For those who remember, Huck Finn was punished and his punishment was to white wash a fence.
Well he turned what was a negative into a positive by persuading others that this tedious job was fun, an adventure, something they wanted to do.
Well - I think I have some of that blood in my system too.
We purchase the boat and my sister Tara comes down to a Marina in NJ and Power-washes the dirt and gook off the boat. Making it look amazing!
My parents come and help clean the inside of our vessel. Murphy oil soap all the wood and even Dad helped me remove the oven to clean behind it. And it sure did need it!
Our children, who can vary on their level of excitment abou tthe boat, have helped out tremendously in their own ways. Especially the first winter we painted the bottom. Calan getting all geared up to paint and Liam pulling of the painter's tape from the hull! Great memories created here!
2 winters ago my friend Peg came out with me to the boatyard, while the mast was on saw horses, to polish the mast. As you can imagine the jokes that came out of that line. (Polish the mast...) Ha
She grew up knowing the pride of keeping a boat in tip top shape and offered to assist in the polishing. Gratefully I accepted knowing doing this with a friend is much more fun than going it alone. So we were off to the boat yard on a beautiful winter day polishing the mast, listening to music and chatting the whole time.
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| The Mast on saw horses 2013 |
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| Peg and I |
Last Summer, Nigel, David's father came up from New Zealand and did amazing work on the wood, particularly the toe rail. It shines like the top of the chrysler building! It seriously changed the curb appeal of Nemetona!
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| A tidy up after some wood work |
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| The reward for a hard days work! |
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| Dave and his dad |
Uncle Sticky who runs AB Marine has been crucial, not so much in the hands on labor, but in helping us outfit our boat. He has helped us with many products from lights, repellents, a shaft shark to a propeller. All to help Nemetona sail smoothly.
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| The Armitage men, Sticky, Chips, Ross and Nigel |
This year I have had the good fortune to again spend some hours at the Marina connecting with a like spirit. I had a wonderful time polishing the cockpit with Jenn (my new Next Door neighbor). Music on, chatting the whole time and doing what Mr. Miagi would be proud of.....Wax ON, Wax OFF.
This weekend we had our youngest (and smallest crew member) help clean a tight space....the back lazerette! He was so happy to help.
Many hands make light work is so true, doing it with friends and family is an experience!
THANK YOU!
