February 2013

February

Fri 1^st

Search out a doctor, a small cut on my shin is going septic; small cuts can be a problem out here so it is good to catch things early. I start a course of antibiotics, so no rum for a while.

Sat 2^nd

Trudy spend the weekend making a a leatherette cover for our saloon table. New Sail-rite machine copes easily with 4 layers (and more) every home should have one. Their website is extremely comprehensive, with videos for all kinds of sewing projects, even reupholstering motorcycle seats!

Sun 3^rd

Saloon table looks great with cream leatherette cover! Robin has planned another mega-jam on Tjeldøy for 14^th Feb. Wasn't I supposed to be doing something else that day? Oh well never mind. Each member needs to prepare 6 songs and swap the details around. Seems a bit organised...

Mon 4^th

Day spent downloading backing tracks, chord charts and lyrics. I can't sing but at least I can try to remember the words to mime. Last day of antibiotics so a visit to Sailors bar is due.

Tue 5^th

SSB fails to work, so spend a couple of hours lifting panels and checking all wiring only to discover that the battery used solely for SSB has not been charging. This is a design fault as we assumed that we would use the port engine every couple of days and we have been sitting here for a few weeks now.

Wed 6^th

Three hours in the engine bay squirming over the batteries to fill up with water and check acid strength. Every time we do this the battery sensors go up the spout. Suddenly we are showing -800 amp hours, with red flashing lights, when we have been fully charged for two months. Voltage is fine so suspect instrument not batteries. Perform a reset, fingers crossed. Cocos to see Ice-cream Bob and Jackie. Thoroughly good set with loads of dancing and falling over. Stan Cora, Scott and Dave have to work valentines night so it looks like Robin's bash will be postponed.

Thur 7^th

Popped out to see Terry on Libertine, he has just got rid of his crew who seemed to spend all her time breaking stuff. Invited Stan and Cora for sundowners, shopping for a few vegetables and beers, Fedex to send forms to John Simpson for the Stars, bumped into Ronnie Wood with new wife Sally and Trudy on the dinghy dock;

Fri 8^th

First thing on the morning net, a complaint about Miranda's karaoke going on too late and being too loud. Argument ensues over the air waves regarding who's island it is anyway. Cruisers should just accept the party spirit of these island. Jam session on Libertine, then off to Fish Friday at The Fig Tree. Lobster, conch and kingfish barbecued but a 2 ½ hour wait! Wont do that again.

Sat 8^th

Calypso evening in Sailors bar, a visit to Mrs. Ts rum shop followed by karaoke at Miranda's. We leave at 12 and its still going on.

Sun 10^th

Just manage to get up at 11:00 to watch England Ireland game.

Wed 20^th

Trudy's birthday, so Dinner at L'Auberge, beef carpacio, tuna sashimi with wasabi cream, barracuda in a Roquefort sauce, lobster and chicken curry, green papaya gratin, callalou fritters, followed by Mango and passion fruit sorbet, rum steeped in mandarin or papaya, and off to Cocos for a last dance.

Thur 21^st

Evening on Rock and roll Star with Gill and Matthew. Gill is an excellent chef and provides quesedillas, Coconut shrimp and lamb koftas. We had planned an early evening but ended up back at midnight.

Fri 22^nd

Well deserved night in.

Sat 23^rd

Bit of shopping then Coco's to watch England vs France, Surrounded by French yachts in the bay..shame! Meet the 1976 world champion spoon player Heini who is Danish. He will try to regain his title in Ireland this year.

Mon 25^th

Set off to Industry beach for a Tai Chi class, no one turned up so we walked back via the pottery, up a huge hill. We are not used to hills as the largest number of steps we need to manage on the yacht is 4! Pottery is closed so in stead of Tai Chi we end up having a long walk and a beer.

Tue 26^th

Each year some trainee chiropractors visit the island to test their skills, So we head off for our free check up. Obviously..... hips are out of alignment and legs are different lengths etc. so after much manipulation and bone crunching we walk around town an inch taller.

Wed 27^th

Our Rocnor anchor has arrived! We now spend the day angle grinding the shackles off the chain to remove the old anchor, reverse the chain so the best galvanising is attached to the anchor, re mark the chain at each ten metres and stow the two old anchors at the bottom of a locker. Discover our second best torch has been nicked from the dinghy.

Thur 28^th

We have rust spots from the angle grinding all over the decks.

Can't find our best torch that's two gone in one day!

Another jam session on Tjeldøy, this time 9 musicians including three guitars and a very tight set was enjoyed by all.