30th April 2016 - a bit of welcome rain

Saturday 30^th April 2016

It is raining!  Oh bliss!  I was about to go for a swim at midday.  I had spent several very hot hours in the kitchen mincing meat with the grinder and then making lasagne and a supply of bolognaise sauce for the freezer.  HOT HOT HOT!!  And then the thunder started…I didn’t fancy swimming out into possible lightning strikes.  

So I have been out in the cool breeze and the light drizzle cleaning  and tidying – a never-ending task.

Pete has gone to town to try to fix the motor for the toilet… Ah yes, the toilet has given up eh ghost.  It probably didn’t like being on a slope, and unused, for some many days.  

The rally dinner was lots of fun.  First we said a very sombre prayer, and had a minute of silence.  And then there was food, beer, music.  I danced for many hours – so therapeutic.  It is the best possible exercise for my achey breaky back, and for my sad heart.  Pete danced too, but he retreated a bit earlier, to try to do battle with the internet.  He is still in town...I have retreated to the couch...

29th April - Pete's 70th - change of plan

Friday 29^th April 2016

Pete achieved a lot on his 70^th birthday.

Firstly we got 2XS nicely splashed down into the water.  SO nice to be level again, after many many days on a slope…

And the boat looks beautiful, with its shiny new paint job.

Pete had invited the workers (about twenty in all) in the boatyard for drinks and lechon from 4-5.  He paid their wages for this hour, and provided beer, coke, and roast chickens.  (We always thought lechon meant pork but no, it just means roast.  And the local roast chickens are indeed very delicious.) 

My contribution to the festivities was to take photos of them all, and then print them out on the trusty little Canon selphy printer. 

We were tied up at the fuel pontoon, and expected the truck to arrive between 1-2.  It arrived, with splendid timing, at EXACTLY 4pm, just as our guests were clambering aboard…

We invited just a few of our friends and neighbours for drinks as well, and then Chris and Liz stayed on for Pete’s favourite birthday meal – potatoes, beans and lamb chops.  I had gone to great length to find these chops (Swiss Deli) and they were extraordinarily expe3nsvie.  And…not very nice… Lamb chops are never very nice, in my opinion, but these ones…well nobody thought they were fabulous.  But – at least I tried!

This morning we had our final rally briefing, with naval security people present.  And we now have a new plan…But I won’t describe it on this blog; as my daughters say, very sensibly, “Pirates can read, Mum!”  I will just write about where we are the day AFTER we have been there…

table decoration for tonight's gala dinner

28th April 2016 - splashing down at 8am

Thursday 28^th April 2016

Today is Pete’s 70^th birthday.

Pete hard at work on the new trampoline nets

He is very happy that 2XS is going back into the water at 8am.

A BIG achievement!

The boat looks beautiful with all of its new paintwork.

Ready, at dawn

We are still trying to work out our best plan, for safety, and for getting out of this dangerous area.

26th April 2016 - dreadful news

Tuesday 26^th April 2016

A beautiful fiercely hot day on Samal Island.

The whole marina is sunk in gloom.

Heartbroken to think of the dreadful fate of our lovely John Ridsdel.