This time the directions were right, and we finally did find Costco. The lockers are packed, the freezer is full of lots of pre-cooked meals for the stinky days, and the boat is nearly ready for our departure. Today we go with Yoshida-san to a grocery in Ozaki for fresh fruits and veggies and last minute items I’ve forgotten; it just seems you can never quite remember everything you need for a passage that may be over 40 days long. This afternoon we’ll load about 400 liters of diesel and top up the tanks. The officials are scheduled to be here at 4:00 to check us out. We’ll either leave at first light tomorrow or Wednesday, depending on how much we get done today and how ready we feel in the morning. Needless to say, it’s been a busy weekend and we’re not quite feeling very organized and rested right now.
One last weather system passed through this weekend, with enough wind to remind us we are in the North Pacific. It was pouring rain on Friday (while we were trying to get laundry dried outside) and blowing with wind gusts over 30 all day yesterday. Today it’s calm and sunny, so we’ll get the sail covers down and inside while they’re dry. We’ve said most of our farewells to the people we’ve enjoyed spending time with here in Japan, some of whom we may get to play host to when they come to visit in the Pacific Northwest. As always, it will be hard to leave and say “until next time”, but this time it’s the last time we’ll have say it for a long time.
Teresa
