08/06/2012, Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
This boat has just been hauled and is getting pressure washed before being "parked". I imagine everyone holds their breath when the lift raises their vessels out of the water. I know I will when the time comes for us, which should be a little later in the season.
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08/06/2012, Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
There was a flurry of activity on Thursday of last week when Ernesto was making its appearance. While Grenada was spared, it was difficult knowing that would be the case, and a handful of cautious cruisers came down to Trinidad. Several of them came to Coral Cove Marina. This photo is of Ed on board s/v Wild Matilda along with Bob from s/v Spirit helping with dock lines. Mark from s/v Liahona is in his dinghy giving his best tugboat imitation. Before they got on this boat, Bob and Ed were on s/v Iris giving a hand with docking lines in preparation for a haul-out. While hindsight is 20-20, I doubt any of these cruisers regret their decision to come south. It has to be pretty nerve-wracking trying to decide whether to stay or go in the face of a potentially dangerous situation. I think I would err on the side of caution, as would Ed. But that doesn't mean it would always be the best choice to make.
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08/06/2012, Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
Luna has become a shameless beggar. Bob on s/v Spirit, the person living with feline cruisers Annie and Holly, is a well-known sneaker of treats and is teaching Luna bad marina habits. Bob and Luna have become well-acquainted and he gives her "Begging Strips" at least once a day. To his credit, he always asks for permission. But before I can respond, he adds, "How can you refuse this puppy-dog face?" while holding the package within sniffing distance of Luna's nose and looking particularly pitiful with his own puppy-dog expression. I don't stand a chance. Luna is a vegetarian out of necessity. Ed and I eat anything and everything, but Luna's digestive system dictates a different regimen for her. The good news is that apparently, bacon flavored Begging Strips are meatless. They are probably nutritionless as well. Luna hangs around Bob's boat all day long. Bob and I agreed he could give her one treat each morning after her walk. Yesterday late in the day he told me she had come over after lunch wanting to know if it was tomorrow morning yet. I am clearly outnumbered. Holly is demanding to know why her person is giving away her begging strips. Even Annie made a rare appearance today, wandering up into the cockpit between naps to see why a dog (of all things) was hogging the treat scene. That's when I saw the truth about Annie. I had never actually seen Annie in all her glory because her activity of choice is competitive napping. Let me just say this. If s/v Spirit isn't the fastest boat on the water, there is likely a reasonable explanation.
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08/04/2012, Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
Tropical Storm Ernesto is making its way toward Mexico's Yucatan, possibly becoming a Category 1 hurricane as it gets closer to that area. We've had a lot of rain, not much wind of any kind. Today is overcast, always a welcome relief from the intensity of the sun. Ed is finally done varnishing which is a frustrating project in the rainy season. In February he'll have to add additional coats of varnish. Ed says, "You're never done varnishing". I stay fairly busy with my chores, errands and the blog. I do admit to having the luxury of water aerobics for an hour each morning. I love the convenience of the pool being so close, the water refreshingly temperate (I hate cold water), exercising on a daily basis and of course, socializing with the gang in the pool, currently all of us female. Many women cruisers look forward to time together, away from the men. We are with the men A LOT. In VERY small spaces. There is OFTEN talk about technical issues whenever a group of two or more sailors gather, unless the men are absent. What do women cruisers talk about? Everything under the sun really. And what do the men talk about? Well, let's see...what kind of varnish to use, refrigeration thermostats, how to fix electronics, the best way to run new or fix old wiring on a boat, the best battery monitoring systems, generator maintenance issues (we don't have a generator), bottom paint, contractors, boatyards, etc. Interesting? Sure, if you like that sort of thing. One of the men I talk to at the social gatherings discusses books with me. I enjoy that. Another tells me funny cat stories. What's not to love about that? I enjoy conversation about local politics. It's great fun hearing about where cruisers come from (they come from everywhere). And of course there's always the now funny stories about mistakes made (you know, crashing into rocks, dragging anchor, losing ones way, falling out of dinghies). Both Ed and I love hearing destination stories or recommendations. But varnish? I'm yawning simply writing about it.
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