OK, much happiness aboard Charisma tonight.

A long day, but success. We did the 8 mile round trip hike into Squirrel Cove again and picked up the alternator that the folks in the store so graciously picked up for us at Campbell River. Yay, Squirrel Cove store!

Carried the 20 lb beast back to Charisma (Ann lugged about the same amount of groceries, so I can’t really complain). Got back around 2:30 and went to work. The usual jammed bolts and had to reach into difficult places, but after about two and a half hours I had the new alternator bolted in and wired up and we were ready to give it a try. Ann was at the helm and I was below watching in case something blew up!

“OK, turn the key”. Nothing. Actually a pathetic excuse of a moan from the starter, but not much more. Ouch. Not unexpected though, since the starter battery is isolated from the main bank. I’ll explain when we have more internets. Suffice to say, I went in the dinghy around the six boats that are here in th cove, looking for a jumper cable and found one on the second to last boat. OK, back to Charisma – jump from the starter battery to the house back. Try again. Success! The engine started and it’s charging the batteries! Yay!

All is good on board. We’ll leave tomorrow for Hariot Bay on Quadra Island, where we’ll anchor to resupply, shower and fuel up for our next leg up toward the Broughtons.

Hopefully, tomorrow we’ll have better internet and can post pictures.