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Waiting for a weather window

This seems to be what I read about on a number of occasions. Each day we’re looking at the weather looking for winds the following day to be from the East or North of East. Like a carrot on a stick the weather window we’re waiting for always seems to be 2-3 days away. We were pretty sure, until this morning, that tomorrow was the day we’d leave for Guadeloupe. Now it’s looking like Friday or Saturday. We’ll need to think of things to do – more later. We’ve decided it’s ok to wait a few days more. If we don’t get the wind angle we want by earl next week we’ll skip the north side of Guadeloupe and head for Deshaies directly.

Last night was a great success. I picked up Ed, Peg, Elana and Dave at the Antigua Yacht Club dinghy dock. They brought food. Elana had some delicious homemade goodies. Ed brought steak from New York which he cooked on the grill – heaven. We had a great evening together. They are all holidaymakers with rented accommodation on land. In return, Elana and Dave have offered us use of their shower. Can’t so no to water you don’t have to switch off – so that’s one of the things we’ll do today.

Apart from that we have our scuba tanks to collect. We’ve had them inspected and filled ready for our visit to the Cousteau Marine Reserve off the west coast of Guadeloupe when we arrive there in a week or so (weather permitting).

Today. I am proud. To be an American

Wow. That was moving (Obama’s inauguration). I sincerely hope the leadership of the American people and the people themselves can seize this moment in history and begin the building of the better future that appears possible to attain. It was amazing to sit in a Caribbean bar with locals and US citizens and still feel the immense power of this moment. Very moving.

We shared the moment, and table, with a two American couple, Ed & Peg and Elana and Dave. We’ve invited them over for nibbles, beers (and some flag waving) this evening. Should be fun.

In 2007 we became US citizens. At the swearing in session we had to listen to a very cheesy song : “I am proud to be an American”. For many in the room the occasion was evidently intensely moving as this must have been the culmination of many years of effort. For us, I have to say, it was a mere detail.

Today though I finally feel I really can say I am proud to be American. In some ways it feels frustrating to be excluded from this (hopefully) historic renewal. We know our trip will end much sooner than we originally planned. Perhaps we’ll have our part to play sooner rather than later. Funnily enough, that doesn’t feel at all bad.

The taste of gasoline in the morning

When the family were with us, John spotted a Brownie recall notice in a local rag. Turns out ours is affected so we’re having to arrange return shipment. Necessary for shipping, this morning we drained the unit of oil and gasoline – the latter requiring us to syphon off the gas from the tank. I managed to get some in my mouth and am finding it hard to get rid of the taste. Yach. Going ashore soon to fill propane tank and find boxes for the Hookah.

Chillin’ out

Been downloading some music.  Came accross this one.  Helen’s probably already fed up with it but I love it.  Makes me really reeeelaaaaax.

[singsong-insert:http://www.aboarddignity.com/blog/files/02_Summertime.mp3]

Mail Arrived

St Brendan’s Isle is a wonderful thing. They’re basically our mail service. They provide us a unique Florida address where all our mail goes. On arrival the envelopes are scanned and we can view them online. For each envelope we can ask to have it shredded, opened and scanned and/or put aside to be mailed to us at a later date.

Today our batch of mail arrived in English Harbour a day or two earlier than we expected. This means we are essentially free to go to Guadeloupe. We want to watch Obama’s inauguration tomorrow so it may be Wed we leave. A bar called the “Mad Mongoose” is having a Happy Hour all day tomorrow and will be showing the whole thing on their big screen TV. We’ll probably go there.

Ideally we’ll be heading to Port Louis. The predicted winds would be ok for this if it weren’t for the currents between the islands. We may end up in Deshaies instead – or we may motor a bit which I’m not fond of. I don’t really want to give up the easting we made yesterday.

This morning we shifted the boat into the bay a little as Helen likes a minimal swell and the beach was a bit noisy. We’re now also a bit closer to things. We went for a walk ashore and found a path between English Harbour and Falmouth which had some spectacular views. Enjoy the pics.

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