“August”-ing!

Hey, there.

I actually googled Augusting but nothing really interesting popped up. That’s probably due to the fact that nothing really interesting popped up sailing-wise for a blog post which has “sailing” in its title. But you guys are probably used to that by now.

But I did sail away, a bit, for a while. We sailed across our little pond and I met up with my cousin John and family. Getting there was a bit rough, 20+kts right on the nose…. how typical. But his little bay is sooo peaceful and quiet and secluded, it’s hard to pass up. We had a good “hang” and did a lot of snorkeling, eating and late-night wine-ing. I always have a blast watching John filleting anchovies. But you gotta let them sit overnight before marinating because the spew a lot of water! We wanted to go fishing but the dang wind (a 6er instead of a 4er) wouldn’t pipe down til dark. The visit was short but sweet… the forecast was for a force 7 so I hauled ass back to my mooring. The sail back was perfect!!! The best ever! The wind was around 20kts, a beam reach, low waves, sails slightly furled…Zoot Allures hauled ass! I had left early… even Rob was shading me from the sun (Rob is the windvane….cousin to the Robertson hydraulic monster autopilot I hardly ever use). I was back in record time with only 0.6hours on the engine. Sweet!!

Back on the mooring ol’ Zoot and I rocked and rolled in the howling wind. I didn’t dare row ashore with the ” loyal sinking de-flatable” because I would end up somewhere I didn’t want to be. Did I ever mention I sold the Honda outboard? One less thing to worry about maintaining or getting stolen. So no” foot on land” for over 60 hours. No prob! I read, cooked,  swam, and did a bunch of little projects. I changed my damaged (?) prop zinc, my first underwater change and also put in a reef in my awning. I had that old gopro with me and got a 5pm ritual of messing with some fish hiding in the shade. Lots of little fish bytheway which always warms my heart….hopefully they’ll get a chance to grow!

And always an evening ritual!!

The winds died down after a few days. But not much and I did need to be at the farm the next week. The forecast the following weekend was for another “7er”… so I jumped ship early and head down earlier than planned. There’s always a lot to do at the farm house. Like make a new table top for our veranda with some 12mm marine ply I picked up. Also with help from the young-ens we sanded and oiled one side of the “love shack”. Now that was a rough one. I decided to use pool decking oil I found by 3V3 . Here’s the scoop. The balustrade I did 7 coats with D1  over Easter was dry as a bone! I tried this stuff a month ago and it still looks great! Plus instead of 750ml, I get 2.5liters for the same $. !! If it holds, it’ll find its way on ol’ Zoot. The farm is my Ginnie pig!

 

But the farm isn’t all work. Plenty of play and plenty of family, friends, BBQ’s, beaches and taverns.And the Epidaurus theatre is close by. Here’re the girls ready for an Oedipus show.

 

That’s a lot of what August is all about… and it beats pounding in the Meltemi winds or worrying of dragging anchor. I’m heading back to Zoot Allures. I’m back at work next week and need some bonding. But looks like a pounding.

Stay tuned,

Capt Pete.

ps… the concept of returning to work seems at least….odd!