Monday 14 June 2021

After futzing with the thing for an hour, giving up then checking later without further ministrations, computer began talking via bluetooth to SSB modem. The cantankerous connection has worked perfectly since. Subsequently sent email through radio with same result as with satellite connection - bupkis. Since satellite and SSB are demonstrably operative figured it was problem with Sailmail. It was. Finally received message back from sysop that their server went to the pub for a pint over the weekend, but is now back on the job. It is. As far as can be determined all electronical type communication devices are now fully operational, even ones seldom if ever used. Since installing Iridium Go satellite comm, SSB had gotten short shrift, but now being used for morning net. We're back on the grid.

In a nefarious contrivance to prevent maintenance section from screwing off, as it will unless otherwise incited, boat gremlins unlatched pull-out rubbish bin causing cabinet to come apart and rocket across galley spewing trash, plastic slider bits and wee ball bearings everywhere. Additionally they caused generator overheat light to flash periodically, prompting near shut downs, and WiFi antenna to loosened. Well, it couldn't go perfectly, now could it?

Bin now operating fine, but with fewer bearings (will be looking for new sliders), Panda humming sweetly after sensor contacts cleaned and antenna secure. All systems operating nominally. Countdown to noon and we're go for lunch. Don't tell the gremlins.

Tuesday

Looks like rainy weather all the way to Bermuda. Progress slow. Probably won't arrive until later Friday. Due shifting wind speeds/direction and periodic squalls we're short sailed. That means to say sails are heavily reefed, which has nothing to do with coral, but rather that the big flappy things have not been rolled out very far. We don't overstress rig with hard wind, but do move regrettably slowly as it goes light. And yes, we're too lazy to constantly mess with them.

What about Bob? Tropical storm NE of Cape Hatteras may or may not be providing a wee bit more sea, wind and squalliness, but shouldn't bestow undue influence. Weather along route is forecast to suck even after Bob passes Newfoundland. Although hurricane season officially begins June 1, early storms are usually small, begin in Gulf or Caribbean and often run up East Coast. Mid-season storms typically come from Africa and pummel the Eastern Caribbean, Hispaniola, Cuba and Yucatan. Late storms again often begin in Caribbean. Florida and northern Gulf are vulnerable to all of them. Most crossings to Europe depart in May, but are more susceptible to storms dropping down from the cold, cruel north. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice.

Jan has been taking tamoxifen prophylactically, one a day for five years, due family history of cancer. Being a bit OCD and frightfully punctilious, she places four week's supply in a twenty eight compartmented container with velcroed date labels to match day of week already on lid. These are re-installed with correct day at each refill. Thinking yesterday was Tuesday she took that pill. She took Wednesday's late morning then, realizing it is Tuesday, checked to discover previous pill gone. Didn't remember whether she took it during the normal fugue state she exhibits early mornings, thus two today and none for tomorrow. Subsequent investigation revealed a pill in Monday's slot. Relieved at the dosage accuracy, but aghast at this breach in the time/space continuum she moved Monday's pill to tomorrow's compartment. Lesson: Being organized causes undue angst and is totally overrated.

Jack & Jan