28th November - Pangkor Marina

Thursday 28^th November

Today's Singapore orchid

We have a rare photo of 2XS actually…on the water!

Somewhere in the Molucca Strait

If you look carefully you will see that I have camera in hand…I was taking photos of Micromegas; Chantal was taking photos of 2XS.

Lego Land photo du jour - please note shark, circling pirate ship

Yesterday was actually, surprisingly a bit of a day of rest.

WE HEE!!

I forgot to include a photo of Pangkor Island turtles 

I finished Volume 1 of my Somerset Maugham short stories.  Pete did some complicated things down the starboard engine hatch with a local mechanic. 

So what is the problem, at present, on 2XS?  Alternator and batteries… All very complicated but Pete is, as ever, cheerful about it, even though he spends many weary hours down various hot hatches, or under bunks, trying to solve the issues.  Yesterday Jeremy from SV Thylacines (yes he is Tasmania, from New Norfolk, originally,) kindly came over to have a look for a few minutes.  He was there for HOURS!  He is an electrical engineer… We try very hard not to take advantage of other sailors with this sort of skillset but…he did offer!  My part in the proceedings was to go over and invite Suzanne (Mrs Thylacines) for a sundowner at 5.00.  She peered out the door, asked if we had aircon, and then said, No thanks – come in here and have a glass of wine instead!  So, of course, I did just that…

Pete with Jeremy, on Pangkor Island

I spent a lot of the morning in the air-conditioned marina office, with Chantal.  We did tricky, clever things with our navionics program on our iPads.  (No I didn’t know how; Chantal led the way…)  We also gossiped away happily in French and lamented the fact that nobody can pronounce my name, or hers.  English speaking people can’t cope with Chantal; they nearly all call her…Shantelle...

Chantal and Fredy, at one of our gala dinners

We went – by taxi – NOT, mercifully, on foot – to an Indian restaurant a few kilometers away, with Chantal and Fredy.  All very pleasant.  We finished up at the 7/11 next door for dessert.  Magnums for Chantal and me; beer for Pete and Fredy…

This afternoon we managed a bit of a nap, while Pete baked a loaf of sourdough – he always improves upon the shining hour.

Chinese temple - Pangkor Island

Apart from that we have had many MANY cold showers.  Pete has cleverly rigged up the hose from the marina water supply so that it pops down the hatch into the bathroom.  We just have to hop out onto the pontoon, remembering NOT to do this naked and shower-ready – and then rush down to shut the door and enjoy the beautiful fresh cool gush of water.  Bliss!

More Pangkor Island temple prettiness