With the new year festivities over we like most folks in St. Martin are getting back to work. In our case we are focused on boat activities.

So far we have not contacted Chikungunya a Mosquito born disease that effects the nervous system and has a painful feeling in your joints along with a fever. This can last anywhere from a week to a year. It is now on the way to the U.S.and over 450 cases have been found in Britain. The only thing that seems to relieve the pain are ground Papua leaves or Arnica Montana (which can be found in health food stores). In any case many of the locals have had this aliment and have been very outspoken about the pain.

We were able to fix the ice maker and have gotten the washing machine to spin once again. I have began installing muffin fans in the boat that can be left on while we leave the boat on the hard. This will reduce the risk of mil due and keep the solar panels operating. I have a project to install a new cushioned setae in our cabin. Obtained the foam from a mattress factory on the island and got plywood from another cruiser from Russia. Using ultra shade left over from our updating of the cushions in the main salon. The xantrex control system for our battery information was not working but we were able to rebooting by removing the fuse that protected it. It turns out many if not most issues on a boat in the salt environment are due to connectivity problems. All electrical connections need to be well covered and protected in the best way possible. For those thinking of coming to this world the use of electrical paste and shrink loom is easier done at home before the trip to the Caribbean.