Marigot again 18 04.075N 63 05.553W

Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Tue 16 May 2017 13:29
Well, here we are again.  A spiriting beat back from the BVI a week ago, and now we are preparing for two significant events.
First, the arrival of Tim and Oli on their holidays; we intend to sail back to the BVIs with them and have a couple of weeks cruising en famille.
 
Then, almost as soon as they have stepped on the plane home from St Martin, we will set off across the Atlantic, via the Azores.
 
This last week has seen us complete a number of chores and critical upgrades. Upgrades are the new solar panel and its installation...completed this morning. The panel is 75 watts and puts in more power than all our old ones put together. I have suspended it from the lifeline, and set up a system to hold it out towards the sun. Our batteries are holding up, but might need a change before we head home.
 
We are struggling with a slight leak to the airdeck floor of the dinghy, and might have to resort to professional help...which is readily available here in St Martin.
 
We think we have just fixed the boat computer! A small battery which powers its internal clock has apparently been failing, and when the clock doesn't work, the nav software starts to play up and our track no longer gets recorded on the electronic chart.  Today, I managed to open up the computer and find the offending battery. As I write, we are monitoring the clock to see how conclusive this electronic therapy has been.
 
Karen has been cooking....a loaf is under construction, as is a soup and some Mexican Chicken.
 
 
We said cheerio to Hattie and Phil on Pepper just before we left Virgin Gorda.....they set off for the west, the next stage of their 20 year! adventure. Back here in Marigot, we bumped into Andrew and Polly on Drummer, last seen in the anchorage at Bridgetown, Barbados. Over a glass of wine the other evening, they told us their next stop could be New York.
 
Win2Win have a rigging job to do. Their lower shrouds are both broken, so have gone into the lagoon to anchor near the riggers and could be back in action this week. I think they will head off east before the end of the month and we will play catch up to see them in the Azores.
 
There is a feeling of transition here. The yards are full of boats with de stepped masts, intending to pass the summer months here. Others are heading off north. Lots of comings and goings.
 
I am starting to look forward to the long sail....but not before the much anticipated family get together....only 4 days to wait.