Dominican Republic "18:26.69N 69:37.47W"
VulcanSpirit
Richard & Alison Brunstrom
Fri 13 May 2011 02:17
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A late Blog entry. We have been here at Marina
Zarpar for nearly ten days now, scrubbing and polishing the boat to get ready
for our big trip north. We have had every bit of sailing equipment out of the
furthest recess of every locker on the boat - and we have a lot of kit, some of
which has not seen the light of day since we left the Canaries. Zarpar is a very
nice marina, well equipped and maintained with exceptionally friendly staff. The
formailities are observed closely, including the boat being boarded and searched
when we arrived by the Navy, Naval Intelligence, Drugs' Squad, Drugs
Intelligence and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. All were scrupulously polite and
very friendly - a complete and total contrast to everywhere else that we have
been in the Caribbean so far. These people have it right!
Anyway, here I am examining and polishing the
emergency tiller - a large heavy stainless steel thing that fits through a hole
in the deck and on to the top of the rudder under our bed (which has to go in
this sort of emergency). A bit of polish and elbow grease and its fit for
service again.
 And here I am up the mast again, checking every
joint and retaining pin. I found no problems this time, but checking it all and
polishing all the stainless stuff took me two whole very hot mornings in the
bosun's chair. Next door can be seen our friend Robbie Martin at the top of his
mast sorting out the navigation light which took a bit of damage on the way
across from the BVIs. Three trips later it is now working; these things are
built like trailer lights - good for the first few months from new, but not
robust enough for the rigors of their environment.
 We have been at this for nearly ten days now and
are now almost ready to leave again. Apart from two trips to the capital I have
not left the marina.
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