghy on the front of the boat (mandatory to remove the jib for hurricane season haulout). We guess wrong as to which side to pull the jib out with the wind and now the wind is backing it against the stays and the mast. There’s Matt again who goes forward and helps us get it down. Hayzoos. We pile it into a lump, then cart it up towards the car – Christy pushing the cart, me following on crutches. There’s the security guard again who helps us fold the jib on the big concrete space beside the docks. Nicely folded, Christy puts it in the back of the car.

After his help, we give him all but two of our leftover beer. He is very appreciative.

OK, next is the dinghy – we want to lift it up on the boat deck, upside down, rear end against the mast. Using 2 shackles, I attach a bridle to the rear dinghy hoist points. Christy operates the electric winch while I guide the monster over the lifelines onto the deck. Holy moly, it worked. Takes the two of us to get it facing the right way into the wind but we can lower it slowly as Christy pulls the nose out. We are rather impressed with ourselves. We muck around with the dinghy cover and I attach the tie downs enough to hold it during the haulout.

Now on to the next project. Off to Ace Hardware to exchange/get a few things then on to Budget Marine to exchange this non-functioning pump for a new one.

Back at Clarke’s, I go to install the pump in the aft head for about the 4th time.

It doesn’t work either. At least the other one SOUNDED like it worked, this one doesn’t even give me that satisfaction. We’ll have to return it for a refund tomorrow, no time for that today and if we miss tomorrow we are going to own a C$500 non-functioning pump.

I spend the next hour manually cleaning the (rather disgusting) shower sump and the two bilge areas it drains into while Christy continues her assault on the boat with 50/50 water vinegar. For the first time in weeks the shower smells OK. We also get all our luggage off the boat and put the dinghy contents away.

By about 12:30 pm we’ve already put in a pretty full day but lots to do yet. We arrange all the lines and fenders we know we’ll need then I call Jose on VHF 11 to see how the schedule is for our 1 pm haulout slot. He comes over and apologizes but they are behind about an hour.

Thank heavens – we need a break. We have a bit of lunch then take it easy in the cockpit while we wait for the boat lift.

We haul out about 2 pm. It’s pretty routine for these guys but takes a while as they powerwash all the remaining barnacles off.

After they get Milu all cleaned up and transfer to a mobile trailer, they park for a while, we know not why. We suddenly realize it’s after 3 pm, everything closes here at 4 pm and won’t be open tomorrow, our last day here. We still have arrangements to make with Clarke’s, Horizon and Turbulence, the sail company. Gotta hustle again.

We gitterdone and even manage to get the jib sail cover off Milu and over to Turbulence before 4 pm. Say goodbye to James at Horizon and Allander at Clarke’s. They all have been great.

We do a bit more work on Milu to close off the day but we are both hot, dirty and tired. Time to go to our Air BnB in Benji Bay – the same place I stayed during the inspection in February.

We drive over, forgetting the main road is closed for construction so retrace our steps back to Lower Woburn Bay Road – almost like I know my way around now.

Christy is understandably agog at our residence. But before we do anything else – showers. Man does that feel good.

Couple beers in the gazebo and Christy goes down to check out the dock and garden. I am not going to tackle the 100+ steps in my crutches so I stay behind and entertain the cat.

We dawdle a bit to wait for the sunset then head down to La Phare Bleu for dinner. Quiet there tonight, it pours rain while we eat but that’s fine, doesn’t last long. Soon enough we are back at Bob’s and getting ready for bed. Though the crutches help enormously, the amount of pressure I put on my foot today is still pretty high and I’m achy and ibuprofen ready for bed.