The above photo was sent to me a day ago by GANNET’s former landlord, Grant. He owns the mooring on which she swung off Opua and is presently enjoying a few weeks of winter sailing in the Bay of Islands on his own boat.
We both like winter in the Bay of Islands when land and water are less crowded. Almost always you will have an anchorage and an island to yourself. The temperatures usually range from 10ºC/50ºF at night to 15-16ºC/60ºF during the day.
We both like winter in the Bay of Islands when land and water are less crowded. Almost always you will have an anchorage and an island to yourself. The temperatures usually range from 10ºC/50ºF at night to 15-16ºC/60ºF during the day.
As you probably know the Bay of Islands are my version of paradise. I know Grant is enjoying his time there. I thank him for permission to share the photo.
I am filled with envy.
I am filled with envy.
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Malaria was mentioned in both FOUR WEEKS IN A SNEAK-BOX and the excellent DVD on Walter Anderson. Malaria still kills a million people a year, mostly Africans under age five, but I had not thought of malaria in the United States.
As I learned from googling that is because in 1947, when malaria was endemic throughout the South, the U.S. government began the National Malaria Eradication Program. In 1951 the disease had been eradicated. I hope, but am not confident, that with climate change it will remain so.
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I neglected to wish you a happy World Emoji Day on Monday. Yes, there is such a day. Sigh.
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From master chef and open boat sailor, Steve Earley, I lifted this link to an enjoyable—except for the noise of the outboard—video of an eight day cruise in four Welsford designed boats in New Zealand.
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I am now hearing aided. Carol is thrilled. Seriously. She even bought a small apple blueberry pie on her way home to celebrate and spent the evening grinning.
They are small, essentially weightless and more comfortable than I expected. Far more so than normal ear buds. Mine can be adjusted by an app on my iPhone. I can even stream music directly from the phone to the aids.
I can hear sounds that I could not. The creaking of hardwood floors as I walk on them. Birds chirping. And Carol’s voice. Shaving this morning, my electric razor was like a jet engine.
She tells me that I am myself now speaking at lower volume.
They are, however, one more thing to haul around. Actually several more things. The aids. Lots of spare batteries—at least they are cheap and small. And a drying and disinfecting box.
The only warning the woman who fit them gave me was to keep them dry. Right. On GANNET.
It really won't be a problem. I don’t plan to wear them while sailing and they will be stowed in one of the waterproof Pelican camera cases.
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Carol and I fly tomorrow to South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island where we will spend five days hopefully avoiding alligators, which are occasionally photographed strolling across the golf course. Another reason not to play golf.
Next Tuesday Carol flies home and I fly on to Florida and GANNET.
Preparation this time has been odd. I don’t need several items on my standard travel check list, such as my passport. I have some new items, such as the hearing aid debris, I do need. And in the end, I can buy anything I need in Marathon or have it sent to me there.
I might post a journal entry from Hilton Head, but probably the next will be from The Great Cabin.
