And we are off!

Work has been done on a supposed easier site for a blog but I have been working on it all day. One of the pluses is that I can now label the pictures without having to go to the computer. Frustrating as I have done it but can't find it. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Back to Palmas

Monday to Friday, January 9 to 13...Well, we learned that the winch could not be repaired...no parts, so now have to wait and see. Perhaps parts from Aussieland or new winch. 

Next morning we worked installing a new antenna for the chart plotter. Wire had to go through various parts of the boat from the stern to the center counsel. It took a good afternoon but works perfectly now.
Gorgeous sunset on Wednesday, a double rainbow on Thursday. Friday we headed out to Roosevelt  Roads, a deserted naval base. Roads still intact, some buildings as The Commissary, bowling alley, a naval hotel still standing but in need of work. Apartments are still there but apparently have been looted. We did stop for lunch at the Oasis but would not rush back for the food. The roads are full of iguanas, no natural predators around for them.

January 19...Well, no news is good news, correct? Yesterday we got our winch motor back and the final word is no parts or replacement for the Barient. So an order went in to Defender for a brand new Harken that hopefully can be retrofitted. Should be here Friday? ?
The marina is full up with the most boats I have seen in two years. Word is getting out that this is a very comfortable place to be.
Last night was chilly the temp went down to 70. We have not eaten dinner outside for a while. Even went to Costco to buy Peter a sweatshirt since he had nothing warmish.
Winds have died and I believe many boaters will be leaving to catch the weather window. 
Lou arrives Saturday with Bug and we look forward to seeing him.
We will just wait  and see when we get out of here.
A happy birthday tomorrow to John.

January  21...Finally we got our fast data back and are able to publish. Unfortunately, I had removed some photos to also get more memory on my tablet and I have lost  them.

Good thing is that the electric winch is on the way!

Gorgeous sunset last night.

January  26...Still here. Apparently installation will begin today. Gorgeous day and same for the seas. Good travelling day.

January 27...It's a beautiful thing but no power yet!

January 30...No news yet! 

February  3...Sea trial today and minor adjustments to the rigging. Spent the last days working on a new sun shade for the front windshield to keep the sun out of the main salon and also when lights are on in the evening, a bit more private.  And, of course, yesterday we looked up and one of the life lines had broken. We figure it was the weight of the fenders and the constant pushing of the water against the dock. A small problem but nonetheless something else. It won't keep us from leaving next Thursday, winds permitting.

February 4...Test drive completed. All is good. A few more minor adjustments tomorrow and a new life line, only the portion that needs to be replaced. Others will be done in the summer. Lou left today for Green Bay but will be back in a few days. Since Wiarton Willie predicts an early spring we have booked our return for April 15 without even having left yet. But all is well and at least we got a good deal for the return. 

Plans are to leave here Thursday after a shop and a visit to get my shot. That should put  us in good stead for the next month! 

February 6...Last night SuperBowl. Great game, wrong team won. Peter had a great time, he thinks. Dinner at Tiki Hut, Mahi and salad again for me, wings and fries for Peter and much Chevas!

Visit with Emily, December 25, 2016 to January 8

December 25...Emily arrived on time, in fact ten minutes early and I thought she was in first class, first row, as she was first off the plane. Drove to Palmas with no problem and had a wonderful Christmas dinner, cooked by me. A couple of predinner drinks, a bottle of wine and a visit to Dave's boat completed Christmas day.
Spent the 26th relaxing, at the pool, dinner on board and made plans for the next days.
December 27...A drive to SanJuan to West Marine and Best Buy for boxing day sale items but none to be had, then to the Arecibo radiotelescope. A stop for pizza at Ebenezers and we could have had a workout as well but all the equipment was gone. The radiotelescope was well worth the visit. Amazing! Hard to imagine that being built in the late '50's, then off to our deluxe hotel.....mmmmm.....passable and a quick visit to the last lighthouse built by the Spanish. Again quite lovely, well maintained. A tour through downtown Arecibo  and then a restaurant. Unfortunately, the wait for dinner quite lengthy, Peter's food not so good, Emily's okay, mine was excellent. TV at night, watched James Taylor being honoured.

December 27...McDonald's for breakfast, we knew what we were getting, then off to the Rio Camuy Caves. A long long wait for tickets and also to get down to the caves. We had already been but wanted to show Emily. Again a worthwhile tourist destination. Two o'clock and ready for a quick lunch...Subway...and then off to Casa Bacardi.
Well, we made it to the Barcardi tour! Interesting. Did you know they started out in Cuba, were nationalized in 1960, head office is in Bermuda and they have distilleries in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and ?....too much Bacardi, I guess.
Going back now.....tomorrow to deal with our new rigging.

January 1, 2017...Happy new year all!

Mast is back up, rigging looks good. Just a few minor checks to do. The guys worked like dogs to get it completed. Think they left about 8 pm or so. We were supposed to leave for Culebra the next morning but decided since the electric winch was defunct that we would postpone. There was a weather window but later in the afternoon the wind came up, rained cats and dogs so I was pretty glad we weren't out there testing the new rigging. 

We spent the afternoon at the pool, cocktails of course and then a predicted drink at the Tiki Bar. Off to Chez Daniel for dinner, excellent, then off to the Tiki Bar to join some people to bring in the new year.  Lots of fireworks, glad we were able to stay awake and actually feeling good this morning.

Plans so far up in the air!

January 5...Well, here we are in Esperanza, Viequese. Not on Mistress but on Lisa Marie, a power boat, 49 feet. Dave asked whether we wanted to go so here we are for one night. Gorgeous day. We were going to go to Culebra yesterday but apparently line for ferry was long long long. It has to do with Three Kings Day, a holiday akin to Christmas, celebrated in Puerto Rico. Will be back in marina tomorrow evening, hopefully winch will be fixed, will be able to test sails and then may be off late next week! We did try to book flights to Culebra but no go. Everything booked up!

January 6...Sunset last night.  Decided to stay an extra day and try for the Biobay luminescent bay. Going tonight. It was a good idea. Gorgeous day at the anchorage in Esperanza.

Well, we did the bay and a touch disappointing. But now we can say we have done it. Dinner at Bananas two nights, excellent and drinks were as well.

January 7...Off in the morning back to Palmas, only two hours. Visit to Esperanza exceeded expectations. Goes to show you have to try this at least twice, especially if disappointed first time. Perhaps that goes for the bay as well.

January 8...Emily off today and we planned a visit to San Juan. Found the bus station, right!, we were in a dedicated bus lane for a bit, reminding me of Peter and riding the streetcar tracks wrong way in Toronto.

Found the free trolley, rode as far as the fort, then got off and walked down through old San Juan. Found an excellent rooftop restaurant at Hotel Milan, Punta De Vista, offering mojhitos, two for one, excellent Mahi bites, and fish and steak tacos. Friendly waiters as well. 

On way to airport, stopped off at presidents and took some good photos. Sad to see Emily go. A good time was had for the two weeks.