Next morning with the tools needed, l had a look at the outboard and managed to start it. My problem now was lack of fuel, the tank was 3/4s full with the spare fuel can empty. I needed to get fuel somewhere.
Sally and Bill who l had met in Fowey back in June had been in contact the evening before because they had seen Elektra anchored in the Tamar when they motored their yacht upto Calstock to be pulled out for the winter. I had seen her being pressure washed on my return down river from Morewellham Quay.
Now with my petrol problem, l asked if there was a fuel station in Calstock as l needed a gallon of E5 petrol. Sally was more than willing to get me a gallon and a lt of 2 stroke oil and bring it to Wear Quay. Sally had worked out the tides and knew l would be able to get down stream to Wear Quay on the ebbing tide and would have the flood to go back to Elektra, if l set off right away! I don’t think l had thought that at the time l set off for Wear Quay, but the tide changed halfway there, and going south into the tide and wind was a interesting, but l got there.
Walking up the gangway to the boat yard cafe were we had agreed to meet. Sally and Bill hadn’t arrived yet, so l ordered a hot chocolate for myself and as l sat down to drink it, l saw Bill walk past the window, so went out to see him and met Sally walking in with the petrol. So we all went back in the cafe and l bought them a hot chocolate too. Sitting and chatting, it was nice to see them again.
When finish we went back outside to where the petrol was, l was going to pour it into my fuel can, but Bill and Sally insisted on me taking the can as well. And they wouldn’t take a payment either. I felt bad for not refunding them, it was a favour to get me the petrol, let alone give it to me. I thanked them and headed back to Elektra in the dinghy. I own them one next season.
Love Sailing 