Back in Deltaville

We are back in Deltaville after a very welcome break from the cold and from boat work.
My intention was to write regularly while we were away, but that just didn't happen. While wifi was
fairly easy to find, our energy was totally focused on travelling and what we were seeing and by the end of the day there was nothing left to do but collapse.

So while I try and keep up to date with what we are doing now, every once in a while I will  include some pictures and notes about our Asian travels.
Don't forget, you can click on pictures in any of our posts to enlarge them.

We got back here on April 18th, 48 hours after a tornado went through town. The tornado cut across our peninsula from south to north in a very narrow band, but where it touched down the devastation was substantial. The brick Zoar church on the main street was cut in half, leaving a hole between the front and back sections. The steeple was on the ground next to it. The town swimming pool had disappeared, making me rethink the concept of staying low during a storm. Houses were destroyed or rendered unsafe. Power lines were down, but the very next day crews were in town making them safe and replacing and restoring power. A soup kitchen was established. Curfews were set. Amazingly there were no injuries or loss of life - quite miraculous. By the end of the week most of the infrastructure was back, leaving the cleanup and the rebuilding to do.

Help was at hand almost immediately

Repairing downed power lines

Zoar Church - split in half

Trees with the tops ripped off

It is now 6 weeks later. The swimming pool is in the process of being rebuilt, and other buildings made safe or boarded up. Many of the downed trees have been cut up and burned in huge bonfires.
I really didn't understand what a tornado could do - it's not the same in a news bulletin - but having seen this I am keenly aware of the destruction that so many communities have faced recently and my heart goes out to them.

6 weeks later - houses being assessed for repair

Zoar Church - 6 weeks later

Community Center - pool in back right being rebuilt

6 weeks later - still clearing up

6 weeks later

The boatyard changed hands at the beginning of the year and is no longer called Schroeders Yacht Systems but Stingray Point Boat Works. Schroeder's has relocated to the slightly larger community of Urbanna, up the Rappahannock River a way. It has a great location right in the center of the town, stores, supermarket and library a couple of minutes walk away. The location we are at now really does require a vehicle, which is why we are trying to eke out the last few miles from our aging and (not so) trusty van.

We are working to have the boat "floatable" by the end of June. That is a fine distinction from being ready, but we have stopped aiming for that! Our time away from the yard has given us a fresh impetus and a lot of the prep. work we have been doing for the last years is finally coming together and giving us a sense of accomplishment.

Cleaned & painted engine "room", cleaned & painted engine.

Beautiful!