Is Irene on her way?

Yesterday there was a bit of excitement when we felt some strong tremors as a result of a category 5.8 earthquake with it's epicenter at Mineral, west of Washington. The tremors seemed to go on for quite some time, several seconds, and the boat rocked back and forth on it's keels like water sloshing back and forth in a bath. Local people who had relatives in Washington D.C. were told that they could see the buildings undulating, as though a wave were passing under them. People in tall buildings in Richmond got quite a ride.

As mentioned in the previous post, the leg for our outdrive is on. Chris has combined the better components of the two legs we have and of course some of the holes, etc. are just a few mm. out. Nothing is ever straightforward :-). We are close to testing the engine, but still waiting for a few parts to be delivered in the next day or so before we can do so.

We were at West Marine yesterday ordering a replacement oven for the Force 10 we bought last September. After beginning to use it this summer it transpires that it is faulty and West Marine has undertaken to get us a new one. I'm very impressed with that service as it is nearly a year since we bought it. Fingers crossed!

Most of the talk the last few days is of Hurricane Irene and how close will she come to us? There is a steady stream of boats being hauled out here in the yard and boats left in the water are having their canvas tied down and lines doubled. Hurricane Hanna in 2008 ended up being nothing more than a rainstorm after much preparation by the yard and watches all night through. My theory is the more preparation the less chance she will come any where close - hope I'm right.