Things really do happen in threes so I guess I'm safe now - for a while. All in one week had to be "rescued" twice and nearly crashed the boat once.
# 1 we took the dinghy to the marina for gas. Filled up both tanks, tried to start the outboard motor - dead as a doornail. After numerous attempts, including trying to start it with a rope (pulling the old fashioned way which isn't easy with a 50 horsepower) we called Richard for a tow.
# 2 we took the dinghy to the Square. It was a very very dark night - no moon - but it's only a few minutes by boat. I was in charge of the flashlight (have to have a light on a boat you know) and keeping watch for a particularly ill-placed piling near the marina which we have to go past slowly (no wake). We're travelling down the canal on the right side - hence close to the pilings and I'm looking for something dark, skinny and tall in the dark when I catch a glimpse of something white, wide and short. I at first thought it was a boat docked in a stupid place when I realize this apparition is moving - and it's aimed straight for us. I yell "turn NOW" and we narrowly miss getting hit by the Taino Beach Ferry (about 6" to spare). What on earth it was doing on that side of the canal is a real mystery and why no one saw its lights is another.
# 3 was returning from the beach on the motorcycle with Gerry. First the chain came off (on the beach which was totally deserted). After a bit of pushing and pulling we got it back on, then it started to rain - hard. We were thoroughly soaked in about 2 minutes and in about 10 minutes the motorcycle decided it didn't like being wet and quit running. There we were, stranded miles away. There are a lot of nice people on this island, quite a few stopped to ask if they could help and finally a couple with a pick up truck stopped, threw us and the bike into the back. As you can see by the photo, by the time we got back the sun was out again.
Funny thing, a few nights later Richard and I were at Unexso and they sat at the next table. They recognized me even though I didn't resemble a drowned rat as I did when last they saw me, but they mistook Richard for Gerry (must be the ponytail) and told him he owes them a beer. Richard being a nice guy bought them a beer.
Haven't done much travelling lately, unless you count crossing the dock from one boat to the other, over and over. Dulcinea is for sale - a grand boat in need of a final spiffing up, and once it's gone it will be back to living on Ramblynn - a fine boat as well. Decided that now would be a good time to teak oil Ramblynn - a smelly, messy business, best not done while living on it. Step one was clearing off all the shelves; step 2 cleaning all the woodwork, and plenty of woodwork there is and then step 3 applying teak oil. Took a long time but well worth the effort. 
