There's no flame like propane!

I promised to get an early start on Monday after arriving at the supermarket Sunday after it closed. Before dawn a storm blew in. Wind whistled through all the rigging, the boats rocked and thumped against each other. I rolled over and tried to warm up. First time I was cold on board. When I looked out at 8 a.m., it was grey and rainy but not as bad as it sounded. Other people's boats don't amplify the sound as much as Grateful Red. Freya's boat is like a tiny doll house, packed end to end with her every possession. The storm doesn't even penetrate. GR is like a drum. Every noise rebounds. I think when she's full of bodies, the sounds will be absorbed.

I put on foul weather gear...big mistake. It was wet, but humid and I was over dressed. At the market I fiddled with the "trolley" (shopping cart) until I found out it takes a euro to unlock it. You get it back when you chain it back up. The simplest things take so much time. I filled that cart to the brim and called a cab. We filled his trunk and he drove me right up to the boat...though remember, I am rafted out 3 of 4 boats. When the tide is out the first step is dangerous. ..several feet out and down. I sit on my butt, lean out, grab with my toes and hoist myself onto the first boat. This time I had to chuck all my groceries bag at a time over the life lines and onto the deck. I did pretty well...only lost one can of tomatoes. When I chucked a 10-pound bag of potatoes they swung around the life line and almost went in the drink. A few potatoes hung up and held the entire bag onto the lifeline. It was crazy but I didn't lose them.

I chopped and cooked, chopped and cooked. I made spaghetti (10 gallon bags full) and pea/ham soup. Today I made a chicken, pea, celery, almond and rice dish, enough for 4 meals for 6 people. As I cook, I fill and seal qt or gal bags with this vacuum appliance. It works OK. If I was near the store where this one was purchased I'd take it back and get another one. It worked 100% the first day, but already has some issues. Today I made a shrimp curry. Tomorrow it's beef stew. All the milk, cereal, pancake stuff is on board. I am saving bread, eggs and beer for last.

I got another fix it from Ken/Cindy...when I get back to the boat I am going to try and hook up with the sat phone technical support. We can call out but can't receive calls. It's always something. I have no problems calling the US on my cell phone (though I think I'll have a HUGE bill when I get home) but I can't call locally. So far I am getting all my information from other sailors.

Simon (Boo) and Kat have left on Doris for the UK. Freya came over and chopped onions and potatoes for me. Tonight Bryce and Jason arrived, so there's plenty of action. I'll be glad when my cooking is complete. Rudy and Hnak, the two Netherlanders who met me at the harbor masters the very first night and carried my luggage for me want to rent mopeds and circle the island. I am up for some sight seeing. There's not much but the same hills, cows, red tiles and BLUE hydrangas ( do I sound obsessed with BLUE hydrangas???).

Today the weather was splendid...bright sun, low clouds. The next island rises like Mt. Fujii out of the clouds. The slanting sun about 8 p.m. makes the harbor postcard perfect. Then here I am red-faced, sweating like a fishwife, lugging a backpack full of food to the ice cream parlor. Not a pretty sight. Certainly not a turn on for the youngsters. My reputation as a cook is getting around, however. A couple of boats have asked if I do it for hire....wow...a new career in the making.

Gotta go before the power shuts of...computer is on battery only. Love to you all. Wish EVERYONE (and you know who you are!!!) was here to enjoy this beauty and just the plane thrill of being somewhere else for a while. I think about my father a lot. I know he's happy for me. Let's just hope the sailing gods are kind. Many boats are painting with an eye on the bow to ward off the storms. Always a good idea. KISSES.