Now What?
01 May 2021 | Gulfport
Tuesday 27 April 2021
The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market isn't one. Very disappointing. No fruits, no vegetables, no fresh. That's OK, Jan scoured the street in frustration while balance of crew found coffee and Wi-Fi. Subsequently, after receiving call that new head had arrived, pick it up at West Marine and found nearby Publix supermarket that has excellent fruit for less than market had if it had had it.
Thursday
Didn't install head yesterday because mounting holes for new PHII are completely different from old PHII - something about making it more compatible with other brands (OK Raritan, but what about with your own?). Additionally, former 22mm washers for mounting did not fit into 20mm recesses and - discovered this morning - previous mounting bolts were just a wee bit short. Of course discovery was sequential with trips ashore for parts necessary yesterday and today. Frustration was minimal as this provided excuse to squander extended periods of time on Wi-Fi at Panera Bread drinking coffee and eating bagels with cream cheese.
"There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it."
- Mary Wilson Little
Friday
Head installed. Works well except that new telescoping handle collapses in use and if awkwardly held extended while pumping, plastic grip slips off the end. If it's not one thing it's two things, occasionally as many as seven.
Saturday
Crewing with mates from Hawaii to Alaska is off for another year. They really want to visit BC on the way to Seattle, but the province is closed tighter than a duck's bug removal orifice. What was envisioned as one year in Oahu has now become at least eight. Ugly duty, but they're holding up well.
As we are now footloose and fancy free this uncorks a number of options. Could still put boat on the hard and travel - at least to places that will let us in. Could sail up the Rio Dulce to do boat work and travel from Guatemala. Could spend hurricane season in ABCs or Panama. Or could sell the boat and move to Tibet to become monks. However (as best bud Rich says, "there's always a big but"... use your own judgment as to spelling), we're giving weighty thought to sailing across the Atlantic to Bermuda, Azores and Mediterranean. Talked about doing it next year with SV Inspiration Ladys, but they can't get back to their boat in Trinidad this year and we may not be able next if we go to Alaska. What's a mother to do? Have begun making preparation for Europe as time is short. Crossing weather is best May to June or possibly July if you're feeling lucky, but as always cruising plans are written in sand at low tide.
Jack & Jan