June 23-July 6              North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Following Charles’ departure, our schedule became once more involved with boat tasks.  There is always something to be done and David wants it done yesterday!  Unfortunately, the very expensive davit utilized to raise and lower the dinghy became locked in an upright position and was useless.  A bolt needs to be removed and o-rings must be replaced.  The bolt refuses to budge and David and Rupe have tried various methods to loosen it but so far they have had no luck.  Numerous calls to the manufacturer were not helpful until David finally reached a VIP in the company who made things happen in a hurry.  We are hoping the problem will soon be solved.

Our satellite TV system (another expensive item) suddenly no longer responded to our pleas and we are now dependent on our Firestick.  We hope to have the new system installed next week (as my wise friend Esther once said, “it’s not a problem if it can be solved with money.”).  She is right and that TV inconvenience will soon be solved, and our bank account will bear the blow!

The Fourth of July was a day of rain and thunder.  No fireworks and no boat parade.  The fifth was sunny and warm.  Boats of all kinds went into and out of our channel loaded with people in bathing suits ready to party. A great fireworks display occurred at the beach only blocks away.  We enjoyed it from the bow of the boat and then went to the stern to welcome back the long line of boaters who returned from the beach area.

We were delighted to have our long-time friend, Doug Rosensky come for a brief visit.  Doug is the broker who found The Bottom Line and negotiated the purchase for us.  He and David stay in close contact.

Doug and his extended family were enjoying a week at a rental in Cape Cod.  He drove four hours to join us in Wickford.  With freshly shucked oysters and lobster rolls, we spent several hours on the aft deck enjoying a delicious lunch.  We were pleased after a lengthy inspection; Doug praised The Bottom Line as one of the best maintained older Hatteras boats he had seen.  Afterwards, he once again braved the traffic across the Cape Cod Canal Bridge to his vacation home.