Shake Down Cruise

After a very quick trip to Vancouver for Bob's sister and brother-in-law's 25th anniversary, we will be coming back on Sunday and then leaving on Monday for the Cruising Squadron Rendezvous at Waupoos. This will be a chance to try out the radar, new GPS and associated new e-charts, the dinghy, and the davits. It will also be another of my training cruises as expectations of my participation aboard Sea Change seem to have been stepped up a notch. It seems that I will no longer be able to pull a couple of lines, coil up some more, put away the fenders and then get back to my book. The captain wants more than just my company these days - I'm supposed to be a true first mate - in preparation for the big trip to come, you see.

It's July and we're getting very busy with preparations. Bob is still adding equipment to the boat. Latest - addition - davits to raise and lower our new dinghy (yes that's new too). Still to be installed, a new auto-helm - to be delivered mid-August. For the galley, I am considering purchasing a pressure cooker but I'm still thinking about type and size. Today, I went out and bought items for our first aid kit.