August 13, 2021, Friday, Algonac

No rain last night, so no hatch leaks! And rain is gone from today's and tomorrow's forecast. The scorching heat is gone too. Finally. Turns out it was still pretty hot and humid today. 

Peter and a cappuccino on Annie and one for the road as we started getting ready to depart before 9:00 AM. I called the bridge tender and scheduled a 9:15 lift. The Military Bridge opened for us ahead of schedule eliminating a possible 15 minute wait for us. We both stopped at Desmond's Marine for a pumpout - a bargain at $10. Marianna sipped Peter's cappuccino and said she liked it better than the Almond Joy latte he had at the Raven. 

The trip to Algonac was as pleasant as it could be, with the exception of lots of motor boat waves rocking Annie as we traveled. It was 24.8 miles, at an average speed of 9.0 knots (with the current) and took us 2 hours and 45 minutes. We've done 160.2 miles so far. We arrived about 45 minutes before Brillig. I filled the water tanks and we took showers to get all refreshed. The cord on one of our day/night shades  broke yesterday so we have to decide when we want to deal with it. We have replaced 2 or 3 before. While it is not hard, it is a bit complicated so full brain power is required.

We didn't have anything going on so decided to fix the shade this afternoon. Getting it off was difficult. I am sure there is an easy way if you know how, which I don't. I did get it off eventually. We have repaired two previously, so I knew how to string the replacement cord. I have a huge supply of replacement cord that I ordered when the first one broke. In short time I had the shade re-strung and ready to hang. I gave Kerry the "shit" job of trying to straighten out the cord. It was a big ball of intertwined string. She did it. It told her as long to untangle it as it did me to restring the shade. She did not do that task without an occasional comment!

Try as I may I could not get that shade back in its brackets. I must have spent an hour trying. I even took a bracket off the wall to practice attaching it to the shade. It is a very difficult place to work, up on the ceiling and under a piece of wood trim that provides very little room for hands. Finally I did get one side in. It was cocktail time by then so Kerry persuaded me to drink a martini and chill. I was happy to do so. 

Then it was time for dinner. We met the Orros on their bikes and peddled to the Catch 22 restaurant where we had reservations. The place was packed. At first we were glad we had reservations. Then we thought this is like a Covid-19 super spreader situation. People were packed in like sardines, really. A table of 6 was seating 8. We left, and headed for the Flaming Grill, the site of our great breakfast here last stop.  

We had a nice dinner there. They had a full bar, but no Guinness. I ordered fried chicken and they did not have any - supply chain issues! But eventually we all did get something we enjoyed. I think Peter's barbeque ribs looked the best. I pointed out to our waitress that they have their name spelled wrong on their receipt  (two M's) but I can't say she cared much.

Back at the boat Peter decided to help me hang the shade. He is very analytical. Marianna expressed full support as she and Kerry sipped cordials. Eventually Peter convinced me I had to take the one side I managed to get attached off. That was hard for me to do, but I did. Finally I was able to pivot the shade in the bracket and get it to stay up. We are not sure it is hung perfectly correct, but it is still up. We were bot a bit frustrated but satisfied that it is up. 

Then we had cigars and liquors on the top deck. Kerry and Marianna stayed in the pilot house. We all met inside at the table when the mosquitos came out right on schedule. We agreed to meet at 10:00 to do garage sailing after breakfast on our boats.

Peter came over for his cappuccino the next morning. Here he is in front of our repaired shades.