Shit happens

The fine print on the back of the truck says it all, 'God comes first". Yes indeed. For reasons he did not tell me it was decided that a septic truck should be parked at the top of the cul de sac. Oh, not for just a day but for three weeks! The rear axle something or other broke and Mr. Henley, #1 in the #2 business, had to wait for a new part from the continent as they say. I had to do five point turns just to get by it. So much for my concrete delivery as scheduled. Now do you believe me when I say I have shitty karma when it comes to concrete? WTF!
Bye, bye Thor. His ship will be sailing and once again the forms stand empty with future rot waiting in the wings. Too unbelieveable. Not to mention I already gave the concrete company 10k.
Perfect timing.

Denise arrives for one of her bi-annual visits during the delay. Now I get to see and explore the island. Generally I don't do anything when left to my own devices. I get up, go to work outside my door, occassionally go to the beach on the way back from Cruz Bay, go to work, read, go to bed. I don't mind, in fact it suits me fine while I'm building the house. When I work alone, which is most of the time, I shoot for 5-7 hours a day, seven days a week. This way I get about 40 hours a week and no one day is too brutal. There are constant delays, trips for materials, St Thomas, weather which all eat into the hours. When I do have help a few months of the year, I go back to a normal five day week . Averaging, with the same delays, about 35 hours a week. My biggest planning mistake was thinking I could work eight hours a day/seven days a week until the house was built. St John is not San Francisco and I"m not 50 any longer. It's my biggest mistake.

It is not unusual for me to not leave the property for seven or more days. This all changes when Denise arrives. Everyday the beach or hiking or seeing friends etc.

America Hill Estate, a great little hike with killer view.

....."Because of it’s complex and rich history, America Hill will be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Within the nomination it is noted that, “periods of ownership in the 1850’s-1860’s remain remarkably intact, and provides a vivid picture of life on St. John Plantation. In February, 1863, for example, the Estate was supplied with 5 Westfalia Hams, 4 tins Green peas, 6 tins carrots, a dozen quarts Claret, 1 bottle Anchovies, 1 bottle capers, 1 bottle white pepper and ½ doz. small bottles Matteo Cologne. In the same month, they received, 1 white cotton twill, 32 yards, white Shirtings ‘francais’, ½ dozen white shirts, 1/3 dozen Duck Pants, 1 black silk Parasol. The following month: One Panama Hat $6; One felt Ditto $3; One gray spring hat $3’ a Horse Whip 50cents and One box fine Domino $1.25.”Finally, “over a seven month period in 1863, the estate received entertainment: 11 periodicals including Punch, Illustrated Times and London News; novels including Trolloppe’s Barchester Towers, Thackery’s Philip, Hugo’s Les Miserables, Macauley’s History of England and a book titled Manufacture of Liquors.”

http://friendsvinparch.blogspot.com/2006/05/america-hill.html

Below is the beach in the photo above.


The place went to seed by the 1930's.



Taken from my truck....some days you just have to stop and sit for a long while.

He rules my roost. They get about a year or two.

This guy has lasted longer. Great early footage.

Surprise!

While waiting on the septic truck a call comes from one of Thor's captain's to crew on a 92' sloop delivery to Antigua. Denise does the inspection! On board Friday afternoon, leave Sat am, sail 250 miles, arrive Antigua 30 hours later and return home Monday! Talk about a getaway weekend! Denise did not know a thing about this until we went aboard. My ruse was we were driving Thor to the airport and we first had to stop by a boat he sailed on.
Coming down the companion way.



The formal dining area! Everything on board was under wraps while the owners are off.
The galley had everything. Multiple freezers, even a compactor.
Cruising past St John

Denise immediately assumes crew position!
Navigation made easy, right at the helm.

If the yacht looks empty--it is. Just four of us sailing a 92' er. Unbelievable. Three on, three off, each couple standing a watch. The yacht for all intents and purposes is computer driven so to speak. Virtually everything is on auto. If anything goes amiss an alarm sounds. It happened when there was small malfunction of the climate control for the cabins. Yes, there was air conditioning until it broke.
Under way. Basically a beat all the way. Motorsailing, clipping along at 8-9 knots.

24 hours later morning breaks on Antigua. Admiral Nelson of Trafalgar lore cut his teeth in these parts before his later fame during the Napoleonic wars.
Approaching Falmouth harbor.
All of a sudden 92' isn't so big...
We tied up next to a 100' Swan.

Island schooner right out of the movies. Med moored in English harbor. 14 years ago, right about here, I jumped off a moving sailboat, lines in hand, and broke my foot-snapped my heel bone in half-on the stone wharf. That started a medical/sailing adventure of a lifetime. Real smart! 37 years ago, I had a much better time during race week.

End of the line for a Kingfish

Full screen for this video!

Checking my email.

St Martin......

Coming in for a quick landing. Flying Liat, the island taxi plane. Stops everywhere!

Saba, close up. Not my photo. Not a bad place to go to medical school! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saba

Home island....St John, usually lush green but baked now.
The day after we got back Denise flew off to San Francisco.
A new addition to the crew. He moved in under the shack with the feral cats and chickens. When it rains it gets very busy under there.
The waiting continues for the concrete. The truck is still at the top of the road. They promise to tow it in a couple of days. The problem--getting a tow truck big enough.