We often live through situations in which we don't have as much control when living on a boat as when living on land. As a situation unfolds, Frank and I often need to take a mental step back, list our options, make a decision then remind ourselves: "one day at a time", "one step at a time".
Example. Last Thursday after 2 weeks of cleaning, repairing, organizing, we left Prickly Bay with the intention of sailing Northern Carribbean islands for the winter, with no fixed itinerary besides hopefully meeting 3 other boats in Bequia (South of St. Vincent) for Christmas. During our first anchorage at Halifax Harbor - a 3-hour sail, our fridge started to act up: the compression was dying. Frank did all the right things to test, diagnose, try to repair to no avail. At home, any day of the week, he'd hop in the car, get parts, repair, move on. That's the type of situation Frank loves: something breaks or need some maintenance; he reads all the instructions he can find; he tinkers and repairs. He looks like a kid on Christmas Day. For me, it's "wait and see"; it's "don't worry until you're facing the facts, we'll figure it out"; it's "do some puzzles, it'll take your mind off it".
On Komeekha, we can't be as efficient as at home. Everything takes time. Patience is a necessary virtue here. So for the fridge, we listed our options: a) continue North to Cariacou Island - Tyrrell Bay (next big city); or b) sail back South to Prickly Bay where there's a big yacht store/garage. We didn't find refrigeration experts on the internet in Cariacou and Prickly Bay. We found them at Clarke's Court - 2 bays down from Prickly. But it was Sunday; nothing is open.
We took advantage of this rest day to sail South to Clarke's Court - a 4-hour sail. Frank search parts on the internet (Miami). Our minds started to spin: Will it take weeks to get parts? Will the expert come tomorrow or in a few days? Will Clarke's Court be a nice bay to spend time there or will it be rolling and uncomfortable? How much will all this cost? All questions without answers, for now - "one day at a time". Mind shift: We don't care if we need to stay put for a few weeks, we've got months to travel if we want.
It took me longer than usual to write a blog because I wanted the fridge problem resolved so I can tell you about it. As of now, a week later, we bought a new compressor which was installed yesterday. We now have a working fridge. Today is "shopping day". We'll fill it up. We'll sail North in a couple of days.
During this past week, we had so much fun, I don't know if I want to sail North yet. It's true! LOL! At Clarke's Court, there's a walking club, a women's billiard day, a farmers market day, a flee market on the beach on Saturday, access to tickets for pro rugby and cricket, a domino/backgammon day, etc. Today, Shopping Day, buses pick us up at 9:00 at the marina, shuttle us to a bank, groceries, liquor, hardware stores. It's a good opportunity, cramped in a minivan "bus", to meet and greet other sailors.
Laundry Day for us today, before we head North. On the islands, it is much easier and convenient to give our laundry to the marina's laundry staff. The laundry service can include wash, dry, fold. We took full advantage of it a week ago. This time, we'll just pay for washing. We'll hang our clothes on the life lines around the boat.<span;> The marina doesn't give us access to their machines. If we wanted to do our own laundry, we'd need to take a "bus" to the main city's laundromat 30 minutes away. That's a full day adventure - not my type of adventure.
Sailing North in a couple of days, we'll anchor at Halifax Harbour again for a night or two. We'll try Ronde Island next but this will depend on wind direction. We need East to South-East. Any other direction would not be comfortable, very rolly (side waves). Then on to Cariacou. I'd like to spend at least a week there. On our way South last spring, we didn't take the time to visit it. Now we will.
I've been up since 5:00 when the local roosters around us - hidden among the trees on the blog picture - decided to practice for Sunday's choir. They're all competing against each other across the bay - a surround sound system. LOL!
