SkipperRoy

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Just finished a good week of teaching ASA curriculum. Today I'm to skipper the Leopard 44 catamaran on a daysail. It's been chartered for a bridal shower. I've been warned that I'll be out there with 12 women. God knows what this day will be like. Weather will be sunny and warm. Light east wind.

Yesterday after saying goodbye to my three students I walked to the condo where I met Cathy. We wanted to see the new hardwood flooring and the new kitchen countertops. It really does look terrific. We're both becoming excited by the thought of moving in our new space and making it our home. The contractor will soon return to put in tile kitchen backsplashes. I'll install new vanity countertops and sinks in both bathrooms. We have a lot of touch up painting to do. I'll change all the wall switches and outlets. There'll be a dozen other details to take care of, but we are getting very near the end.

Leaving the condo we walked a block and a half down to Beach Drive, which is always bustling, but last evening was particularly busy. This weekend is the St Anthony's Triathlon. There are thousands of people in town for the event. We walked along the Drive and found a sidewalk table at one of our favorite new spots – Tryst – for drinks, appetizers and people watching. It was delightful to sit back and enjoy the thought that this is new our 'hood.

We finished at Tryst and then walking back along the busy sidewalk I saw familiar faces – Jeff, a former student of mine and his fiancée Emily. We chatted with them for a few minutes. Emily is a chef. She promised to bring a couple of her dishes to our house warming. Our next stop was at a chocolate shop that opened just last November - Sweet Divas. It's half a block from our condo and already we're on first name basis with the proprietors. They have promised to bring chocolate to our house warming.

Me and my latest graduates of the ASA101 thru 104 program: Greg, Patty and Scott.

Our first few days on the water we had 20+ knot winds, which is not what you'd chose for teaching ASA101. But they all turned out to be strong students and did very well. During our week together I saw their skills and knowledge increase dramatically. They also became my pals.