Although we are making good progress, we feel a bit frazzled. Can somebody turn the light on in that tunnel of boat maintenance and health issues because it feels rather dark in here!
Boat Maintenance
The dome around the cabin and sections of the cockpit stern are the only parts being repainted. The team from Millenium Marine (MMA) spent the first few days of our stay in the shed masking what will not be painted to protect from spills and overspray. Every hatch and window is covered, as are the deck, roof and cockpit floor.
It has been an interesting process to watch. Once the masking was done, Tim and Jess from MMA grinded out all the small cracks and divots and filled them with fibreglass. Next they were sanded and pink bog applied, and the whole cabin dome was brushed with a thin mix of Acetone and black lacquer. Anything black has to be sanded till it is back to white. It is hard to see white on white, so unless you have that visual reference you could easily miss some areas.
They are meticulous, removing any build up of sikaflex around the big windows – which means we’ll have to re-seal all those windows so they don’t leak… another job to add to the list for when we are back in the water before the next rains!
Over the following days, the bogging and sanding back was repeated for a perfectly smooth surface. We managed to keep the cabin reasonably clear of sanding dust, but it felt a bit like a cave in there with all the masking on the windows.
And finally a tent was erected – the last step prior to undercoating and spray painting.
Eleven days of prep work later, the primer and undercoat are now on for the cabin top and currently being done in the cockpit. Spray painting will happen on Saturday. It is a steady but painstaking process.
People Maintenance
What’s happening on the medical side contributes to that feeling of being in a dark tunnel also. Being in our mid to late 60s, with pre-existing medical conditions means the decrepitude seems to be accelerating, and we don’t like it much! And both of us have a cancer history, so we are quick to have anything suspect investigated.
We have had another week of appointments with medicos to get bits cut out, burnt off, checked for malignancy. This year the skin checks have resulted in a few biopsies. Wade can be discreet about his two wounds (one on the arm, the other on the leg), but for Chris it’s a wee bit obvious. We will find out next week the nature of the damage…
The Boat Works staff, especially Madi and Shane have been very accommodating with our use of the courtesy car just about every day, and some times overnight, to manage our many medical commitments. Their support and kindness makes stressful times a little easier.
The most serious of our appointments was the follow up on Chris’s pelvic ultrasound. A procedure is now scheduled in hospital next week to remove a ‘lesion’, then another few days of holding our breath for the pathology results. As usual the waiting is the killer. People say: “no point worrying”. Yeah… sure… How well would that work if it was you? Hopefully it will be benign, if not our cruising south plans will go awry… again, not to mention our morale.
As you can imagine, we are feeling rather frustrated and a little scared! We badly need a break from all the fretting about boat and body matters. We can’t wait to be off Anui at the end of the year for six months. By the way, there are rumors that we are selling the boat. Don’t believe this rubbish. Some people seem to make up their own story! We are keeping Anui, just won’t be living on board full time from 2026 onwards.
For now we are staying in our shed for a few more days for the paint to harden and the antifoul to be done, then we will be back in the water on Tuesday. We will remain on the Gold Coast however until the health matters are sorted. Stay tuned!
Sv-Anui 
Best wishes for your health, guys! We are about the same age, I will be 65 this December. I have an 80% blockage in my right corotid artery and having surgery for this October 28. It’s better than a stroke or worse. The car sitting under Anui clearly shows her size, wow! Shes a beautiful cat. Be well, guys! 🇦🇺
All the best for your op and your recovery, John, thinking of you. Neck incision? By the time you go in we will know our results…
The car is really tiny, but Anui is long and wide!
Yes, they will make an incision, clamp the artery off, open it and scoop the plaque out, gross but the recovery time is minimal with an overnight stay in Intensive Care due to the fluctuating blood pressure. Then, NO heavy lifting for two weeks.
I’ve met the surgeon, she is also active military here at Nellis Air Force Base in the valley. This surgery has been happening for 100 years according to my surgeon, wow!!
Good to hear. It is amazing what they can do with ‘minimal’ intrusion, but still rather daunting. You’ll be able to say you survived someone slashing your neck! 😜
Good one! 😂👍🏻
Dear Cris & Wade,It’s so good to see that you are still smiling, in spite of what gets thrown at you. Hope it all comes together as planned and you’ll be heading south on a brilliantly refurbished Anui.C&S DII
Hi Chris & Suzanne… you have to laugh or you go nuts!
We have been warned we’ll need dark sunnies when Anui emerges from the shed. Gotta see something out of the tens of thousands spent!
OK! Love your photo . . . that you are still managing to smile. The only half-way logical stupid remark I can make is ‘this too will pass’! Health obviously has to come first – am guessing, Chris, whether matters pertain to the ‘middle’ or the two ‘sides’. Fingers and toes crossed. Trust the skin biopsies also get the negative click. Had absolutely no idea painting a boat et al would sound like building the Empire State Building! Quite a massive undertaking – unfortunately, besides a very pretty Anui out of water, all I can see are dollar signs – wow – the time this is taking. Great that the locals seem more than friendly . . . the very bestest until next time . . .
It’s the middle bit, Eha… if the pathology is clear, that’s it, if not… the girly bits go!
And yes the dollars are evaporating with the paint work! Gotta love boats 😞
Am happy about the medical side of the reply – far less chance of later problems – hugs galore > have a decent weekend!
Wow that’s a big job painting those decks. Lots of progress though. Anui will look very smicko! Lots happening & we do feel for you both regarding your health. Fingers crossed. Will stay in touch.
Hiya Amanda
No painting on deck, just the cabin dome… but such a long process! Would hate to have to do the decks as well – what a nightmare. It should look blindingly bright once done… it’d better, given the cost!
Trying to keep it ‘together’ on the health side but feeling a bit fragile.
Good to see you both smiling despite your troubles. Don’t think about the cost, it’s just a holiday or two and you guys have been on a holiday for eight years 😂😘💖
Good thought, Maree… an endless summer holiday!
C’est super de vous voir tous les deux !! Bisous
Ah c’est super que tu commentes! Merci p’tite sœur! Pas vraiment notre meilleure allure mais ça fait rire! Câlins et bisous 😘
Love the smiles! Praying that the pathology reports come back clear and that health issues will get worked out smoothly. It’s hard not to worry and be scared when you’re waiting for test results…with each passing day, the issues grows bigger in the mind. I understand what you mean. Praying that God’s peace pervades both your hearts and minds.
So glad to hear about the courtesy car and how that’s been helping with the medical appointments. How wonderful they can provide that for you.
Cheering you guys on from California!
Thanks Esther… we know you ‘get’ the excruciating wait. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
You’re welcome! Yes, I know that waiting period far too well and it’s terrible. So glad that we have this space to share and commiserate with a community of bloggers.
Hello Chris and Wade,
I just spent the last 30 minutes writing you and somehow it all disappeared ….
So I will just say that we both feel for you , material side and health issues. It if could make you feel a bit better, you are not alone having bits removed here and there. Taking care of ourselves I suppose.
Sincerely hoping for the best possible outcome. Loving your smiling photo.
I hope you did not breathe any of the spray paint today as that is nasty stuff for us living beings.
Please keep u the positive attitude. That is the only Choice !
Love from Gary and I on Zao, back in Airlie atm.
Hello, Dom & Gary
So nice to hear from you. You have had some great adventures this year on Zao but we know you had your share of health issues before that. It goes with the territory doesn’t it!
Looks like a very professional job preparing for the painting. I am currently preparing Medina in sections however it would be nice to get a professional to complete it.
Great to see you both smiling considering what you’re both working through. Thinking of you both hope everything goes well.
Cheers Mick & Lyn.
Hi Mick & Lyn, all the work is in the prep: masking, sanding, undercoat… it took days… today they sprayed the cabin top in about an hour! Had a sneak peek and it is super shiny. Still have the cockpit patches to do.
The medical stuff is hard… we smiled for the selfie but there have been a few tears and sleepless nights… not too worried about the skin biopsies, but the rest for me next week is a bit scary.
Good luck Wade & Chris with skin biopsies & Chris with the pelvic concern. Hoping all results are good. Thinking of you both. Glad Anui is progressing well & hope that you are soon out to sea enjoying your trip south. Things are so busy I find on land, so many things to do. I miss the days we were at sea when weather was kind. I find solace out there & I hope you both do too soon. Pats to Bengie & big hugs from us
Thanks Lindy & Phil. The worst is behind us on all fronts and looking positive.