Monday, October 29, 2012

Oct 29 - Shannon reunion in La Paz

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The good ship Shannon, still standing and soon to be
ready to roll
We had a good day today... were very happy to discover that Shannon faired well over the hurricane season... and, as far as we can tell (and our biggest fear) there do not appear to be any cockroaches on board.. altho' we've heard from others that the 'roaches are virulent this year because of all the rain.  Anyway, today in 90+ degrees, we managed to get all the tinfoil, cloth and duct tape off of all the things we wrapped up on the deck... and, we got the kayak out of the cabin so we could check the batteries... and, we re-installed the framework for the dodger... and, the batteries were fine.... and the radio works, and we uncovered the solar panels and they're still working....  AND on the advice of Lionel and Barb (yes I do listen to advice now and then . we have hired Mauricio to scrape, sand, tape and paint (2 coats) Shannon's bottom.  He's going to do the whole thing for $200 (and that covers his labour and his tip... I brought the materials) and he's going to have it done in time for us going into the water on Nov. 1st.  By then I have to have the engine ready to go (which means changing out the rubber impeller and V belts - the heat really  fries them.. and I'll change the oil once I'm back in the water)..

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Mauricio to our rescue 
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Our Canadian ensign, still flying after all that wind
So, things with Shannon are coming along pretty much as they should.  Did I mention it was hot down here?? Yikes !..  Good old Sophie just keeps on trucking tho'.  We stopped off at a beach bar for a cold beer on the way back from the boat and she was so happy, she dug herself a hole in the sand to lie in and just looked out to sea with the breeze in her ears... happy as a clam.  I think, after all is said in done, she doesn't mind Mexico.

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A nice beach view for a cool cervesa at Stella’s  
We caught up with Lionel and Barb last night (we sailed with Lionel on SV Sea Whisper in the Med in 2007) and are having dinner with them tonight.  They leave tomorrow morning for a year and a half....  heading south into the South Pacific and places like that....  so it'll be sad to see them go, but we're happy they'll be following their dream.