Coming up with a theme or content is always a challenge, especially if there's hee haw happening.  Also, sometimes the theme might not be appropriate for my global or indeed the local audience!

Today's would be, "Eat yer heart out Michael Palin".

The basic issue is, we need more power. Consequently we bought a portable generator back in the US and also a new solar panel, controllers and all the metal work to mount it, then tucked it all safely away out of sight.

However, our daily need to top up the batteries promoted action and today I started work. However, before I started chopping up my valuable stainless tube to create my new solar panel mount I thought it would be a good idea to get a length of cheap plastic tube and prep a mock up. If at all fitted then I could cut the metal. "Measure twice, cut once" as the say.

So, I asked Jimmy, our new pal on the neighbouring boat where I might get some. Jimmy's got a car and jolly decently said he'd give me a run round to the shop. Jimmy is an old Jamaica "hand" having had a place here since the '80's. After 10 or 12 years cruising around the world he has made Port Antonio his temporary, or perhaps long term home.

So, off we went to the Port's version of B&Q (Home Depot for US readers). Chaos reigned. Four or five customer service women peered out through the caged serving hatches, two of them serving maybe two or three people at the same time while the others fetched stuff from the warehouse. All purchases had to be entered in the book, carbon paper copies and cash to Admin, original to purchaser. I wanted 10ft of 1" plastic pipe. $848.38 Jamaican dollars. (8 quid). So, carbon copied slip in hand I went to the store where two guys dug out the pipe where I realised 1" was an internal diameter and I wanted 1" external. (25.4mm to UK readers)

We sorted it out, found the right size but of course, this was cheaper. I then had to go back for a credit. Now, back in my Corporate days, raising a credit was never easy, even with the power of a $50 million Peoplesoft system (who signed that one off!!).

I fought my way past three guys being served by the one wummin, have the original carbon copy cancelled, a new one written out and get the cash difference.

While all this was going on a wee Rasta man was lecturing to anyone who would listen about some local event and "one love".

Anyway, purchase secured, 10 feet of plastic tube sticking out the window, off we went into the mayhem that is traffic in Port Antonio trying not to skewer any passing pedestrians.

I don't know what to make of Jamaica yet. Everyone seems very friendly, especially "Famous Man" who sells bananas from his bamboo float, Noel who sells bootlegged reggae CD's and Neil who sells paintings, and Leon who does tours, and............ The flip side is that the military have been out on the streets somewhere further west because the local cops can't control the murder rate. Scary.

Anyway, we need to get out the marina and so I think I might get one of these canvas, over the shoulder man bags so I can carry off this Palin look. That's after hauling the boat out to repack our stern gland which is leaking so fast we may well sink at the dock one night.