Once we were settled in San Carlos we
began work on the toe rail around the edge of the boat (about 110ft of wood). This involved
stripping every bit of metal off the wood that wasn't bolted down.
Then we managed to buy some paint stripper and spent the next 2 weeks
stripping the wood back completely. We were slowed down as a few days
it was too windy or rainy to work and we did not want the bits
blowing everywhere as we could have been thrown out of the marina! In
between time, we spent our time cleaning all the metal this included
all 250 screws out of the rub rail (they were polished with a
dremmel, cleaned by hand and then washed off with de-natured
alcohol). Easier to replace we know BUT they just aren't available!
We met an American couple at the dock,
Nona and Steve, who unusually for Americans, like gin and tonic. We
did manage to squeeze in some socialising! Steve and Nona also very
kindly took us shopping and to do washing. Mike discovered Steve
likes whisky so his single malts were attacked! Steve and Nona left
early in our stay at the marina but we have since met up with them
again in La Paz.
Once all the preparation was completed
we painted on 3 layers of epoxy. As the epoxy goes off very quickly
we had to paint as if we were in a speed painting competition! We had
2 days break while it hardened and then it had 4 layers of cetol
(paint/varnish).
During this time, we also met and
became very good friends with a Canadian couple, Micheila and Bill
who had recently got married on the beach outside a bar called 'The
Soggy Peso'. Bill and Micheila were also working on their boat which
had been in storage in Mexico over the last 4 years. Their boat was
opposite ours so there was a lot of banter. We met up on a number of
occasions for food and drinks (drinks and food is probably more
accurate!). They have a 4x4 ATV which they let us use while in San
Carlos. We didn't have time to take full advantage of it but it was
better than waiting for buses and we did get out a few times on it.
Bill and Micheila also have a lovely house overlooking the sea which
we went to a number of times. We discovered the Soggy Peso thanks to
Bill and Micheila and watched a few good sunsets while sipping
margaritas!
Once the painting was complete it then
took us days to re-install all of the deckware. This was hindered by
the weather again as it was incredibly cold,, i.e. under 10C. When we
were painting there were heavy dews which meant we had to start work
later and then when we were re-installing everything we had to stop
work early because it was too cold. We were working in thermals and
our hands got so cold we couldn't hold the screw driver!
All of this meant it took us longer
than expected and we were not ready to leave the marina until 9
December. The delay was good for Bill and Micheila also as they were
going to sail to San Pedro with us for a few days. San Pedro is a
beautiful cove well protected from most winds and usually very quiet!
Both boats had a great sail to San Pedro which is 10 miles north of
San Carlos. The anchorage was busy as 11 shrimper boats were anchored
but there was still plenty of room. We had dinner and breakfast
together before saying our good-byes. Bill and Micheila left and
sailed back to San Carlos and we were looking forward to a rest
before sailing to La Paz.
The weather had other ideas, the wind
blew from the south which is the only direction the bay had no
protection and the swell was rolling into the bay. After 2 sleepless
nights we headed back to the marina for a good nights sleep. As we
got to the dock Bill and Micheila were waiting for us with a warm
welcome. They had seen us sail across the bay from their house. We
had one last visit to the Soggy Peso before saying our goodbyes again
which was very sad as we had all got on so well together. They are a
lovely couple and we had some great times, they made the time in the
marina, which could have been horrible, fun!
The following morning we set off for La
Paz dressed in thermals, boots, hats, gloves, and layers and layers
of clothes! A norther was forecast which arrived about 3 hours after
we left so we had 20-25 knots and did 200 miles in 32 hours. We
arrived in Ensenada Grande at 2pm the following day and tucked in to
a wind free spot behind the headland. We had a day at anchor and Mike
dived under the boat to change the anodes. We had not done this in
San Carlos as the sea was only 15C whereas it was 20C in Ensenada
Grande. The weather was also suddenly warmer and thermals were
abandoned!
We had to motor to La Paz which is
where we are now anchored. We have been spending a lot of time with
our friends Wendy and Bobby and at their house. Mike and Bobby have
made a box to store the dive compressor so hopefully that will be
installed on the boat in the next few days.
Christmas day we had dinner with Wendy
and Bobby at their house. Mel and Sandy, friends we met in La Paz in
June and sailed up the sea with, also joined us and a few other
people also called in during the day. New Years eve, the 6 of us are
having a meal together which should be fun and then we are going to
join the free party being held on the Malecon – the street that
runs along the seafront.
We will be home in 4 weeks time and we
have a long list of boat jobs before we cross the Pacific so it will
be a busy time before we leave!
It is difficult to believe that this
time last year we were in the Bahamas. We wanted a quieter year this
year but instead we have sailed more miles - 5940. This includes
sailing from the Bahamas to Panama, crossing to the Galapagos, coming
to Mexico and sailing 1500 miles in the Sea of Cortez! A good warm up
for next year when we should sail about 7000 miles.
Happy New Year to everyone!
