Refit

As mentioned, we are here in the Hill Country until after Thanksgiving and this allows us to make some revisions to that which we feel we need aboard. We brought much gear home but we are not sure we can fit some stuff in the little rental car we have going back.  For instance, a fishing rod.  Yup, we have cruised now for over nine months and have yet to wet a line.  We have an old rod and reel my Dad gave me 50 years ago and yet we still find it easier to just order the fisherman's platter when on land and do without on the boat.  That is until now.  Having spent several decades meandering along the shore and sailing the Gulf waters, we have fished little.  Part of that is due to the fact that as a kid, my parents chose to feed me fish every day practically.  It took almost 20 years after the fact before I would eat seafood again. 

Bear and I are starting to gather up the guides and charts for the part of the cruise to the Bahamas and they mention that fish is way more plentiful than any other type of critter, other than perhaps bugs.  So, I guess we will get back into murdering sea creatures if Neptune will grant me a reprieve from the curse placed on us when we accidentally caught a Tarpon just off the jetties at Port A.  Said Tarpon had no chance since we caught him (or her) on a 80 pound test line tied to a cleat on the boat.  Since then, it has been futile to fish.  Gee, I wonder what we need to do to get the curse lifted.  Dang sure hate to waste that really cool bottle of rum but it may be necessary.  (Non sailors take note that Neptune takes kindly to offerings of good rum simply poured over the side with great reverence and humility).  Still debating that one aboard WK.

More spare parts, water filters and other stuff necessary to be somewhat self-sufficient in remote areas are being procured during this shore leave.  Stuff like spare fuel injectors are expensive but may well save a great deal of expense.  Duties, freight and actual cost of such stuff in the islands is almost prohibitive.  Some crews limp back to the states to avoid these things.  Can you imagine the cost of 500 pounds of batteries shipped to some remote island?  Little things like medicines must be acquired for the length of the cruise.  Try getting your saw bones to write a scrip for a years worth of certain of drugs.  It is like this doc, we need to forget the time limits and fill six increments of this controlled substance all at once.  Yeah, right!

To those who plan to be away from medical assistance for a bit, we have run across a really great bandage.  It is waterproof and does not stick.  Google 3M Tegaderm + Pad.   Otherwise, as mentioned in an earlier blog, in a pinch, duct tape will do the same trick.  The difference other than cost is that with the former, you keep yer fur.  With the latter, ye lose it.    Later!