We woke this morning at about 4:30 am to a thump that sounded suspiciously like someone jumping aboard the boat from the dock. We both jumped up and I went out thru the saloon, while Jim popped up out of the port forward berth hatch. Nobody on deck...no one in the starboard hull. Oh, the wind picked up significantly last evening..so much so that while we enjoyed a great breeze thru the forward cabin where we are sleeping... it also pumped up the swing of our boat and the boat beside us, so that we bumped hulls. Nothing a properly placed fender won't solve.

We are Mediterranean moored here...another picture you'll have to wait to see (sorry!). Backed in stern to the dock, and lines from the bow going to a mooring ball in front of the boat to keep you off the dock and stable. This allows them to get a lot more boats in the marina, but it can be maddening leaving the dock. In fact, to do so takes at least one dock hand in a dingy untying your lines from the mooring ball, or you're going nowhere.

After that rude awakening and us running around on the deck in our pajamas sleep was elusive. So another day up early to chores, more boat maintenance projects that Philippe was taking care of for us, brilliantly, as usual, some lights on the mast out, engine tests, a full desk washdown, etcetera, then I did it. I broke out the sewing machine, installed the monster Flywheel (that makes it possible to hand crank it) and started my Q flag. It worked perfectly! Yes, I am unnaturally excited about a sewing machine...but let me tell you once I cracked that thing out two of our boat neighbors, who hadn't really spoken much to us, primarily because of the language barrier...all of the sudden want to know how long we are staying!

The kids called tonight via SKYPE and we had a chance to visit with them and our grandsons. Evan, who is nearly 2, was a little creeped out...first off he was not expecting to see us on the computer...he wanted us there, and light is, of course, a bit of a problem since we can't really light the boat up well at night. So we needed to shine flashlights on ourselves to be seen, which is very difficult to see thru. But it was pretty special to have a bit of a visit with them via computer 2000 plus miles away.

We have heard from friends at home that Snow is coming...again...I think I'll stop complaining about the heat.

PS - Laura the answer is 7!...I am plotting to pitch them overboard one by one!