Another weather hold day. We’ve had rain every day since we’ve been back in Florida, often so hard that visibility is only a few hundred feet. We count ourselves much more fortunate than some folks who are likely pinned down by weather in less hospitable conditions than we find ourselves. Complicating things even more is that forecasts from different sources are very inconsistent and continually shifting in time. Planning the next few legs of our trip is like being stuck in big maze trying to find a safe way out. We may not be able to leave tomorrow as originally thought, and are now looking at Tuesday.

This morning it bucketed down. Tommy got into the starboard cockpit locker used the very cool endoscopic camera that Nestor gave him for Christmas to snake into  an area under the side deck where we suspect the galley leak is originating from. He got some clues, but there was SO much water around we will likely have to set up some watery experiments when we are back in St. Augustine and the weather is dry. Then he did online weather, dinghy and dinghy engine research.

Paula got out the sewing kit and did some mending. The she read some chapters out of The Voyager’s Handbook by Beth Leonard. She also wheedled Tommy into agreeing to accompanying her for a return trip to Doris’ Italian Market and West Marine. She was feeling antsy and wanted to get out, despite the downpour. He agreed and we called the shuttle. We got to talk to the driver, Ed, about the changes in this area that he has seen in his 50 years living in the area.

The market was just as much fun as last time, even more for Paula, because we were BUYING. We bought grapes, delicious olive rosemary bread from the bakery, 2 vacuum-sealed frozen duck breasts (future treat) and the makings for seafood ceviche.

Back at C Ghost Paula happily chopped and mixed, and completed a shrimp and scallop ceviche and a big tub of taboule salad to use as side dish or a whole meal if needed over the next few days. Her kitchen accomplishments consoled her through her loss to Tommy in chess immediately afterwards.

Tommy took a short rest while Paula put dinner together. We had garlic pan-seared steaks with a coffee-barbecue rub, chimichurri sauce, ceviche, and the heavenly store-bought rosemary garlic bread. There are some advantages to being in port!