I Have The Plague!

SHIP'S LOG:

      This past Saturday, friend Fred and I decided that we would get ABISHAG all snuggled in for the winter.  I should have suspected that it wasn't going to happen as I had come down with a cough earlier in the week and Fred was an hour late showing up at the boatyard. Not good omens!

     When she finally got hauled, ABISHAG  was set right at the entrance of the boatyard. A very convenient place for working on her except if you needed water and/or electricity.  Both of those two useful times were each at least 150 feet away, 100 feet or more further than any hose and/or electrical cord I have can reach. These things happen and it is best not to dwell on them less you get depressed.

     Truth be told,neither electricity and/or water was really necessary for the tasks at hand though both would have made them easier. While Fred winterized the engine and the water systems, I started the project of wrapping the boat with tarps. This is and easy and fun project so long as the air is absolutely still. One first has to spread the tarp and affix lines to the grommets on each side. Then one has to get off the boat and grab the lines and tighten them up sealing the boat in a blue cocoon. The air wasn't still but still it was not blowing hard. There was just the occasional gentle puff  that was more annoying that a full breeze. Had there been a real breeze, the task would simply have been delayed until the atmospherics were better, but faced with "just an occasional breeze" one was lulled into the foolish idea that it could be done by one person no problem. Three small traps were laid and secured over the deck hatches. Not a bad problem as all the work was done aboard the boat. The real difficult came when the large trap, covering 1/3 of the boat was set in place. If you have ever battled with a blue-poly tarp you know of what I speak. This one was 15' X 19' with a mind of its own, encouraged by the wind to complete rebelliousness.

     I was able to get it in place and secured by the time Fred had completed his tasks aboard and we had a couple of beers left over from the trip up river. Following that, we removed the electronics and the sails and called it a day. I have never been a supporter of the idea that cold gives you colds, in other words that being out in cold weather renders you more susceptible to coming sown with a cold. Whatever is true, my cough became worse over night and by Monday, the days we were to go up and finish up the internalization, have advance to a gastro - intestinal  malaise of the "two exits no waiting" variety.  Currently I am battling it and appear to be winning but it is a hard fought battle. I should be healthy enough to resume and finish the winterization process by Saturday next. Ah, the fun of boat ownership!