Pain in the AIS, No it's a Wonderful Life.

Ahoy,

there are two events which occur occasionally in my life which always make me wish I had either had a better education or had paid more attention during it. The first is when I have a problem that I know trigonometry would solve and the second is when I am failed in a suitable turn of phrase or expression of thanks to strangers who are so kind, one wonders if they can also turn Demons into Angels.
The latter of these scenarios happened only the other day, I was invited to dinner on Sunbird, a Rival 36 owned by John and Tina, this by itself, to someone who shares his own company more often than not is heart warming enough but when John offered me Sunbird's Hydrovane I could not find the words to express the level of overwhelming gratitude and lightness of heart I felt. I have been told many a time I should have one and understanding the benefit after such recommendations I have wanted one for the Ol' Girl for quite some time.
The ability Hydrovane's have to hold a course and use no power other than the wind, whilst also providing an emergency rudder makes them a very desirable and practical piece of equipment. Equipment I had dreamt of owning somehow and here I was being offered the very piece of equipment the Ol' Girl required and I fantasised about in my slumber. Of course, I thanked them both, yet the words seemed lacking in regard to their philanthropic kindness, like shaking someones hand who pulls you out of the way of a moving car. I hope I see them again, I want to see them again. Thank them again.

How strange the world is, I would not have been here to visit Sunbird if my AIS had not broken, the reason why I am still in the Ile de Groix, I posted it on the 2nd of June and have called the company involved every day, to discover it had still not arrived. Today, better news, it was at said company waiting for the engineer to look at it, I hope it can be fixed and posted back quickly as I really would like to push on, more finger crossing. (I would also not want to take advantage of the Bon Prix the Harbour Master is giving me)

The festival here is over now and things have become a little quieter, I ventured out one evening with one of the fine bands doing the circuit here "Le Tenor de Brest" and enjoyed the music and the company till the sun came up, very tiring, very different, very entertaining and very, very, worth it. (not to mention falling in a ditch, you guessed it, that's a story for another time)

The mission for the next few days is to fit the Hydrovane, re-fit the AIS, find an insurance company willing to insure me, tidy the Ol' Girl up and head off for Belle Ile, possibly my last stop before Spain.