Sun 25 July - sunny, bimini, eLibraries, bowthrusters, Eric Clapton Unplugged

After yesterday's wild weather, today was relatively benign, with warm sunny weather. So we took the opportunity of the mild conditions to erect the bimini over the rear deck, after doing a few structural repairs. Now it looks like a good place to sit outside and enjoy a cold beer - which I did!

As I was sitting on the rear deck with a beer, I decided to do some reading and finished off the eBook I had on loan from the Yarra Valley Library back home. I borrowed a new eBook from them, but also decided to check out the Amazon Kindle store for a back-up book for when I don't have good internet coverage (which is needed for the Yarra Valley BorrowBox loans). But when I tried to buy a Kindle Book, it notified me that 2-step authentication was in place and they had sent me a code on my (Australian) mobile. Since I can't access that phone over here, I tried to change my mobile number with Amazon, or turn off 2-step authentication. Either of these was possible, but only after I signed in, which I can't do because I can't access my Australian mobile. Catch 22!!  I guess I'll just read when and where I have internet coverage, and be grateful that BorrowBox works overseas.

Having discovered yesterday that the bowthrusters appeared not to be working, I was a bit worried about how we would go cruising. I know many boats don't have bowthrusters, but we have grown accustomed to their occasional use especially for entering locks. So this evening I tried a "full-scale rehearsal" by starting the engine, turning on the bowthusters, and then trying them out. Voila, they worked both ways! But the light on the bowthruster switch doesn't work. I realised that when I tried them yesterday, they must have been turned off (with no evidence provided by the non-working light). To say I was relieved was a bit of an understatement.

Given my newly relaxed state, we enjoyed a quiet dinner on the rear deck, accompanied by Eric Clapton Unplugged being Bluetoothed from my phone to the stereo on the boat. This is more like it!