A friendly lot!

Tammy spent the day with us yesterday lounging in the sun. It was a beautiful day. It sure makes one appreciate the area down here. I can't imagine why I stayed in Oregon's cold wet climate for so many years. Even bad weather days down here are better than Oregon's good days. While Tammy and Judy were visiting, I decided to try to make a loaf of bread. When I lived in the Blue Mountains I used to make a loaf almost every morning. I couldn't remember if I made soda or baking powder bread. It was a quick bread and not only quick, but delicious. I tried a baking powder bread, but my baking powder was about four years old. The resulting loaf somewhat resembled a mud brick. Judy put baking powder on the shopping list. When it gets here I will try, TRY! Did I say that? Nay, I WILL make a delicious loaf of homemade bread! No more bricks.

At that point Tammy suggested, and Judy and I decided to make oatmeal cookies. Bad recipe, but they were edible. Anyway, while we were making cookies, a person hailed us from off the stern. As I turned I saw a gentleman standing in his inflatable hanging onto our stern. I invited him aboard and he introduced himself as Captain of a beautiful sailing vessel anchored between us and the shore. We visited for a bit and he then invited us over for cocktails that evening. After running Tammy back to the dinghy dock and her car, we went over for drinks and a tour of their 47' sailboat. They turned out to be a very gracious couple, as most cruisers are, and extremely knowledgeable, with over thirty years sailing experience and two circumnavigations under their belts. Quite impressive, I must say. We learned much in a short time last night and made some new friends. Their boat is only three feet longer and about three feet wider I would guess, but seems drastically roomier. (Judy thinks the white interior and open design of the boat makes it appear larger).Their boat is a racing cutter, made of Kevlar and all composit material. He said the fastest they sailed it so far was seventeen and a half knots. Overall it was a very enjoyable and informative evening.

The exhaust system is now new, with the exception of the riser. I procured the pipe to fabricate a new one which I will install in Mexico at a later date. The fuel polisher arrived yesterday. When I checked it out I discovered the builder had not tightened the pipe fittings. They were only finger tight with pipe sealer painted all around the outside. I had to completely disassemble the unit and reassemble it. Tightening each fitting as I went. The shoddy work that is deemed acceptable these days  never ceases to amaze me. Had I tried to use it as received. It would have shot fuel everywhere.

Judy says: our hosting captain told us all of their friends refer to his wife as a "saint" as she has spent over 30 years with him sailing and raised two children with him on a J36 boat (that's a very small boat for 4 peope!) But they seem a very happy, intelligent and fun couple......