Today can be described sweetly, succinctly and tersely with just one word: Rain.
Adjectives such as cold, constant, heavy, wet, dreary to modify the base rain-word would all be appropriate. The rain started at about 07:00 and it is still coming down as I write this at 17:00. I went out twice to use a washcloth on all the exposed surfaces to wash away salt and dirt residue while I could, since this is the first time that it has rained consistently for over 8 hours since I’ve come to the Caribbean several months ago and I wanted to clean up as much as possible. If I find energy I might get into my dinghy and use a cloth on the topsides as well but it is comfy and warm in here while it really has gotten cold outside.
I did computer work much of the day, using the available WiFi connection to update software, download patches, do my e-mails and browse the web. In addition, I finally finished all of the work editing and uploading the pictures and various web pages of the Antigua Sailing Week as well. I won’t be leaving the boat this evening and will take a steak out of the freezer to let it thaw out. I certainly hope that the sun will come out tomorrow, I feel that the slight tan I have worked on getting over the past months is already fading!
My exercise in the afternoon was to get in the dinghy and use a washcloth to remove all traces of salt from the topsides of Zanshin. First I had to dinghy around under engine to empty out the half-filled dinghy and then I did the port side first, tieing the dinghy onto a stanchion while using one hand on the boat and one hand with the washcloth to clean the sides. Despite the cold rain and wearing only a light rain jacket I worked up a sweat and when I did the starboard side (which had more exposure to the waves building up in the fetch of the North Sound) I really worked until I realized I was breathing faster in addition to sweating! But now the topsides are as clean as a little mechanical action and rain can get them and once calm sets in I’ll give it a round of AwlWash to make them shiny again.
Rather than a steak for dinner I thawed out some ground beef and made a tasty Bolognese sauce for the spaghetti dinner and then settled down in the dry cabin to watch “The Count of Monte Christo”. This was another modern remake of a classic movie and an even classier book (which at one time was my favourite), but I liked the adaptation despite being disappointed not to see the original movie.
The winds had picked up and were about 25 knots constant, but the rain had ceased and I hope that tomorrow I can have a nice sail downwind and perhaps even get a dive done in the Dog Islands prior to arriving at my intended destination – the Bight on Norman. From there I can be at Nanny Cay in the morning hours to pick up my package and to talk with the people at the boat yard regarding summer storage.
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