We returned to Guatemala a bit over 2 weeks ago after a journey of late planes, missing connections, unplanned overnight stays and luggage that didn’t make it onto the changed plan but flew into Guatemala City with us. All in all a long trip but no jet lag at least. 

Our 10 month stay in Australia was wonderful mainly due to the birth of our first grand child, who decided she would be born 24hrs after we arrived home so that The Grand and Floss could welcome her to the world. She is now an 11 mth old bundle of joy.

Our time in Australia was spent with friends and family and moving back into our home. Several projects kept us busy on the house. Replacing water damaged (cyclone) carpet, re-sanding wooden floors, repairing framework and repairing bench tops (tenant wear & tear). John dusted off his green thumbs and planted a veggie garden so we were eating zucchini, eggplant, capsicum and tomatoes.

I spent time on craft projects, borrowing a sewing machine (thanks Glen & Jen) after the repair man refused to service/repair my 1986 Singer. The lamb blanket was finally finished in time for winter, although Rhodes thought he might like it. We were concerned that, after being with us for 10mths, Rhodes would be unsettled when we left, but he has slotted right back into his second home with Glen & Wayne & Millie. We are so appreciative.

Walks on the beach and the cool sea breeze are things we are missing now that we are back to 95% humidity and 33DegC here in Guatemala.

ANZAC Day was spent in Blackall with John’s dad who is the last remaining WW11 veteran in his community. He led the parade and had special mentions at the ceremony. Kev has just turned 93 years of age (happy Birthday Kev).

John provided sailing crew support and i provided motor vehicle support to our friends Terry & Laine in moving ‘Virgo’s Child’ from Coffs Harbour to her new home in Forster, NSW. This also gave me the opportunity to catch up with family i hadn’t seen for many years.

We also spent a month on my sister’s property, house & dog sitting and picking blueberries. We missed all the hard yakka and had a wonderfully peaceful time.

We finally said a teary farewell to our kids (who i am missing like crazy) and returned to Five Islands. We were pleasantly surprised with the condition of the boat, no mould inside and reasonably clean on the outside. After a few days spent moving back on board, shopping etc we launched and discovered that neither of our toilets were working. Off to the lovely Rita at Captain John’s to order a new pump assembly from the US. That was Monday, it arrived on the Friday of the same week - amazing. John changed the pump and opened the through hulls. We were woken at 4am with the bilge alarm and upon inspection found that the seacock was leaking, not a lot but enough. So we hauled out again, changed both the toilet seacocks and were back in the water the next day. After fixing a connection leak we now have dry bilges again. Luigi delivered our new Genoa and after John did some maintenance on the furler and the mast track, he assisted us to install the new sail and the mainsail. Elmer repaired the shade cover and reupholstered our helm seat, so all in all Five Islands is in pretty good shape. The guys and girls at RAM have been wonderful, and our thanks to Richard (owner) and Karen (Manager) for looking after us over the last 2 seasons. 

Our spot on the dock is a bit squishy with not a lot of room between ourselves and ‘Kimtar’ in front of us.

and not too much room for the 75ft’er to exit her pen behind us. These guys can drive!!

Morning reflections on the Rio

So where to now. Our current plan is to leave RAM today and head down river to Cayo Quemado for 2 nights. We will meet up with Marla and Eli from ‘Iguana Dance’ and check out of Guatemala through our trusty agent Raul on Friday and head to Belize. A SIM card for the Sat phone is arriving in Placentia at the beginning of April then we will make our way up to Isla Mujeres in Mexico. We will then wait for a favourable weather window and cross to Key West in Florida, some time in Stuart then onto Brunswick in Georgia. This is the plan.