06:30 - I'm awake in bed, reading the BBC news feed. "Capitaan, Capitaan" - I'd heard it a few times, sounding like it was from a nearby boat. But wait .. pop my head out of the hatch and - there's a guy on my boat! "Sir, Carmela's here ( my agent). WTF!
So I go forth to cockpit and there she is, 06:30am, with news (translation through the guy she's brought along to translate). "Captitaan, your pass is for only 5 days, so you have to leave". WTF! I paid $1000 for a single port, 20 day stop! "Sorry Capitaan, the 'Port Capitaan' is an annual appointment, and the rules change all the time. I will need to bring immigration on Monday, finalize docs, and you must leave on Tuesday". Eight days! I was furious. No I wasn't. It's a bit weird, but I had just decided the night before, to leave on Tuesday, and was going to email her, and ask how this could be achieved!

Ok, so this actually worked for me, but for some this would be a disaster! Many people have their boat lifted at considerable cost ($500-1000), to have the hulls cleaned and anti fouled, and then stump for the $1000 fees. They then expect 3 weeks in the Galapagos! I on the other hand, did my own cleaning (considerable effort), and didn't particularly want to stay all that long, as I'm keen on getting to the Pacific Islands. Some things just work out, but it's all a bit third world pathetic ...

Speaking of which ... I was waiting before dark yesterday, at the water taxi stand, to go home. I'd noted a military rib hovering near x86 a few minutes earlier, and it was now at the taxi stand. A navy guy hopped off and asked me which boat I was on. It turns out that a navy 'tall ship' was coming in the following day, and he was trying to 'press gang' yachts at harbor, to go and escort it's arrival. I smelt incompetence, and made a 'solo sailer, too difficult' excuse. Sure enough, today the ship arrived and half a dozen of my fellows, headed out, to become a disorganized mess for a couple of hours. I had a nice view, from my cockpit chair!

Not that my day was otherwise 'fun', but it was 'worthy' as I got those other three jobs done - yay :-)

I greased and tightened various 'bits' on the steering gear. Naturally these were in extremely difficult to get places, but that's situation normal.

I completely changed the saloon skippers bed. The cheap base board was binned. I used instead, two mighty pieces of lumber, allocated as 'barge boards' but only ever used three times. Barge boards are used to protect the sides when forced to tie up against metal piers, or giant tires. I'd used them on the Abu Dhabi F1 runs, when stopping at the security checkpoints
Now I have a hughly solid well fitted base to my cockpit bed, and it only took 4 hours to make!

I fixed the toilet. I could elaborate - but you don't want me too.

So my jobs list is done, I'm booked to be checked out, and I've done due dilligence on safety aspects. If the weather forecast holds, I'm off to 'Hiva Oa' on Tuesday. 3000nm single handed - should take 3-4 weeks - absolutely loving the prospect.

All's well on x86.