We are back in business again … the storm ‘Isaac’ is well
behind the BVI’s … the sea state had less choppy, confused swell today and
things seem to be back to normal!
Last night we joined Gareth and Jenna for sushi at a lovely
restaurant called Origin. Here we met up with their friends Cat and Andrew (a
couple who are incredibly friendly and have a huge sense of humour) … and
before long we found ourselves all cramming for space as one by one more and
more young people joined the table.
Origin had a great vibe and great food … the service was
incredible and the waiter attentive (unusual for the islands) … we had a
stunning evening and learnt a lot more interesting things about these islands
by listening to the stories of those who have lived and worked here for many
years.
Having left the restaurant we caught a taxi back to the base
(taxi’s cost US$5 per person and for locals US$2.50 per person … we are trying
to pass as locals by this stage).
Back at the boat we were greeted by the charter skippers and
crew all having a good party on their boats … we were invited to join in which
we duly did. The night was smashing and the company as usual was terrific.
These people work extremely hard and play equally as hard and are great fun to
be with.
So … it was a late night for us but a day that ended with a
huge amount of laughter and fun!
Ana and I have found the heat and humidity stifling … not a
breath of wind to be felt at the dock and I had no less than 5 fresh water
showers today as I hate the feeling of being ‘sticky’.
We started unpacking all the items we had stowed away for the
storm, cushions were cleaned and put back into place, dock lines were relaxed
with one set being removed (we installed a double set utilising two different
styles of rope so that if one failed the other would be ‘back up’ to the first)
… Impi feels like ‘home’ again.
Today I was able to focus on the chores at hand which had
been abandoned due to storm preparations … I completed the installation of the
electric pump which is to serve as the new raw water cooling pump for our
generator.
I discussed this a few posts back … our generator is consuming
too many rubber impellers on the raw water pump … these pieces end up in the
cooler which I had to strip and clean and it was proving to be a ‘mission of
note’ to keep replacing these things.
We therefore installed a 220V electric pump wired to the ac output
of the generator so electricity is only supplied to the pump on start up and
whilst the genset runs.
This way the pump also shuts down when the genset is turned
off which is critical to prevent water being pumped into the motor … Kent from
Just Catamarans (in Fort Lauderdale) posted a comment on our blog post
explaining why this happens (he is an expert in all things to do with Catamaran
systems and I have gained a huge amount of technical advice from him).
I must admit that when I tested the pump flow rate I was disappointed
to see it did not match the specifications as set out by the manufacturer … I
will be sure to pay the supplier a visit tomorrow at Golden Hind Chandleries to
discuss this matter. However, it seems that the flow rate is within the
specifications of the generator manufacturer so I decided to complete the
installation.
We were very happy to see the system work and with an added
advantage in that the generator (which is in a sound dampening housing) seemed
to run even quieter than before!
In between all this, I had to run out and chase a huge bird
of prey from resting on our mast as they tend to sit on the ‘wind vane /
indicator’ and can snap it off … a magnificent looking bird but he got the
message and scooted off to sit on another wind vane!
Ana in the meanwhile had spent much of her time getting Impi
spick and span and feeling like a true home again!
She also served up a lovely supper which was a Moroccan
style dish of salad and sausage with a spicy sauce (yum!) followed by lemon
tart (wow!) … these dishes probably have exotic names and I am really bad when
it comes to this but for me ‘it’s all in the eating’!
We visited Karl and Maria for drinks … a lovely couple doing
charter work in the BVI’s … and also a
couple we had come to know when we were docked in Cape Town SA.
We are thinking of family and friends in the USA right now
with Isaac approaching. We trust they will be safe and we trust that people in
general will be safe with Isaac which at this stage seems it will keep well to
the west of Florida…
Whilst all attention right now is on Isaac, we are now also keeping an eye out for a weather system in the Atlantic which is slowly edging its way in this direction although at this stage it only has a 40% chance of developing into a Tropical Depression
Whilst all attention right now is on Isaac, we are now also keeping an eye out for a weather system in the Atlantic which is slowly edging its way in this direction although at this stage it only has a 40% chance of developing into a Tropical Depression
So, not much more news right now I’m afraid to say … there
is lightening sparking across the sky and thunder is rolling overhead … the air
remains thick and sticky and I think it’s time for a shower and a good nights
sleep.
Let’s see what tomorrow brings … the weather is alive with ‘surprises’
at the moment!
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