We came very close to running over to Langford Island to go snorkeling today. Our friends of S/V Infini, Mike and Susan, actually did run over there but never got into the water. We were planning to join them but we first wanted to make some calls using Skype. We have great Internet here, which is refreshing.

When Mike and Sue got to Langford Island, they called us on the radio and we told them that we thought we would be over in about a half hour. I had been watching the Met radar and it looked like there would be a patch of blue sky after the second of numerous rain cells that were heading our way passed us by.

As we waited out the rain, we called our three kids, who are all together in San Francisco for the weekend. They were at a restaurant ordering drinks when we called. They take after their dad on that subject. I’m such a bad influence… We had a great talk and we are so thrilled and fortunate that each of our kids are so close and supportive of each other.

Afterwards, it was still raining so we called John and Cheryl of S/V SeaMist. We had just received an email from them saying that they and S/V Kilkea are now at Goldsmith Island, in the southern Whitsundays. It was great to hear their voices. Like us, they too are fed up with the crummy weather. Plus, to make matters worse, at each of their anchorages, they have had very rolly times. It was not too bad a Goldsmith now but they are not happy campers. I suggested that they and Kilkea should go to Butterfly where the anchorage is very well protected from the swells and the water is very calm. You do get bullets and there is no Internet but you can sleep well throughout the night. They may do that and if they do, we will most likely run over and join them. However, to lose Internet, man, that is tough!!!

Once we were done with our calls, I ran up to the helm and prepared to leave. When I returned to the salon, Mary Margaret was rushing around getting things ready also. However, I suggested that we wait a bit longer since the clouds coming over the mountain peak in front of us looked ominous. In a few minutes it was raining again. These rain cells are just popping up as they pass over Whitsunday Island and make their way here. The Met radar changes just about every minute regarding where the rain cells are.

After waiting two more hours, we called Infini and told them we were just staying put. They had motored over to the sand spit and walked it a bit. They said the water look very murky and without the sun, they really could not see the coral as they motored over it.

When they returned to our anchorage, we invited them over so Sundowners. We had a great time together and it was wonderful catching up after not seeing each other for two years. They too are doing the Sail Indonesia Rally so we look forward to getting together a number of more times.

Techno-Tip Of The Week: Grease Those Tools

When you get ready to start your cruising life, you will be sure to bring with you every tool in your tool box. You will end up using each one sooner or later. However, you will quickly discover that they will start to corrode the minute you have them on your boat. The salt air and water environment is just so conducive to the corrosion of metals that it is next to impossible to prevent.

However, if you start early, you can go a long way in slowing down the corrosion process. What I do is I wipe or spray a little CRC Lanolin onto each tool. This coats the surfaces and protects the metal. Before I use each tool, I may have to use a rag and wipe it off a bit but the tool is in good shape and ready to use.