A WHIRLWIND ORIENTATION !

Alerted by email, we already knew that Crickett was non-operational again. What we didn’t know was that the problem was sabatage. A thief in the night had siphoned off gasoline and replaced it with saltwater. This problem has kept Norm and Charles busy the past couple of days, but as you see, from the picture below, they’ve managed to get her fairly dried out, and at least running (albeit not perfectly).  Norm is in his realm as this place certainly requires a MacGyver mindset.  The challenges are many; the rewards great!

The house sitters, Rosy & Charles,who we are replacing, were on the dock to meet us when we arrived by water taxi from the mainland. They assisted us up the 105 steps to the house -- us and all our luggage and provisions. THANK GOD!  I’m certain that climb will get a bit easier every day, but the first couple of treks nearly put me into ventricular tachycardia. Obviously, I didn’t do nearly enough stairs climbing in my walks to prepare for this trip J

Rosy & Charles, a bright young couple from the UK, began their six month sabbatical from jobs in the UK by spending six weeks here at Cerro Velero before they take off to crew aboard a sailboat , then backpack around Central America. Both are very adventurous, bright and knowledgeable. They’ve been a pleasure to have here for our introduction to this place. We’ll miss them, I’m sure, when they leave tomorrow.

Introduction to all the mechanics and logistics of keeping an off-grid home in the rainforest running smoothly has been a tad overwhelming but both Norm and I are feeling a bit more relaxed this morning and feel confident we can handle the challenges ahead.  Challenges? Well, we expect they will be many and I’m sure if you follow along on my blog you’ll hear about each, but I tell you the morning view from the deck truly makes every bit of bother this place might be worthwhile. More to follow as the adventure unfolds.

Norm & Nancy

Ps -- and, as you can see they were successful kin geting our little "water car" going. She's not perfect yet, but we have full confidence that with a bit of fine turning she'll be in great shape. She's due back to the mechanics who installed the new motor in another 5 hours, so we'll be very careful, go very slow and not travel very far from "home" until then.