Happy Birthday Max

Today is special because it is Max's Birthday. Tonight we did make sure we rang at the right time to give our wishes and it was great to hear that everyone was together to celebrate the day. So, Happy Birthday Max, we love you very much and wish we were there to help you celebrate (and give you a big hug)

Here in Alameda it was cold today, it didn't really get over about 14 degrees and there was a distinct chill in the fresh breeze. Geoff and Dinah took our rental car back and I recomposed my final grocery list. Trying to make sense of what would be most useful and practical to top up what is already on the boat. Of course as Linda and Bill know.....chocolate supply is vital on a boat, and I have left it till last to purchase. The quantity needs some fine calculations to ensure good supply till the next port of call. Just how many blocks, choc chips and cooking chocolate does it require to do a 30 - 38 day passage? I am working on 1 block every two days x 40 days = 20 blocks should, I say should do it. But you have to factor in the 'Geoff' ratio, Which means I should probably buffer that number by 10 more blocks. Hmmmm. That's ALOT of chocolate! And just what do I put in my cookies if Geoff eats it all?

Anyway the list I hope is sound for the shop at 'Costco' tomorrow. Dinah is taking me, as you need to be a member to shop there. It is a big warehouse supermarket chain, that sells everything from TV's to toilet paper to groceries. We last visited there in Fort Lauderdale. Dinah and Roger are always doing something for us. Tonight we went to the Dragon Village Chinese again with them. There was another yachtie couple from the Marina there to meet Shannon and Jesse. And we ended up on their 44' Catalina what an amazing yacht...with recliner leather chairs and a table that automatically with the push of a button drops down to make a double bed. Geoff drank all of their Italian liqueur and we told funny Australian stories to try and make them laugh. They also had the cutest cat, that took a liking to Geoff's feet. Another great night in Alameda, mostly thanks to Dinah and Roger again.

It was freezing by the time we came out....and Geoff only had denim shorts on! But now we are snugly inside Sea Otter with the little heater on and just finished a Hot Chocolate. It's 10.30 pm and I can hear the wind rattling the halyards on other boats and the trains at Oakland blowing their horns......and I realise we have now been in the US for 3 weeks.