Back onboard for 2 weeks now and we are pleased to report there has been virtually no damaged from the long winterization. We launched back in the water yesterday and the procedure went super smoothly and surprisingly fast. We are very lucky to be in the good hands of Willie, the foreman on site. He is very knowledgeable and thinks well ahead of any risk of damage. Not to mention his ability to handle the diggers like he was born on one! We have checked most systems now, including the engine, the power and navigation systems, the fresh water system, the toilets. We did have to change the water pump but otherwise all good. With time in our hands, an enjoyable laid-back routine has settled in and long overdue projects are finally being completed.

Calin reunited with his local mates from last fall, Doug and Clinton and has swapped basketball for fast-pitching (kind of baseball) and golf, sometimes playing well into the night as we are witnessing some fabulous summer weather with 24 hours sunlight. The forever sunset is also a great invitation to my daily yoga practice. With the Northwind barge close by, we have been very lucky to be allowed to use their facilities, making living onboard – even on the hard – a very comfortable experience. We haven’t been able to fill our tanks with water but with we’ve been able to carry jerrycans back onboard reasonably easily. The heat has dried up up the mud in the yard and turned it into a field of fine dust, getting everywhere on board. Much of the days are spent dusting off every object and today, being in the water and having direct access to the river, we are able to throw some buckets on deck and turn Seabelle back to a white sailing yacht!
Project-wise, Calin disassembled the windlass that had given us trouble and we are waiting for parts to complete the maintenance, including a spare motor. My Sailrite sewing machine has become my daily companion and I finally replace the ripped zipper on our sailpack, complete new tetherlines and a cover for stowing the new H flue of the Refleks – hopefully this new flue will prevent blowbacks in windy conditions.
The 21st marked the summer solstice and Indigenous Day in the NWT. This caused some great local celebrations and we enjoyed the display of local crafts, fun games with the local kids and a great show of traditional outfits and dancing. Last night was the yearly Midnight fun run and together with Doug and Clinton, we all ran 10k around the town under a beautiful midnight sun. Unfortunately, the soaring heat has also brought millions of hungry mosquitoes from the swamps of the river delta and we have been ferociously attacked! Ironically, this is probably the hottest we’ve had Seabelle in the 7 years we’ve owned her and we are forced to build mosquito nets around the hatches to keep them open.