Monday 6 January 2020

If you read last entry before removal of double resend you had an opportunity to be assaulted three times as badly as had you waited. Of course you could always avoid the angst entirely, but then you're reading this, right? There's no accounting for taste.

Sky cleared. One sim arrived, but was left with street artist nearby, Luis from the Dominican Republic, who didn't know procedure. Returned home for steak and a movie to discover we can't top up with credit card, only voucher. We're still off the grid. Must wait for awhile to get information on additional locations for frittering away our hard earned cash to keep the boat afloat and adorable.

Turned up overcast and foggy this morning, an unusual circumstance. Now, before 0830, back to dry season normal. We'll head into Jolly Harbour shortly for breaky (of course) and to accrete more information on best place to have work done. All places under consideration at this point are off the wind, within a daysail or short overnight. Want resolution on destination by tomorrow evening as enhanced trades come back in for a week starting Friday. Particularly don't want to go someplace then have to beat back upwind, taking water over leaky deck.

Tuesday

Awaiting estimates for work in Jolly Harbour. Rates for haul and lay days nearly as good as anywhere except Trinidad with the not insignificant advantage that we're already here, living costs are pretty good and there's stuff, besides working on the boat, to do. English Harbour, on south coast, about the same. The guys seem competent so price is the object. Also awaiting St. Kitts info.

Thursday

Yikes!!! Had no idea prices would be so sensationally extravagant in upper Carib. Reevaluation of situation is well underway - reaching conclusion. Having already decided to forego Florida and do work sooner, the only fiscally responsible choice seems to be a return south to Trinidad. Appears that costs will be less than half and since there's a lot to do, going there might keep us out of paupers prison. We may still sell all the kids, but mainly because we're selfish and greedy and anyway don't have any (bet there are people out there who are enraged at the continuing kid commentary - lighten up). Still gathering information from Peake and Power Boat yards in Chaguaramas, but here is latest plan (Since we've run out of the alphabet, thought to continue with numbers, but how does it make sense to now have plan one? Doesn't. May just forget the labels and only refer to "latest" or "a previous"). Since some of you may have lost the thread due that aside about plans, the latest plan will now immediately follow: Hang around area until late March or early April; maybe sail to St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Eustatius, St. Barts, St. Maarten for shipments (has anyone noticed how immoderately over-sainted the Caribbean is?) and USVI to visit good buddy. All are downwindish from here. Then when ready the angle directly to Trini is a beam reach, will take three or four days and trades should be mellower. As theories go that would be a good one.

Jack & Jan