100 days to go - well nearly

Andrew took a few video clips when he popped into see Askari all taped up when he was in the UK two weeks ago - here's a one minute video where we can get a few glimpses of the beautiful woodwork. She looks like a big parcel all wrapped up and I still have a lot to learn about video edited so please bear with me.....

Oyster are underway with the spraying of 7 coats of matt varnish for a modern understated and elegant look.

You can see the fumes extractors fitted to the hatch openings

Andrew inspected the hull cut-outs

Meanwhile since Andrew resigned we have started to make plans for our departure from Western Australia for a while and to move onboard Askari. Carolyn has a project plan with 89 line items that includes everything from all the documentation, banking, tax, etc to accommodation during the handover, storage, mail solutions, medical training and logistics. It is all quite overwhelming so we have spread the tasks out over the remaining 12 (oh my gosh 12) weeks until we leave for the UK.

Our EPRIB and two PLBs have arrived and we have registered them with AMSA ready to take to the UK. They are made by KTI here in Australia and have 10 year batteries, 66 channel GPS and have great reviews. They came with free armbands - not sure how useful they'll be as I think we will attach them to our PFDs.

Our selection of EPRIBs

We have also received the marking note instructions from the shipping register in Canberra and made lots of small decisions from Andrew's visit. Finally, we have the rigging layout to review this weekend.

So handover is 100 days on Sunday but this Australia Day weekend we are off to one of favourite places Quindalup - where we have a mooring ready and waiting for Askari.... Here's a picture we took last Christmas when we got to fly over in a helicopter!

Quindalup by Air

Happy Australia Day everyone - it will be our last in the country for a while.....