7 March 2011
David and I are partied out. We have now only three days until our departure for the Caribbean and have to get to grips with the jobs list. The generator was due a service with an impeller change. Paul brought our repaired B&G masthead unit back from the UK and at the same time when David was up the mast he replaced the steaming light which has gone yet again! We had to set the alarm for 06.30 am as it is really impossible for me to winch him atop in the searing heat and just as uncomfortable for poor David to be up there to fry like a chop on a skewer. Then, I just so happened to put my head under my galley floor locker and got a very nasty surprise indeed. My potatoes were lying in a pool of putrefying mush. Ugh! The heat has clearly been too much for them as well. We have found better restaurants here than in Salvador but it is still pricey. The 'eat as much as you like' buffets are high quality but my appetite for red meat is not so great these days therefore I feel I cannot do justice to the high prices we have to pay. Today, Tuesday was a public holiday so we decided to visit the sixth biggest shopping centre in Brazil. David was delighted for there were no shops open but we did find a really great Italian restaurant, Mitchelli's, for lunch. Jenny and I were particularly pleased to be offered a glass of bubbly 'on the house' and we happily toasted the boys who were offered no such thing! One up for the women, I say and I do not mean that unkindly. Why not? Jenny and I have covered more ocean miles sailing two up than any other wives /sailing partners on this rally. I think we deserved it.
Good to be going.....
We have enjoyed Brazil more than we thought we would. On the last rally it was voted the place most yachts were happiest to leave? It comes a close second or indeed maybe third on our list. Ecuador remains our least favourite destination, Bali following on from that. At least we have had excellent facilities here in the Cabanga Yacht Club. We have spent most afternoons by the swimming pool. Sitting in the mud has not been a problem. Yes, the water is mucky at low water but not nearly as bad as in Bali. Why though, when they look after the grounds so meticulously they cannot scoop up the detritus that floats around us I do not know.
Susan Mackay