18:01.14N 63:28.85W Philipsburg, St Martin
Burnadebt
John & Bernie
Sat 24 May 2008 15:16
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Well, we haven't done well with the blog, despite reasonable internet. We arrived in Philipsburg after a good sail from Antigua, and had a frustrating time trying to arrange riggers to fix stuff at the top of the mast and to get the engine serviced before being lifted out of the water to have the bottom scrapped and antifouled. This is where we are now, sitting on the hard, and after 9 days, still have only 3/4 of the boat done. Even John and I have done some scrapping, to try to speed things up! The riggers are booked for next week, as are other people to do the last bits before the long sail home. The weather is hot, the showers on land are pathetic - the only good news is that we have done a lot of diving (cool, on the water, and good showers after) and this is a duty free island so have bought underwater cameras. The diving has been great, as much as anything, the time to do 2 or 3 dives a day means we have really got to grips with it, and have got to recognise a lot more fish, aided by the books Jane brought out to us. We've also done a night dive, which was wonderful, seeing lots of fish asleep, and a shark dive, where they are fed by hand while we sat 10foot away - absolutely awesome. It is one thing to see them in the water, swimming past, but another to be able to see their teeth! It is just so frustrating, sitting here, waiting for work to be done at Caribbean time - 1 working, 3 watching, and knowing the hurricane season is coming; also, watching other boats we have got to know during the season making their way home or to their summer destinations. At least we can go diving and shopping - I reckon the bill for the boatyard will be about the same as our spending on other things! We'll be here for the rest of the week I think, then we'll have to review plans and see how we do. Will try to do better! Get Started! |
