Twice monthly day sails and chores

I am just back from DC at a Conservation Conference to learn about rules and acts that are up for repeal through the Congressional Review Act.  I was there to try and protect the environment and speak with representatives from my state. It was like speaking to the choir - all Democratic women.  But as Drew says that is not sailing so you'll have to see me or my Face Book to learn more on that front. 

We sailed one day 2 weeks ago and we are set to sail this Friday.  Stay tuned.

Here are a few pictures from my 6 mile round trip walk to and from the beach. Wind howled, and it set flags out straight and Mazu's ears (and all her fur).
It was blowing 25 to 35k for 3 days.  This was Sunday and one person was on this beautiful beach.

Famous Little Jim Bait and Tackle Shop since 1944.  Note the flag and line --wind from the east.  This is protected by the mangroves

and the sound of wind and surf:

Path to the beach:
  

I also did 3 hours of biking one day for a bit of exercising and exploring the byways.  Little state parks border the long flat sidewalk. No hills in FL : )

Saw a few sites along the way.
Great egret

a post gecko

Drew went back to NH to do some work so I kept up the schedule and got just a few small jobs done.  Filled the dinghy gas tank with ethanol free gas at $3.65 a gallon at the fuel dock.  As you can see these new regulated gas tanks have No holes.  There is a gizmo inside the screw cap spout that has an air line built into it.  This allows the gas to pour.  This has been around a while per regulations to keep our air clean of fumes.

Another job was to fill 2 tiny spots on the cabin top that had chipped somehow.  Don't want water to get under the gel coat.  I used a dot of 15 minute 2 part epoxy.  It dries clear.  I wanted to drop a speck of paint on it like our friend Hayden Cochran did on Island Spirit, but Drew said to leave it.
This is after I dabbed on the epoxy protection.

Fixings for fixing:  JB Weld 2 part epoxy, cut cottage cheese container for little tool to dab with.  Container of soapy water and alcohol to thoroughly clean the spot before applying epoxy.

Next chore was to sew the last section of the steering wheel cover with better thread.  If the thread is totally exposed to the sun all the time it would need a new expensive thread used on canvas work now that is resistant to UV rays and doesn't breakdown.  Since this is under the bimini I sewed with waxed thread.  It's taken 18 years for this thread to wear out.  We don't need to replace the leather wrap on the wheel.

Tools I'll need:  special sturdy needle with  3 sided point, scissors, thick waxed thread.

This is the frayed and broken threads.

The frayed section stands out from the rest of the wheel.

Clipping off the old thread.

I started with the wrong color thread.

Then I got into the groove.  The whole thing took a little over an hour.

And the end of the day not a sunset but a new nightly view of mating or migrating birds at a new mangrove roost right at the end of our dock: mostly red beaked ibis, great egrets and dark ibis.  Facing east.