Wow, it’s hard for me to put the last month into words. I’ve felt so disconnected from cruising over the past few years but I feel at home and free once again. The days are slowly drifting by to the sound of laughter, wind, and the taste of salt on our lips. We gaze at the brilliant colors of the turquoise waters during the day and an unpolluted sky filled with brilliant stars at night. Guinevere and Samantha are as happy as 2 peas in a pod. All Guinna wants to do is snorkel, snorkel, snorkel. Guin got the opportunity to swim with a giant spotted Eagle ray the other day, she cant stop talking about it. I cant wait for the warm waters of the San Blas where she will not have to get out of the water after thirty minutes or so. Even in her little wetsuit she gets a chill after a while. She was crying in her mask and snorkel the other day because it was time to get out, it really was the cutest thing. Sam is knocking down books like nobodies business. She also makes us 3 baguettes a day so we always have a good supply of bread around. Guin and I are chomping at the bit to taste the piping-hot baguettes as soon as they get out of the oven. Life is so good it almost hurts. These girls really have stolen my heart, I love them so very much!
I’ve been learning how to sail a ketch since we left Miami. Balancing the boat is not so easy, however I’m sure I’ll get get the hang of it soon. I’m also trying to get the windvane up and running. I’ve found myself on more than one occasion sailing with just the jib and mizzen. I really need a new set of sails. I don’t like the high-cut of the jib and the mizzen is worn and has no reef points. The main is okay but only has 2 reef points and I don’t like where they are and the cloth is a bit light. If I can ever afford it I’ll order a new set of tanbark sails. I’ll also look into the kits that are available from sailrite and do the stitch-work myself. I don’t have a main sheet track as the main sheet is just connected to the mizzen. A common configuration, but I’d like to have a few vangs to give me better control of the main sheet system. All that being said I’m not complaining and I’ll happily make this all work for now.
George Town is really cool. The anchorage at Stocking island is beautiful and the holding good. There are about 250 boats here and plenty of room for everyone to have enough swing. It doesn’t feel so crowded and Guin is easily finding other children to play with. There seems to be more kids cruising around these days, or perhaps I’m just more aware of them?
I’m not able to post logs as often as I’d like. I couldn’t afford to get a card for the satellite phone (email modem) before I left and the orbcomm system is down for the moment. I have to rely on internet cafes when they are available. I am working on another video to upload and you should see it in the next few weeks.
We will continue South in mid to late April. I’m going to work on a few projects while we are here.
Sam should have a new log posted as well.
Sail far and live slowly.
Peace, Love, Sam & Guin.
– Alex
