Note: This will be our last installment of our blog on Sailblogs. We will be publishing blog #38 using Wordpress. Please visit www.sailingslowwaltz.wordpress.com. Thanks!
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After we saw Glenn and Dalia off, we had 48 hours to turnover the boat and prep it for the arrival of Dave and Carolyn!



We met Dave and Carolyn at Skullduggery Cafe in Falmouth Harbour and kicked off the visit with hugs and toasts to great friends with rum punch. Back to the boat with all the luggage, and first mission was to install the replacement fuel lift pump that Dave and Carolyn muled in for us. Just the day before, we had the engine running to charge the batteries and it just up and died. Even I know that that's not supposed to happen. Guillaume opened up the engine compartment and sure enough the fuel lift pump had blue smoke coming out of it and here's why:



I don't think it's supposed to look like a burnt campfire marshmallow. We carry lots of spares, but not that one. Decisions on what spares to carry on board is more art than science, taking into consideration cost, storage and likelihood that you will need it and the consequences of not having it (for example, we carry a full array of spares for our fancy vacu-flush head). Guillaume spent hours on the spares inventory spreadsheet before we left and we have gotten ourselves out of more than a pickle or two since we have had the right spare on board. Anyhow, not in this case, so we placed a call to the only business in Antigua that services Westerbeke engines to learn that they don't stock the part, it has to be shipped from Florida. Yikes, with no engine and guests arriving the next day, we have the day to source a part from Canada to be lovingly transported by our visiting friends the next morning! However, two complicating factors - one, it's a statutory holiday in Toronto, and two, there is an epic snowstorm in progress with shutdowns and all (we also had all fingers crossed that Dave and Carolyn's flight would leave the next morning). So we pulled out our rolodex and with our fingers crossed, sent an email to the parts guy at Bristol Marine in Mississauga and explained the situation. We had a response within 20 minutes, he had one--yes--one, in stock and the store was open for business. Dave grabbed the part on his way home from work. Whew! Dave and Guillaume swiftly installed the part thus providing a true taste of the cruising life, boat repairs in exotic places.

Anyways, enough about spares and engine repairs. Off to hike and explore English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard and oogle megayachts.















We also had the chance to admire an Oyster or two during the week.



We even oogled boats at night.








We had a lovely dinner at the iconic Pillars Restaurant in Nelson Dockyard (mmm lobster risotto).







Then we took a hike up to Shirley Heights to take in the famous view of English and Falmouth Harbours.





From there it was a sunny sail over to Jolly Harbour for a change of scenery.





Dropped the hook in the bay and take in the new scenery.









Sort out the shells collected on the beach.



Don't forget breakfasts (compliments of Dave Rumble, AKA Mr. Breakfast)





And dinghy rides...







And cocktails...





And, of course, naps...






A fabulous visit with dear friends! Thanks so much for coming! We miss you already!

Note: This will be our last installment of our blog on Sailblogs. We will be publishing blog #38 using Wordpress. Please visit www.sailingslowwaltz.wordpress.com. Thanks!