Yet another Friday Morning
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Thu 20 Sep 2012 19:51
I have put in a Police report. Obviously they're not really interested about unfinished work but the 'missing' starter motor and alternator seemed to get their attention. I was asked to ring him and tell him to get down to the central police station....right now. His phone was on divert. It's been on divert all week. FICAC were a bit put out by that when I went to see them on Monday morning.
The police called the club and after checking that it was actually the police calling (fair enough) an address was provided. A PO Box number. The phone number that the club have on record was 'not available' when rung. Apparently yesterday he came to the boat but I was not there. I was having a deep and meaningful conversation with Immigration.
The 'DAMC' consisted of the fact that my 'case officer' had recommended that I be given an eighteen month extension. Because I am a 'special case', interpret that as you will, there is only one man who can sign the visa extension and he was not in Suva for most of this week. I will return next week. As always Immigration were helpful and polite.
I appear to have succeeded in resurrecting the solar panel. Amazing what happens when you undo the professional electrician's work and redo it yourself. The solar controller works. At three pm yesterday the panel was producing 4.7 amps. Because we've had some wind recently (nothing to do with the bean stews/curries) I have determined that the wind generator is also doing it's thing. Thanks to some deft soldering by Paul (Calypso) my radio is now crystal clear and I can talk to people more than half a mile away. Truly incredible what happens when you actually connect the radio to the aerial. Maureen (the other half of Calypso) arrived a couple of days ago insisting that I needed to tidy the boat up a bit. Why do women have this fetish with being tidy? Anyway, I have to admit that the saloon does look a bit (as in 100%) better. Needless to say the entire club is now convinced that we're having an affair. I hate to put a stop to a great rumour but we had a good laugh about it yesterday.
I now have only fourteen litres of rice wine left. Almost time to start a new batch. Paul is experimenting with pineapple flavouring as opposed to lemon. Naturally I will have to sample before committing myself but it seems like a good idea.
Only the autopilot and engines to go then!
Sigh.
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