Loaded & overloaded

Joyce left a message: "I've been reading your blog, and boy have you been busy!"

It did me some good to hear that today. I've been completely incapacitated by an epoch-marking hangover, which the measured quantity of alcohol couldn’t justify. I didn't know it was possible to get so wrecked by white wine (which I rarely have.) I usually drink about as much water as I do anything else, but I didn’t last night, and have been dehydrated for days. I'll file that under "mistakes to make only once."

To add insult to injury, I realized on arising that my buckets were hiding and I had no bowls; the kitchen sink is now dreadfully clogged. -- It's not that I resent the nature of consequences, it's just a drag to have spew clogging up my drain.

Alcohol (especially white wine) will lose its fascination for awhile. I'm sure it will do me good. Meanwhile, I'm sipping as much water as my stomach will allow.

I'm looking at the beautiful glassy water and the sparkling reflections of boats and masts, unobstructed by the newly fixed stern rail which I was supposed to pick up today and install.

Yesterday, I assessed the entire freshwater path, and discovered a couple more kinks and problems which it will be very satisfying to eliminate. Then I tore apart the boat and the car looking for my 20 feet of polypropylene tubing with which I was going to replumb my fresh water. I found the Y-joint which I had to search half a dozen stores for, but I can't find the tubing, which I could get anywhere. I don't really want to buy it again, but I may have to.

There's a large piece of hardware bolted to the cabin sole which I'm trying to get rid of. I finally figured out how to remove it... if my arms were 6 inches longer. It's a stupid task, but it looks like I'll have to find someone to just sit there holding a wrench in place, while I work the damn screwdriver.

I'm pretty much tapped out for money. I have to put off taking care of the electrical system until I can afford to pay Russell for his time. He gives friends and neighbors an astonishingly reasonable rate, and he really knows his stuff, but this job will take several hours, and it does add up.

Happily, I realized that I don't have to do as much planning as I thought I did. With two batteries, I've got enough power for anything that fits on this boat. I know exactly where I want the AC plugs to go, so the AC wiring should be straightforward. I'm going to learn how to solder, which I have wanted to do for years.

I guess the trip was not a complete loss.

If I could get the sink clear, I'd head back ashore tonight, to lick my wounds and try to recover a little dignity in my own eyes. Maybe I could turn my attention back to the galley, still in need of organizing. Maybe I'll just have a little more water and delay the decision another hour or two.