Bits & Pieces!
11 February 2015 | La Cruz anchorage
Ange
Our gas system installation on Thursday went well. No problems getting the job done which was great. We headed into La Cruz to the canvas man to enquire about getting a bag made to protect the gas bottle & hopefully slow the rusting process (steel bottle). Next stop – the stainless steel man! He’s going to make us a bracket to hang the gas bottle on. Ange made a quick pit stop at the local doctor to get a few scripts...easy as! Very friendly guy & nothing was a problem. Bought a BBQ chicken at the local rotisseria for dinner – included baked potatoes, hot pepper, rice, tortillas & salsa – all for $9!
Friday we headed into La Cruz marina on PANNIKIN to get a rigging inspection as requested by our insurance company some months ago. We were assigned a ‘service slip’ which ended up being a very tight fit. Steve did really well getting PANNIKIN into the pen with no hassles. Two hours after our appointment time the rigging guy finally showed up & we winched him up the mast. All good with the inspection although we will replace the two top shroud hangers which have small cracks. The parts will have to be ordered through Selden in San Diego USA & hopefully they can be installed when we are in Paradise Village Marina at Nuevo Vallarta at the end of the month. We are still waiting for confirmation. After picking up our canvas bag & bracket we headed back out to the anchorage. A bit of a waste of a day unfortunately....lots of hanging around.
Saturday we went to the ‘Cruisers Swap Meet’ where everyone has boat goods & parts to get rid of. Lots of bits & pieces for sale – it is always good to have a wander around - wishing you had lots of money to spend! Back on the boat we connected up our new gas system & were stoked when the BBQ worked. It hasn’t worked on the bottles filled in the Caribbean....so BBQ chook here we come!
Sunday was a quiet day. Ange went into the local markets again for a wander while Steve made water & read his book. A nice relaxing day.
Monday we attended the Pacific Puddle Jumpers weather seminar at Vallarta Yacht Club at Paradise Village Marina in Nuevo Vallarta. We met Dave (Aussie) & his wife Rose (Canadian) & spent the day with them, finishing with a chicken & salad dinner onboard PANNIKIN. They are doing the Pacific this year as well so we will probably see a bit of them over the next 8 months on their boat AUSSIE RULES. We spoke to a rigger at Paradise Village Marina & he will be able to change the shrouds for us when we book into the marina on February 24. A big load off our minds for sure!
Yesterday we jumped on the bus again & headed to Puerto Vallarta to stock up on spare parts, fuses & bits and pieces as they will be very difficult to find in the Pacific. We visited Walmart for the first time – what a big store!!!
Today we are heading up to Punta Mita to chase some surf for Steve. Also it’s time we get away from the shops – too much money has been spent! We’ll be up there for a couple of days.