September 2, 2017-The Lazy, Rainy Days of August

wingssail images-fredrick roswold
Rain in the Marina

The days of August slid by. They were sweet days because we’ve continued to go to the gym and the hard workouts leave us with a glow which lasts through the rest of the day. They were slow because other than go to the gym we didn’t do much. We did a few small projects but not many worth mentioning. There were a lot of naps.

There were some things which we had on the list and which we wanted to do that didn’t even get started. They are still on the list. There were sewing projects and we’ve been waiting for materials to do them. August was supposed to be a sewing month. The material was ordered in June and it still has not been delivered. We’re learned the hard way not to depend on others to bring things into Mexico for us. It’s better to use a shipping company and pay the customs duty.

It’s been a rainy month and we enjoy that. When the dark clouds move in and the mountains are lost in the lowering gloom, somehow that makes us content, and there is something about being down below in our boat when the wind and rain thrash around outside which makes us feel cozy and safe.

We’ve taken a few day trips around the area, like up to the dam on the River Amica. We thought we might see some pleasant countryside and even get up into the mountains. We took the camera. But a flat tire which had to be fixed gave us a late start and by mid afternoon, before even getting far up into the foothills, we turned back. The weather looked threatening and we’d already crossed several low spots on the road where streams flooded the highway. We worried about getting back down that road if the rain came in heavy, which is not unusual this time of year. The overall grayness spoiled the photo ops a bit too, but the dam was interesting.

Another trip to San Pancho for lunch was pleasant enough. Lynn went with us and while our favorite BBQ restaurant was closed we found another one, had a nice lunch and afterwards got margaritas to go.

beken of cowes
Bloodhound, William Fife II, 1910

One thing I’ve been working on, just for fun, has been a boat design project. Inspired by a photo I saw on the wall of a restaurant once long ago, and remembered ever since, I decided to replicate it in a modern boat, not replicate the boat itself, just do the design. Learning a new CAD/CAM program and working out the details of large sailing yacht has kept me busy for many hours this month. It has been fun and it is getting close to being finished, at least to a point. I’ll share it when it is. Judy has been observing and offering suggestions through this process and her input has improved the design.

Now it is September, hurricane month. We have been watching the storms march up the coast and then turn away before they reach Banderas Bay all summer. But in September they can get stronger and sometimes stay closer to the coastline. We have to watch them closely.

Other than that it is workouts, boat projects (if we ever get our materials), and time to start thinking about the arrival of the winter sailing season.

Life goes on.

Click here for more photos from a lazy August.

Fred & Judy, SV Wings, La Cruz Huanacaxtle