Work is continuing at a pace. Our old bedroom area is almost completed, the rubbing strakes oiled, and the painting of Gratis’ hull finished at last. Bob is working on painting the decks today and I’m down below painting, varnishing and working on collating the information required for our canal/river sojourn. Our friends from Wallaby […]

With departure for France taking place on May 1st, all is moving at a pace to have Gratis ready on time. The weather playing against us, we are awaiting the final coats of blue to go on today. The rubbing strakes are in the process of being oiled and the varnishing has commenced in our […]

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Yesterday it was time for the new rubbing strakes to be drilled and placed, then removed once more for oiling before final placement. With Bob needing to get to the bolt holes in order for the new to be placed, the boat looks like a disaster zone, as kitchen panels and radios have been removed and other items […]

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The blue coat is going on, The pilot house is almost completed and the half of the undercoat is on the old bed area inside. The pics will come soon. To top things off, the weather is perfect: bright sunny warm days are here.

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The painting of the upper hull commenced yesterday, as the white coat was done. It’s time for the blue. Bob is working on the painting of the pilot house. Will take some pics today. After completing the sanding, the painting on the old bed area commences today. The pictures of the Moissac Abbey have been […]

Except for a small area over the stove, which Bob has to work on, the galley makeover is complete. I have commenced working on our old bed area. Bob has completed his maintenance on the engine, the prop is back on and the rubbing stakes are ready for a coat of epoxy. He started working […]

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The boat yard guys came around last night and ensured the chocks holding the boat upright were all still safely secured. Why, you ask? This really is a windy month in Marina di Ragusa. Another good blow – between 34 and 45 knots – is passing through. A stay inside and work day. In the […]

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The painting and varnishing is progressing slowly. Galley ceilings and walls are completed and the varnishing has commenced. Yesterday, Bob placed the top coat on the inside of the bulwark – the upper bit of the hull.

This was our view of Etna from the car as we drove to Catania last week. The snow is rapidly melting.

The galley ceiling is finished and the walls are almost there. Today the remaining painting will be completed and the varnishing commenced. Bob completed the last of the topside undercoating and commenced preparing the bathroom for the bath and its coats of paint. The spiel and images from our time on Ile de la Renunion is […]

The last of our Indian Ocean Crossings have now been placed on board. We will now commence adding the excursions we took whilst on the Cocos Keeling, Rodrigues, Mauritius and Reunion www.gratisaustralis.com/rodrigues-to-mauritius/ www.gratisaustralis.com/mauritius-to-reunion-day-1/ www.gratisaustralis.com/mauritius-to-reunion-day-2/

Today Bob commenced painting the external cabin , whilst the last of the galley ceiling was undercoated, followed by half receiving its first top coat.

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After a day trip to Catania,where a car swap took place, it is back to work today. Spring is well and truly here. Temperatures up to 20 degrees now, snow is melting on Etna, and the landscape is a mass of blooming flowers.