Monday, July 27, 2026: Back at it - Housekeeping

⚓ Back at It — Housekeeping

Monday, July 27, 2026

Well, our friends Brian and Donna have gone home. We had a terrific time with them from Saturday through Sunday, when they had to leave for an appointment and work.

So it's back to work and picking up where we left off—getting Lil' Ollie ready for our next trip, this time to Telegraph Harbour Marina for the C&C Rendezvous!

Greg is taking the 2-stroke motor off the boat and transporting it home to make a, hopefully, quick repair. We lowered it into the dinghy with the help of an outboard crane. That makes the job so easy and saves our backs! Next, the dinghy goes over to the main dock and the motor gets lifted onto a hand truck (also known as a dolly). Then it gets rolled up the dock ramp and loaded into the back of the RAV4.

He also filled the water tanks. The starboard tank needed a total fill, while the port tank was down to 4 of 9 dots, so it only needed a partial fill.

While he was doing that, I went through my clothes and picked through them to see what needs to go home. I had way too many clothes on the boat! I've already taken out three big shopping bags full, and there are still plenty left. We could probably go away for another few weeks with what I have here—though I wouldn't be able to be quite as picky because my favorites are heading home. Some of those favorites will be needed for our upcoming trip to Italy!

Another thing I was doing: searching for two laundry bags I brought to the boat and haven't been able to find. They have all my wash bags inside, so they're important, and I haven't a clue where they vanished to! I've checked at home and everywhere I can think of on Lil' Ollie. I know they'll show up eventually, but I really need those lingerie bags right now. I wash quite a few items in them—anything silk, sweaters, undergarments, and my mohair bed socks. I hope they turn up soon, or I'll have to buy new ones. (And then I'll be sure to find the originals right away, right?)

I'm also sitting here working on this post. I wanted to check our pantry inventory too, but I'm running out of steam, so that might have to wait until tomorrow.

There are plenty of other jobs Greg has been tackling, too. He took down the anchor light and the black anchor ball that gets hoisted during the day when we're at anchor. Not very many sailors use the day shape anymore—we've only ever seen one other boat raise one! But it's officially required to let other boaters know you're anchored and not underway. 

At night, we hoist our anchor light up the mast to alert passing boats. Most sailboats have a permanent light at the very top of the mast, but ours hoist up partway. It works remarkably well! High masthead lights can sometimes get lost in a sea of stars behind the boat, whereas ours stays lower and clearly visible.

Greg also put the refilled propane tank back in its locker after vacuuming out the compartment (he cleared out all the leftover cans and bottles from our last leg first). He put the canvas covers back on the hatches, the wheel and console, and the dodger. I'm sure I've missed half of what he's done today—he does so much on this boat, it's hard to keep track of it all!

While the water was filling, Greg spotted this jelly fish in the water between Lil' Ollie and the dock. Here is a video of it:

A beautiful jelly fish living in the waters by our boat.

We're heading off shortly, so signing off for now!