Needing Much Less Than You Think

Today we got our EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) registered. It's been something on our to-do list for ages and the fact that we'll be doing our first big passage soon , through the night as well, brought it to our priority list.

Hopefully it is a beacon that we will never have to set off. It is used in an emergency when you need rescuing. Once activated, it notifies the coastguard of our position and they start their procedure of trying to find and rescue us.

After schoolwork, boat chores and lunch, the kids and I went to the Yarmouth YMCA just a couple of blocks from the marina to go public swimming.

Unfortunately the water in the harbor is too icky and full of fish scales to really go swimming. We aren't even using the salt water foot pump to wash our hands and dishes with because the water is so dirty.

Matt stayed behind on the boat to figure out why our AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver wasn't working. Also for some reason our VHF radio in the cockpit was not working either. If you want to dispatch a message you have to go below to the navigation station, which can be a nuisance if you're the only person on watch.

He figured out the AIS but the VHF is still a mystery. He did a few more boat jobs without interruption or distraction but we did bring him back some pizza.

After swimming, the kids and I walked to the nearest grocery store. Just over 2 kms way, we made it without melting in the heat. Actually it wasn't that bad.

The best part was smelling all the freshly cut lawns. I have forgotten how lovely that smell is!

Walking with our cart to the store is something that is becoming the norm. It makes you think twice before buying a certain item. Will it fit in the cart and dinghy to bring back on the boat? Is there cupboard space for this particular item to be stored in? Is this ACTUALLy useful or necessary?

The kids are starting to understand that we can't buy everything we want. More than likely, the response to their ask is: there is no room or it costs too much. So the first NO I say usually goes uncontested. Usually.

After our shop and a snack, we headed back to the boat. This time we found a footpath that led us most of the way. We even encountered two baby deers!

Tomorrow I'm going to attend a class at a yoga studio just down the road from the marina. I'm sooo excited!

And perhaps even more exciting, our friend Lillian and her kids are coming one day earlier to be with us!

The nav station has become Aila's desk.

Off to get groceries!

EPIRB is registered and mounted.
Hoping we will never need to touch the thing.

A rotating climbing wall at the YMCA.