Fortunately, Ann has a way with spreadsheets.  If she didn’t, half the stuff we have tucked away on board would be hopelessly lost – until of course we accidentally found it someday while looking for something else.

Here’s a sample of her amazing boat stuff spreadsheet.  It’s an inventory of literally everything on board.

There is one downside to this.  If I take something out, use it and don’t update the spreadsheet.  I’m in big, big, trouble   😉

Ha!, that was yesterday!  Today was pure CHAOS in Charisma!

Oh, My! Where do we sit!

The galley. Where's the stove? How am I going to cook dinner tonight?

The main cabin looking aft. How are we going to put all this stuff away!

We invited Donna, the Goddess of Administration for Riverside Marina (where we are) into see our progress.  Her comment; “Gosh, it’s a lot smaller than I thought!”

Well, like they say; “It’s always darkest before the dawn”.  It’s evening now and actually 3/4’s of the stuff in the picture is now put away, so we’re getting closer (Donna would be more impressed).

On the other hand, I just created tomorrows list of stuff to do and there’s seven new things on it!

It never ends.  BUT, we’re departing on Sunday no matter what.  Not to Fiji yet, but we’re leaving the nice, comfortable slip at Whangarei and heading out for a shakedown.  First to Urquarts Bay for the night, then further out, maybe Barrier Island for a couple days.  We’ll see what the weather allows.  The main thing – we have to test the new sails, run the water maker (it’s been “pickled” for six months)  and in general make sure everything’s ready for a 1200 mile trip north and six months cruising in a third world environment.

But more importantly, we’re gonna catch us a fresh red snapper for dinner….

At least they seemed like old friends even though we’ve really only know them a couple years.  One thing about cruising…you make long lasting and strong friendships.

Blue Rodeo Anne, Bright Angel Linda and Charisma Ann.

Charisma Bob, Bright Angel Bob and Blue Rodeo Mark.

Last night we had a “goodbye” dinner with Blue Rodeo Mark and Anne, and Bright Angel Bob and Linda.  We first met both couples a couple years ago in Mexico and have been fortunate enough to have “paralleled” each other across the Pacific and developed a strong friendship during this time.

Blue Rodeo is heading further west to Vanuatu and parts beyond, (maybe Indonesia, maybe Aussie), and a friendship that was forged way back in Mexico is moving on.  We doubt we’ll see them again, at least ‘as cruisers’, since we’re not going any further west than Fiji.  It was a bittersweet dinner but we know that we’ll stay in touch and see each other again someday – just not at an anchorage with a Charisma in hand.  Bye, bye Blue Rodeo and fair winds on your further adventures.  We’ll look forward to seeing you again when we’re all back, well… somewhere.  Maybe the ‘States, maybe Mexico…

Bright Angel Bob and Linda will be cruising in Fiji again this year and like us will go back to New Zealand for the cyclone season (starting in November) so we’ll save that goodbye for another time.

Cruising life makes amazing friendships.  Thank you to Blue Rodeo, Bright Angel and everyone else we have sailed with who is/are still following this blog!  It’s become a bit of an overused word  these days, but I have to say; “we are blessed” to have such great friends!