Preparation

Preparing for the Season

March 18 - April 19

Before we can start our cruising season we have some preparation work to do.
Paint, change engine and generator oil and filters, sand and varnish wheelhouse, shop, fill the wine-cellar and and and ....

	March 18: Are we packed yet? Don't forget me. This was the morning we left Baar to drive to Beaucaire. I guess Racine knew that Peter never would travel without his computer and so to be on the safe side he decided to sit inside and wait ....
	As you know we decided to paint Avanti B (did you participate in the color vote?). Painting is just the reward - there is much work to do before the painting can start. First all rust has to be hammered away and then grinder helps to get rid of old payers of paint.
	Well, plans are easily made, but then there is reality, also known as the French supplier of the color. March 20: The paint will arrive in 10 days. March 30: Next week April 18: It should be here. May 13: The paint will arrive tomorrow. So all we have is a couple of coats of the rust protecting paint and one coat of the light beige. But no blue yet (as I said: it will arrive tomorrow).
	This is how the interior of the wheelhouse looks after sanding. Francoise in the background is painting in the roof of the wheelhouse.
	And after a coat of Owatrol 2 the surface is nearly as shiny as Racines coat.
	Speaking of Racine: To prepare for the voyage up the Rhone he participates in the mandatory safety drill. Racine with life-vest!