July 3, I think

I can honestly say that I have already lost track of the days.  I was surpized to hear that yesterday was the 2nd.  I had no idea whether it is a Saturday, Tuesday, or 2nd Wednesday after the full moon.  My watch uncerimoniously stopped working two days after we arrived in Lisbon, so now I have no idea what time of the day it is, either.  This is going to make tracking my hours for work challenging.

We sailed here to Cadiz arriving yesterday on a two-day sail (that includes night sailing, too).  I can honestly say that I really dont like night watch duty - which is only needed when we are passagemaking - not when we're in port or anchored.  We break it up into 2 to 3 hour shifts starting at 8 pm: 8 pm to 10; 10-1; 1-4 (that is absolutely the worst - but Code readily takes it on); and 4-7 am.  During night watch,  I read, do needlepoint (have a headlamp), do some yoga, and take 5 minute cat-naps after scanning for boats or obstacles.  It is chilly and wet (with the dew), very dark, and I find it creepy.  There is no depth perception, so far away looks near, and a crabpot buoy will appear out of nowhere. Sometimes we'll pass a school of fish that will start jumping around the boat.  It is easy to semi-hallucinate in that sleepy state, so I think that I hear Code's voice, or swear I see boats that arent there.  Just being out in the water without any sense of orientation (except for radar, GPS, and the compass) is enough to make the mind a little loopy.  It makes me very grateful when the sun comes up.

I am still working on both the OGAC (pediatric HIV) and BioMarin projects.  I use wifi when I can and work off line most of the time.  I like the sense of stability it provides, and it is great excuse to sit in a park or a square alone for a while.  I do get anxious if there is too many days between wifi connections, though.

I have already started a list of things I wish I had, most of all a portable handvac (like a dust devil).  There is always something stuck in the nooks and crannies that I have to brush out.  The handvac would be awesome.  Also, since our microwave does not seem to like the EU electrical system, I wish I had an alternative to using the stove (gas).  I think we might get a small toaster oven just so I do not have to use up tons of propane for cooking.  Lastly, I wish I had my glue gun.  What was I thinking, not bringing it?  There are some things I brought that I do not need- not yet, at least. I really dont need my hairdryer, although I might at some point appreciate it when it is too chilly to let my hair just dry naturally.  The other thing is that we brought hanging shelving.  I dont know why that seemed like a good idea at the time, as we really want to avoid putting holes in the boat to hang them. The 2 gallon water jug seems useless, too, since it is easier to use the sink (although the cold water is not any colder than the ambient temperature).  Our plan was to have it on deck, but going below isnt a big deal.

Overall, I am happy with what I brought.  Seven bathing suits is about the right number.  And of course, I have used and am happy that I have all 5 pairs of shoes I brought (two pairs of sandals, a pair of running shoes, a pair of Keens, and a pair of regular old mary-jane flats).  I have had occasion to wear each pair.  Of course the kids were flip flops most of the time, but they do have tevas and a pair of sneakers.  What we didnt bring, we can either live without or purchase here.