Work, Work, Work!!!!

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!