11 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
There was a boat jumble today, so we set up a stall with loads of junk. It was absolutely boiling in the beating sun, so we spent about $10 on drinks, even though we’d brought our own. We sold about $80 worth of stuff. Quite a bit was children’s books and toys, so we gave them some of the cash.
I met Mark of “Alchemy” (UK) who had a short windsurf board for sale. We went around to see him and I bought a 270 wave board with extra fin for $80 US. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle such a small board but at $80 it’s worth an attempt!
12 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
It was blowing a hooley this morning, so I went around to “Tekaroa” with both of my boards and went windsurfing. The 270 board is hard work – I need at least 20-25 knots in order to water start with my 5.5m² sail. Pete and Kirsty had to come and rescue me because I couldn’t gybe and couldn’t get back to windward. Pete’s pretty good on it though!
I had another go in the afternoon but the wind kept dying and I would just sink down. I must have spent 1½ hrs trying to water start and sail in marginal conditions. I’m exhausted, but I think that the board is worth persevering with! Glenys did school work and played her piano.
13 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
I can hardly move this morning – I ache all over and my face and neck are sunburnt! Glenys did school work and I bought and fitted 4 new domestic batteries. Glenys went over to “Moby Dick” in the afternoon and re-upholstered their cockpit cushions.
14 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did schoolwork in the morning and I removed the reduction box on the gearbox so that I could get the oil seal on the coupling replaced. We filled up with water. I filled 1 tank. I serviced the air compressor – oil change and filter. Glenys went out for a walk in the afternoon with Brett. “Moby Dick” babysat for us and we went out for a great Mexican meal.
Our passports arrived back from the US Embassy in Barbados – no bloody visas. They put a pre-form letter in with them telling us that we need to send them our old passports with our old visas in them – bloody beaureacrats! It’s cost us $70 US to not get a visa and I’m a little bit cross! We’re going to leave it until we get to Trinidad and get a US visa there, it will be a lot less stressful.
15 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
We had a lie in this morning and went into Philipsburg. We did a fair bit of shopping, then went back to the boat and collapsed! I picked up the gearbox but couldn’t motivate myself!
16 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
School work in the morning for the others, while I refitted the gearbox. In the afternoon, Glenys started on a cover for the dinghy. After nine months in the sun it’s starting to show signs of wear so we’ve decided to cover it. I borrowed some plans for a nesting plywood dinghy from “Tekaroa” – it looks very nice and can be set up as a sailing dinghy – the boys would love it!
17 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did schoolwork and I had an admin day – tax, letters and filing! Glenys worked on the dinghy cover in the afternoon. In the evening, we picked up Chris and went to Lagoonies to watch the Brazilian group and dancers. After a while, we went around to Eve’s place for St Patrick’s Night. The food was a rip off - $5 for a plate of runny Irish stew – we’ll not go back there again!
18 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work and I serviced the engine. I changed the water pump impellor. Glenys is getting really good at doing school work with both of them at once – perhaps she should have been a teacher! I did more damn paperwork in the afternoon while Glenys worked on the dinghy cover.
19 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did schoolwork while I serviced the outboard. I then went and scraped the hull of “Moby Dick” – it took me 1½ hrs to scrape their 37ft Endurance which wasn’t too bad. I charged them $25 which works out at $15/hr. Glenys worked on the dinghy cover – she’s sick of it now!
20 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
We had a trip into Marigot. Glenys bought herself a new mask and a watch for diving which I had promised her at Christmas! I bought some spare pump diaphragms for the outboard – 4 x 1” bits of rubber which cost me $27! What a rip off, but if one of them fails we won’t be able to use the outboard so I had to buy them. We went to “Tekaroa” for dinner along with Chris from “ex-Naia”.