Posted by The Ancient Mariner on February 09, 1998 at 14:45:13:
In Reply to: Re: Nancy Blackett Working Weekends posted by Kuko Yamamoto (JAMANEKO) on February 08, 1998 at 14:28:19:
Without question both the NBT (Nancy Blackett Trust) working weekends held at Harbour Marine, Southwold were a great success. The weather was a little kinder for the first of the two - the second being sooooo cold that paint wouldn't dry and tasks took longer than planned. Nevertheless, a very great deal was achieved with all sorts of jobs being completed by the Trust members which, of course, saved us a substantial amount of money!
The Fish and Chip lunches were well earned as were the numerous pints of the local Adnams bitter! The Saturday "Social Evening" provided more Adnams as well as a chance to make new friends and get to know others even better - working together certainly helps things along. Special mention must be made of Robin who rode all the way from the Isle of Man to Southwold on his motorbike (except for the sea crossing that is) and Lil Jackson who spent an entire day refurbishing Nancy's sea toilet - polished until it gleamed - and ended up being re-christened Looloo!!!
The weekends, while voted a success, and great fun, by all who attended (31 in total), made it clear that for next year we will need to set a limit on numbers of volunteers for each occasion but hold more of them. The main task for the winter of 1998/9 will be interior refurbishment and space is restricted so more events but for fewer folk each time.
Nancy has her new stem and the entire underwater hull has been "splined" - which means thin strips of pitch pine glued between each plank - with the end result that she is now more sound than she has ever been. Various jobs have been farmed out to volunteers with the result that a new tiller is being carved, two new helmsmans seats made, the windlass overhauled, the oil-lamps cleaned and polished, the stove serviced and the ship's clock and barometer overhauled by a clockmaker member of the Trust. Even the famous brass portholes look like new!
She will probably go back in the water by the end of March - I'll keep you all in touch
The AM