Wow – one week ago we left Colorado. So hard to believe. Feels like a lot longer with so much that has happened. Today was a tidy-up/ last errands day as we returned the rental car. I was at the boat with the kids which, as busy as it was, was still a lot more relaxing then shopping!! Nice to get a few more things put away. Kids on their own accord, each wrote an email to their classrooms. Great way to sneak a literacy class in without either of them knowing it! Mike did another 4hr crazy shopping expedition to get all the last minute odds and ends.
Mike got the dinghy outboard hoisted from Amel down to the dingy. Woohoo – it worked on the first try! Henry is very much looking forward to being dinghy captain (under supervision!). This was an important step as once we leave the land tie up we will be staying in harbours on the hook (or mooring ball) but the only way to get to shore will be using the dinghy.
The Fridge. Ahhh how one must keep reminding oneself “just be grateful to have a fridge” as many boats don’t, no matter how challenging the fridge may be! Let me introduce Amel’s fridge to you. Firstly, it’s a top loading fridge (See that little square that looks like a counter…yes – that’s the fridge). Once open, there are layers inside to help organize. When you need something in a lower level – you must empty the fridge’s top layer first (this is why the cover over the stove is useful – it turns that area into another temporary counter space). Once the plexi glass shelf is removed, you get access to the 2nd layer, then once you remove the white wood shelf you get to the belly of the fridge (which is about a foot deeper then my arm length while I’m turned upside down). So – it does become very important while cooking to get all ingredients out prior to starting the meal – since it could take 10mins just to get it all out!
Not only do we have a fridge, this year – we might actually have a COLD fridge! This has been a challenge on Amel in recent years. In November, Mike plugged some vents, added seals, doubled the capacity of the alternator and also increased the solar from 75 to 400W. So that should allow us to run the fridge more often and hopefully keep everything cold. Stay tuned on this one….
As I sat on the settee tonite, too tired to put away more endless bags of canned food, needing a moment of still and quiet, all of a sudden a FROG jumps at my feet from one bag of food to another. AHHHHH I scream – there is a frog in my food!! “Oh” says Mike “oh that’s the boat frog” he states very calmly and quietly. “WHAT?” the boat frog?!?!?!? Mike says “well yes, he’s been on the boat. Reid and I caught him, took him away and he returned. Apparently they are territorial – or this is a new one that moved in!”
And so this frog was caught, again. And walked a long way away….hopefully not to return while I’m on board! Frogs are cute and all…but just not on my boat! (or in my food). 🙂
Fun Afloat 