It is hard to believe it is mid-April already, next weekend Papa becomes a Captain after many hours of hard work. I never really knew what it took to become a 100 ton captain but it is evident it is something I will never achieve. Some ask, Do you really want to? YES . However, I am lacking the attention span to accomplish this, so I am content now to be Second Mate to Ava's First. Ava is actually a better sailor than I am, kids have no fear. I am assigned to the Galley when we take off, I wear my sailing gloves per chance I am needed on deck( hasn't happened but I am ready).
Once the batteries arrive(4 in all, weighing over 650 lbs) we can move the berth cushions and new bedding on, sails are cleaned , mended and ready to pick up. We will more than likely commission Adventuress in early June after the holiday weekend. Clothes and Shoes are also a big part of the move in process, then food, funny how that pecking order works. Our chores will then be to strip,sand and repair the teak around the boat. We will also be pulling her out of the water for 2 weeks to clean and paint the Hull , which is long overdue.
This Summer will bring new adventures as well as 2 weddings and our daughter coming home for a brief visit from LA.(not a fan of the boat). We are also moving into a new condo mid May. The boat will be home June through Oct, freeing the Condo for family visits. For many who have followed my Blog know our Winter in the current apt. was a disaster. In all fairness this bldg. is 42 yrs old with NO updates. When it was cold we had no heat and had to use the equally dis funtioning oven , but never at night or when we were away. From Jan. on we have had Internet for 3 hrs a day, even though we pay for it 24/7. Hot water was and still is hit or miss, having to cancel many Dr's appointments due to unsanitary conditions. Mold worms live in our bathroom walls and make an appearance daily, a broken washing machine on our floor was a missing convenience. I can honestly say, Living on Adventuress during the Winter months were a pleasure compared to this.
Ava will attend a private school come August which is between the boat and here so overnight stays on the boat are a happening thing during beautiful fall nights. Public school did not work out, Bullying was the main issue and I am shocked at how rampant it is in the schools starting at young ages. This new school will prepare Ava for Boat Schooling come Jan. 2014 when we plan on making our first voyage south.
It is definitely an exciting time!
