On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 17:13:25 -0400, "Skip Gundlach" skipgundlach @
adelphia . net (usual alterations for spam avoidance) wrote:

Thanks for the warm thoughts. However, bouncing back is relative I'm
thankful to say that there's no pain, in either the original or infection
followup; I was off all pain meds with not so much as an aspirin from the
first day out.

That's good news..

Overall, however...

I knew I was going to have some surgery to fix some problems with a prior
operation, but expected that it would be very minor. It turned out to be a
redo of the original, with its attendant rehab which will take until
February or so at the earliest. Unfortunately, however, I got an infection
which either undid or stopped some of the repairs, and that will mean a
reassessment at the end of the therapy period. Failure to get as much end
result as we need (ability to raise the arm overhead easily, with at least
some strength in the 80-130 degree quadrant) will likely mean I'll go in
again for more surgery.

The objective will be to allow me to be useful overhead with that arm,
something which I've not been able to do for 3 years. So, it will all work
out, I'm sure. In the meantime, we wait for houses and land to sell, with
no movement at the moment.

You strike me as a patient person, however...G


Our expectation is to do easy cruising - most likely, down the Thorny Path -
until we get to the St. Thomas neighborhood, with an objective of around May
of probably 2006, though if we get out of here much earlier than expected,
that could be next year. We're figuring to stop there for a while to renew
acquaintances and scout out job opportunities (work high season, cruise off
season) and anchorage/mooring locations.

I'm assuming I'll be involved in some sort of maintenance or repair of
boats, and Lydia some sort of office or retail environment. Until we get a
better feel for that, we don't know what to expect in terms of
transportation needs and other minutiae of everyday life :{))

So, while she's beside herself wanting to get on board, I'm taking a more
measured approach and knowing that it will all work out right, as it always
does, and not getting pushed into doing something premature or unwise (or,
at least, to the best of my ability on the latter!). We're developing a
loglist for those who might be interested in our journey; it will start,
whenever I actually get to transcribing it, with the shakedown/delivery,
"The last voyage of SV Tehamana" (as it is renamed now, though the painting
has yet to be done, that was the last voyage of that boat), and then
continue as we actually get to go aboard. Flying Pig is safely on ground,
untouched by the recent hurricane, though it was in the direct originally
expected path, awaiting various ministrations to upgrade and polish her
current systems.

If you'd like to be on the loglist (cruising reports, including the
shakedown/delivery) drop me a line.

Yes, please. I find your particular process in achieving your cruising
goals not only instructive, but extremely well-documented!

And, Rhys, about your search, did you get my note about Shilo?

No, I didn't, and please see my response to your latest "PING!"

R.