Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
18.20.016N
64.55.440W

I think my posts are going to become monotonous because we’re just killing time, as is the rest of the world. 

We began our day doing a type of rain dance.  We try to leave our hatches open for ventilation when we’re sleeping.  When it rains, we have to jump up and run all over the place to close them.  The early part of the morning was spent opening and closing said hatches due to the rain not making up its mind whether it was going to drop or not.  Then when it did rain with a little more than a spit, the water gathered on the sun shades and broke one of the tent poles I use to hold them up (so Dale doesn’t have to stoop when he’s getting on and off the boat.)  A quick repair later and we were back in business. 

Dale kept busy sanding down all of the fiddles on the boat to keep any others from swelling to the point of cracking their cradles (for lack of a better name for them).  Then he smeared 5200 all over the place trying to glue part of the starboard rub rail back into place as a bandaid until we can get to Trinidad and haul the boat for a better repair. 

He also found a drip type of leak on the water heater.  You may recall that he had replaced an elbow connection a couple of months ago to stop a major leak.  Today’s find was just a drop or so.  He covered the water maker located in front of the water heater with a massive amount of plastic to keep it from getting wet; just in case.  Since Gerry needs to make a run to Budget Marine again tomorrow, Dale will tag along and pick up another elbow in the event this one has a scratch on it.  Apparently, if you’re not careful in attaching the elbow to the metal, scratches can keep the plumbers tape from adhering into the tiny creases completely. 

I wish I could tell you what I did today but other than typing the blog, making a couple of telephone calls, taking care of e-mails, regular housekeeping chores, chopping vegetables for fajitas and marinating the meat, I can’t remember anything noteworthy.  It reminds me of days when Dale would come home from work and ask what I had done with my day.  I know I kept busy but I’ll be danged if I can remember how. 

This evening we had Gerry and Nicky over for dinner.  The main topic of conversation remains what to do about all of the changing rules.  Dale’s fall back is:  sit here and wait until someone comes by and says we’re not complying with whatever rule is in effect that day.  Then comply.  I don’t know, sounds kind of haphazard to me.  We’ll see.  Stand by, I may have to call for bail money.