Review of 2009

Work Done
At the start of last season I had a list if things that I thought needed doing:

• new mainsail
• headlining in forward birth area
• anti-fouling
• engine service, especially the carb.
• leaking windows need attention
• cockpit locker covers

of these I have done them all except the headlining and the cockpit covers, so pretty successful.

Sailing Done
I would never have believed at the start of the year all the things in Kamala that I have enjoyed in our first proper season together. Highlights are of course sailing to Les Minquiers (saw them on a Bergerac last night, but that's another story), and the trip to Sark, Herm and Guernsey. I have also enjoyed taking many friends out on her throughout the year. My favourite however was taking my two middle children round to Portlet for lunch after they had stayed the night on the boat. It was the first time my daughter had shown any interest in the boat and the trip to Portlet was an unplanned grasp at the outstretched hand of opportunity.

The catalyst for these adventures was the confidence instilled by a week with Phil at Jersey Sailing completing part of my Day Skipper practical. Hats off to the team at JS.

Other
I have read some great sailing related books this year. My complete reading list for 2009 has been:

Captain Bligh's Portable Nightmare - John Toohey
The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow - AJ Mackinnon***
The Long Way - Bernard Moitessier
Sailing Just for Fun - AC Stock***
There be no Dragons - Reese Palley
Race Against Time - Ellen McArthur
Treasure Island - RL Stevenson
The Heavenly Man - Brother Yun
Gipsy Moth Circles the World - Sir Francis Chichester
Endeavor - Peter Aughton
Land on My Right - Ron Pattenden
Cruise of the Conrad - Alan Villiers

OF these the "***" indicates my two favourites. Both recommended to anyone with a small boat and big dreams. Which leads nicely on to...

Dreams of Sailing (and nightmares of work) for 2010
Sailing:
Round the Island - slowly! Taking a few days (a week?), possible overnights at Gorey, (Ecrehous?) Rozel, Bouley, Bonne Nuit, Greve de Lecq, St Brelades. Sign up here if interested. May or Summer.
Minquiers again.
St Malo and the Rance (summer holiday!)
Racing/Sailing on other on other peoples boats.
Go sailing with 'OG' and Nicky & Helier Heath.

Work:
Finish Building Dinghy / Tender
Antifoul (again)
Fix Broken Window
New Cabin Vent
Replace single Washboard with split ones.
Fit Cockpit Locker Covers
Drop Mast
New Main Halyard
Check Rigging
New Mainsheet
New Genoa
Sort out awful paint finish (maybe over next winter when Kamala comes home)
Buy a Seagul Engine for tender.

Overall its been a fantastic year sailing with no regrets. Oh, and the dinghy is progressing well.