The Islands surrounding La Paz

Our wonderful time in La Paz and the surrounding Islands has come to an end. We have just enjoyed 10 days out in the Islands where we were at quiet anchorages, did some hiking and lots of swimming and snorkelling (including swimming with wild sea lions again at their rookery). The focus during this time was on our Spanish study and we were pretty diligent spending about 6 –8 hours each day on it. School at anchor is a lot more fun though than a classroom!

We returned on Sunday for 2 more in-school sessions and to do our final running around – including ordering a new alternator, ordering a self-steering system and ordering some heavy-duty shades for both the cockpit and the foredeck. These will all be brought down at various times with friends and family that are visiting us over the next few months. We also got our FM3 Visa which allows us to stay up to a year in Mexico.

Chillin with the sunset! Beautiful anchorages all to ourselves. I'm

swimming back to the boat.

Our grocery shop was the largest ever yesterday as we are heading north today for about 3 – 4 weeks in the Sea of Cortez in even more remote areas. Hence the reason Peter made his first ever loaf of bread! This will all be new cruising territory for us, which we are excited about. We will be out of internet range, so will not be updating the blog until around the middle of July.

Although we are having a blast, we are missing out on events back home…..including the exciting arrival of our great nephew Keaton (isn’t that a great name?) delivered to Carlin and our nephew Matthew (Dorothy & Peter’s son). One of my oldest friends Lynda Jones also had a quiet wedding in Tofino to Duncan. We are sending our congratulations and love to all of you!!!!! See photos on the sidebar.

Peter's first loaf of bread Di working hard too, ha,ha.

We are really excited that Kylie will be arriving on August 2nd – August 27th and Ryan is also coming on August 2- 10th. We are keeping our fingers crossed that Danny can also get the week off work as well (no pressure Danny….really….we’d just love to have you here). It’s too bad that Tara moves in to her very own house then, or we could all be onboard at the same time…however, a HUGE congratulations to Tara, Mark and Kieran on their new “nest”.

Until next time…..”What you do speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say” Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Sailing back to La Paz

Our final sunset at anchorage in La Paz

Spanish Lessons & Visit with Bob/Liz in La Paz

Chillin’ in La Paz, Spanish Lessons & visit with Bob & Liz

Se Habla - Our La Paz Spanish School

Well, Peter and I have headed back to school. We’ve been hitting the books for the past two weeks with intensive Spanish lessons and homework. Our routine is to handle boat projects, email (and yes Scrabble on Facebook) early in the morning and then head out in the dinghy to the marina, since we are anchored out in the bay at La Paz. From there we walk 45 minutes along the beautiful Malecon (the wide sidewalk right beside the ocean) to the Spanish School. After two hours in a private lesson we walk back again for another 45 minutes (getting lots of exercise with walking and daily swimming). Once onboard, we study for a further two – three hours. For obvious reasons, we have declared these learning weeks “alcohol-free”, except for Peter during the Stanley Cup series, which he listened to on the radio, via the computer.

Our fabulous (and very patient) Spanish Instructor - Cynthia!!!!

In between, we took a weekend trip sailing to a private bay, where we were the only people for the two nights. We studied pretty well all day, but did take time for swimming, snorkelling, great dinners and reading!

Bob and his dog Rita Liz and one of her rescue puppies called Button

This past week, our new friends, Liz and Bob, who own Rancho La Venta, came onboard for a visit and dinner on their way north to Alaska (oh yes, I forgot – this was another non alcohol- free night!). We welcomed their 3 dogs plus 2 rescue puppies that they will find homes for in the States. The ride out to the boat in the dinghy was pretty funny with the dogs out-numbering us 5-4. (F.Y.I. - Just two days before they left the ranch, another dog was dropped at their driveway, so Liz has 2 dogs back at the ranch that she’ll find homes for when she gets back. A very special lady!) As one of her many talents, Liz shared with Peter how to make REAL Mexican margaritas and a fun time was had by all! The next day both Peter and I had a real Mexican hangover and we weren’t quite so sharp at school, but it was great to visit with them and we look forward to going back to the ranch in November.

Too adorable!!! Peter the Tough guy (not)

Next on the agenda…..We will be heading out for a week visiting the marine parks, but we intend to study for at least 4 –6 hours per day. We are quite determined to be able to have basic Spanish conversations with the Mexicans as we travel throughout their wonderful country. Hopefully when we return in another week, our visa will also be completed which will allow us to stay a full 7 months in Mexico. From La Paz we’ll be heading wherever the wind blows as we make our way further north. We are grateful everyday to live by the wind and not a daytimer anymore!
Until next time……stay safe, but don’t play it safe.