Lists

Lists

An important weapon in the sailor's armoury appears to be - lists. Yes, lists. There are wish lists, much like anyone else's; new sails, computer, stove. All things you already have but newer, faster and shiny. Then there is the list of must haves, which gets ticked off on safety grounds. Then there is the list of items that would be useful but not essential. Over the last two months there have been two items on that list. The deck wash pump was all there, we had the hose but not the piece that connects the two. In every chandlery we have visited (believe me, there have been a few) we have looked at the kit. The piece we wanted was only $14 dollars but they only stock the whole kit worth $110. Call us cheap but each time we balked at the price, so soldiered on with dirty decks from the anchor. We could have organised a mail order, but our success rate on this has not been good, somewhere there is a camera cable waiting for us in a post office, not the one we visited though. Finally in Annapolis we cracked and brought the whole kit and in Broad Creek the Skipper fitted it. Bliss. Clean decks and when the mayflies appeared we were able to wash them away. 

Finally the two items on our useful but not vital list have been solved. Unfortunately this afternoon when removing the auto helm the little steel piece that holds the arm in place popped out, hit the running rail and disappeared gracefully over the side, never to be seen again and therefore onto the list it goes.

There is only one thing worse and that is the sailor who reaches the shore and forgets the list. 

We made to Oriental to a warm welcome from John, Mike and Nancy. We had some great sailing, northerlies 10 to 15 knots most of the way from Albermarle Sound. Mike and Nancy have kindly allowed us to tie up on their impressive dock, no splinters on this one, while we are away. When we get back John has arranged for us to stay in the Oriental Harbour Marina which is a bit closer to town for parts and bits and pieces. So lovely to have such kind and caring friends. While we are in Broad Creek we are keeping our eyes peeled in the hope of seeing otters, bobcats and the like. Not too sure about the Black Bears unless I'm safely on a boat.