December 14, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

So much for paying extra to have something shipped in 2-3 days.  No camera case yet.  I’m learning...there is no schedule allowed when on a sailboat.  I also learned that water will last us 8 days.  All that scrimping on water doing the dishes confirms my plan to go into the sea water dish washing mode when we hit the islands.  I tried for a shower today and when I squeezed into the shower tube and sat down (on the toilet) I turned the water on and all I got was a gurgling “burp” and it didn’t come from me.  Just as I was about to tease Fred for being the water oinker (he got the first shower) he asked me to hold and he ran on deck and emptied 3 water jugs into the tank.  What a sweetie...either that or he was tired of smelling me.  I’m not sure how long that much will last but it’s time to conserve on water even more.  This is fun!  Fred worked on some wiring today while I schlepped around on the boat.  My friends Paul and Donna Lopes were on the NCL “Dawn” which was scheduled to leave port about 4:00.  I asked Fred if we could run to the harbor entrance and take pictures of them leaving.   We hopped into the dinghy, armed with the photo bag, and rode to the entrance of Miami Harbor to bid farewell to Paul and Donna Lopes and their son.  Bobbing up and down in the swells,  waiting for her to pass,  I grabbed for my camera, trying to decide if I should use my telephoto instead but chose against it.   She looked beautiful against the bright orange sunset and I was hurrying to catch that perfect shot when something went wrong with my camera.  I suddenly remembered something…”operator error”...the battery was still plugged in the wall on Casa Mare’, charging.  Yep, I forgot to  put the battery back in the camera.  I broke the news to Fred and he just stared at me, being the patient wonderful guy he is said n a very professor like tone…”you have your cell”.  What a genius!  Yes, we waved wildly, yes, I got a few pictures and no, I didn’t see Paul or Donna. 

There were over 2,000 hanging over the rails and balcony’s, wildly waving back at us.  Had to be us, we were the only speck of anything in the water next to them.  I know they are having fun though!  After dinner Fred beat me in a game of Yahtzee but I came back only to beat him again...twice.  He decided he had enough of that game.  The wind is wild on deck, clouds are moving swiftly over us and I believe the chances of seeing any meteor showers tonight from  Miami will be rare, and it’s a bit chilly.  The boat rocks in the wind as Christmas music fills the cabin.  Tomorrow we may head on down to Dinner Key if the camera housing comes in.  We are excited to move on!