A fraught journey to lakeside & then…
Very long drive to the lake 950k, with a very heavy load. Poor car took a beating. 9 hrs one day, blew the head gasket at about midnight and from then on had to refill the water system every 50-100k, running a ‘bit rough’ on only 4 or 5 of the 6 cylinders! Nursed it to the lake the next morning and after another 4 hrs arrived about 11 am, only to find a flooded lake. Very depressing. The water (one inch in one day) last month is still around. However on detailed inspection not that bad. The locals have been sailing on a dry lake for the last 2 weeks, so gave me the nod that it was dry and ready to go, but during my drive, the wind changed direction and all the water that was piled up on the far side of the lake (10 miles away), washed across to this side. This means we can’t currently sail from the base out to the dry part of the lake, but hopefully as soon as the wind changes back to its prevailing direction, it will push the water back smoothing the surface as it goes.
Ready to go!
Finally in Western Australia!
Flooded lake!
Wow it looks amazing! Can’t wait to see it in action.
Comment by Gemma — August 18, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
good luck with the attempt, looks amazing
Comment by Sam Purnell — August 18, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Hey good luck team, looks terrific….if she goes hlaf as good as she looks you are onto a winner!
Comment by Geoff Proven — August 19, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
This whole concept looks unbelievable, will be watching with interest.
Best wishes to all involved. BEST OF BRITISH. D.H
Comment by Denis Hounsome — August 20, 2008 @ 1:35 am
Good Luck Richard. The surface looks smooth in the photos, just need the winds to push the thin layer of warer back across the lake. No. Nevada has been dry, too dry on the Black Rock, but good at Smith Creek in Central Nevada. Mark Harris, American 5 Square Meter Assn, SALA, NALSA, USMA
Comment by Mark Harris — August 20, 2008 @ 5:46 am
Congratulations on the title sponsor !
It will be very exciting top see the performance of the modified MK IV - good luck Richard ;o)
Comment by Flemming Rasmussen — August 20, 2008 @ 7:34 am
Getupit Rich,
She looks great, love the colours. Congrats on the sponsorship. Funny eh? Whoever thought we would get sponsored by wind power companies? We are back down in Namibia and the boats all set up. Should be sailing within a week. We might have to get a private little bet going!!!
Good luck with the weather.
Paul and Helena.
Comment by Paul Larsen — August 20, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Good Luck Richard, from the landsailors in the wet and windy UK. will be watching the web site from now on.
Comment by Gareth Rowland K11 — August 20, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Just heard you expounding from Oz on my morning wake up radio 4. Good job you did too. Now let’s hope that the weather gods are kind to you. Good luck with the attempt and let’s hope your engineering skills are still with you.
regards
Shaun C
Comment by Shaun Crofton — August 20, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Hi Richard, hope you’ve plenty of “10 men” out there with you.
Missing the fun, but not the hours!
J
Comment by 10 Man James — August 20, 2008 @ 9:44 am
@Paul Larsen
Hi Paul, Richard Jenkins here. Thanks! Wager sounds intersting, in true Australian style how about a ‘crate of piss’ to the winner? Wishing you the very best of luck down there in Namibia.
Comment by Richard — August 27, 2008 @ 9:30 am