I have reached that glorious stage whereby, after months of washing, sanding, wood treatment, sanding, varnishing, sanding, undercoat, sanding, compound, sanding, painting, sanding, anti-slip paint; I can now start to put everything together.
I replace the inspection hatch covers in the cockpit well. Please God make them watertight!
I screw down the protection strips on the engine hatch. Thank God for electric my screwdriver. I have screwed in hundreds of screws so far.
Nice new teak cleats.
I apply my official Japanese registration stickers. I am hopeless at this.
The weather is very windy, rainy and hot. I strip off the backing of a sticker and the wind blows it all over the place. I lunge at the side of the cabin with the sticker flapping. One, at least, goes agley. Of course, I should wait for a calm day to do this but I get too excited.
Kiyuna san passes by and gives me a palm tree fan. I need it. Aregato. My shirt is soaked with rain rather from sweat. Makes a change.
Next, I screw on the thin wooden beading that draws out the beauty of of the gunwhale, if you see what I mean.
So, this is an interesting example of my advancing age. I place the beading and reach for the box, in which I have stored the screws. It is not there. I look around the vicinity, I look in the cockpit and cabin of the boat, I look in the car, I go to the toilet and drinks machine, which I had recently visited; the screw box has disappeared. I repeat all the above. Nothing.
This is so frustrating, after months of preparation I stumble. I am close to tears.
I had put the electric screwdriver, God bless her, bag on top of the screw box
Most of beading fitted. Notice jib sheet guide and cleat on the combing. She almost looks new.
Very mickle – I attach the bullseyes that guide the roller reefing line to the cockpit. You may have noticed lots of little clasps that will hold down the cockpit cover, er, when I get one.
Just a short serious note: Governor Onaga died last week. I had the honor to meet him several times. A truly great man, who cared deeply for Okinawa.
Rest in Peace, Onaga Sensei
The Quiet Ripple Defines The Pond 
Looks like the mighty vessel is nearing the end of the renovation process! Small items like fitting the engine will be a doddle after the registration stickers nightmare. Any chance it will be ready for November? Current travel offer from the New Scientist is for a sciencey trip to Japan which finishes off with five days on Okinawa and OIST. No good to me as I’ll be in India and I don’t really fancy robotics design lectures in Tokyo. Perhaps you could get in on the game and offer Round-the-Bay trips to the visitors to help offset the restoration costs? http://www.newscientist.com/travel/Japan
That’s a good idea! I need the money.