Jeff's Log ~ Thursday, June 19th, 2008

I cannot believe the way that time is flying. As usual when I am alone with the boat, she is all ripped apart. There are a few small leaks that have become real inconvenient. I have the headliner removed in the Boss’s cabin and have found two leaks. One is the handrail on the outside leaking through the mounting bolt and running down the headliner support and it drips right onto Scott’s bunk. I have been putting that off because I have to remove a varnished trim piece that has the screws covered with glued in teak plugs. It is going to get fixed now. I have to see if I can get teak plugs and other supplies in Osaka. There is nothing close to here, as we are out in the far suburbs of Osaka.

The main engine seems a lot spunkier now that the injectors have been repaired. After an oil change, it will be ready to go. I am going to diagnose a few more items and then take the train to get all that I need in one trip, as well as some spare parts. Life on the boat now is kind of lonely, so I have to keep myself busy. Pipe Dream is enjoying the attention, and will be a better boat again in about ten days, which is when I plan to have her back together.

There are new guests arriving on July 2, and I have to have her all spiffy for their arrival. Scott and his wife arrive on the fourth or fifth. Their cabin will be like new after being apart and each piece cleaned individually. I have been working on getting the bath fixtures cleaned up and polished too.
Being alone does contribute to a bit of being homesick. I have been gone for ten months now, and really want the next five months to pass quickly.

Jeff's Log ~ Tuesday June 17th, 2008

Tannowa Yacht Harbor, Tannowa, Japan 34 20.32N, 135 10.78E

Today, I woke up alone on Pipe Dream for the first time since March. Mark left for home last night. I will miss him. We work and play very well together, and he is a very good friend. I told him where the Fireplug is located, so if a fairly husky fellow that has grey hair and balding says that Huggy (my Pipe Dream nickname) told him about the place that will be him. (Liz, the first time he comes in please do not take his money. I will pick up his tab. Clara has credit card info. Or you will have to wait until I get home in October.)

While I am on the subject….. HELLO EVERYBODY! I MISS ALL OF YA!!!

On Sunday night Kakihara came to the boat in the pouring rain with a good bottle of wine, cheese, and crackers to bid farewell to “Markson”. We added another bottle and before long were having a real send off party. Kakihara has yachting friends log that a lot of sailors have written in, and he asked Mark to do so. We put his camera on a little tripod that I have and set the timer and took several photos of the three of us. Great memories of some special friends.

Monday was spent cleaning up the boat and Mark did laundry. Kakihara arrived at 1700 to say goodbye again, and another party got started. I’m going to have to keep the boat all closed up and hide if I expect to get any work done! Today, the office is closed and Kakihara returns to his home, so distractions should be minimal. I am going to re-install the injectors on the main engine and test run here at the dock. If the weather holds, the boat will get a bath, and a couple of small leaks hopefully will get diagnosed.