Sailing ... that's what I'm talking about!

Solar panel hasn't arrived yet  :<

It  has however been occupying my mind. I checked out my second preference for a mounting spot and it won't fit there either! Crap. So now it looks like I'm going to have to build a frame for it to sit on or over the stern rail. Not a huuuge cost, but big enough to feel. More aggravating is the time factor. It will no doubt take an extra couple of days to get it installed.

On the bright side ...

A couple of good sailing sessions in the last few days!

On Saturday I took the boat out for what was meant to be a 2 -3 hour trip out to a local navigation mark, an offshore platform called "Gina". It's about 4 miles out from the harbour, and I figured it would be about a 2 hour round trip, max. Just as we cleared the breakwater the wind started to die out, and continued to fade.

After 3 hours of bobbing up and down on the pacific swell, and going nowhere, I was still less than a quarter of the way along the outward leg. How, I hear you ask, does this qualify as 'a good sail'? The good part was that I persisted in trying to make the return trip, until well after sundown. Eventually the 'evening change' in the wind came through, and suddenly we were moving along at a tidy 5+ knots in the dark. So it was a good practice session for night sailing. And it was just fun. When I made it to the mark I was seriously tempted to keep going for a couple of miles further. It was however, late enough to convince me to turn around and head back.

Sunday was cold and raining, so we stayed in. More snow on the local ranges. It makes for an odd effect when I get up, seeing snow covered ranges while standing on boat. Apart from some inland lakes I don't think there's anywhere in Australia where I can do that.

Last night we ran out of gas for the stove, and the only place that sells the right sort of gas refills is about 5 miles up the coast, in Ventura Harbor. Yes I know 'harbour' is supposed to have a 'u' in it. It's an American place and therefore has the US spelling. OK? (And Yup, that's the same “Ventura” from the 70's song.It turns out that there is no "Ventura Highway" though. Perhaps it grew into the Freeway? Or perhaps they were just referring to 'a' highway near Ventura? Dunno, but there aint no Highway called Ventura Highway.) Anyway, back to the story ...the last time we ran out of gas one of the locals gave James a lift up there to get a refill. I was thinking of asking for another lift today, when it occurred to me that it was a good distance for a short sail, so we did. And it was a great afternoon. A pleasant 15 knot breeze and we were making 6 knots in a boat not particularly prepared for pace. A great afternoon's sailing.

Parked for lunch

One of the batteries is showing some erratic output, so I guess I'll have to replace the old pair that I was going to take a chance on. I'm already a week over my target departure date and starting to feel just a bit frustrated. 

Get me out of here!