Hope Springs Infernal
02 July 2019 | Jacare Yacht Village
Oh Canada!
Monday 1 July 2019
Happy birthday Canada. One hundred fifty two and better than ever... I mean for a place that's so cold that much of the population migrate as snowbirds every winter to Florida. Thanks for supporting the state economy, but how about a tip for waiters now and again? Being nice can only take you so far.
Renovated the whisker pole this afternoon. Stronger than ever except... innards were trashed making it unextendable. It is, however, useable in shortest length (about 4.25 meters), which is better than not having the thing at all. Much of Brazil's north side will be, as we've experienced far too often this year and last, dead downwind.
Tuesday
German expat canvas man cum rigger (he doesn't climb masts) came by this morning with backup option to tig weld new swages onto old shroud terminals using discarded wire. Theoretical 70% strength compared to new could get us to Trinidad for permanent replacement. As may be assumed, we're partial to getting all new units from Florida. Hope they're in transit this week. He also indicated that there's excessive movement, fore and aft, of lower spreaders when shaking cap shrouds. Expect to climb mast again to check and take photos for Hylas. Maintenance problems are like life, just one thing after another, but generally in a less congenial way. Hope to stop this particular sequence at two or so.
We're here during the annual six week infestation of sand fleas. Not stopped by normal mesh mosquito screens, they're all through the boat and seem to enjoy bathing in citronella and deet. They bite. Just hope there's some environmental function for the little !@#$%^&*s besides tormenting hominids.
Jack & Jan