Cat Tales being hauled out at Chaguaramas in Trinidad.
Since we were hauled out on Monday, May 7th, lots has been done to get her ready for 6 months 'on the hard'. Laurie has fogged the engines, replaced both exhaust elbows, changed oil, and filters. He then cleaned and removed the propellers and changed the seals on both sail drives. We have pickled the water maker, had the boat washed and waxed (wax to be left on for the season) and placed a 20 by 30 foot tarp over the boat. This morning, we did most of the bottom paint, however because we ran out, we'll finish the job when we return in November. Up in Antigua, we noticed a vibration in one of the rudders, so they were both removed when we came out of the water. Laurie will replace the bearings when we return and they will go back on when they put us in the lift on our 'splash' date in the fall. Yesterday, Laurie siphoned our fuel tank while scrubbing the bottom with a long handled paint brush with a couple of extensions. Our friend Blugh from the boatyard ran and got us 4 carboys of diesel and as I type this, Laurie's outside filling it up to the top to prevent moisture in the tank. He's got the outboard engine from the dinghy left to deal with. When that's finished, he'll store it inside the boat along with the life raft. Last year our life raft was stolen, but we managed to get it back, so no more chances with that!
I have done a couple loads of laundry and am packing all the tid bits that need to get home. Last year I found that I had left my camera battery behind and was forced to use my underwater camera for the entire season at home. We have software, batteries, chargers, phones etc. etc. to remember. Lists, lists and more lists!
We have organized a canvas expert to come and replace our bimini. We had the present one made in Canada before leaving in 2004, but its life is now spent and all the zippers need replacing, so we're getting a whole new one organized complete with a front wind screen, side panels and back shade panels. Shaun from 'Superb Sail and Canvas' has given us a fair price and he has promised to come on Monday to get the job started by moving and changing the design around slightly. Once we're happy with the piping and metal work, he'll do the job for us while we're away in Canada. Getting our 50 percent deposit paid was tricky since he works only in cash and the bank machines have a tiny daily limit. We tried too hard to get his money and ended up shutting down all our cards. With a few phone calls, we were back in business, but we have had to make a trip to the Bank Machine every day for 3 days!
Last but not least, we're eating down the fridge. It's hard work trying to use every last little bit of everything. Each meal is a challenge. Of course eating out in Trinidad along this long boat yard highway is amazingly great, so we don't want to eat every meal onboard. Tonight it's a Bake and Shark at the Wheelhouse Pub for 40 TT, which is about 7 Canadian dollars. The beers are also delightfully cold! With temperatures in the mid 30's with 100 percent humidity, the beer had better be cold!
We fly direct from Trinidad to Toronto on Wednesday, May 16th. Brian, our brother in law will pick us up at the airport late in the afternoon. We'll hang around Toronto until midnight when my mother flies in. We'll then head for London, Ontario to spend a week with my 2 sisters there and all the related families. A week later, mom, Laurie and I will return by plane to Fredericton.
So, there you have it...it's a hard life living on the hard!
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| Hey, it's not ALL work! |
