Progress report

Repairs are progressing slowly. Two stays are up, but the two mast-head ones have to go through spreaders, and the old wires are stuck fast. We managed to get it all down on deck, and our helpful metal worker has all the bits. He may have to make a new piece of railing for the bit round the front as it is too bent to straighten. One of the most difficult things at the moment is the foil that has the front stay through it and takes the stress of the genoa. It is very bent at the bottom and can't be replaced except from Amel in France. Hopefully a cover can be made for the lower section but we have to make sure it is strong enough. Also the motor for the main furler has to have a new bearing, it has been getting noisy and didn't like the extra bashing with the collision. Also very difficult to get apart.

We expect to be here for another 10 days or so; not much point moving until everything is fixed as the next place to get things will be Darwin (except for Cairns which is not far up the road).