A library for errant sailors

This is about half the library section of Peregrinus, aside from the numerous sailing touring guides we carry, known as "cruising guides" in the marine world.

Most books we haven't read; and some, only one of the crew has had the pleasure.   There's a bunch of history, including histories of Spain (Pérez), England (Hibbert), and Central America (Cardenal, Lutz), and there's a bit of Cervantes and of Shakespeare.  Many are long overdue reading (Barzun), and some may be unbearable: how exactly did we end up with Proust in there?  Some are well loved, but read decades ago and in need of re-reading from the perspective of adulthood: Dumas and Tolkien, for instance.

Hopefully we'll come back without any of these books, as the custom among cruisers is to read and give away, or exchange.

Why is this guy not smiling?

The Alférez probably intuits he's moving to Peregrinus next week.  He's sitting on this storage box as if trying to keep us from packing away his home.

Besides, cats can't smile.

It's sunset for Orange Isle and us

With most projects completed, it's time to say good bye to Orange Isle, which has been Peregrinus' home for over two years.  Peregrinus will be moving to a live-aboard marina in Fort Lauderdale early next week.

Fort Lauderdale is filled with canals like the canal between Orange Isle street and Tangelo Isle street.  31 March 2014, 7:45 PM.

A view from the top

Nelson from Electronics Unlimited came by this week and replaced the AirPort extender amplifier at the top of the mast.  We were able to log in and browse via Lauderdale Marine Center's access point, 600 meters or 2,000 feet away.

November 2013 photo from the top of the main mast.  That's the Seaman's right foot.

Preparations continue

We are amidst several projects, including fitting solar power, improving refrigeration, adding backup water pumps, rationalising and increasing the safety of the 12 volt subsystem, and various repairs.  Some of it requires work such as going up the mast, but here's a video of Alex Thomson, who has figured quicker ways to get there:

Alex Thomson is a successful sailing competitor who has been sponsored by Hugo Boss for over a decade.

The bridges of Miami-Dade county

From its current base in Fort Lauderdale, each time Peregrinus goes to sea it has to ask six bridge tenders to open their bridges.  In the United States, river traffic has preference over road traffic.  The Admiral took this picture yesterday of the Miami River from the Metromover a few blocks from our home.

Miami Avenue Bridge open by request of  Qing, a 46-meter Cayman Islands boat that just a couple of months ago was known as Mazu.

Don't wish for it, work for it

Self-reminder to the Admiral and the Seaman as they contemplate the long list of items still holding them from departing Miami.

View of the channel between North and South Bimini from the aft deck of  Peregrinus, 29 July 2013, iPhone S4, ISO 50 @ f/2.4

Fourth of July

Boats jockeying for anchoring position immediately off of the Dodge Island Cut channel, right in front of Bayfront Park, west of Lummus Island Turning Basin.  

The photo is bisected by one of the backstays, a cable that helps support the mast.

Sunset view from the port-side stern of  Peregrinus, off of Miami, 4 July 2013

On being courteous

When in a foreign country, it is customary, and often legally required, that the boat fly the local flag on the tallest mast.  And not just any local flag; one should use the civil ensign.  On this photo, Peregrinus flies the civil ensign of The Bahamas on the forward mast while docked last year in Bimini.  As The Bahamas is part of the British Commonwealth, the design of its civil ensign shares a legacy with the Red Duster that flies on the stern of Peregrinus.

Browns Marina, Bimini, 30 July 2013, iPhone 4S @ f/2.4, ISO 50

It's not just all fun and games

There's plenty of unpaid work to go around.  The Seaman looking at issues with the AirPort extender (or, WiFi, as they call it some places), 3 March 2014.