One week in Cook Islands
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Avarua District, Cook Islands
It is one week today that we arrived here, on our wounded Te Kaihau propelled by a handkerchief skillfully maneuvered by Thomas. With Keith help we managed to put together a sort of temporary rigging that should take us to Tahiti and maybe even to Panama...yesterday the 3 pieces of the aluminum mast were welded together at Raroweld, a big workshop here. I learned a bit about welding aluminium. You have to have special skills, a powerful AC/DC machine connected to a tank of argon gas. Each time he pulls the trigger the guy shouts: "eyes" because you must not look at the spark or it will hurt. But looking at it on the attached picture should be safe...Thomas was careful to show the workers exactly what he wanted. "Here zees is good, there zees is no good...". At the end we have a mast, not the prettiest one, but it should work. The crane will come on Tuesday to fit it on the boat. Moral is better. Thank you for all your words of encouragement .
Other Entries
Comments

2025-02-18
Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank
Michele van Vugt
2017-05-14
Francois, bon courage! We're just back from a trip with the whole family, visiting Malawi-our malaria project, wild life, enormous Victoria falls and Orange babies-projects in Zambia.
Make sure, you're safe!! Bisous from Daniel, Eline, Bas (you are still his hero!!) and Michele
Marie N
2017-05-14
Does Tom know anything about Te Kaihau's new mast? Or would that put him at risk of a heart attack :p
Stephane Proux
2017-05-15
Bon de savoir que Te Kaihau fait peau neuve et remet bientôt les voiles! Bon courage et bon vent pour la suite!
Frank Bellivier
2017-05-21
Ici c'est l'euphorie Macron, le printemps, les soirées en terrasse, et
On pense à vous
More Photos
Warm kisses. Frank & Mathilde