To: lonna.temple@pleasantco.com, josco@maldon.gov.uk, dietelheinz@hotmail.com, dr_hans_cihak@yahoo.de, patrxart@hotmail.com, svswantje@hotmail.com, wciesi@u.washington.edu, gramnpopsh@aol.com, klarsen@facstaff.wisc.edu, info@siskiwitbay.com, bobcush@chorus.net, CRedumbrella@aol.com, jcwacker@facstaff.wisc.edu, Michael.Ernst@uni-konstanz.de, mxwbr@aol.com, olding@msn.com, marinabeauchene@aol.com, diel49@yahoo.com, rtswitz@onlink.net, chipahoy@PocketMail.com, ragamuffinrichard@yahoo.com, amicula.fn162@t-online.de, stan_smith@flad.com, cfg8944@sailmail.com, baldockl@transcontinental.ca, ursula_gysi@bluewin.ch, rth101@hotmail.com, billmerrill@bigfoot.com, wsy_53@yahoo.com, wilsondo36@hotmail.com, VMPlaz@webtv.net, lokken@engr.wisc.edu, hrampers@contt.jnj.com, Lol4doc@aol.com, woody.nero@nrlssc.navy.mil, matta@madsewer.org, tmt@ozemail.com.au, niemi@ieee.org, danno7@charter.net, dianne.paul@med.va.gov, pammfrancis@hotmail.com, Tao_sc31@yahoo.com, WHoldik@t-online.de, allenyc@lsu.edu, wgabadie@charter.net, callipygia600@yahoo.com, hermann-krause@web.de, char7@sbcglobal.net
hello friends, nobody likes to hear it or think about it, but every 2 years
or so in this climate it seems to be unavoidable to spend some time in a
boatyard. here we have spent more than one month chasing up and down the
ladder and think we are becoming experts. of course, far from it, as there
are cruisers here who have been on the hard for 1 year or longer for
various reasons who know it all or better. there are also many cruisers who
put up their vessels to store them in any of the multiple, fenced-in, huge
yards south of the hurricane zone in order to go home to europe or USA.
our hope is to spash within 3 weeks with everything in place and clean. jim
is working hard in white suit of armour and mask in the heat between the
rains, sanding the bottom in preparation for epoxy and antifouling paint.
the contractor is nearly done with the fiberglass repair. yesterday our new
bowpulpit was installed. a new selden boom lies on portdeck in wraps since
it was airfreighted from charleston SC. the mast lies on sawhorses sporting
new mastheadlite and sidestays. rubrail, stantionbases, lifelines, and
deckplates still missing. our days start early at still reasonable
temperatures with breaks to cool down during the day. by sunset 1800 after
a freshwatershower we cool off with an iced drink at the grocerystore dock
and collapse early into bed. once in a while we do get out of here,
away from the hi fences with razorwire, guards and their dogs. we are
rescued by charles cousin Bikram and Shirley. in addition to spending
lovely times in their house in tuna puna, they took us to see various
parts of the island in the honda SUV. while sitting on the terrace
overlooking the rainforrests of arima valley, we viewed colourful birds
almost within touching distance: hummingbirds in all sizes, honeycreepers
ect. agouti, giant lizards. a short hike with a nature guide taught us much
about tropical trees and flowers. on another outing we had a fun time with
many relatives and friends at a cookout on the caura river. in addition to
liming (= chatting with good food and drinks) we got to take a swim in the
crystal clear river. took a tourboat ride in the caroni swamp to see the
brilliant scarlet ibis return to their roost at sunset. we are looking
forward to a visit from baerbel and gerhard in the ABCs. still hope to
make honduras and guatemala,belize before the christmas winds. as usual
alles gouda von jim and rosi.
