After waiting for the 7:30 morning net to finish we were ready to go around the corner to Prickly Bay. Helen was feel a lot worse for wear after the previous evening rum tasting and white wine follow ups but she took her station all the same. As she was raising the chain to remove the bridle the windlass went dead. Another of those ‘oh bugger’ moments. As we were still on the bridle we weren’t in any danger so we had time to work things out.
It looked again like the breaker was mis-behaving so I switched the cables for the windlass and electric winch and we were off round the corner to Prickly Bay.
I had quite a lot to get on with so I soon left Helen alone on the boat. First stop was Budget Marine to check for parts. I’d had another look at our leaking toilet and realized it had a crack. This is probably fixable but just before heading out over the Pacific I don’t won’t to put ourselves in the position of fixing an ever expanding crack. They had a replacement unit so that was acquired.
Next stop was the Tropical office nearby. I walked there to see if I could clear our paperwork for our parts there. They confirmed I had to go to another agents office in town which I thought was the case but I want to be sure. I took the bus into town and cleared the papers with ease.
Next stop was a photo shop to get some passport photos for my Venezuelan visa – only the captain needs one so I could do this alone. Then it was ACE for some bolts. The previous day we had been putting up some hooks in the dive locker only to discover our bolts were just a bit too short. Next was the post office to buy some stamps to put on the shipping papers.
I then wanted to go to Island Water World which was a bit of a treck. I figured I’d walk along and catch the first bus. Normally they’re within minutes of each other but I made it all the way without seeing one. On the way I passed the FedEx office. I popped in their to see if they had our mail. They didn’t but they did have our engine zincs which didn’t make the ship but had been airmailed instead (no extra charge – thanks Marine Warehouse).
Island Water World didn’t have any of the parts I needed so I walked on to the Venezuelan Embassy to start processing the visa. I had to wait a while while the assistant who did the paperwork finished her lunch. Actually – I’m pretty sure lunch was finished but it wasn’t 1 O’Clock yet so it looked like she was just standing in the kitchen. Fortunately someone else gave me the form to fill in while I waited. She eventually took my form, my passport and photos and gave me a paying in slip for the bank. The Venezuelan’s don’t seem to trust the locals with cash so it has to be paid into their account and the receipt returned. She also said the paperwork wouldn’t be ready by 3pm.
As there was plenty of time I picked up a roti for lunch and walked to the bank. It was further than I thought but despite that I still had an hour to kill. I decided to go back to the boat and pick up the visa today.
Back on the boat Helen had been busy cleaning up despite not feeling well. I fixed the toilet then went to work on the windlass breaker. I swapped the wires back, took out the old breaker and put back in what I thought was my spare. I tested the windlass and it worked. I then discovered I still had my spare and must have put the original back in. This leaves me with a conundrum. I know the breakers have a thermal cut off so maybe this is coming to the end of it’s tether and something we did blew it. I need to think about this.
Last chore for the day was getting fuel for the dinghy and picking up some hypalon glue and the book ‘Spanish for Cruisers’ from Budget Marine.
Overnight we’ve had a lot of rain which is a good thing. Today it’s back to the embassy to collect the visa. At some point I should get a call from the shipping agents to say we can collect the consignment. (Land) Mike will help me with this. We’re due round their’s later for a barbecue, weather permitting. In amongst all this I want to drop off our empty bottles and switch out out genset starter battery. It’s starting to act tired. We have the facility to start the genset from the house batteries but I’d rather cross the Pacific knowing all is in top condition.
Leave a Reply