New Cruise Log

I am forever looking at ways to improve our on-line log book and make it a more interesting read and as such I have taken a step forward in the way it's presented.

Using the same format as this blog page I have developed a similar page to display all the entries in Kevayling's log. Using this format we can now index the log book, reproduce the log in an easier way to read and add photos & videos to the log entries.

Currently I am working my way through the entries and adding them to the new cruise log book, there are a lot so it will take a few days to complete. Comments on each trip are open (keep them clean please :-) and the 'View Trip' links are active.

With the plan closure of my Facebook page by the end of the year this will be the new way to stay in touch.

www.kevayling.co.uk

https://kevayling.blogspot.com/

Windy Weekend

Planned social BBQ at Rochester Cruising Club this weekend and decided to take the boat around so that we could stay the night. Quite windy on Saturday when we left Chatham but moored up with no problem. Being that the wind was against the tide it made for a gently rocking boat all afternoon.

BBQ was a great success with the family joining us in the evening, plenty to eat, and drink, with good company.

During the night the wind dropped but increased about 06:00 am. By the time we had got up it was blowing quite strong once again, actually stronger than the previous day. With this in mind we decided to depart Rochester early and left at 08:34 am. With a receding tide and a stern wind we actually made the trip back to Chatham in only 23 minutes, fastest recorded yet.

Turning against the tide to enter the lock at Chatham made for a wet approach, especially for Annette out on the bow ready to moor! Entered briskly on a tight approach and settled on the port side pontoon with ease.

Moored on our home berth in Chatham bow-on as not possible to reverse in the wind.

Great Fun!

Wine Resupply

Summer batch of white & red wine completed ready for Christmas. Will have to get the spare wine racks out of the garage to store this lot, not sure where as there isn't anywhere cool at the moment.

Away Days

Just had a fantastic two days with our three younger grandchildren at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway and a return trip to Chatham Historical Dockyard. I put together a short video of our two days packed into 4 minutes as a keepsake, so here's a copy.

Antifoul Removal

As 'Kevayling' has reached the magic 50 year mark it's about time all the old anti-foul on the bottom is removed and the hull inspected for the next 50 years.

First thing is to source how and where.

Let work commence.

Selfies

A new selfie stick so here's a few to get started.

Admirals Cruise 2018

Admirals Cruise out into the Thames Estuary.

May Bank Holiday

Just completed a great weekend on the boat, boarded on Friday and headed for our cruising club at Rochester where we moored up for 48 hours. During that time we visited the Sweeps Festival, enjoyed the delights of the food and drink in the club house and generally chilled on the water. Had a boat load of visitors on Saturday afternoon, our granddaughters boyfriend's family plus a few visiting boat owners who admired our boat.

Our granddaughter joined us on Sunday morning for Sunday dinner in the club and remained with us on the boat when we headed back to Chatham in the afternoon. Finished the day with drinks & nibbles on our mooring neighbours 60' motor cruiser.

Returned home a bit tired but happy on Monday.

Shakedown Cruise

Finally got the  boat out yesterday for it's 2018 shakedown cruise after the winter lay up. Not the best of days weather wise with a very dull, overcast day but there was no wind so we had a flat sea to test out the boat systems and engines.

Good to be back on the water after what feels like a very long winter break.

Ready and Waiting

With a brief lull in the cold weather we managed to spend a very pleasant afternoon yesterday scrubbing off the weathers grim on the boat. Also had the pleasure of having a tour around 'Odd Daisy', our new mooring neighbour, my Andy, the owner. One of the biggest vessels currently in the marina she is being refitted for her voyage to the Med latter in the year.

'Kevayling' is now clean and looks as she should, a much cared for, shinny boat.

Ready and waiting for her first trip out this year.

Late Winter Chill

So we thought winter had passed after the beast from the east had dumped a couple of feet of snow to us in the first few days of March. How wrong were we, today the mini beast from the east caused the temperature to drop some 12 degrees over night and now we have snow and bitter winds once again!

Just when we were planning to get the boat out for its first run of the season I have to go back to the marina and put the engine heaters back on.

Let's hope this is it for the year.

Let Spring Begin

Now that the Beast from the East has passed and storm Emma has blown herself out we can get on with Spring Time. Let the cruising season begin!

Beast From The East

The weather men promised that the weather system moving in from the east would bring cold winds and snow and boy were they correct. Between 7" to 8" of snow has fallen over the last few days and now the wind has increased bringing the day time temperature down to -4c.

Managed to dig the car out and get to Chatham Marina and check out the boat, took the opportunity of increasing the engine heater on time to 18 hours a day. Nice comparison photo below of the marina in Summer & Winter!

Maidstone 28/02/2018

Summer

Winter

First Startup of 2018

Took the opportunity of popping up to the marina on Thursday and checked the boat out.

I had plenty of time on my hands so decided to turn on all the systems and run up the engines. Both engines fired up on the first spin although the starboard engine needed the help of the battery cross-over switch due to a low power reading on the dashboard.

Left both engines running until working temperature reached then switch off and carried out a check. All well.

Keeping Fit

Well a week ago Annette & I signed up to our local hotel gym. We did use PayAsUGym passes but found it would be more economic to actually become members.

In our first 7 days we have notched up 3 swimming sessions. Working hard to maintain the use of my left leg and strengthen my back thus avoiding that day when my spine fails to take the strain again.

Also like the other benefits of being a member like the steam room,  sauna and maybe in the future, the gym.

Birthday Buffet

Busy weekend celebrating my wife's birthday, finishing with a Sunday lunch at our favourite Indian restaurant. 

Loved by everyone, and me, she recieved lots of cards and gifts. Nice to spoil her and chance to take the family out to lunch.

Now For Something Completely Different

Finally finished a Christmas present from my wife, a special model for my small collection of an anti-tank gun used by my granddad's regiment late in the war.

I was in two minds about adding the figures but decided to see what it looked like with a crew. Good choice as they add something to the model.

Now to decide on the base?

Back Again - A New Beginning

Well, would you believe it I found my old blog site by accident today while assisting a friend in searching for a blog site to use for his forthcoming trip.

So this time I'm going to try and keep a regular blog of our activities for 2018, now that we are mooring in Chatham Marina and also members of Rochester Cruising Club.

Let's say it's a new years resolution!