Thursday 25 June 2015

As seems always the case in the course of what should be a leisurely sail around the globe we're behind. No chance to visit Louisiades or Darwin. Will be happy just to arrive in Thursday Island for departure festivities or may go direct Debut. Delay here is caused by awaiting warranteed wind generator controller and search for backup outboard motor. She still runs, but confidence is meager as lower end is leaking water and gets way hot. See, this is what happens when one makes plans. It's just not worth the effort.

Friday

Anticipated controller from Pennsylvania to be delivered by FedEx today wasn't. Tracking website indicates it took 3 days to get through Memphis, Honolulu and Mascot to Alexandria, Australia, by last Sunday. It absolutely, positively won't be here now until at least Monday as no one works until then. Preparing for a relaxing 2 days with the occasional minor, although still baffling, attack of energy.

Sunday

Amazement has engulfed entire crew as numerous projects were completed this weekend. Adding additionally to this journal won't be one of them.

Monday

Rented an automobile to facilitate the following: breakfast, discovering that Yamaha outboard dealer closes from 1100 to 1330 each day, discovering that FedEx parcel is in country and may get delivered tomorrow, finding a restaurant an extended distance from marina to be patronized using previously mentioned conveyance, purchasing a shiny, new, Yamaha, 2-cycle, short shaft, 15 HP, outboard engine which cost, after removing duty and tax, less than a similarly sized used one, circa 2008, in America.

Tuesday

New bit arrived, dead one sent off. FedEx managed to extract an additional $25 for indeterminate reasons (apparently not easily translatable into English), but would absolutely positively not deliver without said extortion.. errr fee. Last full flow, hot shower tonight for some considerable time.

Just prior to departure expect to retrieve gas bottles that were unequivocally not refilled with propane because it's not allowed and thus cost an arm and a leg (where did that expression come from?), but worth it as we were nearly out.. although, of course, it was not done. Boat sorted for 30 NM passage to Moustique Bay to meet mates for a day or so after clearing out early manana (this is not a Spanish speaking country so think tot demain).

With the exception of an odd instance or two of wonderfully and typically French rudeness we really enjoyed this country. On next go around wouldn't mind spending more time. This would have nothing to do with the patisseries.. at all.

Jack