Lindsey's visit meant we were on a schedule, so we moved up to Deshaies early Sunday morning. We were all up early, as the anchorage had gotten quite rolly overnight. There was going to be a mass exodus of the anchorage - so glad we got up going early.
It was a bit rolly in Deshaies as well, and the bay is deep, but we were very lucky to get a mooring close to shore where the roll was not as bad.
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| The anchorage/mooring in Deshaies. Charm is just left of center |
There is a BBC show called Death in Paradise that was filmed in Guadeloupe, with the main base in Deshaies. We have been watching the show, so we had to stop and see the main police office often shown in the show.
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| The Police station - in the show only, not real life |
We had a nice walk through town, and lunch out, then back to the boat where Lindsey did a quick snorkel, then a relaxing evening on the boat.
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| Lindsey relaxing and waiting for the sunset |
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| No green flash |
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| Town of Deshaies, Guadeloupe. |
Monday morning, early again - we headed out to Antigua. The weather was not in our favor, with predicted winds out of the NE, and we were headed north. First hour was a bit lumpy, but the wind shifted just enough we were able to sail halfway in not bad conditions, then the wind died, and had a relatively smooth motor the rest of the way. Much better than we had planned for, so very happy.
We found a nice spot in Jolly Harbor anchorage, went into town and checked in, and also enjoyed a nice dinner out. The next day, the 31st, Lindsey flew back home.
We did not stay up until midnight, but did get up briefly when the fireworks started and watched them for the 5 to 10 minutes they lasted, - nothing impressive, then back to bed.
We have been debating back and forth about a new main sail. Our sail fabric seems to be in good condition still, but our luff bolt rope broke, and we have worn some holes in a couple of spots where the sail rubs the shrouds. The holes are in fabric covering the battens, not part of the sail structure, and we have patched those. We can look at getting our current 20-year-old sail repaired, or getting a new one. Hate to put money into a 20-year-old sail - so we are thinking new. That means getting quotes, and also measuring out our rig, so the sail designers can design a new sail.
New Year's Day we stared measuring out the rig. Dean went up to the top of the mast with the camera and tape measure.
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| At the top, yellow line is our tape measure. |
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| View of Jolly Harbor anchorage from the mast top, looking east |
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| Jolly harbor anchorage looking WSW, Monserrat is behind the boat on the left. |
After lots of measuring, and some computer work, we had our rudimentary sketch ready for sailmakers.
Emails sent off, we will wait to hear back on price and lead time. Time for more projects.
We have had an issue with our port engine. The raw water for the engine cooling comes in, then goes to a filter. The raw water pump driven by a rubber impeller, then to an anti-siphon loop, then into the engine cooling heat exchanger. Finally out mixed with exhaust gas. We replaced the anti-siphon loop, but still had an issue. Then all new hoses - but still had an issue. Then old anti-siphon back on, but still had an issue. After a rough bouncy trip, we would have an air lock when starting the engine that would not allow water to flow. After a couple of times, the rubber impeller would break, from being run without water. Kris would have to drain the coolant, remove the hoses, fish out the rubber parts, and re-install. We were running low on impellers, so Lindsey brought a couple down with her. Our next "fix" was to move the hoses to the other side of the engine compartment, to get rid of a "S" curve one hose had. Hoping this will work.
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| Hoses now run to inboard side versus outboard side. "S" curve is gone |
We also found a small tear in one of our saloon cushions. Taking it apart found it was on a seam line, but where there might have been a manufacturing defect in material. Can't resew this spot, so worked up a patch with glue.
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| Working on cushion fabric patch. |
Of course, after guests, there is always laundry.
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| Bedsheets hung up to dry. |
And we found a line fraying on our jib lazy jacks, so Kris went up the mast to replace that.
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| Up the mast replacing a line. |
Of course, we made a trip for groceries.
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| Dinghy dock for Antigua. Nice dock |
Soon enough it was Friday - which means - Pizza!!
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| Our Friday half-and-half pizza. Cheesy goodness. |
And this Friday - special treat, as we had found Mt. Dew in the grocery store. First Mt. Dew for Dean since getting back from the states in October.
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| Happy guy. |
We will stay in Antigua a bit longer, not sure of plans except that now Derek will be flying to St. Thomas for a visit in February, so we will plan around that.
