In the boat again!

January 3, 2012-01-03

Happy New Year to all my family and friends,

A year ago today we made our first attempt to leave Mazatlan by boat but had to return because a hose blew.  That was followed by other minor disasters and we finally left on January 10.

  Yesterday we left Mazatlan Marina accompanied by Corrine and Brian (next door neighbours when we lived at Grindstone Point in Manitoba), and had a lovely trip to Stone Island.  Stone Island is only 2 hr from the Marina but when going south that counts.  The first stop when going south is about 24 hr for us, so being in Stone Is shortens the time that Patches has to wait to go to the toilet.  He still will not go on the boat.

Now I will back track about a month in our lives. 

At the end of November we returned to Mazatlan (my first time in 8 mo) to finish all the jobs on the boat.  It was a fun 2 weeks as we worked in the day and enjoyed the company of our friends at the dock happy hour, or went out in the evening with our friends from Manitoba. 

When we returned to Patzcuaro in December we were accompanied by our former neighbours, Corinne and Brian (they lived next door to us at Grindstone Point.). 

December is a great time to be in Patzcuaro as there are lots of festivities.  Our 2 weeks there was spent doing a little sight seeing, walking, and lots of nights around the fireplace.  Corinne helped me decorate the house, and both she and Brian were a great help when we had our 6^th Annual Christmas Eve dinner.  Brian was the bartender and Corinne was there for whatever I needed.  Bob, who normally does the dishes, did not quibble when Corinne and Brian took over that job.  Bouquets to our friends for sharing Christmas with us and sharing the work as well.  We hope we can do that again.

On December 23, we were treated to lasagna by Jean.  What a thoughtful person.  She knew we were gearing up for Christmas and invited us over so that we wouldn't have to cook on Dec 23.  Thank you, Jean.

Back to Christmas Eve.  Six years ago we had our first Christmas in Patzcuaro.  The workmen left the house and our 2 guests, Gemma and JP, arrived a few hours later.  Now 6 yr later, they are still there to help celebrate, but each year the number grows.  This year we were 12, and I believe that is a good number to stay with.  To our Christmas Eve guests, we thank you for all the joy that you bring to us all year round.

Christmas Day we walked across the street for a lovely meal with Stella and Isidro.  I wonder if Isidro is still eating ham??  One of the best things about our new house, are our neighbours, Stella and Isidro.

On December 26 we drove back to Mazatlan.  Driving in Mexico always holds some surprise.  This time we were in a ‘traffic jam’ on the highway for about an hr.  The problem was at the toll both…we were in the slow line, of course.  Who knows what the problem was?  Perhaps they were training a new guy or the computer was down!!  What ever it was we were at a virtual standstill for an hour.

Back in Mazatlan, we spent our time shopping for boat provisions and resuming our happy hour on the dock.  It almost seemed a sacrilege to hold a dock party without Julie and Mike.  But we managed to squeeze some enjoyment during those hours. 

New Years Eve was quiet which was our choice.  I think all of our festivities of the last month caught up with us.  After an excellent meal with Corinne and Brian we were off to bed but did make it up to ring in the New Year.  New Years Day saw us sipping beer on the beach at Cerritos, followed by a fabulous potluck dinner.  Nadine your eggnog is the best.

Yesterday afternoon we unleashed the devil dinghy again.  Our only glitch there was searching for the key to the padlock, which turned out to be hanging g on the hook where it had been left last March!  Off we went, all 5 of us, in our little dinghy.  Getting to the restaurant is the best here as there is a little inlet with no waves (most of the time).  We were able to debark without getting wet.  At the restaurant we were 8, and kept the waiter hopping who kept us waiting.  At about 4 pm, the cool breeze sent us back to the boat quickly.  It is always a surprise when the temperature drops that fast.  We said goodbye to our friends and off we went to the boat to warm up, and it was warmer on the boat.  I believe 9 pm found us both in bed.  And yes it is still dark at 5 am, and at 6 am!!  Coffee was on early.

This morning was ideal; warm with little wind.  (We are anchored off Stone Is with about 5 other boats.)  Patches got his morning walk, and we are back at the boat working on radios, etc.

The weather looks good for heading south, which means that tomorrow we will leave, barring unseen difficulties.  Our tentative plan is to reach San Blas on Thurs, Chacala on Friday and La Cruz on Saturday.  La Cruz is a favourite spot of ours so we will stay there for at least a week.  Note that I say ‘tentative plans’ as it seems that sailing is a very tentative endeavour when it comes to having a schedule.

If you read my Jan blogs last year, you should note a change in tone.  No doubt I have qualms, but the fear that I felt last year, has dissapated.  Of course the thought of high winds frightens me, but I dont dwell on all the things that can go wrong.  Last year we had many major and minor problems, but Bob got us through them all.  There is no doubt that we will experience other difficulties this year but I think I will be calmer in the face of adversity (maybe?).  I hope so.