This is the 3rd time I’ve written this particular post. The first one was lost when our Internet when down suddenly and inexplicably. The 2nd one disappeared when I forgot to log in before typing it. This one is the last one for tonight, so it better darn well post.

Our progress with the wind generator has been good and it’s up and running. Brian, our metal fabricator came by the boat yesterday to drop off the post, then today Ed finished the installation. I took a photo from the dinghy and I must say it’s an attractive addition to an already good-looking boat. I can say that, right? Good job done as usual by our competent and handsome captain. I’m gushing, let me move on.

Our watermaker finally got finished. The next day I was venturing to take a shower in a cold boat when I started to run out of hot water just before I was done, which wasn’t fun, but then I started to run out of water. And that got me asking myself, “I want to live on a boat why?” Luckily, Ed had made about 30 gallons of fresh water earlier in the day and he switched over to that water. Voila! I finished my shower, albeit with tepid water.

I spent yesterday and today provisioning and cooking (chili, minestrone soup, beef stew, ham & rice casserole). Yesterday I was on a search for sushi ingredients because I KNOW Ed is going to catch us some fish and WHEN he does, I intend to make sushi. I couldn’t find anything I needed, so stopped in at a local place, Jay’s Sushi. Jay? I was skeptical, but found an authentic sushi chef named Jay working behind the bar. He spoke some English so I told him I was hoping he might sell me ingredients for making sushi. He acted like he didn’t understand. I kept trying. Finally, an American woman eating at the bar translated everything I said, in English. Same words, same language. He understood her just fine. Later I realized he was unsure he wanted to sell me anything because he thought I was opening up a restaurant and wanted him to sell me supplies. But he sold me enough pickled ginger for a year’s worth of fish, some wasabi and at my nudging, threw in a rolling mat for free. Later that night Ed and I splurged, stopping at Jay’s for dinner. Jay was pleased we came by and gave us some tips as we watched him make our food, which turned out to be some of the best sushi we’ve had. As we were leaving, he handed me a container of sesame seeds, which I had forgotten to get earlier.

No trick or treaters came to Skylark last night so today we dressed Luna up in a cold- weather costume. Where’s the candy?

Tomorrow we leave first thing. York River Yacht Haven has been a terrific place to stay and we highly recommend them, whether you’re at anchor, in a slip or at the boatyard. We are heading down to Beaufort, NC via the ICW-Great Dismal Swamp route. From there we’ll await good weather before making our offshore passage to Antigua. Yikes!