Friday 18 October 2019

Vegged in last evening after friends came over early for a wee tipple. Had short dinner with moderate wineage while watching penultimate (that's for you Geoff) episode of Game of Thrones. This reiterated a universal truth that, no matter how cute, people with fire-breathing dragons should be avoided - power corrupts.

Last major operation on boat before sailing north is varnishing brightwork - contrary to implication it's wood. This will require an extended rain stoppage, which at this moment seems iffy.

Missed them at Nimrod's, but expect to catch-up tonight at Benji Bay. Contrary to what is likely a first impression, The Leaky Seacocks are not an embarrassing medical affliction nor even a nautical catastrophe, but rather a new band. And not for example a rubber band used perhaps to ease those ailments; they play musical instruments. No flutes of any kind, perverts. Understand the members actually voted on the name. Review to follow.

- Later

Dry spell this afternoon allowed a good wash and sanding of all exterior wood. Two more clearish days, which currently appear doubtful (due dubious forecasting, that's probably, hopefully wrong), should allow three or four refresher coats of Awlwood MA to put us good for another year or two. Awlwood is an "exterior wood system" that will hereafter be inaccurately referred to as varnish. It was developed in New Zealand, looks beautiful like resin, adheres better than polyurethane, lasts longer than either and is, all things considered, the dog's bollocks. If not for washing, sanding, taping and cleanup it could almost be fun.

Saturday

Two guitar-playing singers, a tenor sax player and a one drum drummer produced excellent music at Benji Bay last night. Lots of great amateur talent in the cruising and local populations in Grenada. It would inspire practice on a very fine Yamaha guitar if I had the slightest talent. After spending actual money for lessons in Darwin, discovered that a singing voice is not my only serious musical deficiency. Of course, by themselves these would not be a deterrent to pissing away valuable hours of life practicing, but since Jan, although wonderfully forebearing, is nearly always aboard and since I'm not into schadenfreude...

For all Americans and Canadians who are lusting after news of the quadrennial Rugby World Cup being played this time in Japan, all thirteen of you, our national teams failed to win a single game and are eliminated, England crushed Australia to make the semis and our awe inspiring, adopted All Blacks pulverized Ireland to advance as well. Last two spots will be decided tomorrow between S. Africa & Japan and Wales & France. We'll be up at 0400 local (AST/EDT) next Saturday to watch the Kiwis walk over England and into the finals on 2 November. Be there or be two sides short of a regular hexagon - Mrs. Raburn, my eleventh grade geometry teacher, would be so proud.

Tonight, we watch the consummation (no Cal it's not naughty) of the eight season epic, Game of Thrones. Assuming a continued winnowing of players from the penultimate (sorry Geoff, couldn't resist) episode, who will live long enough in this episode to sit on the Iron Throne? Since it's actually iron, perhaps someone with a bit of padding on his or her butt. Will Daenerys recover from becoming a psycho, genocidal tyrant? Will John acquire ambition and claim his birthright? Will Tyrion grow a couple of meters and kick butt? Will HBO discover that the most lucrative program in its entire history needs another season? To be revealed in the fullness of time.

Jack & Jan