You could be here...

...imagine!

Keeping up with it all is a BIG job

When low pressure alarms start beeping and the water maker shuts down Sasha is in there adjusting the settings, then scrubbing out the current filters. In the end we ended up replacing the pre-filters which had apparently reached the end of their usable life-- good thing we were carrying extra filters on board!

Every once in awhile I hear this far away voice asking "Hey Tara, could you just pull on my foot". Some of the fixes are not as accessable as one would hope. I've become the tool runner (wink to Rob), the paper towel hander, and foot puller!

Splicing the old anchor rode to the new secondary anchor. We've used the new anchor a few times now and it is wonderful! The new Lightweight Aluminum Guardian anchors are so much easier on your back-- and the side of your boat!

Mama said there'd be days like this

Well, the weather continued to be favorable given our location and this morning Tara went up the forestay to clean the sail and also replace one of the set screws that I noticed was missing yesterday.

You can see the difference that Tara makes as she works her way down the sail.

The winds continued to be light all day, providing clear and calm conditions in the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

Yes yes we don't stop

Took advantage of the light wind and the fact we are tied to a dock (so the boat is not swinging all over the place) to take a trip up the forestay with the foresails out, to tighten all the little screws that hold the jib furlers together.

More Work

Forgot to mention earlier, Tara put another two coats of sealer on the teak rails yesterday, and now she is sewing surfboard straps out of webbing. She doesn't stop!!

Work Weekend

We took the weekend to complete a few projects around the boat. The major items were done in Annapolis in November (engines, rigging, etc.), but there are still a million smaller things left to do. For example, the caulking around the salon hatches has gotten old and chalky. Not only will it start peeling off and leaking soon, this allows mold to grow in the pores of the caulk which is simply IMPOSSIBLE to clean (we tried everything: bleach, soft scrub, toothbrushes, abrasive pads, etc.). It still looked awful:

Since the old caulk was surface clean, Tara simply went over it with new caulk. It looks fantastic, and should be good for another 8-10 years!

Remember, as Michael Beans sings, "You ain't old until you mold!"

While Tara was working outside, I was under the galley sink tearing out the old, leaky, rusty faucet:

The new one looks like something out of Modern Galley Magazine!

In addition to a couple of other plumbing repairs that Tara helped me with, we also found time to give the boat a thorough cleaning inside and outside, and I also waxed and polished the dinghy. The rest of today is time to rest. It is really hot outside today so we are sitting inside with every fan we own turned on, because the airconditioning simply can't keep up with the heat outside combined with the sun blaring through the windows. We are designing some interior shades which will help keep the interior cool.

North Sound

Soaking up a little R&R before the party tonight over on Sabarrrrr Rock.

The Jumbies were a hit! No idea how they dance on five foot stilts without a) stepping on people or b) tripping and breaking their neck.

Probably my favorite group picture of the week.

This little piggy was picked to the bone! John was hand selecting the cut he wanted, the guy carving was impressed with his selection.

Home Town Crew

I can't believe they found me, but I'm sure glad they did! This week our guests are from my hometown of Anderson, IN - we are having a "Fantaaaastic Time" (though, not sleeping much). Yesterday we decided to do a little beach time in Pond Bay combined with a hike all the way across Virgin Gorda, these guys are troopers!!

Looking out from a high point over a salt pond to the ocean beyond.

Finishing the day off right with a little stack of grilled pineapples and sweet marscapone, topped with nutella and mac nuts. So delicious and somewhat healthy!

New Crew!

Our latest crew showed up with Diadem polos already made!! Now that is the kind of enthusiasm the captain likes!! :)

Fortunately they really appreciate the enthusiasm that the chef puts into her cuisine...

And of course, flaming desserts!!!!!

Yum!!!