May 31

We didn’t get anywhere today. I had arranged with the people at Spring Point Marina to have someone look at the engine. The plan was to have the engine checked as early as possible and head out afterwards. BUT.. the morning started with Gary telling me the head had to be cleaned as he headed for the shower. I was surprised as I’d been keeping the head clean. The problem turned out to be the holding tank. I won’t tell you how I found out. You don’t want to know.

The offending article (after cleaning)

In the end I made an arbitrary decision that we would spend an extra day in Portland, deal with the head, the engine and a bunch of other things that had either been done in a hurry or not done because of the hurry. We had the holding tank pumped out and I pulled the berth apart to expose the offending article. It turned out not to be leaking but to have overflowed. We showered, did laundry and Gary installed the carbon monoxide detector. The engine guy was expected first thing, then by ten, then after lunch (see where this is going?). Anyway despite telling them that the diesel mechanic was the whole reason for staying on and their assurances that one would be there we were informed at 6 p.m. that there would be no mechanic. The fact that we were not charged for the second day was cold comfort. After dinner we were invited over for beers with Angie and Joe. We talked about their experiences diving in NL and got back to the boat in better humor.

Gary

It was a beautiful day for weather, sunny and warm.  I ran a couple of errands around town, and then returned in time for the trip to the pump-out station … it’s always good to experience new things.  While I would have been happier to be on the water, I did enjoy the extra time to stretch the legs, get proper showers, and have a bit of laundry done.  Getting to spend part of the evening with friends Angie and Joe was a real bonus.