Today, I think spells out what cruising life is about. First, I had success this morning getting the SSB weather reports for the first time since crossing the Atlantic (12 hours after purchasing a new wifi antenna and getting 24hr access to all weather stations). Then I sat and contemplated the key projects for summer:

1. The Barbeque
2. Solenoid valve for gas safety on board
3. Fixing the SSB – done! Well done Matt....
4. Wifi antenna – basic hardware sorted ! Well done Matt....
5. Purchase dive gear.... dismal  start and major convincing to do with the CFO
6. Replace Captain’s chair at helm – major business driver being the Admiral’s (ie Karen’s) disgust at the stain that is generated any time it is wet. Secondary driver being the Captain’s (ie me) disgust at the comfort level not equalling that of Kirk’s seat on the Enterprise.

Having spent 8 minutes contemplating, decided to get the new antenna out and give it another trial run before the Admiral got up and all was good.

Dignity then arrived and parked in the marina effortlessly (Oh I remember those days of endless water and electricity (and possibly air conditioning)  and Steve called to note my generous overview of the English / Aussie cultural exchange program I mentioned on my last blog and we agreed to catch up during the day.

Then it was onto the “List”. This is not projects but the day to day maintenance  that I don’t mention in the blog until now – The head! Over the past month I have serviced 2 heads (read  toilets). Today was the third. I had to replace the joker valve (good name guys – I personally would have called it the choker valve as that is what my larynx was thinking) and clean the old one. Basically this is the non-return valve that stops the sh!”£ coming back into the bowl. Yep – nice job. I have now done this 3 times as well as changing the impellor and servicing the seals on the electric “quiet flush”- not, owners head. This involved things you do not want to know about.

Karen cleaned the ceiling of the cockpit and (seeing that it was raining – ie free water) some of the deck as well.
Next it was onto scoping out the BBQ and the gas safety which involved pulling panels off the boat and trying to relate a metric boat to an imperial / US  -not yet finished.

By now it was time to relax and wait for happy hour at Clarke’s Court Bay Marina which was to be followed by Burger night for the Americans, but we opted for a local dinner instead. We met Steve and Helen at the happy hour and waited for Trish and Robert.

Steve thought, that while it was hot, he was surprised at how many people were milling outside the bar, until he realised it was the line for the burgers! While he was waiting we decided to check each other’s boat out on Friday with regards to our projects and then with Robert and Trish arriving we headed to Little Dipper’s for dinner.

This was a good night! I followed Robert and Trish across, avoiding reefs and the like and tied up at the Big Dipper dinghy dock and hiked up the cliff to the restaurant.

We were met by the owner Joan who explained the menu and took drink orders. Well the food was good – Callaloo soup (much like spinach) followed by Mahi Mahi, chicken or one other choice. We met an English couple who were now living in Grenada and they joined us after dinner  and brought Joan to the table and we continued drinking rum punch, beer or wine until Joan’s husband Rock came home from band practice. Joan and Rock were Rastafarians and it was definitely an interesting night’s discussion (no ganja involved).  Big recommendation to Joan’s Big Dipper.