Friday, July 14, 2023 Little Current

I knew the sun was shining brightly when I woke because I saw a bright orange reflection on Annie's porthole windows. And a little bird was hopping all over Annie's decks. I laid there for awhile trying to decide if I should be unhappy that it is likely pooping on them or happy that it is likely eating mayflies off of them. No decision was made. A quick look out the window showed that my bikes were still there. No need to check batteries and run the generator this morning as we are plugged in to the grid.

Kerry's hibiscus is doing well and on most days it gives us a beautiful flower. We told it that if it keeps performing well for us we will take it to Florida in the fall, which is hibiscus heaven. (That did happen in October)

There is a sail training ship docked here now. It's called the Playfair. It was fun watching the kids/crew scrambling all over the rigging. They are aged 13-18. 

By 11:00 the laundry and haircut were done. So, we were in full ready to cruise mode. The head is empty, the water and diesel are full, groceries are stowed, and booze locker is stocked. Could it be any better for the cruising boater? 

Here's a picture of Ester the beautician and her little dog, Happy. Peter said Happy growled at him yesterday, so I took a bone with me and became a best friend. Back at the boat I polished up Annie's port side burgundy stripe with this special stuff JJ Marine recommended and it now looks really good. The burgundy stripes bleach out over the summer. Now I need a dock with a starboard tie to do the other side.

Peter came over to help me try to align my grill so I can cook on it conveniently while standing on the swim platform. We took it to shore and finally figured out how to adjust the lid to open in a convenient direction. It's perfect now. 

Kerry and I went shopping about noon. Neither of us bought anything, but we did enjoy browsing. She was not feeling well so I went to the grocery for us and got ribs, bacon, fruit, etc. We went to the Cruiser's Net party at the Anchor Inn around 4:00. Roy Eaton was there. He is the one who runs the Cruiser's Net. He is the nicest man and loved by all the North Channel Cruisers. I realized why the Anchor Inn could afford to offer free appetizers when I paid $21.25 for a small beer and a glass of house wine. We saw many of the boaters we have met before in anchorages and towns. It's a very nice social event. 

I showered before dinner and hit 10,000 steps on the walk back to Annie. It's been a long time since that has happened. Peter and Marianna came over for dinner tonight. Peter had a choice of four dinners, and he chose pork chops and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes. Kerry prepared it all day in a slow cooker and it was delicious. She had a fresh garden salad too. Cocktails were on Annie's upper deck. 

We drank chocolate wine in tiny little liquor glasses after dinner. Kerry lines the glasses with chocolate syrup and we put an ice cube in the glass. When your swirl the cube around it lifts the chocolate off the glass and it dissolves into the chocolate wine. Oh my!  One bottle is not enough. The little ice cubes from Jimbo's ice maker are perfect for this.  But the ziplock storage bag we store them in can come open and they escape all over the floor. Time to make some more. 

We hope to leave here tomorrow for another anchorage. The winds are forecast to be light, but there is a high percentage of thunderstorms all day long so we are waiting to see the weather and will make a decision tomorrow.