… gentle reader, and allow me to whisper words of wondrous cheer in your shell-like:  We have a brand new watermaker – and hey,  it works! Woo-hoo!  Whatever ailed the old one, it does seem to have been very much a fault with the unit itself, rather than faulty installation, because the new one was up and running today, nice and smoothly from the off.  So today, a humungous cheer and wide smiles all round. But I am forgetting my manners here and must give credit where it is due:  for our newfound happiness is only thanks to the efforts of Gideon for taking no chances with the old one coming good, and ordering the new one in readiness, Tracey for her sterling work chivvying the delivery company, and Doug for giving up his Saturday afternoon (without being asked) to set it up and get it running.

After the chaos and madness of yesterday which at its most shambolic saw most of the port hull floor submerged in diesel, today was an oasis of benign calm, cheering developments, and a much needed tonic. In fact, today was darn right therapeutic. After a brisk trip to stock up on groceries and renew the rental car for another week, Ian, Ibby, Dick, myself and Doug took Butterfly out for a sail to put the new watermaker through its paces. Doug bought his fishing line and Dick trawled one too.  As soon as we were out in the bay far enough to have clean water, Doug started up the Aquabase and within minutes we had sweet pure water dribbling happily from the galley tap.

As if to celebrate with us, at that moment, a huge pod of dolphins came into view and the water was speckled with their dorsal fins rising and falling beneath the waves.  I’ve never seen so many gathered together before.  They weren’t the slightest bit interested in us, but nevertheless, we managed to get close enough to eyeball them as they eyeballed us.

After 30 minutes or so, happily convinced the Aquabase really was fully functional, we headed back.

Next on the list, to check the diesel tank fitting repairs in the starboard locker. A messy job filling the tank again and pressure testing it – but … not a whiff of a leak anywhere.  Despite the rather sullen skies, the day was looking decidedly brighter by the minute. A minor heart-stopper when we found a small diesel spillage in the lockers behind the saloon seats, but not a drop could be coaxed from any of the valve fittings once we’d mopped it up. Try as we might, we couldn’t get another spill from anywhere, so can only assume it was a left-over dribble from all the antics of yesterday.

As for the water tank UV light lid that has resisted so many attempts to repair it, Kyle and Steven worked late into the evening yesterday trying to solve it once and for all.  Tomorrow we’ll test it again to be sure it’s a winner this time.

Doug, who is an unsung hero as far as we’re concerned, has even volunteered to help us pitch the props again on Monday.  It’s a boring, thankless task and not for the faint-hearted in Durban’s cessy waters, but there is nowhere else around for miles this can be done in cleaner sea.

Tonight, as you can probably imagine, spirits are definitely up.  Thanks to AfricanCats determined push to resolve the latest crop of outstanding issues, we’re tentatively back to weather watching now. Nothing on the horizon too promising as I type this tonight, but traditionally, we’re into the best time for rounding the cape. All very oooo-er and excitipating, I can tell you.

My goodness, it really is true: what a difference a day makes … !