Elaine spent her time continuing her efforts in sorting out our insurance option for our backup route, if, for whatever reason, we are unable to take the southern route around South Africa. She also attended a Zoom meeting set up by the organisers of the Maldives Yacht Rally, something we are definitely keen to participate in, although we’re awaiting written confirmation that we can obtain a Maldivian tourist visa for longer than 90 days to coincide with the dates we wish to visit Chagos. A chat to her sister in Ireland wrapped up a wet, stormy day.
Roy, on the other hand, took advantage of a break in the weather at one point to clean the hook and the top section of the bridle and to let out more chain, since gusts in excess of 40 Kts were expected per the forecast, as well as to clean and re-seat the terminals on the starboard engine starter battery, since it was struggling to start the engine, although the load test indicated it was charged.
All this rain meant we were also back to collecting water, but fortunately the storms held off overnight and long enough in the mort, allowing us to get a decent night’s sleep and to allow Roy to squeeze in his exercise walk ashore yesterday morning. However, it wasn’t long thereafter that the wind and rain was back with a vengeance, so we settled down to an afternoon matinee. A further break in the weather late afternoon allowed Roy to dinghy ashore to collect our new radar reflector, while Elaine enjoyed a chat to her folks in Ireland, following which another movie sealed the day; what would we do without Netflix during this pandemic!
The highlight of the day, though, was some fun time with the grandchildren as they enjoyed their cousin’s birthday party at the Elevate Trampoline Park. The twins were fearless on the zip line and William was like a monkey on the climbing wall, while Capri showed us her flips and cartwheels on the trampoline. It was wonderful to hear that they had all settled back into their school year after all the upheaval. The twins were delighted to be back with Miss April and Capri had tested negative allowing her back into class. It was William who summed up his day with: “ Grandma, I had an aaamaaazing day!” with all the facial expressions to go with his statement. Brooke, however, was unwell and isolating at home, while she awaited her COVID-19 test result.
This morning we were both up early; Roy to enjoy his morning exercise walk and Elaine to do her exercises on the foredeck. Afterwards we decided to dinghy ashore for a coffee and bumped into Yim and Richard, off Charon, who were having breakfast at the Port of Call restaurant. It was lovely to have some company for a change, although masks and social distancing were inevitably required.
On our return to Paw Paw we happen to stumble upon a Lagoon 56 being hauled using the tractor method vs the travel lift and slings; something we wanted to see as a possible option for hauling Paw Paw again, since we may have no choice, given the possible issue that may have materialised with the “antifouling” on the saildrives and propellers.
Back onboard, Elaine continued with her “paperwork” tasks, while Roy baked muffins and started the Poolish for his baguettes.
