Today started with a flurry of activity, but only after it had warmed up a bit after another chilly night. That meant another lazy morning in bed, while the central heating warmed Paw Paw before we ventured out of bed for breakfast.
After a hot breakfast, the first task of the day was to drop off our first two bags of laundry at the laundry service, specifically all our dirty clothes, following which Roy pickled the watermaker and we both got stuck in to cleaning Paw Paw’s exterior; at least as much as we could reach, starting from the stackpack, the shrouds, the mast, the furled headsail, the helm and coachroof, working our way down to the decks, topsides, helm and cockpit. Last was all the sunscreens, side-skirts and the dinghy, before filling our water tanks using our fancy filter we’d procured in Malaysia; to be sure, to be sure!
Fortunately the desert sand washed off fairly easily without requiring too much elbow grease, but what a mess! No doubt, after the first downpour we’ll have the rest of the sand higher up in the rigging all over the deck, but at least she’s looking somewhat presentable from the outside again. Getting the interior cleaned, however, is definitely a task for another day.
After lunch, we then took a walk to meet Kay, off Mai Tai, who had stopped by yesterday afternoon when we were out for our walk. While chatting to her and Lane on the dock, we met a few more cruisers who were walking passed. There is definitely a sense of community here; one we haven’t had since leaving Granada in 2015. It was definitely a welcome change from being so isolated these past few years.
From there we visited our agent, paid him for his services to date, discussed our temporary residency and collected our new “passerelle”, but not before we enjoyed an ice-cream on a warm, sunny day. The weather was improving!
Back onboard, with our new “passerelle” in tow, Roy completed his last task for the day; connecting the shorepower using the transformer we’d had manufactured in Malaysia, although some minor rewiring was required to replace a plug. Our “paraselle”, however, gives new meaning to “walking the plank!” and is definitely going to take some practice so as not to “end up in the water”!
By now, a late afternoon nap was unavoidable before we set off to enjoy our first cruiser’s Happy Hour hosted every Friday evening by a local restaurant, where we enjoyed spending time with Mai Tai (Kay and Lane). A light dinner back onboard sealed a rather busy day.
