tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995288065457257352024-03-18T05:48:16.303-04:00Lat43Paul and Deb sailed awayLatitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.comBlogger617125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-21431556895726832032019-02-25T05:16:00.003-05:002019-02-25T05:18:54.382-05:00Hey! Over here!<br />
We moved!<br />
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<a href="https://lat43north.wordpress.com/2019/02/23/our-first">https://lat43north.wordpress.com/2019/02/23/our-first</a>/<br />
<br />Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-40924194528031226342019-02-01T05:07:00.000-05:002019-02-01T05:08:00.302-05:00We moved!Latitude 43 has moved!<br />
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We're over here now.<br />
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<a href="https://lat43north.wordpress.com/">https://lat43north.wordpress.com</a><br />
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Why did we move?<br />
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Google has not updated the Blogger app which is handy when trying to post from a tablet. I've actually lost posts trying to publish. Their App is awful.<br />
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Took me all of ten minutes to move it. See you over there!Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-71803632937943980602019-01-30T14:15:00.002-05:002019-01-30T14:48:06.907-05:00I'm migratingI'm going to migrate. Not to Canada or Mexico or even the Dominican Republic. I'm migrating to Wordpress. Wordpress is not a country it's a blog hosting site like Blogger. I'm migrating the blog to Wordpress. Blogger is giving me headaches. They don't have an app that works, at least not in Android and updating this blog using a web browser on a tablet is just dumb. So away I go!<br />
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It might take me a few weeks to smooth it all out but basically it's up and running and everything here transfered over. Easy peasy.<br />
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You wouldn't think I would have the time to do this with all that is going on but I was starting to annoy the mechanic working on the boat and this was a good distraction.<br />
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Follow us here:<br />
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<a href="https://lat43north.wordpress.com/">https://lat43north.wordpress.com</a><br />
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I will update both sites for a wee bit until all 5 of you make it over to the other site. Bye Bye Blogger.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
PBLatitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-63425977129111829502019-01-27T06:28:00.002-05:002019-01-27T06:28:49.880-05:00Blogger is pissing me offSo I can post text and photo through email but none of the Android Apps including Googles own Blogger app fails to post photos. WTF Google!<br />
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So, I either email the posts to Lat43 or I open up Chrome and go to the Blogger site and edit there. Oye. It's like they don't give a shit anymore.<br />
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A working app would make this a lot easier. I think one of my projects when back in the States is to migrate to Wordpress.<br />
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-31983734928688505852019-01-27T05:28:00.001-05:002019-01-27T05:28:35.057-05:00Blogger hates me<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2Aw-X7JWu-dLYuUHlTLeWW-PlUSg8guGR4KWgGawzix9BeD6QC4BCZ5mLSFdhYSR0n25s4G0HDQr_JaaYtjrmYH7_T5Dep24L-w29DiViUp8z7qTptfbT1JNMt-IyhPRU56JvVdTrk/s1600/2019_0126_15402912-715108.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2Aw-X7JWu-dLYuUHlTLeWW-PlUSg8guGR4KWgGawzix9BeD6QC4BCZ5mLSFdhYSR0n25s4G0HDQr_JaaYtjrmYH7_T5Dep24L-w29DiViUp8z7qTptfbT1JNMt-IyhPRU56JvVdTrk/s320/2019_0126_15402912-715108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6651121570130606018" /></a></p><div dir="auto">This is a test post to see if Blogger will let me post from email. The app I was using failed the other day and I emailed the developer and he replied that Google removed the Picasa API so now his app will not post photos to blogger. So this means I can't use that app unless I want text only. What the hell fun is that?<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">So I'm going to post a photo below in this email and see if it makes it to a blog post. Wordpress is really starting to look interesting to me.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div></div> Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-39944922856885974602019-01-26T08:29:00.002-05:002019-01-26T10:19:08.057-05:00A calm start to the day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The water is so calm this morning without the trade winds as the sun rises to warm my body. Believe it or not it's kind of chilly here. Seventy six is a bit low for us. We had a nice squall roll through very early in the morning that cooled things off. As the Sun comes up over the hill some of the sleepy sailors are waking up from their Friday night. One guy from New Hampshire is already swearing out loud as he smacks his leg on the boat trying to go for a swim off the stern. A couple of small wooden fishing boats zoomed past as they head out to sea. You see them out there lazily waving while you're holding on in six footers and twenty knots praying to make port. It's all attitude people. Attitude and Dramamine. The radio is starting to crackle with the morning announcments and the water is ready for more tea.<br />
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We are on the south end of the island and the trade winds usually whip around this end and filter into the bays. We're protected from any waves and for most of the swell but the wind tends to find it's way in except for this morning. I see some boats are feeling a breeze so maybe it's just us being so close to the eastern side. We are enjoying the unexpected stillness.<br />
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We hopped on the crowded shopping bus yesterday with the usual characters. We're the unknowns. People recognize us but don't know our names. When they hear the boat name they go, "Ah. So you're Kelly Nicole." Interesting.<br />
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I ordered a baguette today from the local French restaurant. Looking forward to some veggie sandwiches and a nice crisp salad. We made a big haul on veggies at the market yesterday and I intend to use them in tasty recipes I found on the internet. Again there were no cucumbers but there were tomatoes. Looks like my Greek salad will have to wait another week or so.<br />
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We keep hearing cows on land near the shore but we don't see them. So instead of roosters in the morning we're hearing cows. It's a nice change. They're not up as early as the roosters.<br />
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We have a few chores to do today to get ready for haul out. As unsettling as this is we're still appreciative of this life we're living right now. We could be making gobs of cash sitting in a cubicle for some corporation and spending it all on vehicles, a mortgage and all the other "Stuff" that goes along with work life including the stress but we're good.<br />
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I can feel the breeze picking up a bit and the sun is getting higher. The local radio net is ending and people and boats are moving about. Time to get moving. Have a great day everyone!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
PB<br />
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While sitting in the mall waiting for our bus to arrive, a local friend asked me if there was going to be a civil war in the USA. Debra responded, "Americans are too lazy to have a civil war. They would have to put their phones down and turn the TV off." Our friend was staring at us a moment and then laughed. The political situation at home is a hot topic down here for some. They are completely shocked about people going to food banks after only one month. I would be interested to talk to them a bit more about this. It could be a good blog post but politics is a touchy subject. It's like discussing the best anchor. People will rage. I think I'll pass on this one.</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-58579398851045365282019-01-24T06:32:00.001-05:002019-01-24T06:32:28.059-05:00We've been hookers for a long time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life on the hook. We have been on the hook for a long time it seems. Actually we have been on the hook since the West side of Puerto Rico where we docked to clear in after the Mona Passage. Damn. A lot of that anchoring was done with a manual windlass. How stupid was that? I still look at the motorized windlass in awe. It's like some wizard dropped a magical device on my deck that will turn back into the Simpson Lawrence crank of death at any time. The only thing I miss about the old crank is the workout. My arms are like chicken wings now.<br />
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I looked in the mirror the other day which is something cruisers don't usually do, apparently. I was not impressed. Scrawny arms, no pecs. WTF. I managed to lose the pounds I put on in the <b>U</b>nited <b>S</b>ugar <b>A</b>ssociation but because my chest has vanished it looks like I have a gut. Add my skinny legs to that and it's not pretty. I want to move the towel rack above the mirror.<br />
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So I'm thinking about how horrible cruising is for my body. I suppose I could change things and start to work out in the morning. Maybe start a regular walking routine.. maybe. It's all hills here and it would be a good workout with the exception of my knee. The knee without the ACL. I went out walking a few times. A couple miles but then I had breakfast (eggs, toast, potatoes) in the marina with a few cups of coffee. Oye.<br />
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It's really easy to get lazy on a boat. I read recently that the worst thing you can do for your health is to sit all day. No shit. Sailboats are not made for standing. First off, if you stand you have to hold onto something because 99% of the time the boat is moving. It's much easier to sit on your ass to do something than stand. Headroom isn't an issue because we're hobbits but it's not easy to just stand all day doing stuff. The only flat surface to work at while standing is the galley and the galley is where the food is at. So in order to avoid sitting all day long I just lay down.<br />
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I'm going to have to change things up this year. Not a resolution or anything just overall health improvements. I also don't want to sound like a party poop but we've cut way back on the happy juice. I love an ice cold beer in the sun. I just can't love six of them. Some say why change now? You're freaking 60! It's not like you have your whole life ahead of you. It's not like you have to get up to go to work. Party on dude! We do party on but not all the time. Special occasions with friends or finally getting off the boat after a week of rolling and it's happy hour then for sure we'll party. But it's not every day or even every week. When you first get here it's like a vacation. We made it! Yahoo! Beer me! After a few years it becomes less a vacation and more your everyday life. If we attended every social event every week here in Grenada we would have some serious issues. Well I would. Some people have self control. It seems the older you get the less you want to hurt yourself I guess. Six beers every night in a bar is not only bad for me but it drains the budget.<br />
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"But Paulie, you have to walk to the bar and walking is exercise!"<br />
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Good point and a lousy one. OK, now I'm sounding like a party pooper. Believe me I'm not turning into a preacher of good health and well being and anyone who wants to hit up the brewery for happy hour is not going to be turned down so don't get any ideas that I'm heading to loserville. Not that not drinking means you're a loser. OK this is getting beyond my control. Everybody just do your thing. Now about anchoring....<br />
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The cool thing about being at anchor all the time is privacy, solitude, the breeze, the scenery, no cost, clean water, watermaking etc. The cool things about a marina is quick access to land. You can just hop off the boat and walk around. On the hook requires launching the dinghy and driving to shore. Sometimes that alone discourages the walking. So lets see how this all shakes out. I had a thought that I would get into a routine of walking every morning and it all goes great but then I get run down by a maxi taxi. "Dude you should have just went to the bar."<br />
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So I lost some of that beer gut but gained it all back with a pile of Christmas cookies. Is self control my real problem?<br />
I will start my new morning workout routine on this rolling boat today. Should be good for balance anyway. I will do this right after I ingest all this caffeine.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
PJJB<br />
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I should go kayaking. Damn, more sitting.<br />
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-73346976201676428802019-01-08T07:09:00.001-05:002019-01-08T08:46:19.816-05:00Goodbye Buckets!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kFjI4wgTVu8/XDSTCGzyTGI/AAAAAAABVII/wVoP2iDm_uoUBicJ9EwfK6v5mPHzrd4LACHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kFjI4wgTVu8/XDSTCGzyTGI/AAAAAAABVII/wVoP2iDm_uoUBicJ9EwfK6v5mPHzrd4LACHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Because I have been called the anchorage spy by some of my friends and wifey, I have to live up to that tag sometimes and do some real nosing.<br />
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We seem to anchor next to older solo sailor dudes for some reason lately. Not sure what the draw is for Deb as she is the one searching for the perfect drop spot. I help until she chases me out of the cockpit because I keep finding "better" spots as she is approaching the previously agreed upon anchor drop. I suppose that's annoying. We dropped the hook in a good spot but sometimes when the wind shifts we get "close" to another vessel next to us with an older gentleman on board who seems pleasant enough to wave and not be the least interested in us being too close.<br />
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So being next to this solo sailor has been interesting. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to sail alone. Debra thinks you become squirrelly and maybe she's correct, based on evidence gathered at the tiki bar. I never really see young male solo sailors. They all tend to be pushing retirement age. Female solo sailors tend to be younger or they just look younger. Maybe it's tougher on the men and they age poorly and the ladies are enjoying their solo time and feel young and free.<br />
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When we listen to the net in the morning and hear a grouchy person it is usually a male and typically one who sails alone. One morning two solo sailing males got into a shouting match and one threatened to cut off the others balls and drop them into the Bay. Huh, I would think just the act of cutting off your balls would be enough of a threat. I suppose dropping them into the Bay also cuts off any hope of reattachment? I don't know. It could drive you crazy knowing your manhood is somewhere under your boat instead of under your ass. Anyhow it seems they have cooled their respective jets and are now somehow coexisting.<br />
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The guy next to us seemed nice. We would just wave as we passed by on the way to shore. We learned from the last guy we went to talk to that it's best to just wave. If you remember the last solo guy we decided to exchange pleasantries with was a nut job. After critiquing our boat, anchoring method and where we were from he asked us to pick up his mail. Asshole.<br />
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I called this new guy 'Buckets' because he was always hauling sea water inside the boat and always dumping whatever outside the boat. We decided swimming was off limits. <br />
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Buckets would row to shore every day. Admirable. Any kind of weather he would row. Buckets could probably crack my head like a nut with his arms. Pretty impressive. <br />
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One day buckets didn't row home. Buckets was brought home by the Coast Guard. Then buckets was taken away by the Coast Guard. Then Buckets was brought back and Buckets started scrubbing his boat bottom, running his engine and stowing his gear. A few days later Buckets was pulling anchor and raising sails. Buckets headed south over the horizon to Trinidad in his small boat leaping off the waves. <br />
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I have no idea what happened but for whatever reason Buckets has left Grenada. So if there is a point to this post besides adding credence to to my "Anchorage Spy" moniker is that you should pay attention to the dates on your Customs and Immigration paperwork, do not overstay your welcome and do not cut off any one's balls and toss them into the Bay. <br />
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Cheers!<br />
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PJB<br />
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-22353232440058686692019-01-05T06:10:00.001-05:002019-01-08T10:37:20.040-05:00Good Morning Grenada.<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Good morning. I'm sitting out here in the cockpit watching the sun come up with a nice hot cuppa. The halyards on the other boats are clanging away with the roll caused by the sea coming into the Bay. We have some new arrivals without Bimini's or much of anything on deck and they're all sleek monohulls with new running rigging. Race Week is getting closer here in Grenada. Dude behind us has shiny stainless anchor chain and no snubber. He went to shore yesterday and left his engine running. Interesting. <br />
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A boat just left the harbor on their way north as the sun starts over the island hills. The first flight of the day roars over the anchorage taking tourists back home and now everyone is waking up to the new day. I wonder what's in store for us this Saturday. That sailboat that just left the harbor didn't put their sails up, which were spilled all over the deck. I don't get that. Anyhow, off they go...motoring.<br />
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Often times I post of the horrors of cruising. OK, maybe not horrors but inconveniences and breakdowns and such. I do this because most of the time it's funny after it gets resolved and fun to write about. I don't write enough about how wonderful it is to be out here. You know, when you get that perfect reach between islands as you rip through the water as fast as she'll go, or the slow off wind sail to the next island with just the headsail out because you're lazy and in no hurry. The perfect spot to anchor in front of a deserted beach. When you grab the last mooring ball and the boat boy asks if you need anything. Dropping anchor and realizing you have friends in the same harbor. Sitting down for happy hour at a beach bar and the beers are ice cold while the breeze blows through the palm trees. In between the whining on this blog we really do enjoy it out here so don't think we're just a bunch of sad sacks just complaining all the time. I will try to focus on more fun things we do. "Deb? Do we do fun things?" It's too early for Deb. She's trying to wake up while I buzz on double bagged black tea.<br />
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Mister no snubber/shiny chain just pulled anchor on his race boat and is relocating. I think our laundry on the lifelines was too much for him. He may be going to Secret Harbor where the race fleet parties get started. Who races with a roller furling main? Well now he's heading west, with no sails up. Anyone sail anymore?<br />
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The sun is up and in my eyes and my cup is empty. Debra is waiting for the sun to be nice and warm before she moves so I'll go make some noise down below. She loves me... oh look she's up!<br />
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Oh hey, yesterday we went to the west side of the island to see if we could help Tammy and Bruce with their generator issues. I didn't help but I didn't hurt anything either and the thing ran for over 3 hours. Maybe I'm a lucky charm. The bus ride over there was insane. All the <span style="background-color: white;">transport vehicles </span>are maxi vans which are like mini vans only they have more seats. We hopped one and he took off a like bat out of hell. We hung on the whole ride. The dude even tried to pass another van but that van accelerated and both were side by side hitting 80 mph on a narrow roadway. WTF! Anyhow we made it out alive and had a nice afternoon with Dos Libras. I hope that generator keeps chugging away. <br />
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Meantime I'm going to get busy and get off the internets. I feel like maybe greasing winches. We have a mechanic scheduled for Wednesday to survey the engine issue. Hopefully it gets resolved soon after. I need to get moving.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
PJ<br />
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-35574610596751078062019-01-04T09:44:00.000-05:002019-01-04T09:47:21.713-05:00Ahoy Mates!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Well hello there. How are you guys? Guys?<br />
<br />
I took a long break from blogging. I guess I got bored with writing about sailing and cruising and stuff. I'll admit that it was hard trying to maintain my style of writing when nothing new was happening worth writing about. We just floated around in the Grenadines at a leisurely pace and explored a few places we hadn't been to but nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Even naked people were behaving themselves and they don't really get the attention they used to. I don't even point them out anymore. <br />
<br />
I'm not much of a journal writer so I can't blog about daily stuff unless there is some humor or weirdness to the story. I guess things have been normal? Bland? Meh? You really would not want to read a daily journal from me anyway but maybe I'll give it a shot. On the boring days I can write poetry or dirty limericks.<br />
<br />
The Internet has taken its toll on my creativity as well. I got out of the habit of writing every morning while enjoying a few cups of tea in the cockpit. I'm getting back to that routine and dropping the internet news search and facebook browsing. I kind of let Trumps mouth keep me focused on the news, wondering when and if we were going to implode as a country. It's important to stay informed but I don't know how important it is to debate people or Russian trolls on social media. I just goes nowhere. You end up agitated and ill over words that serve no purpose other than besting your political opponent who might be your aunt, uncle, sibling, best friend or Russian agent. It's just a stupid pastime. Meaningful debate is lost on many of us and I will leave it at that.<br />
<br />
So what am I going to write about? Well, we're going to explore some new islands this season. This will add some adventure which in turn will give me something to write about. I hope. If not then I'll just fill the blog with photos and rambling text (dirty limericks) which tends to be favored over anything seriously written anyway you short attention span slaves to social media! :D<br />
<br />
With that I will leave you with a photo and some meaningless drivel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB60knf2lM8ilGKAM4mSWFybFxibaTfdEH2MWk0hM11MjRDO0eAkE1l_OkpTorRFPLvV25bmL3iILhooxAwuXLL8ixCXpqfSTdKj7eCkKJil-MARo4ACNBoIudyfKtAdPkBeL0uWzxElk/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB60knf2lM8ilGKAM4mSWFybFxibaTfdEH2MWk0hM11MjRDO0eAkE1l_OkpTorRFPLvV25bmL3iILhooxAwuXLL8ixCXpqfSTdKj7eCkKJil-MARo4ACNBoIudyfKtAdPkBeL0uWzxElk/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
For the people that are out here, did you ever wonder if you could ever go home? I assume someday we'll all go home but think I'm wrong. Some people will never return from where they started. Some folks can't go back for fear of getting killed or kidnapped as in the South African family we met. Some people are just not going to leave the warmth and sun for someplace cold and gray. There are many reasons people do return. Income is a big reason. Family is another. Some people just tire of the sailing life. As they get older they find cockpit seating a bit too uncomfortable and doing laundry in a bucket too tiring. Some people return because of health issues. The scary thing down here is heart attacks. We know of one cruiser who recently suffered one and we hope he is doing well. It was tough to find a hospital that would take him in! Seriously! That is scary. I have never seen an ambulance racing through the streets of Grenada. As long as we've been here it's just not something I have personally witnessed. If one of us had a heart blowout on the boat I think we'd be dead before we got to shore. Even if we made it to shore the odds are slim. Of course in the US my odds would be better but I'd come out of the hospital completely bankrupt.<br />
<br />
So it will be interesting to see how many of us are left out here cruising from the original 2013/14 group. Does it matter? No. Do your own thing. Have fun at whatever floats your boat or moves your RV or flies you to other countries or just gets you down the street to see the kids. But whatever you do please don't sit in front of the TV or the Internet for hours on end while the world passes you by. I miss a lot of you already. I only see you on Facecrack and that's not good enough. I would rather see you in person even just once a year instead of your daily memes on politics, cute cats or words of wisdom. <br />
<br />
OK, that's enough rambling in front of a screen. Deb is doing laundry up on deck and thoroughly enjoying it so I'm going to pluck some strings before lunch.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
PB<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There was a young sailor from Bates<br />
who danced the fandango on skates.<br />
But a fall on his cutlass<br />
has rendered him nutlass,<br />
and practically useless on dates.</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-82877010895614289132018-05-24T08:01:00.001-04:002018-05-25T07:15:02.228-04:00Is the doctor in?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
The other day we visited the local doctor on the island. He's French. He's also an artist and well known for his work. He keeps semi regular hours and he might be in the doorway of his studio in front of a painting holding a brush or he may have his white coat on treating a patient. The first time we met him he was shirtless and painting. I asked if the doctor was in. He said, "I don't know, let me check", and he proceeded to put on his lab coat and when fully buttoned he said, "The doctor is in. Welcome."<br />
<br />
So we popped into his office/studio for a consultation. My blood pressure meds ran out and I needed a refill but the pharmacy in the French islands required a new prescription. Most other islands do not. They just look at your empty bottle and give you a refill. So we went to see the gentle Doc and see if I could get a prescription. I was concerned that my BP was a bit higher than normal.<br />
<br />
The good doctor asks why I think I have high blood pressure. I told him I have a device on the boat for testing it. "Huh. Is that so." he replied. He then took my blood pressure. "You do NOT have high blood pressure."<br />
<br />
OK, but it's over the required limit set by...."Fuck them!" <br />
<br />
Uh, but I'm taking these pills and...<br />
<br />
"I am French yes? We see things different than American doctors. Your blood pressure is not high it is normal for your age and you do not need a prescription from me." He also checked Debra's and declared us both healthy and then asked about our sailing life. We chatted for a while and thanked him for seeing us. We bought some art work.<br />
<br />
You might think this doctor doesn't know what he's talking about but Debra went to him with an issue that normally requires a round of antibiotics but he gave her a packet of powder to mix with one cup of water to drink. She was fine just hours later and has not had a problem since. This medication is not available in the US because it's a cheap cure for a common problem. We're being taken for a ride in the US by big pharma folks. Deb also got a refill on a prescription but they didn't have the generic version so it would cost much more. The cost? About $20. In the US it would have been $250.00.<br />
<br />
Looking up the French guidelines for recommended blood pressure I see I am in the healthy range. In the US I would need to be treated with meds. When I ran out of meds my BP didn't change all that much. Interesting. In the mean time I am continuing to take my meds but I'm not freaked out about the whole thing and that probably lowered my BP even more.<br />
<br />
I have to say that our worries about minor medical issues turning into bigger issues because of poor care here in the islands were unfounded. I'm not sure about anything major like a heart attack and I've heard the local hospitals are pretty rustic depending on the island. If one of us had a heart attack right now well, we might get lucky and make it onto the ferry to the main island for treatment but most likely we would just be prepared for burial at sea.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
PJJB<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8PhpCGvm1WxHV6acWNnoKaQwSI6QkMCHVYNwkA4FtTlu8tmxgZEABJFdp1xQUxvZQSIKK0_Hbre1Rbr6jDvFivd4YKFLji-5rYCWEGWy6vJDcjqX-eflUmLdCst_FKLLSUZ3LaIXhks/s1600/FB_IMG_1527246779698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8PhpCGvm1WxHV6acWNnoKaQwSI6QkMCHVYNwkA4FtTlu8tmxgZEABJFdp1xQUxvZQSIKK0_Hbre1Rbr6jDvFivd4YKFLji-5rYCWEGWy6vJDcjqX-eflUmLdCst_FKLLSUZ3LaIXhks/s320/FB_IMG_1527246779698.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doctor Chevailler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-90550980018632766522018-05-15T07:47:00.000-04:002018-05-15T07:47:25.567-04:00Boost pump blues<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
As a manufacturing engineer I became one with the machinery I designed and maintained. No, I wasn't a cyborg. There were other names for me but we'll not discuss that now. The constant noise of running machinery was something I became assaulted with every day. It became a familiar rhythm. If the beat or pitch or tone changed just a hair I would hear it. "Somethings wrong". This also happens on the boat. Recently the boost pump for the watermaker changed its tune. Upon inspection we noticed a leak had developed around the pump. Further inspection showed water and rust marks around the base of the pump. Even further inspection (removal) showed the pump was on its last legs and barely functional as it was a complete rust ball inside. Son of a bitch Jabsco!<br />
<br />
This Jabsco Par-Max4 pump is not even 6 months old. I had to service this pump once before for an electrical problem. Now when I look at it I see the diaphragm is too short in one corner, an obvious defect and that's where it leaked salt water. This really pissed me off because Jabsco has had shitty quality for a long time and now they've been purchased by another company yet they still screw up over with shoddy workmanship and inspection. I really have zero respect for the management of this firm. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSZSsg77RIrCydD7werXBtIY0COIAc2zO52nQBxllYiTNpfpUEAtqziF-4eWO4k2CHSxMAtGQ6Xr180YncO_quQqZIv2f4I4aH3qOwNSfTq17PpGFERk_3evTMGhHiITrZv-x83kiNm0/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSZSsg77RIrCydD7werXBtIY0COIAc2zO52nQBxllYiTNpfpUEAtqziF-4eWO4k2CHSxMAtGQ6Xr180YncO_quQqZIv2f4I4aH3qOwNSfTq17PpGFERk_3evTMGhHiITrZv-x83kiNm0/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhlajIzU4CY/WvrIfjrb-XI/AAAAAAABN2c/HT5SZ5I8VdADDIOXOI-oCMU1nosRNQPlQCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhlajIzU4CY/WvrIfjrb-XI/AAAAAAABN2c/HT5SZ5I8VdADDIOXOI-oCMU1nosRNQPlQCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
So being completely pissed off I took it out on the pumps supplier, the dude who sold us the watermaker. This wasn't really the best way to vent but you know the most time I spend on maintenance on this boat is on the watermaker. We bought this pump from him and it has failed twice. Our initial start up of the system gave us a leaking membrane housing and we ran a season at half capacity in the Bahamas. The original boost pump (Jabsco) was a different style which also leaked but just could not keep up with the high pressure pump and caused the whole system to vibrate like crazy. So, add it all up and I vented. Now even though I was pissed off I still like the service and the product. We've been out here for four years and making water every three days except for time on the hard and the only problem has been the boost pump because it's made by Jabsco. So, maybe I was a little harsh because the pump was under warranty and they would just send me a new one.<br />
<br />
The kicker on the warranty is YOU have to pay for shipping. Well, in order for the warranty to be worth anything you have to be in the USA or Mexico. Shipping to anywhere in the windward Islands will cost you more than the pump is worth depending on who you ship with and customs plus travel expenses so if you have one on the shelf at the local shop you buy it. That's what I did, but I also had the warranty replacement shipped to my daughters house in the States so that I can bring it back with me. Ha! Now I will have a spare.<br />
<br />
Would I buy the watermaker again if we changed boats? Yes. Overall it's a good system and it suits our needs. Every three days we run it for an hour and get 30 gallons of fresh water. Not bad. We would not be out here without it. My water schlepping days are over and if it ever fails completely for any length of time Deb said she's flying home until it's fixed. No, I'm not going to pretend it's broken :D<br />
<br />
<br />
So here we are, fully functional again and floating around for days on end in various anchorages on various islands. Unlike other bloggers we don't post about what cool stuff we're doing everyday because we're not doing cool stuff every day. Some days we just lay around and read books, go to happy hours, play guitar or work on watermakers.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
PJ<br />
<br />
Yes, I already know to mount the pumps vertical with the motor on top. Space, I need more space!</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-24672245336731018562018-05-03T00:40:00.001-04:002018-05-03T21:03:40.051-04:00Who needs sleep?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Not sure why but sleep is of no concern to me right now. We met with friends and had Thai food along with a couple buckets of beers. Buckets with beers I should say. We didn't slop beer from a bucket though that would have been so much more fun....if I was eighteen. So everyone went home to bed except me. I'm home but not in bed. Is it the green curry sauce keeping me up? Debra is in bed but I am listening to Floyd and typing nonsense.<br />
<br />
This is like the best cheese right now. It's havarti and it's really hitting the spot. Why do we say hitting the spot? If there was an actual spot we'd all be skinny like the French because we would just hit the spot and not eat. Maybe they know where the spot is?<br />
<br />
I love the French. They are so annoying.<br />
<br />
So is facebbook eating our brains? I have been (sadly) reading posts in the cruising groups. They used to be fun but now they're all censored and nobody can offend anyone especially the authorities or god forbid you make a negative comment about the area. So, if I was to post to the BVI cruisers group the fact that we spent the most money in the shortest time while in the BVI compared to all the other islands and gave figures to back that up would it be removed by the moderator? I think so. Can't be negative and informative. Got to be positive people! Negativity is non promotional.<br />
<br />
I'm slowly weening myself from the evil Facebook. Something about it all creeps me out now. Mostly because the creator of this menace is fking evil looking. Have you seen Zuckerberg? Is he high every day? I'm hoping those eyes are burned by Mary Jane and not from visiting hell daily for his report on enslaving the world. Douche is scary looking. Now the EU is telling him to fuck off and quit spying on their people while the US goes, Huh? Honest to god we can be the dumbest hicks on the planet at times. We'll screw anyone for a buck. Bend over John Q Public! It will not be long before we only have 3 news corporations, three cell phone corporations, three cable/streaming/internet corporations, three pharma companies, three car companies, and worst of all three beer companies. All price fixing for sure. Bad things happen in three's folks.<br />
<br />
Oh god enough cheese. Off the havarti for a while.<br />
<br />
Every time I go back to pee I wake Deb up. She's so incoherent when she's woken. She just stares at me a second and thinks "asshole". <br />
<br />
I go up in the cockpit and I see a lone dude in a boat just floating behind us about a quarter mile in the dark. Now that's creepy. Bet if I stood there silhouetted against our lighting holding that cheese knife I could creep him out more. Is he fishing? He better be fishing. This place is odd. Yesterday we thought a guy was drowning. He was just swimming...a mile offshore. I couldn't even circle the boat twice without hodling on. Pathetic. Could be the cheese.<br />
<br />
I've yawned three times now so it must be time for bed. Thanks for not reading.<br />
<br />
Still floating.<br />
Cheers!<br />
P</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com0Pointe-Ã -Pitre, Guadeloupe16.2190198 -61.5289578tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-61025276543954497052018-03-25T09:37:00.001-04:002018-03-25T09:37:42.223-04:00Morning Tea, Bequia, St. Vincent<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1xdQeLl-VU/Wreatk4yAOI/AAAAAAABMV0/KP2HaTSXAdMA_q3fc0C_I-NLr7zwhFEIwCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1xdQeLl-VU/Wreatk4yAOI/AAAAAAABMV0/KP2HaTSXAdMA_q3fc0C_I-NLr7zwhFEIwCHMYCw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Morning Tea posts are a rambling dump of my brain thoughts onto this blog. There really is no real reason for it other than clearing my head and making room for something more meaningful to write about. I tend to do this when we're not moving much and spending too much time in one harbour. Some people tend to find a underlying theme in all of it and maybe there is. I really don't know. It truly is random and gets logged over the course of a few mornings when my brain gets hit with it's first shot of caffeine.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lately my mind has been a blank canvas.<br />
<br />
If you stare at a blank canvas long enough you'll start to see things...<br />
<br />
I need another hobby.<br />
<br />
Is boat repair a hobby?<br />
<br />
I look back on all the home improvement money I spent and cringe.<br />
<br />
Some days I want a house.<br />
<br />
Some days the blank canvas shows me mowing a lawn.<br />
<br />
Renting is the way to go.<br />
<br />
Why do sailors come into an anchorage at night? Poor planning?<br />
<br />
Why do sailors anchor really close at night. Poor night vision?<br />
<br />
Sailors get mad when you ask them to move at night. Really mad. <br />
<br />
Everyone swears in English. <br />
<br />
"Fuck You" is universal.<br />
<br />
We're not good at growing things.<br />
<br />
I take that back, the kids turned out just fine.<br />
<br />
The aloe plant has some issues.<br />
<br />
I was told my cruising days are numbered because of grand kids.<br />
<br />
All our cruising days are numbered. <br />
<br />
I wake up every day and start with the number 1<br />
<br />
Someone told me once that every day is a gift. I need the receipts.<br />
<br />
There are days I could just swim to shore and hop on a plane back to the States.<br />
<br />
I can't afford to live in the States.<br />
<br />
I'm a little over 2 yrs away from social security<br />
<br />
In 2 yrs time social security will get privatized and reduced and the age moved to 65<br />
<br />
The average American male lifespan is only 73<br />
<br />
You could be 20 miles offshore in 20 knots of close hauled madness and a fly will land on your sandwich.<br />
<br />
If you're introduced to someone and you don't like their face will you remember their name?<br />
<br />
Have you ever not liked someone's face?<br />
<br />
Some inebriated dude on a bus told us he liked our faces. "You have nice faces. I like your face." Thankful it wasn't "I lick your face"<br />
<br />
If I went to all the cruiser parties or jams in the Islands I would be attending a meeting once a week. "Hi. My name is Paul. I'm a cruiser"<br />
<br />
Our beer stocks are lasting much longer.<br />
<br />
Is the party over?<br />
<br />
Going home for hurricane season is a good thing.<br />
<br />
Coming back to your home after hurricane season is good too.<br />
<br />
Someone define home.<br />
<br />
I make a lot of lists now.<br />
<br />
I have a good memory but I'm easily distracted.<br />
<br />
Are we addicted to Internet?<br />
<br />
We pulled into a harbor and it was the first time I could not find a wifi signal. Oh no!<br />
<br />
We finally got a SIM card for our phone.<br />
<br />
I bought 3 gig. My daughter face timed us.<br />
<br />
I need to buy another 3 gig.<br />
<br />
I spent a day going through our food supply and listing it all. Then I made a meal plan. Then I made a grocery list.<br />
<br />
At the store without the grocery list was painful<br />
<br />
I do better at winging it for dinner.<br />
<br />
I ate a lobster recently. <br />
<br />
I feel shame when I eat seafood<br />
<br />
I always thought vegetarianism was more popular than a vegan diet but everyone always asks us if we eat cheese.<br />
<br />
Cheese is god. I mean cheese is good.<br />
<br />
My blood pressure meds were increased last visit home, I mean the States.<br />
<br />
Is cruising killing us?<br />
<br />
Cheese is god<br />
<br />
I went to a bar. The bartender asked me if I was off the cruise ship. "I've never been so insulted!" We all laughed except for the couple off the cruise ship.<br />
<br />
I don't think I resemble a cruiser anymore.<br />
<br />
I still refuse to wear crocs.<br />
<br />
I need more sun<br />
<br />
I've been shaving lately. Beard shaving not manscaping.<br />
<br />
The gray beard is bothering me<br />
<br />
The blank canvas shows an old man with a gray beard and a beer belly.<br />
<br />
I'm still in my 50's<br />
<br />
These beer nuts are hot<br />
<br />
I know, morning tea and beer nuts? Breakfast has no rules<br />
<br />
Will I flip out when I turn 60 or just accept it?<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll get a tattoo<br />
<br />
When people with nice boats come visit we clean a lot<br />
<br />
After people with nice new boats visit old rustic boats do they go, "Well that was something eh? Are you gonna shower or just change clothes?"<br />
<br />
If you spotted a stray beer nut on someone else's cabin sole would you tell them?<br />
<br />
Epic Tuna is a different name for a boat.<br />
<br />
When I am ashore I usually make up a boat name when calling the mother ship. "Kelly Nicole, Kelly Nicole - Jetpack, Jetpack"<br />
<br />
Deb is a little fearful of me calling over the radio.<br />
"Kelly Nicole, Kelly Nicole this is Inflatable Doll, Inflatable Doll"<br />
<br />
I miss watching the NCAA basketball tournament<br />
<br />
I could not imagine paying for cable TV these days.<br />
<br />
People always ask us if we have a TV. We have one somewhere in the V-berth. I think.<br />
<br />
We've watched a total of 2 movies on board since we left to cruise. Zero TV.<br />
<br />
I have eaten all the olives.<br />
<br />
Does salt really increase blood pressure?<br />
<br />
I once read that sugar is the root cause of all evil. I believe it<br />
<br />
Is it wrong to want to be in bed at 9pm?<br />
<br />
I should have slept more as a teen.<br />
<br />
Why are all the good basketball match ups on so late?<br />
<br />
Why would I watch a sport I was too short to play?<br />
<br />
What am I talking about? We have no TV.<br />
<br />
I haven't seen a hockey game in a hell of a long time<br />
<br />
I always ask Canadians what their fav hockey team is and they get pissed because they don't all watch or follow hockey? WTF!<br />
<br />
Is that stereotyping?<br />
<br />
I haven't had poutine in a hell of a long time. It's food, look it up.<br />
<br />
I can't believe I look like a dude off a cruise ship<br />
<br />
Three cruise ships came in. We're not leaving the boat.<br />
<br />
I love to see the cruise ship people on land. <br />
<br />
Should white guys wear Bob Marley shirts?<br />
<br />
Asking any local for weed makes them laugh out loud<br />
<br />
I ate something bad yesterday and it wasn't an animal. I was up all night with stomach issues.<br />
<br />
Deb ate the same things I did. <br />
<br />
I'm like the canary in a coal mine. She's worried.<br />
<br />
So far the morning tea is just affecting the brain not the stomach.<br />
<br />
Friends hugged me goodbye and they broke my old sunglasses.<br />
<br />
Bro hugs are costly<br />
<br />
I'm going to buy cheap sunglasses for the shore<br />
<br />
ZZ Top<br />
<br />
Is it stupid to have the Spot Messenger device broadcast our every anchor drop?<br />
<br />
I sometimes worry someone may want to stalk and kill me for my blog posts.<br />
<br />
Guessing they'll be French and arrive in a Catamaran and anchor too close.<br />
<br />
I need a Bequia sticker for my guitar case<br />
<br />
The music jams in Grenada are too professional<br />
<br />
I'm building a playlist<br />
<br />
Singing and playing is not easy yet<br />
<br />
Do you feel bad passing by all the craft tables filled with touristy trinkets in town?<br />
<br />
All people need to make a living, somehow, some way.<br />
<br />
When the boat boys find out you're a vegetarian they pass right on by.<br />
<br />
Cheese! Bring cheese!<br />
<br />
One guy held up lobsters. Sorry. Vegetarians. "Vegetarians! Good Mon. That is good. God Bless. This is a good thing for you but not for me! Hahaha"<br />
<br />
Some guy just announced in Bequia that he has a brand new alternator for sale, cheap. Where the fk was this guy last year?<br />
<br />
I still can't believe I spent $500.00 on an alternator.<br />
<br />
I need a beach.<br />
<br />
We anchor next to a beach we never go to.<br />
<br />
This will change in the next few days.<br />
<br />
I have a shoe problem<br />
<br />
My Keen sandals blew out and my flip flops have holes.<br />
<br />
I bought some new sandals in Carriacou and I think they're ladies sandals. Deb disagrees but I still think they're too pretty for me.<br />
<br />
We visited a Turtle farm. Yes a farm. They raise and release. Apparently poachers steal the eggs and the turtles are becoming scarce.<br />
<br />
There was a grill out back.<br />
<br />
If I was desperately hungry I would probably find something else besides a turtle egg.<br />
I don't know. Hoping never to be in that situation.<br />
<br />
Every time the stock market tanks I'll be thinking of turtle eggs. Cat food is expensive.<br />
<br />
Who was the asshole that decided the 401k was a good retirement plan?<br />
<br />
Why do we let assholes run our lives?<br />
<br />
Every time the stock market tanks I think of turtle eggs and assholes<br />
<br />
We have a lot of Eastern Caribbean coins. <br />
We have a lot of Canadian coins.<br />
We have a lot of Euro coins.<br />
<br />
You ever wonder what creatures a hundred thousand years in the future will think of our civilization after discovering an old coin?<br />
<br />
I'm just assuming our civilization will not be partying in 100,000 yrs<br />
<br />
Are the one percenters hoarding wealth because they were told the planet can not support all of us and the party is over?<br />
<br />
If you had unlimited wealth and knew the world as you know it was over would you be a doomsday prepper or a eat, drink and be merry tomorrow you die guy?<br />
<br />
Elon Musk is a billionaire. He builds spaceships and underground boring machines. Huh.<br />
<br />
Is the future always dark when you reach a certain age?<br />
<br />
We need more LED lamps<br />
<br />
Our solar is keeping up just fine since the rainy season ended.<br />
<br />
Our boat could use a wash<br />
<br />
A very nice sailboat dropped next to us and they fresh water cleaned and mopped the whole boat surface before checking in.<br />
<br />
I had a dead fish laying under the solar panel for days. Our guests tossed it overboard.<br />
<br />
The V-berth is still NOT my man cave.<br />
<br />
The forward head is a storage locker. God help one of us if we both have stomach issues. Not sure I could clean it out in time.<br />
<br />
Some taco shells have gone missing. How is this possible?<br />
<br />
The worst is thinking about taco Tuesday all day and then finding no shells.<br />
<br />
We use soy bits for taco meat. Sometimes lentils too.<br />
<br />
People make the same face over soy bits that we make over animal muscle scraped off the carcass and ground up.<br />
<br />
The canvas is blank again. No wait....I see a skinny old guy with pretty sandals selling turtle eggs and begging for money from cruise ship tourists so he can buy taco shells.<br />
<br />
I gave to the homeless again. $5 EC. I gave to this guy before. He gathers about $20 EC then pops into a bar for a solo cup of vodka. It's sad to watch.<br />
<br />
Do you think sometimes we all have a role to play and this is his life performance? Maybe his interaction with some of us is to see how it may change our performance.<br />
<br />
Elon Musk thought maybe we live in a simulation.<br />
<br />
Dude put a car in space.<br />
<br />
The canvas is blank and fading to black except for a Telsa roadster heading for Mars. It's been fun dumping on you.<br />
<br />
Don't Panic.<br />
P<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nECjUzEpfE/Wreay5oztUI/AAAAAAABMWA/3r525OuqOakujpGwqbzTBav8oLgKRnFCgCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nECjUzEpfE/Wreay5oztUI/AAAAAAABMWA/3r525OuqOakujpGwqbzTBav8oLgKRnFCgCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely girly shoes. I dunked them in salt water and left them in the sun. That might man them up a bit. Maybe. I'm not going to wear them am I? Damn waste of money.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com2Grenadines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines13.003056 -61.240276tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-83156002735319073152018-03-12T10:01:00.000-04:002018-03-12T10:10:57.472-04:00Windward Ramblings<div dir="ltr">
We're just hanging out in Carriacou right now waiting for this weather to settle a bit before moving on up the chain. The north swells were amazingly huge but not amazingly rough for us here. I think we caught a break. KN was gently rising and falling on those swells and it was not uncomfortable.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
We watched a few people surfing those swells into the harbor which looked like awesome fun and there was a thought in my head about getting the surfing kayak out but there were also thoughts of bloody welts all over my body from the coral and a lump on my head form the kayak. You get smarter as you get older.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Life is pretty slow right now. We manage to have lunch or beach time with friends once in a while and we still meet strange people at bars. At this point it's difficult to talk about some of those strange people because they may be reading this blog. The cruising world is a small world.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
We ran into some Americans from Oklahoma. They chartered a large cat and arrived at a restaurant for dinner. Deb and I were at the bar and I was approached by the woman from Tulsa and we all made some small talk. After a few meet and greet questions she asks me where she could buy some weed. Apparently I have taken on the look of someone who would know. I mentioned a spot on the beach and she took note but I told her I'm not speaking as a buyer. It's just what I've been told. She then proceeded to tell me how unfriendly the locals are. She said this with a local, the bartender, standing right behind her in the quiet bar. Damn embarrassing. I told her you need to engage the people with a greeting and a smile because it makes a difference. She wasn't buying it but I had to change the subject before I became associated with her rude behavior.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
A European couple popped in and chatted with us before we were wrapping it up for the night. While in a conversation about European and American politics the Tulsa woman came over and asked me if I would take a group photo of the Oklahoma gang. Sure. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I get over to the group and the bartender (local) was taking the photo but they wanted me to take it instead. Seriously!? I told them she's knows more about the iPhone than I do and they wanted me to make sure it was taken properly. Honest to god I wanted to slap them all for being so damn racist. I can't tolerate that bullshit any more. So I get back to the bar and the woman I was talking to leans into me and says, "So, the Americans did not trust the black woman to take their photo eh?" I just shook my head and asked them to not judge all of us based on the actions of a few misguided individuals.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
"Oh no we don't do that. We know Americans do not get out of their country to travel much. We understand most are good people but they are just ignorant of how to act outside of their homeland". This was going to be a nice long conversation but it was getting dark and we had our fill of good cheer and crazy talk so...</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
We fled the bar because we did not expect to be out so late and we had no anchor lights on but I was damn glad to get out of that scene. <br />
<br /></div>
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Some times you just want to run and hide from people.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUhoUZVCZY8I19Tp4VA5mL7i00ekykoPfMpzad_vaPqP7ml7CrYWFikafX0EqYwE1XEq-RtCCKspCrGuh1wIelQPH8cWyo8LihLl5hlpXJ6ORJzCBsfH2J1c61vbaEMUFZX7yE-NOcmU/s1600/e828cdc6-b0a4-485c-bc95-1dffad6e37bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="540" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUhoUZVCZY8I19Tp4VA5mL7i00ekykoPfMpzad_vaPqP7ml7CrYWFikafX0EqYwE1XEq-RtCCKspCrGuh1wIelQPH8cWyo8LihLl5hlpXJ6ORJzCBsfH2J1c61vbaEMUFZX7yE-NOcmU/s320/e828cdc6-b0a4-485c-bc95-1dffad6e37bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cheers!<br />
P</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-40062159679698772242018-02-21T09:05:00.003-05:002018-02-21T15:18:19.290-05:00A day on the Shopping Bus<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
From yesterday:<br />
<br />
Damn, it's like someone pulled the plug on me this afternoon. I'm at zero energy level. I had nothing in the tank all day and it was a busy day.<br />
<br />
We took the shopping bus this morning. After a stop at the ATM we split up. One bus goes to Ace Hardware and Budget Marine and then the Mall. The other goes straight to the Mall for grocery shopping and whatever else. Deb went to the Mall and I went the other way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PO8LmbVMclA/Wo1ymPcvhrI/AAAAAAABLJ8/p-xII6yrauADFTQ950o2NEx757olrU6IQCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PO8LmbVMclA/Wo1ymPcvhrI/AAAAAAABLJ8/p-xII6yrauADFTQ950o2NEx757olrU6IQCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical bus loading cruisers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was on the all guys bus. The one that smelled like Irish Spring, dirty sandals, Old Spice and weed. We got to the Ace hardware store. I found nothing on my list. I was done early. I went to talk to the Rasta Mon bus driver but he was on the phone. I walked back in the store. I looked at stuff. It all reminded me of home improvement so I walked back out but I stopped to see a sailor looking at a lawn mower. This froze me. It was just so bizarre a thing. I pulled myself away only to see another sailor looking and asking about patio furniture. Huh?? Another sailor had a swim noodle under his arm. OK, that's normal. I walked out into the sunshine again. "Are you done shopping?" asked the driver. Yes. "OK, get in da bus please." I didn't want to get in first because you get the back of the bus and it bounces too much. Damn it. Eventually all the smells came back into the bus and we were off.<br />
<br />
<br />
When we got to Budget Marine they had a coffee pot brewing and it smelled wonderful. I was greeted by a very tall hyper dude in glasses who wanted to know what I needed. "A starter battery", I said. In a blur he ran towards the batteries with me in tow, grabbed the size I needed, peeled the sticker off the battery, stuck it to my finger and told me to take it up front and tell them where we are dropping it off. Dropping it off? "Yes, you can't buy a battery jus now. We charge it first and make sure it is OK then we deliver it to you" Then he grabbed the battery to put it on a charger and running away he yelled "3PM delivery!" and vanished.<br />
<br />
I was standing there with a sticker attached to my finger and my mouth open. I slowly walked to the counter and stuck my finger at the woman behind it. She looked me in the eye and pulled the sticker off my finger and rang it up asking where and what time. Uh, 3pm at Secret Harbor. Click, click, click, done. Have a nice day! I walked away knowing there were other things I needed but everything happened so fast so I thought I would wander around the store and maybe get a coffee and then the other bus driver George comes up to me and says, "Excuse me. Are you all done shopping?" Well...I... "OK, we go now. Get to the bus and lets go". I got in line with the rest of the guys next to the bus in the bright sunshine and we started getting in the bus. "Don't step in the water!!" There was a puddle. I was about to step into it and then get on the bus. George does not like his bus to get dirty. I got the eye. The eye that said, "You filthy dog gonna just dirty my bus?" Nobody likes to be on George's shit list.<br />
<br />
I had a sudden vision of my future<i>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My nursing home was having a field trip and I was herded into a bus with my other older grumbling pals and we were driven to a shopping center and allowed to wander around. If we touched anything we were scolded by a big orderly and if we purchased anything they pretended we bought it and after we left they put everything back on the shelves. When we got back to the home we didn't remember a damn thing anyway so it was all good fun.</i><br />
<br />
We finally got to the mall and were unloaded. I swear some of the guys just stood there in the sun wondering what to do. I humped it into the mall and raced for the grocery store passing by the coffee shop. It smelled so good. I wanted to catch Debra before she checked out so I could see if she bought any good stuff. Debra tends to get the basics and nothing special. I needed to survey the cart and run around getting all the exotic fun stuff. I walked through the doors and there's Deb checking out. Damn.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09eWBfTPuOT4vHRWlnSvwy1y9-giFOvlRFRJUT43jgogv85UYh3VX3hdefkxxFNibOZK37RhyvmiSavT9ZnTBZEwwKf5a54C0M8tdnPak9P0T2pcQJq8J1nNeIJJhn-oAxXeGiFZeq30/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09eWBfTPuOT4vHRWlnSvwy1y9-giFOvlRFRJUT43jgogv85UYh3VX3hdefkxxFNibOZK37RhyvmiSavT9ZnTBZEwwKf5a54C0M8tdnPak9P0T2pcQJq8J1nNeIJJhn-oAxXeGiFZeq30/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I just shuffled over to the cart and helped pack. On my dejected walk out of the store I noticed the hardware/housewares store. I remembered we needed something there but I could not recall. "Batteries and a shower curtain", said Deb. I took off to buy a shower curtain of all things. I hate buying housewares. I never buy the right thing. I finally found shower curtains after wandering around a bit and there was no white colored curtains. Figures. Huh, maybe purple would be nice, or this funny color of blue? No better go with beige. I'm buying a shower curtain and batteries. I wanted to add a hacksaw for masculinity verification but I'm too cheap. I was the only one in the store except for the employees gathered at a register. I stood there. "You go to that register", the young lady said. I go over to THAT register and nobody is there. I wait. Some dude comes up and asks if I found everything. Yes. I found my battery powered shower curtain. He walked away. A young lady then came by. Did you find everything? Yes. Did someone help you? No. I found all this on my own. She smiled. I paid. She smiled some more. I smiled back and left.<br />
<br />
I assumed Debra was treating herself to a mango smoothie so I stopped by an electronics booth and bought some headphones. Not sure the reason but I break headphones or ear buds regularly. As I got closer to the food court where the bus picks us up I could smell that coffee. Yes!<br />
<br />
I finally get to the food court and I can't find Deb. I look outside and she's getting on the bus. She waves me over. Damn it I wanted a Mocha Joe! I really needed a coffee. George is like, "On the bus please we go now!" I looked down first to make sure there were no puddles. We all piled in but we went in order. George puts us in by size. Little people in the back and tall in the front. I'm not a fan of this method. All us hobbits in the back all looked at each other as if to say "Someday the giants will pay". We drove on to the next stop with all the "shorts" popping up in our back seat on every bump. <br />
<br />
The veggie store. <br />
The veggie store is weird. It's a butcher shop with a shelf of vegetables. There's also a shelf with liquor. Mostly it's canned goods, eggs, liquor and meat. I don't get the name but I go in anyway because sometimes they have a good selection. Deb went to the pharmacy. I look around. I want nothing but I look. I'm looking at meat. I'm a vegetarian looking at the meat cuts. "Can I help you sir?" said a very tall and attractive woman. Uh. Um. Eh, I am uh...just browsing. I can't believe I said browsing. You don't browse for meat idiot. Geez. I just walked away while she smiled the "pity the fool" smile which I have been getting all damn day. I wander some more. I run into her rounding the aisle. "Are you sure I can't help you find anything?" No. Just...looking. She went in the back room only to pop out carrying some meat and I was blocking her way because I was reading the ingredients on these Cassava Crisps. Very few calories but lots of sugar. "Excuse me please sir." I finally walked out of the "Veggie Shop" and wandered over to the bakery and read their sign out front when I noticed a woman my age smiling at me from a table. Good afternoon I said. "Afternoon" she replied. "Don't be shy. Go and get some pastry". I could really use a coffee I said. "The coffee is terrible here". Oh. OK. I wandered off with my hands in my pockets and got honked at by a car backing up. <br />
<br />
Some of the short people are holding coffee's. How is that coffee?, I ask. "We don't know. It's so damn hot nobody has tasted it yet!"<br />
<br />
We got herded to the bus. Everyone knows their place now. <br />
<br />
Next stop is the wholesale store. This is where you find out who all the drunks are. You can find out a lot about people just by following them around a store, especially a wholesale. Hey look, 5 giant bottles of fiber. Interesting. Preparation H 12 pack! Seven bottles of rum! Wow. Last week it was five. Must be the wife is arriving. How can someone possibly eat that much mayo? The Prep H 12 pack just bought a case of hot sauce! <br />
<br />
We wait on the bus for the drunk plugged up mayo eaters to get back. I ask the back row about the coffee. "Still too damn hot!" The French woman next to me wonders how many more stops there are. Last one we tell her. She smiles and talks about all the stuff she forgets when at the store, like her list. We all laugh because we all do the same thing. She's having fun. We are too even though we complain sometimes. We all agree that these shopping trips are way better than the trips we make at home. We talk about where we are from and where we are going. We talk about kids, grand kids, things we miss, things we don't. Soon the bus is full again and we drive off.<br />
<br />
We arrive back at the dinghy dock. George unloads our groceries because he doesn't want the parking lot gravel back in his bus and one by one we peel away to go back to our boats. "By everybody!" "See you later!" "Have a great day!" "Nice meeting you!" "Au revior!" "This coffee is delicious!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
Pauly B tired.</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-3017826685910583932018-02-12T06:25:00.000-05:002018-02-12T06:31:00.234-05:00Things they never told us - Boat Snobs<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<i>"So, what kind of boat do you have?" </i><br />
<i>One with sails. </i><br />
<i>"Funny, but what brand? Who built it?" </i><br />
<i>I don't know who exactly. I'm sure it was more than one person but the brand is a Morgan. Catalina Morgan to be exact. </i><br />
<i>"Oh, OK. Nice. (insert awkward silence) Excuse me I need to talk to someone." </i><br />
<i>OK. Nice not talking to you. Dick.</i><br />
<i>"It's Bob!"</i><br />
<br />
At times you meet other sailors at a gathering and the first thing they want to know is what boat you sail. If you answer correctly then the conversation continues otherwise you get the cold shoulder. Not everyone we meet does this but on the rare occasion it happens and it will piss you off or make you laugh.<br />
There was one time I was surrounded by big money boat owners that all knew each other and I was the new guy. I was also the shortest but I'm sure that had nothing to do with it. I knew the question was coming and it was eventually asked. It's actually a question for more than your boat brand. It's a question about you and whether you are worthy of inclusion. <br />
<br />
<i>"So Paul is it? Nice to meet you. What are you sailing these days?" </i><br />
<i>Oyster 56. </i><br />
<i>"Wow! <strike>you don't look like Oyster material</strike> Really? </i><br />
<i>No not really. Actually I sail a 1989 Morgan 44. She only has one hull and two sails but </i><br />
<i>I do have five solar panels!</i><br />
<i>"I see. Well here, stare at my back will you? I have a really cool dive shirt with a nice </i><br />
<i>logo from a place you will never sail to." </i><br />
<br />
That actually happened though the dialog was a wee bit different. It really was a cool dive shirt. Amazing it fit over his head.<br />
<br />
There was this guy who stopped by the boat to chat once. He was looking to purchase our dinghy. He told me his sailboat was smaller, which I knew because he was anchored right next to us. Duh. He asked me if I knew the people on this other boat. I didn't. He explained that he had run into them at various ports all over the world. This was his way of telling us he was a CIRCUMNAVIGATOR. He looked at our boat and asked, "What is this?" My blood pressure started it's climb at that point because I knew what was going to come out of his mouth. I pointed to the Morgan Emblem in front of his face.<br />
<br />
"<i>Oh, a Morgan. I see that now. So you folks are just going to Island hop then? No big offshore plans right?" </i><br />
<i>Yes, for now. We'll wait around a bit until the Arctic Route opens up. </i><br />
<br />
Asshole. We sold the dinghy to someone else :D<br />
<br />
We were at a potluck once and a woman heard a story of our friends rough passage in the North Atlantic and asked the folks what boat they had. When she heard she loudly pronounced that she would never go to sea in one of those! "My Gawd that would be suicide!" I could not believe she said that. My friends handled it well. She then handed out her boat card showing her lovely "Blue Water" designed yacht that she motors around in up and down the ICW. Other than that outburst she was a very nice woman but I was starting to see a pattern here. Call it crowd separation. A bunch of people meet and then they separate out amongst their kind based on what they sail and where they've been. Eventually I was left sitting with the toothless drunk guy with the old Morgan. <br />
<br />
<i>"So what ya sailing these days Bob?" </i><br />
<i>It's Paul and we have a Morgan. </i><br />
<i>"No shit Bob! We sail one too. She's a 78. How bout yours?" </i><br />
<i>She's an '89. </i><br />
<i>"Ooh a fancy one. Need a beer?" </i><br />
<i>Absolutely. Nice to meet you. </i><br />
<i>"Same here. This beer might be a little warm. Was in my pocket." </i><br />
<i>No problem. Cheers buddy! </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Most of us all get along very well and we really don't care what you sail as long as you're friendly and not a jackass. I have witnessed how helpful cruisers can be in our little community. The charitable giving of cruisers to one another and to the communities they travel in are amazing. If you are a sailor in need then it doesn't matter what boat you have because someone will be there for you.<br />
<br />
I joke about the boat snobs but they are out there. Fortunately we do not run into them too often (Most are in a marina) and I have a sense of humor and can laugh at their self importance. They may not want to shoot the shit over a beer with you but I am pretty certain that if you or your boat were in trouble they would be right there to help because big or small, one hull or two, circumnavigator or island hopper, we really are all in the same boat. <br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
P<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fjP24zI2vbM/WoDzYUmYCNI/AAAAAAABK6M/0AGfy4ay35Eg-Ud7AycRl5jSmDUFnX-SACHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fjP24zI2vbM/WoDzYUmYCNI/AAAAAAABK6M/0AGfy4ay35Eg-Ud7AycRl5jSmDUFnX-SACHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe that's a Morgan. How did THAT get in here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-84249305078597042762018-01-03T18:46:00.000-05:002018-01-04T19:39:19.247-05:00Ten Years<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
I just noticed my blog is over ten yrs old. Wow! Over ten years of nonsense written down and published for the World (10 people) to see. It's been a long run of odd ramblings. I understand that I might be a little different than your average sailing blogger. That's OK. I wasn't going to be a blogger who documents our every experience every day. That's just not me. When some weird or peculiar thing happens to us then I will publish, or if I find the need to dump the random thoughts in my head, as in the Morning Tea posts. There is usually no lack of material to write about because I am very much a weirdo magnet. Not sure why but if there is someone strange in the area they will find me and talk to me. This magnetism has led to many blog postings. There are also complete fabrications that started with some small grain of truth in them like when I burned down a row of boats in the marina. I had to go back and edit the damn post so people would stop emailing me.<br />
<br />
Here is the link: <a href="http://lat43north.blogspot.com/2009/04/last-entry-good-bye.html" target="_blank">My Last Post. Goodbye.</a><br />
<br />
I also noticed I picked on religion a bit over the years. I have no problem with God. It's her fan club I don't care for. For anyone who read the blog over all these years you probably know I'm not a very religious person.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-903VL4wJQW0/Wk1gBPLND9I/AAAAAAABJn4/uzFKkdAtf_wFm0etxpchgWbtxHGaxNBuACHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-903VL4wJQW0/Wk1gBPLND9I/AAAAAAABJn4/uzFKkdAtf_wFm0etxpchgWbtxHGaxNBuACHMYCw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was such a poser. After the photo I wore the rosary on my head<br />
and the bow tie was a mustache. On the way home I tossed a cherry bomb<br />
through the front door of a funeral parlor. "Loud enough to wake the dead"<br />
I said. To this day I worry I gave someone a heart attack with that stunt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I might be more like a Pagan only without the creepy rituals. Actually I don't fit any spiritual mold. I have a feeling we're here and gone, just life and then atoms scattered into the universe. If we didn't worry so much about where we're going maybe we would take better care of where we are.<br />
<br />
Reincarnation would be cool as long as I don't come back as a bug or anything that eats bugs, or a Horse. Holy shit imagine me coming back as a horse! No doubt I would be a pony. Deb says more like a Jack Ass. <br />
<br />
Slipping into other dimensions would be completely awesome as long as you knew you were continuing life in another dimension. Maybe you get a glimpse of your other lives just before you wink out in one dimension and then you continue on in another. Like a collective conscious of your previous lives.<br />
<br />
In other dimensions you made different choices. Maybe I chose not to ride my bike down the driveway into the path of a Chrysler thereby not missing third grade which helped me become a math genius and I grew into my head size and was now over six feet tall. I sell my tech company and retire early to a horse farm where my wife raises champions and I run the Church of Equine Spirit when not on TV as the New Bozo the Clown kids show host which got cancelled after I got elected to office and eventually became President. I destroyed the economy for lack of wars and became labeled the Clown in the White House which pissed me off so I resigned on the white house lawn dressed as Bozo and flipping off the public.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5mPAyc7JahE/Wk1gC8FGJnI/AAAAAAABJoA/Su4skN7iOgk5bipyo88TEHY-CGSh7jRKQCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5mPAyc7JahE/Wk1gC8FGJnI/AAAAAAABJoA/Su4skN7iOgk5bipyo88TEHY-CGSh7jRKQCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Flipping off the public didn't sit well with the Church of Equestrian Spirit members and soon it went bankrupt which lead to a divorce and half my income. As I leave the white house for the last time someone takes a shot at me with a crossbow because I banned guns and the arrow pierces my rubber nose and my brain. I become a martyr for the Clown Wars which divide the country into Red States and Clown States. Eventually the Bozo Republic is formed and prospers for a few years only to become a failed state because they were just a bunch of fucking clowns after all. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-58ey8MJG4s4/Wk1gB8MJCHI/AAAAAAABJn8/ByNXKZHWpukaOenutXwIb0bXNNw1PR8ZwCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-58ey8MJG4s4/Wk1gB8MJCHI/AAAAAAABJn8/ByNXKZHWpukaOenutXwIb0bXNNw1PR8ZwCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Maybe we're just bio robots programmed to rape the planet for our alien overlords but something went wrong. Maybe our overlords were sucked into a black hole and we were left to ourselves with no more firmware updates so we just kept raping the planet until we killed it and ourselves. We're basically proof that artificial intelligence is bad if left unchecked. <br />
<br />
You may have also noticed I go off the rails from time to time exploring loosely related subject matter :D<br />
<br />
OK back to the blog...<br />
This blog covered many of our sailing mishaps and adventures. The mishaps continue and the adventures are a little less dramatic and infrequent. Is this because I'm getting older and boring? I don't know. I think it's because we are just enjoying where we are right now. We island hop and pretty much see the same stuff with some new experiences sprinkled in here and there. Maybe we need new adventures. There is still talk of sailing west to the ABC's and beyond but we're not ready. For many years I dreamt of sailing the Caribbean chain of windward and leeward islands and I'm not ready to move on. Still so much to see here. Maybe some day if the mood strikes us we will venture westward. Maybe we will head back to the States from here. We really have no plans anymore other than relaxing in the islands and spending time with the kids and grand kids back home. The pull on the heart strings is strong. I realize this is the so called "downfall" of a lot of cruisers with kids. We take it day to day. Some days I want to fly home and scoop up those kids and hug them all day long. Other days I'm floating beneath a waterfall or watching the sun set over the warm waters of the Caribbean sea. It's a balance. When the balance shifts we will make other plans but for now Latitude 43 is still a sailing adventure blog. OK maybe sometimes it's a sailing adventure blog and then sometimes it's a "What's wrong with him?" blog. Either way it's been fun writing stuff here.<br />
<br />
Read about Frenchy and his "kitty" here: <a href="http://lat43north.blogspot.com/2015/04/please-could-you-help-me-with-my-kitty.html" target="_blank">Weirdo magnet in action.</a><br />
<br />
Before I go and leave the blog for possibly another few weeks I would just like to say thanks for following along. I never anticipated anyone other than maybe some family members, close friends or flippin weirdos reading any of this. It was primarily meant for my entertainment only because I enjoy writing what makes me laugh and I am laughing most days. Even at the most wrong times to be laughing I tend to see the humor in all of my experiences. My daughters know instantly when I am finding humor in something. "OK Dad, what's so funny?" They know me too well. At work people would be wondering what the hell I thought was so funny. "This is serious Paul! Not sure what you find so funny about all this." You know how many times I heard that? All through school I got yelled at - "Wipe that stupid smirk off your face mister!"<br />
<br />
Even at my Dad's funeral it happened. I was carrying his ashes around out in the lobby of the church talking with family members. Some were crying. I had a smirk. All I could think of was a time my Dad tried to leap into our old backyard pool with a running start, failing to clear the side with his knees catching the top rail which fell off, bending the side in and starting the rush of water that flooded three backyards and sent water into basements as my Dad got swept away into the grass. Funniest thing I ever witnessed. I got a few odd looks in church as I walked around laughing to myself.<br />
<br />
So, when I start to see the humor in something out here I promise I will try to write some of it down for you. Some of you will laugh and some of you will shake your head.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
PJJB<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYryapQTwhXfMAEirMOLaGHosoUD8mHGmYEc1o4DeXKDCT88rKeMdCR4jbtUkcaGhQAx_nttCVyIwXCI3do1pI6Id_asfEKfCzzAdT_vHdewrZnlSc48Gp1n_hz4Ac0jYz3s0SiP2QW4/s1600/20171229_174355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYryapQTwhXfMAEirMOLaGHosoUD8mHGmYEc1o4DeXKDCT88rKeMdCR4jbtUkcaGhQAx_nttCVyIwXCI3do1pI6Id_asfEKfCzzAdT_vHdewrZnlSc48Gp1n_hz4Ac0jYz3s0SiP2QW4/s320/20171229_174355.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You find all this amusing Mr. Bryan?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-39697748571849620992017-12-20T07:39:00.000-05:002017-12-20T07:39:47.866-05:00Rum Stupid<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Every now and then yours truly does something stupid. Running a waste pump without opening the exit seacock was one recent blooper. A messy blooper. Sometimes the stupid is the result of ingesting brain toxins. Most of us ingest brain toxins like caffeine, sugar and beer. Some people ingest 150 Proof Grenadian "under the table" Rum with tree bark, seeds, herbs, possibly cannabis and other assorted goodness after climbing a steep hill in the jungle having only eaten a peanut butter sandwich the whole day. That idiot was me. I very seldom drink hard liquor for good reason but for lack of brains I got Rum Stupid.<br />
<br />
Jab Jab Village was an event at a makeshift bar/eatery up in the hills. There was beer, rum, food, hiking, dancing, beer, rum.....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNmVJPYGrlK083cVqKsKRZ0-Ef8Gu9GOcBVq1yS79Yc35J-qVhDfpHhunSWfTXnEDyrNSyqavt6yjSdKSJzNnjWP7bjctKJfZlBwsBqpHDVzvYNtuEyx_RTTnDAyLAdQP138ONkqtCDg/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNmVJPYGrlK083cVqKsKRZ0-Ef8Gu9GOcBVq1yS79Yc35J-qVhDfpHhunSWfTXnEDyrNSyqavt6yjSdKSJzNnjWP7bjctKJfZlBwsBqpHDVzvYNtuEyx_RTTnDAyLAdQP138ONkqtCDg/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YYQU6KqS7GjEv8JdNelBNntHLqhIxu8AK6fNjAcxgk_qO3IHACBVYSGzju3kzUKWiOKwniH2k0Scm40s4YsyaBD5tkRWWgsAaUrw69Ij1i5Ml56o0ziF2oaMEgkcRTjMyoDdVCKSEXw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YYQU6KqS7GjEv8JdNelBNntHLqhIxu8AK6fNjAcxgk_qO3IHACBVYSGzju3kzUKWiOKwniH2k0Scm40s4YsyaBD5tkRWWgsAaUrw69Ij1i5Ml56o0ziF2oaMEgkcRTjMyoDdVCKSEXw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRKaVEVnDEI/WjpBXhLWH-I/AAAAAAABJZE/DnuimFbRkWQP_tloew2m65llwYob8BDBgCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRKaVEVnDEI/WjpBXhLWH-I/AAAAAAABJZE/DnuimFbRkWQP_tloew2m65llwYob8BDBgCHMYCw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I love hiking so after a few beers and some snacks a group of us ventured into the jungle. We had guides. The guides pointed uphill. No shit dude, we're climbing up there? OK, let's go! We climbed. It took a while and it was a good workout. I was parched. I didn't bring water and that was dumb. The good news was there is refreshment at the top of the hill along with a great view. Awesome! Keep going! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3YWqLmhpNs/WjpBZTeY12I/AAAAAAABJZI/1Y3VH9aQQIU85GSu7orusyXOe_l6GUtbwCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3YWqLmhpNs/WjpBZTeY12I/AAAAAAABJZI/1Y3VH9aQQIU85GSu7orusyXOe_l6GUtbwCHMYCw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EABExh48CiY/WjpBaJ9OHfI/AAAAAAABJZM/H4l7eo5FrhIxtgYcFt0gbBriD5mBiQAfQCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EABExh48CiY/WjpBaJ9OHfI/AAAAAAABJZM/H4l7eo5FrhIxtgYcFt0gbBriD5mBiQAfQCHMYCw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
After reaching the top we marvelled at the view and took pictures. I was sweaty, thirsty and hungry. The guides opened a bag and out of it came sandwiches? No. Bottled water? No. A jug of 150 proof rum with some nature floating in it? Yes. Shots all around but only some of us (RumDums) decided more was better. "C'mon Pauly have another. Be a man, have another!" Life was good. Pals hanging out in nature drinking island rum overlooking a splendid view. What could be better?<br />
<br />
Floating on air. That would definitely be better.<br />
<br />
It was time to go downhill for dinner at the Jab Jab Village. I started walking down the hill. Then I started floating. I floated upside down. It was amazing! I was floating down the hill man! How is this happening? Then a face appeared in front of me. Hey, I know that guy. Hi John! Is John floating too? Wait, why am I looking up at John? I heard voices. I saw hands. Magically I was transported to a table next to Debra. A Debra who was looking at me and shaking her head in a concerned and possibly scolding way. What just happened? How did I get here? I wasn't really floating was I? <br />
<br />
People were asking me if I was OK. I think I said something but not sure if it made sense. I should just nod. Please God may all the camera batteries in the surrounding 2 miles be dead.<br />
<br />
The only thing that was actually floating was my brain. My brain disconnected from my legs to conserve energy or to just be a prick and embarrass me into never doing it again. Lesson learned Mr. Brain. No more rum for me. At least not 150 Proof Grenadian Under The Table Rum with nature floating in it.<br />
<br />
Hate to even say it but..<br />
Cheers!<br />
P<br />
<br />
No alcohol for a week after that. Amazingly the next morning there was no hangover and I went on an island tour and had a real monkey on my back. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2AApMsWSrauaBg2hmc6XMO9Xmbn8Z6ZEIU3244e8smnZlOXTkL7J0Yd-v09xY64tMq1L00mo4t3yf9hztVaeetWG6jtRtR9HM4_ltnV0P2jLsqIqLZpSHuTG-d7hC27fHox_ulpCsnQ/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2AApMsWSrauaBg2hmc6XMO9Xmbn8Z6ZEIU3244e8smnZlOXTkL7J0Yd-v09xY64tMq1L00mo4t3yf9hztVaeetWG6jtRtR9HM4_ltnV0P2jLsqIqLZpSHuTG-d7hC27fHox_ulpCsnQ/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-49779780223913481222017-11-26T08:30:00.001-05:002017-11-26T08:30:46.518-05:00Change of scenery<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I think It's time for a change of scenery. Let's see if we can get some bitch wings flying over in the other bay.<br/>
<br/>
Amazing how relaxed we are now about other boats anchoring around us. Late yesterday a large money yacht dropped the hook close to us. They were ever so slightly behind us so we let it go but years ago I would have been glaring and shaking my head and telling them to back off. I saw they had a Mantus and they backed down hard on it. First thing I look for is the anchor and the technique. Not that I'm an expert or anything close to that but if I see the French Drop and then they head off in the dinghy to get liqoured up for the evening I'm not going to be happy. I hate having to Prairie Dog them all night while they sleep without a care. <br/>
<br/>
Plenty of stuff that once annoyed us does not bother us anymore. Twenty knot winds, close neighbors, random surprise waste removal, the French (kidding), no quality tofu in the stores, fizzy yellow beer, salads without dressing, hourly 1 minute squalls, rolling anchorages (depends on the amt of roll), people who sail off their anchor ( Do we have to listen to your mainsail beat itself to death while you try to lift your anchor without the engine? Apparently. So now I enjoy seeing your topping lift line beat your sail like a rented mule), boat smell (what boat smell?), locals all wearing pants while you display sticks dangling from cargo shorts, cruisers with clothes the goodwill would not except (or the homeless), Dinghies with the motor lifted (kidding. If our new dinghy gets slashed by a prop from some dipshit who leaves their motor up I cannot guarantee how rationally I will react. No excuse for such stupidity), No wifi (I think it's for the best to take a break every now and then), cruisers racing for port to get a mooring or a good spot ( go for it dude. Burn that fuel).<br/>
<br/>
OK enough rambling. I have chores. We have some traveling to do, if only a few miles east.<br/>
<br/>
Cheers!<br/>
<br/>
P</div>Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-19398563534424727482017-11-21T08:50:00.001-05:002017-11-21T08:50:07.730-05:00Imagine<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
We have a super heavy duty waste pump. In fact it is so heavy duty that if you forget to open the seacock for the waste to exit and you run the pump it will literally blow the hose right off the pump. Imagine that!<br />
<br />
Imagine the cleanup. Imagine what the boat will smell like? Imagine breathing in all the chlorine you've sprayed all over. Imagine all the vinegar you have also sprayed all over. Imagine all those paper towels in garbage bags. Imagine wiping down all the tools you used with chlorine. Imagine digging for the dropped socket hoping not to get cut while feeling around for it. Imagine that's the time when your eye itches really bad. <br />
<br />
My fault. I think the lack of quality sleep is giving me brain damage. Also the paranoia of leaving any seacock open doesn't help. The only seacock I leave open is the engine intake and cockpit drain and I check them once a day, usually in the evening because if any shit is going down it's going down at night.<br />
<br />
So it's all cleaned up. There really wasn't much. I think my nasal passages are burned from the bleach and water mix I sprayed all over EVERYTHING. I slept pretty good for about two hours last night and then woke up feeling like I needed a bath in hand sanitizer. I eventually fell back to sleep because I didn't smell anything foul and that made me happy, but now I'm thinking that maybe I lost my sense of smell.<br />
<br />
The waste system we have works pretty darn good if things are in order. We have a fresh water flush and that works well. No smell and I would like it to stay that way. I hope we got it all cleaned up. Time and smell will tell. <br />
<br />
Life on a boat can be really messy sometimes. <br />
Cheers!<br />
PJJB<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Imagine there's no toilet<br />
It's easy if you try<br />
No leaks to assault us<br />
No cleanup to make you cry<br />
Imagine all the sailors living without the smell, Woohoo<br />
Imagine there's no loose hose clamps<br />
It isn't hard to do<br />
Nothing to disinfect or wipe up from<br />
And no infections too<br />
Imagine all the crew living life in fresh air, yoohoo<br />
You may say I'm a dreamer<br />
But I'm not the only one<br />
I hope some day you'll join us<br />
And jump in to take an aqua dump<br />
Imagine no waste hoses<br />
I wonder if you can<br />
No need for pumps or macerators<br />
A brotherhood free of the Can<br />
Imagine all the people taking a morning float, you<br />
You may say I'm a dreamer<br />
But I'm not the only one<br />
I hope some day you'll join us<br />
And the the cruising world will poop as one<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's the lack of sleep people. I'm a danger to the blogosphere at this point.</div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-38376234784461716752017-10-23T07:31:00.001-04:002017-10-23T10:55:25.876-04:00Sleepless in Trini<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
There does not appear to be any urgency in getting the boat in the water lately. I am not sure why. Maybe we got a bit lazy. To be honest I have not had much of any drive to get things done. Today I am attacking the engine room with some cleaning and organizing and some engine running. Once this is done then all we have to do is put new bottom paint on and mount some new (used) solar panels. We then head over to another marina to have our tanks cleaned. We have to jump marinas because the guy cleaning the tanks works there plus he needs to weld up a new access hatch in the port tank. He doesn't have the power for the welder in the yard. If you really want to clean a tank you have to get your hands into it and that's why we need big access.<br />
<br />
If we were ready to launch today we would not because of the oil spill. What a mess. Hopefully this will vanish soon and we can all go in the water. And when I say "all" I mean a lot of people launching one after another into a harbor with very few mooring balls and poor anchoring. Oye. It's enough to make you want to stay in Grenada for hurricane season. We have thought about it.<br />
<br />
So I have been having trouble getting a good nights sleep lately. Some will say, "Get a fucking air conditioner!" but that's not the problem. "More wild monkey like sex?!" That could be the problem but I don't see that happening any time soon unless I die and get reincarnated as a monkey and I'm likely to come back as a short monkey with a big head, which would kill any potential for what I had in mind unless a big head is a turn on in monkeyville. I'm not sure what the problem is with sleeping but I came across a book about sleep that was recently published. It's fascinating. You find out about the chemical process that occurs in your brain throughout the day to keep you in your sleep rhythm. The Circadian Rhythm. I read some of the book yesterday. There are graphs. Graphs of the chemical process that makes you sleepy and the average timing of that chemical release. It was fascinating, but then I laid there awake wondering why the release of Melatonin has not had an affect yet. I'm tired so my circadian rhythm is good but no Melatonin? Why? Is it blocked somehow? Is it a tumor? Fuck!<br />
<br />
So I slept a little bit I guess. I'm not sure. At one point I was playing a lead guitar on a Neil Young song so I must have been dreaming. Four in the morning I was wide awake thinking about tumors but now I'm starting to sag a little. I guess I will down a few cups of tea and carry on with engine room work. My eyes are so puffy I look like admiral Ackbar in Star Wars.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gCsZYayUi34/We3PUhkomDI/AAAAAAABIYc/hx5EWYQXu8YURut5GGtMp0NKNMNykJhBQCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gCsZYayUi34/We3PUhkomDI/AAAAAAABIYc/hx5EWYQXu8YURut5GGtMp0NKNMNykJhBQCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
My guitar playing has picked up a bit. It's a lot more interesting when jamming with others. There are little tricks and short cuts that I didn't know about that make things easier and fun. And that's why we are out here. It's all about fun. With or without sleep.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
PJ<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN8sJSyjemlXhWdcgcVuF60ejm3g5ZMSq6tMwH4j_5a_teQQ4nVNPSND6L4sKDXOmNn2XM4lsO6MrQpc-ZnYMY4Q9VcYwgxXnPvU-DXZITUbdtVat4AvjjmlIWkKPs1EJjMUIOr1abVo/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN8sJSyjemlXhWdcgcVuF60ejm3g5ZMSq6tMwH4j_5a_teQQ4nVNPSND6L4sKDXOmNn2XM4lsO6MrQpc-ZnYMY4Q9VcYwgxXnPvU-DXZITUbdtVat4AvjjmlIWkKPs1EJjMUIOr1abVo/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's harder to play while standing. I'll use that as an excuse.</td></tr>
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-29270555541525698022017-10-10T07:24:00.003-04:002017-10-10T07:24:33.084-04:00Boat yards and Buckets - Trini<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DieAcukbMv8/Wdyp76iRy6I/AAAAAAABIM0/j3VUNZb8IysWdGRLXcaHu0YRf9l5HwPFACHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DieAcukbMv8/Wdyp76iRy6I/AAAAAAABIM0/j3VUNZb8IysWdGRLXcaHu0YRf9l5HwPFACHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Up the ladder. Down the ladder. Up the ladder. Down the ladder. It's annoying as hell but it's a fact of life when you are living on the dirt. Right now we are waiting on a contractor to quote us on tank cleaning. We want our port tank removed and cleaned properly as it's always been a sludge bucket since we bought the boat. So we wait in the dirt.<br />
<br />
We are not really sitting on dirt as you know it. When I first saw what we were sitting on I thought it was petrified goose poop but actually it's old crushed coral and shells plus dirt and gravel. This area must have been reclaimed from the sea a long time ago. You walk around in your flip flops and pointy shells stick in them and sometimes through and into your heel. It's basically unsuitable for flip flops. When I am working under the boat I wear my hiking boots. If I wear sandals the small shells and stone always get trapped under my foot.<br />
<br />
One of the gross parts of living on the dirt is bathroom time. Nobody wants to take a dump in their boat because there is no place for it to go except the ground or in your holding tank. Neither is a good option so we visit the bathrooms obviously. Lucky for us the bathrooms here are very clean and most people keep them that way. The gross part I am talking about is the pee bucket. Yes, the pee bucket. That 2 AM pee break when you are not fully awake but basically sleep walking can be a dangerous event as you crawl down the ladder in just your boxer shorts or pajamas and walk across crushed coral and open mouthed and laughing security guards on your way to the bathroom, so you utilize a bucket.<br />
<br />
The problem with the bucket is that you have to empty it. People are very discreet with their buckets. At first I was wondering if we were the only people that pee at night. It didn't make sense. Most people here are our age and older and the younger ones party most nights so there is no way they can make it all night without relieving themselves unless they are all androids which I have pondered based on observations. There's definitely some bucket dumping going on and if you get up early enough you can see a few stealthy people creeping around. I know this is gross but if anyone was going to talk about it it's me I guess. <br />
<br />
Our first night on the hard in the boat and I was thinking, "I'm not going down a ladder at 2am to take a piss. It's bucket time." Deb just looked at me and I recall her putting her hand on her head and mumbling something about hating the boatyard. It's a very unattractive part of our life. OK, there are many unattractive parts of this life like when I replace the joker valve on the toilet. Our toilet has to pump uphill a bit before gravity takes hold. What I'm saying is, you better make sure it's all fresh water left in that section of hose before you pull that valve out. Speaking from experience here. There will be other sailors out there wondering why I even mention some of these things but it needs to be talked about so we can separate the people from the human like droids. Seriously though didn't you ever wonder where all the people pee at night?<br />
<br />
One of the other problems with being in the boatyard is having a spiffy boat next to you. I always hope we get matched up with boats of our kind. You know, the older, weathered and ridden hard boats that are sturdy but not too flashy. Ha! Never happens. We always get placed next to people who clean their boats crevices with a toothbrush and polish everything to a blinding shine. They have pallets at the base of their ladder for their yard shoes and trays of water to wash their feet in. There is an older classic yacht next to us that is spit shined every day. They have white canvas. They wear white clothes. Their hair is even white! We have Mr and Mrs Clean next door. They are very sweet and friendly and they take very good and meticulous care of their boat. It's annoying.<br />
<br />
We impressed the hell out of them the other night after Deb and I had a few beers in the cockpit with the bug candles going and some snacks to munch on. We even had some tunes on low volume. It was a fun night but we forgot about the beer cans. About 2 am (bucket time) the wind picked up and the cans blew off the deck into the cockpit. It was one hell of a noise at that hour. We both giggled a bit at the racket outside and when morning came I gathered up the wind chimes from the floor only to see Mrs Clean wiping down the deck of their boat. Good morning she said with a slight smirk. Good morning I grumbled to the sound of crushing cans. They love us.<br />
<br />
I don't know if we will ever be at the level that some of these folks are at with their boats. Ours will be shiny and clean when she hits the water and there are a lot of things we would like to improve but right now we spend money carefully and on items that are required to function out here. The pretty stuff will come later when we hop on the social security trail and have some extra cash to throw at this old boat. In the meantime all of us pretty and worn, new and old, clean white and faded blue, sit in the yard and sit at anchor with the same view, the same experiences and the same buckets.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
P<br />
<br />
Actually, they have a nicer bucket too :(<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-41430380227459978452017-09-29T09:07:00.000-04:002017-09-29T09:18:47.554-04:00Things they never told us - Blogs Die and there will be Naked People<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<i>"I got up early today. I washed my face, had some tea and read a book. The rain stopped and we went someplace. See pics"</i><br />
<br />
When you read something like that you know the blog is dead. The blogger has no will to type anything of any worth or interest to anyone. The comment section is dead aside for some Ad selling cream to boost your manhood. How does this happen? They were so interesting at one time? Well, as far as I can tell life for them has become routine and there isn't much to write home about. If you are sailing around the Islands for a few years the pictures become the same and the people and boats become the same. Pretty soon your blog posts all become the same. <br />
<br />
<i>"Here's a photo of the mango tree on the hill along the way to Customs for the third time. Here's me holding up a mango next to my big head. I have a different hat this year." </i><br />
<br />
When it gets to this point and even your wife stops reading the blog then it might be time to sail someplace different or to maybe get out more and do some different things like visit another mango tree.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-YmygUI3EDk_zn90Dz69eMTPobJVGo-m1c0rm9wv6_t5D03I3QnC8QuF7l3U9dGtYVODWmSMWfVkoITrhwJxboyoaYYTq19PHZ9zZR4bk0iNdK0XNNcRniyxu7ual5C5xuYF2QezEHo/s1600/100_2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-YmygUI3EDk_zn90Dz69eMTPobJVGo-m1c0rm9wv6_t5D03I3QnC8QuF7l3U9dGtYVODWmSMWfVkoITrhwJxboyoaYYTq19PHZ9zZR4bk0iNdK0XNNcRniyxu7ual5C5xuYF2QezEHo/s320/100_2797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a mango next to my big head but if you see this pic again<br />
next season with a <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">different shirt then the blog is dead.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I have seen many blogs fade away like this. Some blogs I used to follow are now years old and you wonder if they died or drowned. No, they just got bored telling you the same old shit all the time or they moved to facebook to post one picture and a few words. WELL, this will not happen here. Even if we, the crew of Kelly Nicole become too boring to write about I will just make shit up. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"As we teetered on the edge of the volcano after sneaking around the barriers I stopped to take a photo of our travelling companions who were excited to be reviving their blog with a volcano pic. Out of nowhere a goat came flying into my view and knocked Gregorio into the volcano! He clung to the edge on a branch coughing until one of his Keens started melting giving him the strength to pull himself up enough for us to grab him! The goat was lost in a quick puff of smoke and a final half bleat."</i><br />
<br />
See how easy that was? <br />
<br />
I hope it doesn't come to that (maybe it has). There is enough going on in this cruising life to at least entertain the few people that still have me in their feed reader. By the way, thanks for the comments and letting me know you are still here. The best blogs are the few you visit but really don't know why. It's like something bad you don't want to see but can't stop looking. This is that blog.<br />
<br />
So now that you know I will be around for a while let's talk about naked people. I really just added "Naked People" to the title to get you to visit the blog one more time and I think it worked but now I am feeling a bit guilty about that little trick so let's do a few paragraphs related to full exposure cruising.<br />
<br />
Before we cruised we experienced nakedness while sailing the Great Lakes. The French Canadians love to get naked and jump in the water. Great Lakes water is cold. Cold water has a negative affect on impressiveness. The people did not care. At first it was a shocking reaction on both parties. "Shit! This water is cold!" (Merde! Cette eau est froide!) and "Holy shit those people are naked!". You try not to stare but you do. Then they stare back. Then you look away. Then you see them in the bar. Awkward. Now we see so many people naked that it's to the point where I might say, "Balls overboard!" or "Floating wrinkles!" and no one really cares or looks and we carry on. Amazing what you get used to but you have to because there are so many naked people around.<br />
<br />
As soon as we see a German flag arrive we know they will be naked as soon as the anchor is set. The French pour wine first, then get naked. Americans? They hardly ever take their shirts off let alone pants. I can't get into every nations full exposure habits when in harbour because I would get into trouble. You never know who's reading and I don't need boats sailing past KN mooning me or showing me their junk in retaliation. There are some highlights in Naked People sightings though that need to be mentioned.<br />
<br />
One day working on the bow I heard splashing water and thought some fish was feeding alongside. No, it was a naked guy snorkeling past the boat. Startling image when you're not expecting it. Before I looked away he did a back stroke to say "Hello". Thanks pal. Awkward wave. He continued to swim alongside all the boats at anchor. <br />
<br />
One calm morning I made some coffee and grabbed the tablet for some reading in the cockpit to watch the sun rise. I made myself comfortable and as I took the first sip my eyes met the eyes of a large older hairy dude on the stern of the boat next to us covered in soap and completely naked. I nodded "Good Morning" and then realized he was soaping his dong. Yes, he was actively and in my opinion enjoying too much the soaping of his dong. I spun around fast enough to spill some coffee and decided the sun rise was not that important today. He actually started singing softly as I started laughing quietly until I heard a big splash. Not wanting to stick around for the rinse and dry cycle I went below to get another cup.<br />
<br />
The worst is when you drive by in the dinghy and slow down to say hello then realize too late that it's bath time. Sorry, have a nice day. Don't forget behind the ears.<br />
<br />
I guess I didn't expect all these naked bodies next to us in these harbors. The large yacht full of naked super models has not shown up yet so I just ignore all the splashing, giggling and soap bubbles now. It's just become the normal with the exception of naked snorkeling. Some day I may join them (Deb says please no) and see what that freedom feels like in the water. For now I will keep my pants on and rest assured there will be no soapy dongs on our stern. No place to sit on our transom anyway.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and hanging in there.<br />
Cheers!<br />
PJ <br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guitar work continues. Sporadic at times but I see improvement. Not ready for public humiliation.</td></tr>
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899528806545725735.post-8688490878336596692017-09-25T19:43:00.001-04:002017-09-25T19:45:18.284-04:00Yoh<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Anyone here? Thinking about blogging again and I wanted to see if anyone was still watching. <br />
<br />
We are sitting on the boat in the yard in a marina in Chaguaramas Trinidad. The rain keeps falling which makes work difficult so I thought I might type a few words and see if this sticks. The whole facebook adventure is giving me a fucking migraine. I like posting to the Kelly Nicole page, that's alright but my personal page is just too mind altering to observe on a daily basis. It reminds me of little kids playing soccer (football) and the whole bunch of them just follow the ball around the field. You get the topic of the day on FB and the whole lot of my friends just beat it to death with witty and not so smart comments that go on forever. They just go around in circles arguing and never scoring a point. It's tiring.<br />
<br />
So, from now on I am looking at FB only to see if my peeps have posted anything of any substance and then I will glance at the news of the day to make sure missles are not raining down and then I will write. I will play guitar after I write. Then, I will do boat projects. This will last until we launch and then things will change a bit because anchoring and all that brings on new schedules.<br />
<br />
I had this feeling the other day (completely off topic. Was there a topic?) that we are socially inept and that our introverted selves from years past have come back in force (quietly taken over). Not sure why this is. I find myself saying the wrong things to people or while talking to them I see the WTF look on their faces and start thinking that I am maybe a crazy person. Speaking just for myself mind you. Debra is a very quiet person but when out on her own she tells me of people she meets and conversations she has. Huh. Could it just be me? Has facebook ruined me? Every time I am out on my own I meet nutty people. Nutty in a good way mostly but sometimes nutty fruitcake scary. Like the time I gave a dinghy ride to a sailor to his boat to feed his starving kitty. Guy was illegal and the authorities impounded his boat. I had no idea. Here I am pulled alongside his boat as he unloads shit (probably drugs) from his boat into my dinghy. Never did see his fucking cat. So I get some free time and I make a friend with a sketchy French guy/drug dealer who offered me Quaker Oatmeal for helping him. We poured out the oatmeal into the bay thinking it was mostly cocaine. I wonder what ever happened to that guy. I'm like a damn magnet for weirdos.<br />
<br />
So, with all my time spent with weirdos maybe I'm one of them now. Geez. Can I survive without a social life? Will it be a social life with fellow weirdos? Not worried about Debra, she'll be fine. I'm a talker. What the hell am I gonna do? Deb can only take so much chatter and then I will have to go out there and...<br />
make friends?<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
P<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HbYfQ-3_PPM/WcmSDleKTgI/AAAAAAABHm0/hLucoyJspyk6cjzBYZ13JfyB4PkEjqLtwCHMYCw/s2560/%255BUNSET%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HbYfQ-3_PPM/WcmSDleKTgI/AAAAAAABHm0/hLucoyJspyk6cjzBYZ13JfyB4PkEjqLtwCHMYCw/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Good to be back writing weird shit again. I think. I have a Morning Tea post almost ready to go. I'm slow. Too much time on Facebook and not alone with my keyboard...or making friends, or even talking to people offline.<br />
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Latitude 43http://www.blogger.com/profile/09482326023480150403noreply@blogger.com6