Back onboard we tidied up and got settled in the marina properly; adding our robust docklines, connecting the water and electricity, dropping the sunshades in the cockpit, stowing the spare docklines, etc, before we started on the next To Do List, which included lubricating all the squeaks we heard on our overnight sail from Isla de Lanzarote, adjusted the steering cables to loosen them slightly after they were tightened a little too much when we checked the steering system in Gibraltar, tested all the bilge pumps, replaced two instrument panel bulbs, which blew on our passage from Gibraltar to the Canary Islands and finally visited the local chandlery to source an engine blower for the port engine, since the online provider is turning out to be a tad slow and likely to miss delivering it to Justine and Paul before their departure to bring it with them.
The worst task of the day, however, was yet another attempt - we’ve lost count on how many times this has been done - to fix the starboard aft head (aka toilet) in our guest head (aka bathroom), needed for Justine and Paul. This time, not only did the motor decide to stop working, but the leak had resurfaced. Such a pain since, no matter what bits and bobs we’ve replace on this head, it still gives us problems. Last resort will be to swap it with the other head in the starboard forward head until we can get all the parts we need, or indeed, purchase a brand new head. So frustrating given the hours spent on this issue. A close second is the starboard hot water tank that started to leak again, emptying a significant amount of our fresh water before we realised it was leaking again. This, however, is a problem for another day. The strange aspect in all of this, though, is that all these issues are occurring in the starboard hull, an area of Paw Paw that’s rarely used at all. The mind she boggles!
Our day ended with photographs of Layla on her 2nd birthday, looking as cute as ever with her glasses and a 10 Km round trip walk to watch the Ireland vs All Blacks Rugby World Cup quarter final at Paddy’s Anchor Bar, which was packed with Ireland supporters. Thankfully we got there early to get seats. In the process we discovered a number of pedestrianised areas of the city and the very busy and touristy Playa de Las Canteras, arriving just in time to watch the sunset. Sadly, though, Ireland lost, but what a game. It was rather disappointing, however, that Ireland had the referee working against them when he stopped the game every time Ireland were right on the All Black’s line, so much so that it became predictable. We hardly ever watch a rugby match due to inaccessibility, but this referee’s actions were blatant, especially giving penalties to the All Blacks for the most minor of transgressions by Ireland, while completely ignoring the numerous offside plays by the All Blacks. Add to this the ridiculous draw of this Rugby World Cup, where five of the top teams were in the same pool, resulting in Ireland basically playing two “finals”; one against the Springboks, which they won, and one against the All Blacks, which they lost. In fairness, though, Ireland lost too many line-outs in the first half and failed to kick into touch when attempts were made; mistakes no team can afford to make against the All Blacks. Regardless, both teams played their hearts out! It was indeed a battle of the Titans!
