46. It's not all plain sailing Part 2

46. It's not all plain sailing - Part 2 and a big frustration!

We arrived in Palmi very pleased with our progress and the harbour was for fishing boats including a swordfish fishing boat, small motorboats and a pontoon for a few yachts. We received a warm welcome from some very nice people. We were also presented with a bottle of Prosecco. 

When I returned to Dalliance 3 having signed the papers we both noted an unpleasant smell. Rather like sulphur dioxide. I followed the smell and it was the engine battery overheating. It not only smelt but was very hot and was hissing. I could see bubbles at the valve hole. I immediately disengaged the battery. I managed to get a marine mechanic to see the engine and battery and he said it was the battery which was "caput". He said everything else was OK but he did not repair electrics, we needed a marine electrician. This seemed disappointing as the boat was only coming up for two years and was still just under guarantee. Vincenzo offered to drive me to buy a new battery and on the way we chatted. He has just qualified as a Civil Engineer, his cousin who he waved to on the way is an accountant and Sergio the manager is a lawyer. They take time off in the summer to help run Sergio's second business, the marina and rental boats. 

The engine batteries are beasts weighing 30 kgs and it took two of us to transport it up the pontoon. 

We seemed to drive for about 15 kms and arrived at the battery shop run by two older ladies. Although they had a trolley I could not understand how two middle aged ladies could run the battery shop. It seemed incongruous.

Anyway we bought the perfect battery and I was very happy. Vincenzo duly picked the battery up and carried to the car. Next stop, we went to fill our empty gas bottle as he knew a gas supplier. We usually pay 30€ in France and here we paid 6€ !

Vincenzo lifted the new battery from the car and with a trolley wheeled it to the boat lifted it into the boat and fitted the battery. So kind.

Sergio in the centre with me behind and Vincenzo on the right.

So we were ready to go the next day and as I started the engine the bow thruster would not work. It showed a problem with the automatic main switch. I decided we have to go anyway we could not wait any longer and needed to get to the next marina on the way North. With some difficulty we managed to manoeuvre out of a narrow spot thanks to Les jumping off to push the boat away and then she was collected by the marina dinghy to jump on board again. We felt at least relief that we were on our way again even though the bow thruster was not working. It was only later that I checked the batteries and found they were not charging up from the alternator on the engine. This was probably the problem. 

We arrived at the next marina Vibo Valentia which was a big marina mainly for large yachts and  superyachts. Francesco was helpful in getting us into the mooring and we asked for a marine engineer. No problem the next day one arrived. The same man who saw the boat in Palmi! I am not sure who got the biggest surprise but he reiterated it was not his expertise to do electrics so Francesco said he would contact the best electrical engineer who said he would come that afternoon at 3 pm - an exact time. He did not arrive so Francesco phoned again and he said 6.30 pm definitely. He did not arrive. Yesterday he arrived at 12 pm instead of 9 am and said the alternator was "caput". He could not do it then as it was lunchtime so he would come back at 3 pm So we had to pay him in advance for a new alternator and he would get one couriered immediately and he would be at the boat at 9.30 am and the work would be finished at 12 pm so we could leave. It is now 11.17 am and he has still not arrived. 

Francesco's father phoned him and he said the Courier was just arriving he could see the van! That was an hour ago. We are still waiting. This must be Italian time but he stops work at 12.30 to have his lunch. The worst is that it is the main two weeks Italian holiday starting and everything shuts down tomorrow. We are holding our breath.

He arrived and the new alternator is fitted.