David's Diary: Friday, August 9, 2002

David Turns Forty-Five

We had spent the entire week in Split waiting for various boat projects to be completed. Our electrical generator wasn't working. The mechanics have discovered the problem, a broken impeller in the cooling system, but it will still be a few days before the necessary replacement part arrives from England. I am tired of boat work and ready for a change, so we head off for the weekend to Marina Agana where we are looking forward to meeting fellow Canadians Bill and Jean Cote.

A Storm At Marina Agana

It is hard to believe that I too am having my second birthday away from Canada. As you get older your birthday seems less of a milestone and celebration than when you are younger. But any birthday is a special day and I'm glad that the boat is moving again and we have a nice sail among the islands near Split as we make our way to Marina Agana. The skies are clear as we make our passage, but shortly after we arrive at the marina the clouds darken and the wind starts increasing. The weather forecast is not looking good and we're glad that we opted to tie to the dock rather than anchor out.

Allen

While the rest of the crew make dinner, Allen and I go for a walk. I normally do all of the cooking on Dragonsinger. While I enjoy it, it is a special treat to have the night off cooking duty. As dinner is ready the skies open up and we are hit with gusts of wind and a deluge of rain. We have dinner down below and I enjoy my birthday cake and presents.

As everyone cleans up from dinner I realize that it has been a really busy week. Tempers are short and after the cabin is clean everyone is banished to their cabin. There is some consolation, I get to enjoy my new Diana Krall DVD all by myself in the main cabin. But it goes to show that living together as a family in our challenging circumstances can be tough on all of us at times.