(set: $boatWork to false)
(set: $workOut to false)
(set: $goExplore to false)
(set: $exploreSnorkel to false)
(set: $exploreHike to false)
(set: $doChores to false)
(set: $provisionGrocery to false)
(set: $provisionLaundry to false)
(set: $morning to true)
(set: $dinghyLifted to true)
You blearily wake up and look at the sky out the V Berth windows. Ahh, glorious, looks like a sunny day ahead. You can see a clear blue sky and just a small puff of white cloud on the starboard side.
You can hear the saloon doors being opened, the click, clack and ker-thunk as they open up is such a unique sound of this boat.
> You decide to [[Get Up for Coffee]].
> You decide to [[Stay in Bed]].
Mmm coffee. The best smell in the morning. Whether it's over ice with a splash of milk or a long black, hot and steaming, it's the perfect way to start the day.
Hungry now, you turn to the usual breakfast - muesli with almond milk, some honey, a dash of nutmeg and topped with a fresh banana. Yum.
Relaxing back in the saloon you read the news, and start waking up your brain for the day.
What's on the agenda for today?
> [[Let's Shift Arround to a New Bay -> Move to a New Bay]]
> [[Let's Stay Here -> Stay Here]]
Yawn, you should probably get up... but can't be bothered. Closing your eyes you roll back over and go back to sleep.
A few minutes later, your partner calls from the saloon.
"Are you getting up? Coffee's ready!"
Mmm.... coffee.
You [[Get Up for Coffee]] (set: $boatIsPrepped to false)
It's always better to move the boat in the morning. So after breakfast...
> You decide to [[Prep the Boat to Move]]
> You figure it's a calm day and all will be well - [[Let's Head Out! -> Moving the Boat]]
(set: $boatIsPrepped to true)
You know that you need to secure nearly everything even if it's a short hop because all it takes is a massive wake from a power boat nearby and you can get tossed around a bunch (even on the calmest of days). It's always less stressful if you just batten everything down each time, it only takes about fifteen minutes.
Getting ready, you do the washing up from breakfast and put it all away, clip the pantry doors closed, clear the benches, bring in all the laundry, check the chairs are secure, flags aare in place, table put away, laptop and eletronics away and stuff some teatowels inthe pantry. All the loose kitchen gear is in the sink - looks good! Ready to go.
> [[Let's go! -> Moving the Boat]]You are keen to go! First, suncream and long sleeves. Being out in the sun and anchoring the exposure adds up quickly. You take a quick look at the route together then put on the the headsets - aptly nicknamed "the marriage savers". Now you can communicate with the other person outside.
> You were [[at anchor. -> Pulling up the Anchor]]
> You were on a [[mooring ball. -> Dropping the Mooring Ball]]
Pulling up the anchor is pretty straightforward - you've done it a thousand times now! Using the foot switch at the front you pull up the anchor chain til the snubber connections pop up on deck, taking a moment, you undo the snubber soft shackles and put the lines away along the pilot house.
Checking your partner is ready to go at the steering wheel, you then start pulling up the anchor. The water is gorgeous and clear and you can see the chain lifting off the bottom smoothly. The windlass thrums loudly and the chain is noisy as it clanks up over the bowroller and falls into the chain locker below.
With a loud whine from the windlass, the anchor lifts off the bottom and starts rising through the water, you quickly inform your partner, they are now in charge of the vessel. You feel the engine hum into gear at low revs, and continue pulling the anchor up. There is sand all over it so you keep it dangling in the water a minute til it washes off.
Once it's clear, you pull the anchor up and let it clang, thump into its cradle on the deck. You tie it down with the safety line to the windlass cleat.
> You are now [[Underway]]
Mooring balls! They are so easy to pick up and drop. There are two lines connecting the bow to the ball, so you look at the wind and drop the line that is currently slack. Pulling it in, tidying it up and putting it away.
Once you have confirmed your partner is ready to go, you undo the other line and pull it through! Letting them know once the line is clear of the ball you take a few minutes to tidy up and put it away with its pair.
You feel the engine hum as it goes into gear and the boat slowly moves off from the ball.
> You are now [[Underway]] Once you are underway, you take it in turns being ‘on watch’. Scanning the horizon for sail boats and other vessels, checking the charts for boats on AIS and always on the lookout for fishing pots!
As you are travelling along, you see an enormous fishing trawler come blasting past at high speeds. Wow, that is a massive wake it's throwing!
(if: $boatIsPrepped)[
Thank god you took the time earlier to prep the boat properly! The boat rises and falls with a strange sideways flick and you both brace yourselves not to get thrown about.
](else:)[
As the wake hits the side of the boat, the whole vessel pitches to one side then sharply rolls down the other side of the wake. Your whole body is feeling like its getting thrown from one side to the other.
You feel a sinking sensation as you hear a loud crash, smash sound from the kitchen... oh, that would be all the crockery from this morning's breakfast getting thrown into the sink violently... you really hope it's all ok!
As you ride through the rest of the wake you hear a number of disconcerting thumps and bangs around the boat... hoping nothing is broken you wonder when you will learn to just prep the boat properly each time!?
]
You carry on [[following your route -> Dolphins]] to the next bay.You're favourite event is when dolphins show up! Will you get lucky today?
(link-reveal: "Roll to see if dolphins show up!")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You roll a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 5)[
As you carry on, you are just generally scanning the horizon when a large grey shadow appears just to starboard, a momentary flash, but, could it be!?
You dash outside to the bow, hoping! Indeed, yes! It's dolphins! Woohoo!!!! What a treat!
You spend the next twenty minutes on the bow, watching their antics with joy and feeling the treat of a lifetime.
]
(else:)[
You quietly keep an eye on the waters around the boat, despite your attention and hopes, no grey shadows appear to break the waves.
Looks like no dolphins today.
]
You see the next bay approaching and head out to the bow with your phone to capture some of the striking landscape, you can see a large anchoring area, a few boats around, and framed all around a green hillside, with only a few houses dotted here and there.
You start getting [[ready to anchor. -> Arriving to Bay]]
]On arriving into the next spot, you slow down and don your marriage savers once again. Heading out to the bow, you spend a bit of time picking out where you will pull up. What about that spot? Are they on a ball? Hmm, there are fishing pots right there! How about over there? Between the blue cat and the black mono?
You have agreed on a likely spot, and you head out the front to loosen off the anchor safety line. Dropping the anchor just a little bit over the edge makes it ready to go when you get there.
You keep an eye out for sandy patches, coral bombies or any other unexpected hazards; whilst your partner calls out depth readings along the way. As you approach the spot, your partner slows the boat, trying to come to a stop right over it, then drop the anchor.
Once its settled on the bottom, you continue reversing and letting out more chain til you have five times as much chain as the depth you dropped the anchor in. Once you have enough chain out, you put your foot on the chain, and the boat is put in reverse. You can feel the shocks in the chain as the anchor flips over and tries to set into the bottom.
(link-reveal: "Roll to see if the anchor sets?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You roll a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 3)[
You get lucky this time! You feel it flip over and dig in firmly, the shocks are gone and the chain feels solid as a rock.
](else:)[
You feel the shocks through the chain as the anchor drags over the ground. Bounce, bounce, BOUNCE, bounce... ... ... BOUNCE. Ok, what is going on!? I thought we dropped it on sand, but maybe its actually a hard sand or more rocky bottom than we realised? You keep feeling the anchor bounce.
After a while you both realise this is not working, and pull the chain back in and start over again to look for a new spot. Once you have spied a new location, you chug over then and try again.
Putting the boat in reverse you rest your foot on the chain, ahhh you feel one small shudder then the shocks are gone and the chain is solid as a rock. Awesome, much better.
]
It's worth taking the time to get it right though! Nothing is more important than making sure the anchor will not move while we are stopped. Your partner strips off and dives in to check the anchor is all good. You wait on the bow, they reappear with a big thumbs up! Great!
You go get the snubbers, tie them in place and drop the chain some more so they take up the load. Heading inside, you set the anchor alarm. Phew, time to switch off the engine and chill out for a bit!
(if: not $boatIsPrepped)[
Oh man, then you remember, the dishes... heading to the galley you find yourself looking at a completely smashed water tumbler. Guess you won't be chilling just yet, you spend some time cleaning up broken glass, and gingerly washing the rest of the breakfast dishes. Thankfully only one glass broke!
]
[[Done!! ->Swim Time]]
]
(set: $morning to false)
Realising your stomach is grumbling, you start thinking about lunch. Hmm, what is in the fridge... leftover vege fry? or should you make some ham wraps?
It's a hot day today, so ham wraps sounds super appealing. You gather all your favourite ingredients and build two enormous wraps of fresh, crunch and deliciousness.
Ham, grated cheese, tomato, capsicum, some chickpeas, cucumber, and what a rare treat, there is actually fresh lettuce today! Nice! Piling it all on with a generous squeeze of dijon mayo, you are ready to go.
Enjoying the shady back deck while you eat together then grab a soda to round it out.
Feeling satisfied and happy, and in the hottest part of the day, you think now is the perfect time to:
> [[Read in the Hammock -> Hammock Time]]
> [[Write a Blog Post]]
Neither of you really feel ready or enthused to move to a new location. So you decide to just stay in this bay for the day. Before you fully settle on the idea; a quick check of the wind is worthwhile to see if it will still be ok for another night.
You think you know whether the weather is at, but wind is a fickle friend... sometimes it's purely up to chance:
(link-reveal: "Roll to see if the wind is still OK?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You rolled a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 2)[
Looks good! The wind isn't changing significantly and this bay is still safe and protected where you are.
What should you do this morning?
> [[Explore the Area -> Explore the Area]]
> [[We need to Buy Food and Do Laundry. -> Provisioning & Chores]]
> [[Better do some Boat Work ->Boat Work]]
> [[Do a Work Out]]
](else:)[
Ah, damn, that is annoying. You both wanted to stay for another day but it looks like the wind is doing a complete 180deg change today. Oh well, you look at each other and give a bit of a sigh. It happens, you decide to [[shift to another bay -> Move to a New Bay]] where it will be safer overnight.
]
]
(if: not $goExplore)[
This is such a cool area! You just have to go and see some of it! You have both had a look around on NoForeignLand and a little skim of the guide book.
You think you should:
> Go [[Snorkel]]!
> Go [[Hike]]!
](else:)[
You had so much fun this morning! It's time to see more!
(if: not $exploreSnorkel)[
> Go [[Snorkel]]!
]
(if: not $exploreHike)[
> Go [[Hike]]!
]
]
(set: $goExplore to true)(set: $doChores to true)
You are running really low on, well, everything! Clean clothes, milk, cereal, fresh veg... sigh. You figure you better go get something sorted out or life will start to come apart at the seams a little.
You decide to:
> [[Get Groceries->Groceries]]
> [[Do the Laundry->Laundry]]
(set: $boatWork to true)
Ahhh boat work, it's never ending.
You open up your laptop and take a look at the maintenance list. Well, we are due to do a few tasks... you both switch into your grubby work gear and get cracking...
There is quite a bit to do today....
Engine servicing, checking coolant, checking oil, topping up oil, greasing the stern gland, greasing the rudder post.
What else, oh you emptied the shower sump strainer, replaced a water filter annnnnd now the task you had both been putting off.... time to empty the bilge... again!
Working together you laugh at how stupid this event is- the only reason there is water in the bilge is because one of you accidentally knocked the stern gland sump pump to the off position... so instead of draining neatly overboard, it's overflowed into the bilge. You jump down and start scooping the water out (using an empty diced tomato can obviously). The gloves are greatly appreciated as the water can-by-can is lifted into a bucket on the floor. Once the bucket is full, your partner carries it up the stairs and tips it over the side. Rinse and repeat, at least eight times. You switch out half way as your legs are getting cramped from the awkard position needed. At last, it's done. With a few rags to wipe down the final moisture you feel a lot better knowing its dry and ready to go again.
Bleurgh, how easily you lose half a day doing that! You update the maintenance log, make note of a few things you need to buy next time you are at the chandlery then figure that's enough boat work for today.
Changing out of the grubby work clothes is a relief!
[[What next? ->Swim Time]]
(set: $workOut to true)
Well, its been about a week since you last did any proper exercise and you guiltily realize its about time you did a workout!
Pulling out the mat onto the back deck, you then scrounge around inside the saloon bench storage for your weights and bands. Found!
The tablet is the best way to watch the workouts, and with belated enthusiasm you kick off a class.
Forty five minutes of huffing and puffing later - you lay flat on your back thinking that's enough for this week!
Packing up your gear you do feel good about having done it though! Why do you never want to do exercise, but always feel glad you did? Who knows. Thanks brain.
[[What now? ->Swim Time]](if: not $morning)[
Feeling like a snack you open up the fridge. Maybe some cheese and crackers for afternoon tea?
The french really know what they are doing and you have loved working your way through some of the longer lasting cheddar and other cheeses you stocked up on some time ago. Running a little low on crackers now!
"Mmph, this is good", you mumble through a mouthful of cracker and cheese.
Wiping up the crumbs after you think,
(if: $workOut) [ "Thank god I did that workout earlier! All this cheese is getting dangerous."]
(else:)["Ergh, I better do a workout soon! All this cheese is getting dangerous!"]
]
Yeesh! It's SO HOT! It must be time for a swim!
You both quickly switch into your swimmers and dropping the swim platform on the back of the boat, dive into the water. The cool water is so delightful after the heat of the day and you realise just how hot you had been getting.
You splash around the boat a little and enjoy dunking under the surface to feel the sweltering heat release slowly from your head.
Once you have cooled off, you climb out and rinse under the deck wash to get most of the salt off.
D'oh! You forgot your towels inside. Classic haha. Standing around dripping for a bit eventually one of you heads in to grab them.
Towelling off and feeling much more alive is a fantastic feeling.
(if: $morning)[
After a busy morning, you are ready for something to eat! [[Lunch Time]]!!
]
(else:)[
Ah the day is drawing to a close.
[[Time for sunset on the roof ->Drinks]]
]
(set: $exploreSnorkel to true)
There is a snorkelling spot marked on the map nearby - the sun is high and it's a clear day. Snorkelling time! You both put on rashies, loads of suncream and gather up your fins and snorkels. A waterbottle, gopro and shades rounds out the prep.
(if: $dinghyLifted)[
But before you can go, you need to [[Drop the Dinghy]]!
] (else: )[
The dinghy is already lowered so you fill it up and you are ready to go [[Snorkelling]]!
]
(set: $exploreHike to true)
There is a hiking trail nearby to a lookout you want to checkout - the sun is high and it's a clear day. You both put on some comfortable hiking clothes,, loads of suncream and gather up your waterbottles and snacks.
Now to head for shore.
(if: $dinghyLifted)[
But before you can go, you need to [[Drop the Dinghy]]!
] (else: )[
The dinghy is already lowered so you fill it up and you are ready to go [[Hiking]]!
]
(set: $provisionGrocery to true)
You set about making a list of all the things you need. There seems to be a small supermarket nearby and you hope you can get what you need there.
(if: $dinghyLifted)[
But before you can go, you need to [[Drop the Dinghy]]!
] (else: )[
The dinghy is already lowered so you grab your bags and you are ready to go [[Grocery Shopping]]!
]
(set: $provisionLaundry to true)
It looks like there is a laundromat about ten minutes walk up from the dinghy dock near the little town. You gather up the bag of laundry, some well used towels and the tea towels.
(if: $dinghyLifted)[
But before you can go, you need to [[Drop the Dinghy]]!
] (else: )[
The dinghy is already lowered so you grab the laundry bags and you are ready to go [[to the Laundromat]]!
]Well the heat of the day has passed and now seems like a good time to do something! You look at each other...
(if: not $boatWork)[
> [[ Better do some boat work ->Boat Work]]
]
(if: not $workOut)[
> [[I need to do a work out->Do a Work Out]]
]
(if: not $goExplore)[
> Let's Go [[ Explore the Area]]
] (else:)[
> Let's Go [[ Explore the Area]] Some More!
]
(if: not $provisionGrocery)[
> [[Sigh, we better go grocery shopping->Groceries]]
]
(if: not $provisionLaundry)[
> [[Sigh, we better go do Laundry->Laundry]]
]
"What'll it be tonight?" Your partner calls out.
What drink do you want?
(link-reveal: "Rum and Soda")[(set: $drinkChoice to "rum and soda")
Mm mmmm. So refreshing and delicious. Time to head up for [[Sunset on the Roof]].
]
(link-reveal: "Rum and Dry")[(set: $drinkChoice to "rum and dry")
Mm mmmm. So sweet and tasty. Time to head up for [[Sunset on the Roof]].
]
(link-reveal: "Bubbles!")[(set: $drinkChoice to "glass of bubbles")
So delicious and fun! Time to head up for [[Sunset on the Roof]].
]
(link-reveal: "Something Else!")[
"Ha ha sure!" Your partner calls back. Ahh... if only there was something else on board... but there isn't...]
You are feeling so relaxed and the heat of the day is making you lethargic. You take a few minutes to stretch out the hammock over the back deck and grab your kindle.
Opening the kindle to your latest book (a sci-fi obviously) you pick up where you left off... after a few pages, you feel your eyes drooping, and slowly getting heavier and harder to keep open.
A moment later, soft snores issue from the hammock where you lie.
About an hour later, you [[wake up. -> Afternoon]]
You take some time to setup your space, putting up the towel curtain in the saloon, getting the cushions just right, and digging out your laptop and mouse.
Once you are settled into your nook in the saloon, you start looking at your blog... which post were you working on? Oh right, yup.. hmm... A short while later, you hear some soft snores emanating from the hammock... hehe.
....
Some time later, you hear stirring noises coming from the hammock and you get up to chat about the [[ Afternoon]] .diving the anchor
sundowners- go to shore? get too drunk?
(set: $dinghyLifted to false)
Dropping the dinghy is pretty straightforward.
Step 1 - get the bung and plug up the hole at the back.
DON'T FORGET THE BUNG! You've done that enough times already!
Step 2 - untie the stern line, loosen the bow line.
Step 3 - working together you unwind the dinghy cables and lower it slowly to the water.
Step 4 - unclip the lifting lines.
(set: $previousPassage to (history:)'s last)
(if: $previousPassage is "Snorkel")[
Now you are ready to go [[Snorkelling]]!
]
(if: $previousPassage is "Hike")[
Now you are ready to go [[Hiking]]!
]
(if: $previousPassage is "Groceries")[
Now you are ready to go [[Grocery Shopping]]!
]
(if: $previousPassage is "Laundry")[
Now you are ready to go [[to the Laundromat]]!
]
Jumping in the dinghy you head on over to the snorkelling bouy where you tie up.
Sitting on the side of the dinghy with your feet in the water it's a bit cool. Oh well, you put on first your flippers then pull on the snorkel. Taking a deep breath you plunge over the edge and feet first in the water.
Your body is engulfed in the fresh, vibrant sensation as the water rushes up and over past your mask. It's cold, but not unpleasantly so. The bubbles from your splash are all around you and as they clear you take a quick look a round to get your bearings.
Some massive boulders rising nearby, a few fish right below you and a column of bubbles right next to you announcing the arrival of your partner into the water too.
With a shuckas sign at each other, you head off to explore.
What a beautiful spot, a nice depth, lots of fish around and quite a few brain corals and fans. Taking turns with the go pro you enjoy snapping pics of some of the more interesting coral formations and the bolder fish.
After about forty minutes of exploring it's starting to get a bit more chilly and you eventually wind your way back to the dinghy.
(link-reveal: "Can you get out the water and into the dinghy gracefully?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 0,6))
You roll a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 5)[
You are a pro at this now! Leveraging yourself up with a single, strong kick, then pushing up with your arms, you execute a perfect 180deg spin and land neatly on the side of the dinghy rib.
Easily removing your flippers and snorkel you turn on the spot, ready to go.
](else-if: $roll >= 3)[
You leverage yourself up with a few splashy kicks, and pushing up with your arms get up onto the side of the dinghy. Slipping a little bit as you splash off your flippers, but respectably catching yourself quickly.
Once you are sorted, you spin around slowly and are now ready to go.
](else: )[
Feeling exhausted from the snorkelling you sort of forget how you are supposed to do this. You take one flipper off and drop it into the dinghy. Then you remember you are meant to kick up out the water to get high enough to pull yourself in. Ergh. You kick awkwardly with your one flippered foot, and get enough leverage to hang on to the dinghy straps with both hands, sprawling awkwardly across the side of the dinghy rib.
With some ungainly flaps you are able to shuffle your weight slowly over into the interior side of the rib, then with a slip you suddenly overbalance and wind up flopped in the bottom of the dinghy. One foot still hanging over the side.
Your partner looks at you and cracks up laughing.. "Seriously!?"
Feeling like a wet noodle you roll around in the bottom of the dinghy trying to get your other flipper off. Eventually you are flipper free, and have managed to sit in a slightly more dignified position on the side of the rib.
As the two of you motor away, you hear some chuckles from the other dinghy tied up nearby. Of course, they aren't laughing at your boarding technique... right? Right?!
]
Having enjoyed the snorkel you head [[Back to the boat! ->Swim Time]]
]
As you dinghy towards the where you think the trailhead is, you see a small dinghy dock that looks suitable to tie up on. Not too many other dinghies around but it should be ok.
Pulling up, you tie the dinghy up to a spare cleat and secure it with your lock. You hand up the backpack and climb onto the dock.
"Be good, Pepi!" You farewell your dinghy cheerfully as you walk away.
You start walking along a long narrow gravelly path, wending its way between scrubby green trees. The trees are barely more than shrubs, only just overhead and still very exposed to the sky. After a hundred meters or so, you reach a small intersection.
> [[You turn left, along the coastline.->Coastline]]
> [[You turn right, up the slope.->Lookout]]
Grabbing your $drinkChoice and the bluetooth speaker you both head up to the roof. Sitting facing the sunset, feeling the cool breeze and seeing the rest of the anchorage out enjoying the evening you feel very relaxed and tired.
You see some of your neighbours jumping off the side of their boat into the water with a small "Woo!" on the way down. They look like fun! Taking a look on the NoForeignLand app you see their boat listed.
Do you want to message them and see if they want to meet up tomorrow?
> [[Yes->Message Neighbour]]
> [[No->Don'tMessageNeighbour]]
You send them a short note saying hi, would they like to meet up for sundowners tomorrow?
A short while later, you get a message back, "Sure! That sounds like fun!"
Better not forget that tomorrow! With a quick chat you agree to catch up tomorrow around five.
Great, that should be fun.
You [[continue relaxing.->Sundown]]
Listening to some chill beats, you watch the sun gradually make it's way down. The colours in the sky slowly fade from brilliant oranges, to dark yellows, eventually the pale blues fade to a darker grey. The distant lights of the neighbouring islands start to twinkle gently in the fading light, and you compete to see who can spot the most starlinks.
Eventually, the darkness is complete and the air is a little more chill. Having finished your drinks a while ago it's time to head inside.
You start preparing dinner, an easy pasta. Lots of veges, some canned tomatoes, and bowties.
(if: $dinghyLifted is false)[
You can hear your partner pulling up the dinghy. Strapping on the cables and then winding up each side slowly. Don't forget to take out the bung!
(set: $dinghyLifted to true)
](else:)[
Huh, you realise you didn't even put the dinghy down for the whole day! Amazing how that happens. Oh well, one less chore this evening.
]
After finishing your dinner, you are both winding down. Time to read a book, or maybe work on the blog a little?
(if: $exploreSnorkel )[Ah! You did some snorkelling though, so you pull out the laptop and download all the gopro pictures. Rewatching the days snorkelling adventures you enjoy seeing it all again and catching things you missed at the time.]
Yawn. It's definitely nearly bedtime. You both start packing up.
> [[Look outside with a torch.]]
> [[Go to Bed]]
After today, you are happy to just chill and take it easy. Plenty of fish in the sea. Maybe in the next bay you will do something social.
You [[continue relaxing.->Sundown]]
Grabbing the torch from the drawer, you walk out to the back deck and look into the water. It's always amazing what the water reveals at night!
Ah, there is a movement! You quickly shine the torch at it.
(link-reveal: "Roll to see what is in the torchlight?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You rolled a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 5)[ Wow! A pair of giant spotted eagle rays are circling the boat! Beautiful! You spend the next twenty minutes following them round and round and admiring their sleak, flowing curves.]
(else-if: $roll >= 3)[Ah look over there, a fairly large turtle. How pretty they are - he must be heading to bed soon too!]
(else-if: $roll >= 2)[ Classic, surrounded by bone fish (or tarpon). You see these quite a bit in anchorages and they are always the same type of creepy. A big, ominous looking fish with bright orange spots near its eyes. They circle around continuously looking for smaller fish on the surface. Even though you see them a lot it's still cool to watch them gather and lurk around menacingly.]
(else:)[Just a couple of little needlefish passing by. Yawn. Oh well. ]
[[It's definitely bed time.->Go to Bed]]
[[Or, Roll Again to see what else is out there?->Look outside with a torch.]]
]You take a minute to close up the back doors, close the pilot house doors and check all the windows are closed. Nothing worse than a midnight rain shower causing you to have to dash up to prevent it all from getting wet!
Heading down the stairs to the v-berth, you take your time showering and brushing your teeth. Into bed, reading a few chapters of your book, your eyes get heavy and slowly... you fall asleep.
> [[Wake Up]]
//Thanks for playing :) I hope you enjoyed the taster of what our days are like!//
//Close the browser to exit!//As you dinghy towards the township, you see a small dinghy dock that looks suitable to tie up on. There seems to be a few other dinghies around and it looks in reasonably good nick.
Pulling up, you tie the dinghy up to a spare cleat and secure it with your lock. You hand up the bags and climb onto the dock.
"Be good, Pepi!" You farewell your dinghy cheerfully as you walk away.
The grocery store is just across the road. Walking in you see the wide open doors and anticipate the cool rush of air as the aircon washes over you.... no such luck! It's hot and it's hot in the store too. Ahh aircon, how you miss it.
You had prepped a really solid grocery list to see you through for the next few days... as you start to glance around the shop you wonder what they will have...
(link-reveal: "Does the grocery store have what you need?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You rolled a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 6)[Amazing! Despite the not overly impressive interior you were able to pick up a few fresh veg, some bananas, a couple of apples and most of the canned goods you need. They even had almond milk and longlife milk. Great! But the best surprise was the fresh meat section! Rare to find and you are chuffed with the fresh chicken thighs you picked up.]
(else-if: $roll >= 5)[Great! Despite the not overly impressive interior you were able to pick up a few fresh veg, some bananas, a couple of apples and most of the canned goods you need. They even had almond milk and longlife milk. The fresh meat section was, as-expected, non-existent and you settled for some frozen mince. Ah well, mince again. It's good you both like mince!]
(else-if: $roll >= 4)[Good! Despite the not overly impressive interior you were able to pick up a few fresh veg and most of the canned goods you need. They even had almond milk and longlife milk. The fresh meat section was, as-expected, non-existent and you settled for some frozen mince. Ah well, mince again. It's good you both like mince! It was definitely a bummer there was no fruit though.]
(else-if: $roll >= 3)[Ok, you think you can make this work! Despite the not overly impressive interior you were able to pick up a few fresh veg and most of the canned goods you need. The meat section was, as-expected, non-existent and you settled for some extra eggplant to bulk out some meals. It was definitely a bummer there was no fruit though.]
(else:)[Errrrghhhh.. You wonder how people live here. The shop basically had cans and pasta. No meat, and no fresh veges. Well, it had mouldy pumpkin but thats not really exciting. Thankfully there were bananas! So you bought a few of those and stocked up on more pasta and canned goods. At least you both like pasta! You have definitely gotten more inventive with those cans lately!]
Having gotten what you can from the store, you [[Return to the Dock]].
]
As you dinghy towards the township, you see a small dinghy dock that looks suitable to tie up on. There seems to be a few other dinghies around and it looks in reasonably good nick.
Pulling up, you tie the dinghy up to a spare cleat and secure it with your lock. You hand up the bags and climb onto the dock.
"Be good, Pepi!" You farewell your dinghy cheerfully as you walk away.
The laundromat is only ten minutes walk away... but boy, does that ten minutes start to feel like a loooong ten minutes. The heavy bags of laundry, the hot sun, and the breeze seems stifled back amongst the dusty buildings.
After what feels like forever you reach the laundry.
(link-reveal: "What are the chances they do Drop and Collect?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You rolled a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 4)[
Woohoo! Your favourite! You can drop and collect! Just pay a bit more and it will be washed, dryed and folded. Not every place does this but it's awesome when they do.
You drop off the bags the lady at the counter, get the ticket for collection and decide to go for a short walk to the end of the township where there is a little lookout. You will pick up the clothes tomorrow.
The walk proves to be quite entertaining, multiple chickens crossing the road (why?) and a few local dogs lolling in the shade. The bright buildings are cheerful despite the general rundown vibe that pervades the place.
After taking in the view at the lookout, you [[Return to the Dock]].
]
(else:)[
Ah dang. It's a coin laundromat. You scrabble around in your wallet hoping for some coins. No such luck! You wander to the little convenience store across the road a little ways. A grumpy man inside swaps your $20 for some coins, after you buy a coke of course!
Heading back to the laundromat, you put the laundry in and settle onto the only rickety bench next to an extremely voluptuous lady. After a brief good morning to the lady, you put your heads to your respective devices. Thank god you brought your kindle. It's going to be a wait.
Thankfully there was enough machines to run both loads simultaneously, and just under two hours later you are done. Lugging the laundry, you [[Return to the Dock]].
]
]
On reaching the dock you anxiously look for Pepi.
(link-reveal: "Is Pepi still there?")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You rolled a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 5)[ Phew, there she is! Bobbing around looking happy.]
(else-if: $roll >= 2)[Ahhh... there is Pepi. Still ok but getting bashed into the dock with the swell that's coming into the bay now... sorry Pepi. You check her over for any damage from the dock as you hop in.]
(else:)[ARGH! Pepi is half under the dock and getting bashed up into it! You didn't realise the tide was going out and although it looked fine when you left it sure doesn't look fine now! :( Poor Pepi! You do some very anxious checking over after you have pulled her out from under the dock. A few more scrapes on the motor and some dark scuffs on the bow... at least not major damage... you hope!]
You head [[back to the boat->Swim Time]].
]Heading left, the pathway continues to meander through the scrubby trees, however, as you come closer to the waters edge once more the surroundings gradually transform into a dense, mangrovey marsh.
The roots of the mangrove trees are exposed and descend in their multitudes into the brackish water below. Despite the mud and vegetation, you can see through the shallow water to the mixed sandy and muddy bottom below. Pockmarked with crab holes and the stirrings of myriad little creatures.
You hike through the still air, smelling the scents of the water and hearing the waves lapping at the shore just out of sight to your left.
(link-reveal: "As you walk you notice...")[
(set: $roll to (random: 1,6))
You rolled a $roll.
(if: $roll >= 5)[A beautiful egret is perched in the branches just overhead. Quietly, you approach, admiring the slim lines of neck and the graceful feathers. Eventually, it stirs itself to notice you and swoops off along the coast line.]
(else-if: $roll >= 2)[The water is filled with tiny fish, that are darting here and there amongst the roots of the mangroves. You enjoy watching their antics. ]
(else:)[A grubby plastic packet is caught up amongst the mangroves. Caught high up in the tree that's going to be there til the next storm blows it out.]
Eventually the path opens out onto a wide, open bay, and you can see a narrow strip of sand running along the water's edge. Stripping off your shoes and socks, you abandon the pathway and walk along the beachfront.
The waves are low today, and gently wash up onto the sand and over your toes. An occasional machineel tree, huge and leafy, casts shady patches in large swathes along the sand.
Stopping in one of these shady patches, you seat yourselves in the soft, golden sand and eat the snacks you brought with you.
After enjoying the serenity for a while, you make your way back along the beach, through the mangroves and down the trail to the [[dock.->Return to the Dock]].
]
Heading right, you turn uphill. Following a series of switchbacks you puff your way up the hill. The hot, scrubby trees are providing little protection from the sun, but at each turn, the view you can start to see poking through the trees is promising to be worth it at the top.
As you follow the path along, you are entertained by the number of hermit crabs dragging themselves up the heights. "Why do they come all the way up here?" You wonder to yourself as you carry on.
The sweat is dripping down your back and you can feel yourself starting to slow down a little. Just at the point you start wondering whether this walk is really worth it, you round the final bend to see the ruins of an old house laying before you.
A steep set of stairs ascends from ground level to what would have been the floor level originally. With all the walls gone now, its just the floor and the open air to ascend to. As you crest the top, you are greeted with a vibrant, green ground cover smothering nearly every surface; blossoming profusely with vibrant pink flowers and backdropped by the clear blue sky it creates a sense of surreal beauty.
Picking your way through the flowers, and hidden cacti, you make your way to the edge of the ruins. Standing on the highest ledge, you both gaze out over the bay. Blues, in every hue, interspersed with the bright green patches of reef and sand, highlight the natural variation across the watery landscape.
Despite having seen many views, and many bays before, you are still enthralled by the stunning vista.
You settle comfortably on the ledge, under the shady patch of the only young tree to have broken into the ruins, and enjoy the view with the cookies and trail mix you brought with you.
After relaxing for a while, drinking it in, you eventually decided to head back down the trail and [[Return to the Dock]].