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Published: July 24th 2007
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We set sail once again! Harry, Shayla and I will get on the boat in Newport tomorrow (Wednesday, July 25). Harry and I are both so itchy to get back on the boat that we’ve had to stop scratching, for fear of making scabs. So unsightly. As of this afternoon, the weather is suggesting we may need to wait until Thursday to head out. Our original “plan” was to leave Wednesday around 3 in the afternoon. At any rate, the journey will begin tomorrow and we’re eager for that.
We were able to take all three of our girls over to Newport a couple of weeks ago to show them the boat. We didn’t sail, but we did have lunch on board so I was able to gloat and preen over my enormous galley for them. They were appropriately impressed, especially when I turned on the water faucet and WATER CAME OUT! They’ve spent enough time on our old boat to know these things aren’t taken for granted. We’re planning to sail with all three girls for a couple of days in mid-August in the Sound, as is our summer custom.
Planning for this leg of the trip
has been tremendously different. For one thing, Harry and I both know what to expect. We know what it’ll be like to try to sleep on board during an off-shore passage (so we’re able to plan how to wedge Shayla into our berth with the lee board to keep her from rolling out). We know that Harry should put the Scopolmine patch on the night before we sail, because why not? We’ll also put one on Shayla at bedtime on day #1, because we now know that one of the initial side effects is extreme drowsiness. We know that our appetites will disappear for the first day or two (so I’m not planning any elaborate meals for nights #1 and #2, something that Harry tried to tell me before the first leg, but you live and learn.). We know how we’ll feel after a night passage and what our capacity for any activity beyond reading or listening to the iPod is. We know the weather will be unpredictable (but so far, “predictions” are strongly in our favor, with light winds from the south and 6-ft. seas).
Some of the things that were driving me crazy on the boat before
(that silverware!), I’ve had time to take care of. I have wooden spoons, measuring cups and spoons and new flatware. I’ve snagged the old galley goods from the old boat, and now will be able to eat my salads in a beautiful bowl instead of a somewhat-melted plastic tupperware mixing bowl. We have a new mattress pad! Wonders never cease!
Shayla’s excited but also nervous about our trip. When we returned from the sea a few weeks ago, she overheard a lot of people saying things to us like, “so glad you’re alive” and “how did you survive?” and other such silly nonsense. Even though we’d described our experiences to the girls, I think that hearing other peoples’ impressions of those experiences made it sound worse. I’ve spent a lot of time reassuring her that sharks won’t jump onto the boat, a storm won’t knock the boat over and Papa won’t fall off. At one point, I said something like, “I can’t know everything that’s going to happen, honey.” She responded by putting her hand over my mouth and saying loudly, “Don’t say that! You’re supposed to comfort me!” It’s hard to mis-interpret such a clear directive. Mostly I
just kiss her a lot.
Harry Potter the Seventh lives in our house now, and Shayla plans to “lap” her dad, Michael, in the reading of the book. That is, she plans to be half-way through her second reading while we sail, and while her dad reads it at home. Much to Sophie’s consternation, Mr. Potter will be accompanying us on the trip, for reasons unnumbered, not the least of which is that Harry is now pacing through the book anytime either Shayla or Sophie set it down.
In celebratory news, we’ll be honoring Shayla’s 11th birthday on July 28th as we sail! She’s requested strawberry mousse and no sharks. At this point, I think a shark sighting might be just what we need to take the edge off. I can’t imagine how exciting that would be! After seeing Orca’s and whales flapping their tails, I don’t doubt the possibility of seeing a shark in the ocean. I am very eager to show Shayla the charms of the sea.
In other celebratory news, we’ve sold Oh Joy the First! The beautiful girl always commanded an admiring audience. It’s a relief to be done with that bit of detail, and sad that the boat I learned everything on has been reduced to a “detail”. But there you go. Eventually we all outlive our welcome.
In what might be celebratory news for some (me), we’re also looking for a new home for Jasper, our Jack Russel Terrier. We’ve come to the reluctant (Harry) conclusion that our frequent absences in honor of the boat will continue to present a tremendous irritation where the dog is concerned. The little furball will not be setting paw on the new boat, which means we need to find someone to take care of him every time we leave town to sail. During the summer, this is quite often. If anyone is interested, or knows someone who might be, do let us know. He’s AKC-registered, pure-bred and almost 7 years old, which means he’s settling into middle age. Also, he’s often mistaken for that dog on Frasier, so he’s pretty close to a celebrity.
That about does it for us, until we have something exciting to report from the sea! We’re looking forward to updating the blog and keeping all of you with us for the final leg of this journey.
Until then,
J
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