Clearing skies
20 October 2008
• Norfolk, VA
by Mike
Yet another wild and woolly night last night. We both hit the sack early; we just couldn't keep out eyes open; and then I was up several times to check on things. Good thing that I did too as the fender board kept slipping out from under the fenders or out of its lines and the boat was rubbing, albeit gently, but rubbing nonetheless against the dock. Twice, I had to re-tie the board. I have got to fix up a proper fender board! Our pal Maury had found a strip of dock fender which he was kind enough to give to us. This is an ideal backing for a fender board. I have also noticed that there is a little bit of gelcote repair that I need to make on the boat. Not a huge area but a couple of places where something must have been chip, chip, chipping away overnight or sometime when we weren't aboard. He has also scored for us a piece of used fire hose that I will cut into lengths for anti chafe on the dock lines.
I have begun our attack on the Jenny Greenteeth fungus at the waterline. Since our stop at Groton we have been sporting a fine green hairline just below the waterline to a depth of about a foot. It has been growing steadily since then, slowing our speed through the water and marring our appearance, to say the least. I am told that this sort of thing is only to be expected and that one of our daily chores once we get into warmer waters will be to go in the water on a daily basis and clean off the most recent growth. It'll be a good excuse for a dip if nothing else.
I went over to the marina office with Maury and Ginger to access the computer, that's how yesterday's blog was posted and while there we cut the 4x4 of oak into a 6' and a 3' length. That is what will form the basis of the new fender board.
Then when we got back we discovered that Maury and Ginger had discovered the same WiFi antenna that John and Cyndi are on Glass Slipper using and had ordered one that had just arrived. Barb and I have decided to get one too, and then the N-Band will be a back up for it.
Barb has decided that we need carpets on the galley, salon and cabin floors, in spite of the fact that I spent two weeks 6 years ago removing all the carpet that the boat came with. We made a special trip to the Nex and bought a bunch of no-slip small area carpets that are now on the cabin soles and I must admit that they do make the place appear a little homier, plus they are warmer on bare feet, especially first thing on a chilly morning.
We are going to spoil ourselves at a Chinese Buffet tonight. Apparently there is one locally for $10/person that Maury and Ginger are going to introduce us to. Shades of our time in Quebec where Buffet Chinoise was a common place to take the family to for an inexpensive meal. The other spot that I'd like to get to at least once during our stay is the officers mess. Apparently they also do a great buffet especially on Friday when it's all seafood.
Tomorrow I will stop procrastinating and seriously start to work on the job jar list of tasks. I'd better because as I delay the list keeps getting longer.
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