Woohoo!

I just found first dates for the America’s Cup in SF – apparently they’ll be here Aug. 11-19 and Aug. 27 – Sept. 2.

That gives me a little over 6 months to get the IS up to speed to catch up with them. 

Now taking crew applications. 

Suzhou boats

I was in Suzhou China last  week on business.   I had some spare time so went to the Humble Administrator’s Garden and walked around the area as well.  Suzhou is called “The Venice of China” because it has so many canals, which used to be a significant source of travel in the area.  Not so much anymore, but they are still quite scenic.

At the Humble Administrator’s Garden, some workers were pulling mud from the bottom of a canal and filling a boat with it.  Once the boat was almost sunk with it, they jumped ashore and pulled all the mud out to spread around bamboo, presumably to serve as both mulch and a weed preventative.

Travel on the canals seems to be primarily tourists, so they have these lovely little boats to go around the canals in.  However, mid January just before Chinese New Year is not high tourist season, so the skipper was taking advantage and having a nap.

 

Now I’m back in Oakland, but we’re finally having some rain, so probably no sailing for a bit.

Helper

I am incredibly jealous everytime I see a boat with a dog on it, wagging its tail, tongue tasting the salt air.  I would truly love the companionship on the boat (and elsewhere).

My boyfriend is adamantly against our getting a dog, so I have been trying to turn our cat Merridoc into one.  Recently, I brought him to the boat when I was working on it.  He’s getting better with car rides, but peed all over the gangway getting onto the dock (I believe he was frightened).  Once at the boat, he settled right in and in true cat fashion, found the most comfortable spot on the boat.

Later, he didn’t want to leave.  I may bring him back again.

Let there be light!

Continuing with the electronic work, the starboard cabin lights are back in action.

I’ve taken the port light apart, and with Paul’s help, found that the socket is broken. And the mid boat cabin light needs a new switch. Once those are in place, I’ll be done with the lighting for now.

I’ve met a few of the neighbors, folks at this marina seem a little more down to earth than at the last one. With any luck, that will keep my boat safer.