While not an entirely successful day, we did learn on returning to the bungalow (hey, clean sheets and towels each week, and today's the day!) that our Beta engine was sitting in storage in Papeete in possession by our mechanic. HURRAY, HURRAY! So many things could have gone wrong and were out of our control, but things did work as they should have. I suppose that we shouldn't be surprised, but we are.

I'll post a few of the photos that Adrain-the-mechanic sent to us. Beautiful machine! We're very excited. Also in his email was his list of items that he needed to gather before we arrive, including a crane. Great! We had feared that he's use our mast and halyard, but not at all. Seems that we are justified in at least some of our confidence in Adrian.

The main disappointment of the day was my inability to get my new propane system working. Damn! I checked the propane cylinder, well butane here, and it was heavy and sloshed. We had filled both cylinders here last year. In most cases, we get 3 seasons of use from a refill so butane seemed no problem.

In marine gas systems, a key element in not having one's boat explode, and they do, is a remove shutoff valve. Without going to the locker in which the tanks are kept, one can shut the flow of gas to the appliances. I reconnected the wiring for that remote valve, opened the tank, but no joy. We tried everything but still, no joy. I pulled the system apart, with some dejection, and tested the remote shutoff: it worked. I could blow through the line to the stove and my nasty breathe blew out a match Conni held by an eye. As a last resort, we checked opened the tan valve and found...nothing. No gas. I have no idea what that liquid is that is sloshing around in the tank, but it wasn't liquified gas! In fact, both tanks were empty and full of some liquid that I assume is water. So, the system actually works, we're just unreasonably out of butane. The problem occurred here at the Carenage, due, no doubt, to the lack of maintenance for their storage tank. I'd like to be present at the refilling but they'll only get one tank to mis-full this time.

On the positive side, we got the jib bent on, so we've got half a sailboat. Weather permitting, we'll bend on the main tomorrow. We'll start moving onto the boat tomorrow, too: clothes first, then other gear.