… don’t mix. Everybody knows that – but yesterday and today, there was a fair amount of both sloshing around both inside and outside  the boat.  Alas, the cockpit is also full of diesel – though thankfully in gerry cans.   It’s not a pretty sight – more like diesel bedlam. Why? Because the new diesel tank lid repairs may have held good (we’re not entirely sure), but one of the connecting pipes between the two starboard tanks is now dribbling. A faulty connection.

As for the water – yet another two leaks  discovered  yesterday. They were treated but again we find them leaking afresh today. Namely, the new port UV light lid seal in the starboard port water tank,  failed for the second time running – yesterday it was a slow steady seepage; today it ran considerably faster – but in a different place.  It gets worse: a leak in one of the water tank breather pipes gushed free yesterday – was treated by the afternoon – only to gush with gay abandon today.   If we try to see the bright side, then I guess with all the rinsing and mopping up, we must have the squeakiest cleanest bilges out, even if the four of us are somewhat weary and are now left with a suitable pile of diesel-whiffy laundry.

After all the mopping up games were over, the four of us collapsed with a strong cuppa and took stock.  Ten days ago, when Ibby and Ian joined us aboard Butterfly, we had two leaks and a faulty watermaker. Ten days later we have three leaks and no watermaker.  Well, that’s  progress for you.

Speaking of watermakers, the latest word is that the new one is still in transit to Durban.  Tracey,  who we know is trying her best to help sort things out, has been madly pushing the delivery company to rush it here, but only tomorrow will tell if her efforts have paid off.

Meanwhile, Ian and Ibby’s schedule is now running seriously behind and they have another delivery that is in danger of being compromised.  With every unsuccessful leak repair – and we’ve begun to lose count of them now – everybody’s arrangements are getting royally screwed.  We even thought of repairing the leaks ourselves, but if we do, then should there be any issues later, our warranty will be worth nothing.

As I type this, a vicious low has just blown in – literally.  The speed with which these things arrive is truly amazing. So tonight, picture a very dishevelled Butterfly, skittering in the slapping wavelets; aboard her, four tired folk wondering how on earth we bring an end to this frustrating litany of leaks, and a waylaid watermaker.

Time for an early night. Sleep tight, sleep safe, folks.