Nice, Neat and Rarin' to Go

Nine of Cups and crew have endured quite a busy, chaotic few weeks. Now that the chainplates are done, the new rigging is nearly installed and the furler is good to go, Nine of Cups is pretty much back to normal … nice, neat and rarin' to go. There are a few more details to take care of here. The varnishing and other projects will have to wait till we get to another port. It's time to move on.

We've been working on last minute preparations ... getting ourselves into the right mindset. We hired a car for a couple of days to top up the propane tanks, do a few errands, pick up a some supplies and re-provision once again since we ate most of our provisions from last time around. Fresh vegs and fruits are always the last items aboard.

While David has begun making his systems' checks, I've been prepping down below. Beyond buying and stowing provisions, I've been busy getting things ready for life at sea. I've made up extra granola and stored it away. Big batches of brownie mix and pancake/coffee cake mix and muffin mixes are prepared in big ziploc bags … ready to scoop out a few cups, add  the liquid ingredients and bake. Easy … peasy. The hammocks and hanging baskets are full of long life veggies and night watch snacks are easy to access. I've filled up empty canisters and gotten rid of any extra overwraps, especially anything plastic, to minimize trash en route.

I've washed floors and beaten rugs. I've dusted and cleaned out lockers once again … everything was filthy after the chainplate project. I've scrubbed the sinks and the sink strainers and the head. They get so yucky on passages, so I like them pristine before we leave. It's easier to do when I have plenty of fresh water and power, more difficult when water and power are at a premium and the boat is bouncing around. The sheets have been changed and a final, several-load laundry run has been completed. I never know when I'll have washer/dryer access again, so everything from jeans and towels to potholders and blankets have been washed. Things are neat and tidy and stowed conveniently … at least for a few days

I've inspected the ditch bag and found that our flares are outdated and need replacing. All fire extinguishers are in good order.

We're still not sure of our ultimate destination this season. Isn't that so like us? Namibia is the plan for the short term. It's the country just north of South Africa if your African geography is a little rusty (or non-existent). We'll see how we like it there for a few weeks. Further north in Africa does not seem particularly appealing. I've done all sorts of research on probable destinations on the other side of the pond. The Caribbean seems a bit too mundane, but it's an option.We recently got our 10-year yellow fever booster shots, just in case we end up somewhere in Africa or South America that requires it.

So we're just about ready. We'll check out with Customs, Immigration and Port Authority in the next few days in anticipation of a reasonable weather window for departure.

Hit the Ground Running - Mandurah

We began chores as soon as we were tied up at the end of the T-dock in Mandurah. I had a load of laundry in the club washing machine and an order placed with Cole's Supermarket for next day delivery while David gave Nine of Cups a good wash-down and fresh water rinse within hours of arrival … all AFTER a hot shower for the crew and a quick tour of the facilities. We were in touch with the sailmaker for the yankee clew repair and they picked up the sail immediately. We walked over to the chandlery late in the afternoon to see what was available. We reviewed our long to-do list before settling down for dinner, a glass of wine (or two) and a movie.The night was calm and quiet and it felt good to relax with Cups all secure.

Since a very wet and windy nor'wester was forecast for the area mid-week, we wanted to make hay while the sun was shining. We hit the ground running the next morning. I had laundry hanging on the line early to dry and began polishing stainless … my very favorite chore.

We launched the dinghy so David could start waxing the topsides and shear stripe. Cups was beginning to perk up and look beautiful again once the three month layer of salt and dirt were washed away.

Between projects, the groceries were delivered and I got everything down below and stowed. David repaired the leaking deck prism and prepped it for rebedding. A club member, Cliff, stopped by to say hello and kindly offered any help we might need. He provided the name of his local dentist (Chris is also a club member … how lucky is that). I called and made appointments immediately for our 6-month cleaning. Another item to check off the list.

David installed the replacement Raymarine GPS AND it worked right out of the box. The new Navionics Gold chartplotter card for Africa works, too. Things aren't always quite that easy. We thank our lucky stars when they are.

We quit working when the sun went down, exhausted, but pleased with our day's efforts. After dark and before dinner (or wine), I did a stores inventory to begin working up our provisioning order. David has improved our provisioning worksheet and made it iPad compatible … more on that later. David started making a list of supplies and parts we need here that he hadn't yet ordered. The horseshoe life buoy needs replacing as does an anode. The main halyard is worn and a jib sheet needs replacing, as well as the downhaul, uphaul, foreguy and topping lift for the whisker pole … and a third reef pennant. Cha-ching! What was the definition of cruising again?