Bottoms up

Our first coat of antifouling (the paint which stops barnacles sticking to the bottom) went on yesterday. It is a slightly unattractive pinkish grey colour, but goes greenish-white under water.

We've gone for a high-powered version this year (Blakes Ocean Performer) as we may not be able to get Kalessin out of the water next year. The full retail price is £95 for 2.5 litres, which makes it more expensive per cc than the single malt I bought Sam for Christmas - Aberlour a'bunadh.

As predicted I got to do much of the heavier work. Scrubbing down the hull with a Scotchbrite and gallons of water guarantees arms wet up to the elbow. Then when we finally started painting, the first time I closed the can, it squirted highly toxic paint neatly into my eye. Rapid removal of my contact lens and irrigation with lots of water seems to have prevented any serious damage, but I still have an attractive grey smudge on my left eyelid which I can't get off.

Today we're celebrating Easter at home, and the second coat of antifouling will go on tomorrow (Monday). My current task is making fitted and draw sheets for the main bunks. Normally I quite like sewing, but for some reason I don't seem to be enjoying this and keep having to take breaks, to write blogs or do bits of gardening, before getting back to the Velcro...