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Well, last entry before we shove off for the wilds of the Sir Francis Drake. We’ve been pouring over all the usual Tropical forecast sites for the past two weeks, and are encouraged that the current storm deluging Puerto Rico is remaining East and North of us. Its expected to clear the area before our arrival, leaving behind lots of wet island and blue skies – for a while. Its all in God’s hands, of course, and we’ve been on our knees more than usual for a 10 day window of tropical wave-free weather while we’re there!

We’ve ordered the provisioning for 5 of our 10 days from Riteway and Bobby’s, reserved the clear bottom Kayak, and frozen the marinated chicken, steak and BBQ we’ll bring into country. Thanks to Kathy’s super meal planning spreadsheet (available for similarly challenged planners and cooks) we know down to the ounce what we’ll need for on board culinary excellence. Now all we have to do is find a grilling expert among the crew. I’m not worried because the lighter fluid usually risies to the top when a man gets really hungry.

You can see from the photo of my bedroom floor below that I’ve been slowly piling my worldly sailing possessions to test my 50 lb limit. So far so good because I still have room for my shorty wetsuit and my good fins. I pretty sure I’ll get a hankering to dive when we pass Salt Island and the grave of the Rhone!

I’ve stopped worrying about being the perfect skipper for the moment, Im sure that will come back with a passion while we’re flying down. I’ll be happy if the TMM people just agree that I’m safe enough to trust their boat to for the duration. If not I’ll pony up for a one day skipper and let him get us to Anegada. Question- does Anegada have enough real soil to cloud the water after heavy rains?? Snorkling is one of our main pursuits on a trip like this so we hope the clear water and sea life is in abundance.

 I’ll keep a diary during the trip and post a daily blog account when I return (if I don’t get lucky with the wireless at one of our anchorages), so check back around the 10th of October for new pics and posts.