A mainsail goes up for the first time. A washing machine pump does not.

By Ilse & Piet – Breskens Marina – Thursday & Friday

The weather forecast looked too good to ignore. With perfect conditions predicted mid-week — and a Sunday that would demand our presence elsewhere — the decision was easy: pack the car on Wednesday evening and drive to Breskens. Which is exactly what we did.

Two working days on the boat. A list of tasks. And, as is always the way aboard Adriana, a couple of surprises waiting to make things interesting.

Thursday

– Cleaning, hoisting, and golden hour

We started where the work had been piling up longest: the guest bathroom. The blackout blind had been removed for cleaning some time ago and never quite made it back. Today it did — reinstalled after a thorough scrub, and the whole space along with it. Chrome and salt air are not natural friends, which the toilet roll holder demonstrates rather honestly. The corrosion is too far gone to reverse; that will need replacing. But the rest of the bathroom? It gleams.

Then Piet glanced at the burgee. It was barely moving. We looked at each other.

Conditions like this don’t come along often enough to ignore — light wind, flat water, no pressure. As luck would have it, Niels was around, and his calm guidance made all the difference. Together we hoisted the mainsail for the first time. Carefully, without rushing. And then we practised furling and unfurling — getting a feel for her, learning what she wants from us.

By the time the sun was properly out, the drinks were out too. Kurt came by for a neighbourly visit, and the afternoon stretched pleasantly on. When the sun lost its warmth, so did the air — quickly, the way it always does on the water. The bottle was empty. The moment had been enjoyed to its natural conclusion.

After dinner we chipped away at a few more small jobs. Then we were tired, and that was fine. We slept well.

Friday

– The bimini returns, the toys emerge, and the washing machine does not cooperate

Friday was a day of mixed fortunes — which is probably the most honest description of boat ownership in general.

The crossbar issue is still being worked through, but progress is being made. We’ll get there.

The lazarette yielded its secrets next: a collection of inflatable water toys that had apparently been living there since who knows when. We inflated them all, made some brisk decisions about what earns its place on board, and prepared the rest for the recycling centre. The storage space that opened up is its own reward.

Then came the washing machine. We tested it — as we’d been meaning to do for weeks — and the pump is not working. Troubleshooting got us nowhere useful. This one needs a proper assessment from someone who knows what they’re looking at; we’ll arrange that before trying to proceed. The dishwasher, tested in the same session, passed without drama.

The watermaker also needs attention — that’s on the list. And the solar panels, currently back in the bunk cabin after their previous home was needed for other things, still need a proper permanent solution. A new task, added honestly to Jira rather than quietly ignored.

We’re driving home now. The weekend ahead is full — family, and work commitments that won’t wait. But we’re leaving Breskens a little further along than when we arrived, and that’s all a productive two days needs to be.

Still to Come

• Washing machine pump — get an expert assessment
• Watermaker — needs attention
• Solar panel storage — find a permanent solution
• Crossbar issue — resolution in progress
• Toilet roll holder — chrome replacement needed
• Everything else that’s patiently waiting on the Jira board