Hi everyone. It's been a while (at least it feels like it) since we've written. Sorry for the absence... but here's how it's going.
CJ (that's me) had to return to Canada for a couple weeks... Yup, one more spot of BCC to deal with.. this one on my nose of all places. The good news is my appointment was at the MOHs clinic. If you haven't heard of the MOHs method.. check it out. Instead of the cut and chop x 2 that was my lip, this kind is a one-shot deal. You spend several hours.. most of it waiting for lab results.. but it's all dealt with on the same day. And the staff and Doctors are excellent... So, except for the fact I had to leave Kathy slaving away in San Carlos.. I'm really glad I hooked up with the Skin Care Centre in Vancouver (thank you Tom and Shae for the tips). My black/purple eye is fading rapidly and the stitches are also quieting down... People don't avoid eye contact and kids don't stare anymore :-)
I have been extremely well cared for while at home. Friends have insisted on feeding me wonderful meals and I'm even the lucky recipient of a loaned vehicle. I'm feeling very spoiled. I leave Duncan on Friday to spend a couple days in Vancouver and I fly out of YVR early Monday morning. I should be back in San Carlos for dinner on Tuesday. Yippee!!
Now then, as for Miss Kathy... well, she has been one very busy girl. Even with all my organizing (those who know me know what I mean)... she has still had to deal with the unexpected issues that continue to pop up.... like the "oh, what's that" on the bottom of the hull. Well, 'that' led to the discovery of a patch job gone bad. N/K when the patch was done, but once you've discovered something like that... well you have to deal with it. The potential for delamination is too great to ignore it. Add that to the list.
I think it's safe to say the 'repair' work on SSpirit has become more of a 'refit' and, although it's frustrating and expensive... once completed, we should have one heck of a good and safe little ship with which to continue our explorations of the Sea of Cortez. This years additions include (but are not limited to :-) 5 new batteries (the not-so-old AGMs died over the summer); a new battery selector switch; a new float switch for the bilge pump; a Balmar Regulator for the engine; a new and much more efficient raw water strainer for the engine; a new SSB antenna (to replace the one ripped of by Hurricane Newton); a PSS shaft seal (never could get the packing gland to drip properly); repair of the aforementioned hull patch.... and a new depth sounder (as the old one had to be removed to facilitate the repair... and it was ancient anyway); new anchor chain (5/16 HT) and a new Lofrans Kobra windlass (you've already heard the tale of the previous one); the addition of our dinghy and outboard; SS rails in place of the wire lifelines at the cockpit (which will allow us to mount the second propane tank and bracket); new LED lights, one in the salon and the other in the Galley. I'll stop there. As you can imagine we're both working hard to move SSpirit forward and I truly believe we'll make it away from the dock this year..... We've even set Oct. 24th as our 'splash' date; so we'll see how that goes...
In the mean time, thank you to all of you who have helped us in one way or another.Your friendship and support has been amazing. We feel very confident that our season this year will be a good one. Thanks.
Adios for now... take good care and have a great day. CJ
