OCTOBER____________________________________________________________2006

Sunday to Sunday October 1st - 15th

<Ruud> I am with my mother in Europe. Not having seen her for almost two years, we had a very pleasant reunion and lots to tell. Araksi will continue to her sister in Dresden and than fly to her mother in Istanbul. Meanwhile, I decided to return to Garabes; we are not trusting the weather yet (hurricane season is not over), and I have already horror visions on how she will look in this climate.

Monday, October 16th

<Ruud> Forget the visions; it is much worse. I have just returned late in the evening, and opened the door. The smell is terrible; water has come up the toilet and it is a mess. The wood and the parts of the gelcoat are covered with a greenish foam: mildew at its finest. Cupboards and clothes are smelling too; what a nice homecoming. Too tired to do anything, I climb into bed. Let the sun just not rise!

Tuesday, October 17th

<Ruud> But she does, of course she does. No escape, I put on my filthiest clothes and start cleaning. I wanted to leave the marina immediately, but now I am in for two days of scrubbing. Outside, Garabes is covered with a thick layer of sand. I call the water lorry (all water here is delivered by truck), fill up the tanks and start brushing. At least, that is a rewarding job, slowly Garabes turns white again.

Wednesday, October 18th

<Ruud> The Great War on Mildew is officially declared. With all weapons allowed and forbidden, the green monsters are fought back. Around 22:00 victory is declared. The air even starts to be breathable again inside.

Thursday, October 19th

<Ruud> I have only one wish, get out of this marina. Meanwhile I hear from other yachties moored nearby that their boats have been ravished by rats; tubes, cables and upholstery, all been nagged upon. I count myself lucky that I had made the right decision by closing all hatches before leaving.

It takes two hours to get the second anchor out from the mud. I had put it in to limit all risk of a storm coming over (not likely, but possible), and now the ... doesn't want to break out. Finally, with the help of Laurie, we got it moving. I switch on the engines, and out of the marina I am.

Friday - Thursday, October 20th - 30th

<Ruud> Garabes is floating peacefully in Concorde anchorage, where the water is clear and good people not far. Gabi and Hans from the catamaran September and Gale and Slim from Mis Gale soon take care of that poor lone sailor left alone by his heartless wife (yep folks, that is me!) and feed me with all kind of delicacies. Life is bad during these days!

Adding to the fun is the arrival of Anapurna with Ruth and Buddy on board. We have a nice reunion and the next day I help them with the lenghthy paperwork of checking in into Venezuela. Juan, the jerk who is managing the jetty and is making part of his money by charging rip off prices to the sailors for doing the paperwork (badly) for them, is not happy with my intenvention. Trouble ahead? He is known for causing difficulties. We see, the only thing not to show in this countries is fear.