21 Days
12 February 2012 | Kemah, Texas
Martin - Sunny and Cold
Sitting in the cockpit of our boat 'August Sun' sipping on an iced margarita, having just come up from a scuba dive on an old wreck, in clear azure blue water, looking out at the scantily clad, nubile bodies of the females on other yachts nearby....................................... But, I am not there yet!
I am sitting in the salon with a cold/flu in Kemah, Texas, it's as cold as a witches tit outside, and even India (the communally owned Boston Terrier) can't keep me warm - poor me!
BUT, we are within striking distance now - 21 days to go until we set off to New Orleans, via the Intercoastal Waterway, that extends across the eastern side of the US. Why, do you ask, are they not sailing straight across to New Orleans? 'Cause it to dangerous and I am a coward - so, now that we have that cleared up, I'll tell you why. From Galveston to New Orleans takes you straight through the 'oil patch', which is predominantly where the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas\platforms are. A yacht that recently made the passage encountered a 7 mile long tow! After many hurricanes, that latest being Ike, many rigs have been abandoned by their owners and have no lights and might not be on the chart. With only Kathy, my good lady wife (2 brownie points), and myself we took the longer, easier option. The dog is no great help either - all she does is say 'I told you so' after an incident has happened - she has poor navigation and people skills!
We moved on board on the boat on the 31st march last year and have spent the past year fitting out for cruising. I have had supertankers in dry docks and had less trouble! Our boat is a 40' Jeanneau, built in France; and we have fitted her out in the US - metric/imperial - Aghhhhhhhhh......! I could have scuttled the 'Old French Trollop' many a time - two steps forward, one step back.
We are now in Pier 13, Waterford Marina, Kemah, getting all the last minute stuff sorted out, like mosquito netting and a year's supply of PG tips tea bags and bristling with electronic gismos, which I am not sure what they are, in fact in some instances where they are (AIS transponder/receiver being one that springs to mind!) but I have been given good advice that I need them. I started sail 50 years ago in Royal Navy whalers and cutters and my memory must be going, 'cause I can't remember seeing a single Raymarine plotter on them!
Anyway, back to my bed to spend some time reading about my hero, 'Flashman' (should be compulsory reading for all boys) and pretend that the last mouthful of Nyquil was in fact margarita and that India does not actually keep breaking wind when she is on the bunk with me......! Ho hummm.