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American Spirit II - Day 235; Major Purchases and Our First Attempt at Provisioning for Bali and Beyond; Thursday, August 28, 2014



Up at 8:15 AM. Breakfast at 9:00 AM.

Today is 'shopping day.' First off we visited a few stores looking for a new TV. The current 29 " TV on the boat has been degrading, with horizontal and one vertical line appearing on the screen. We found a 32" TV that was a suitable replacement. Like a previous TV on the boat, this one also has a DVD player built into it; and like the last TV, it has a USB port so we can plug a hard drive with 430 movies on it right into the TV.

Next Joel bought a new computer. We also bought 10 small propane cylinders for our grill; and a new fishing pole and holder for the one that was pulled overboard recently.

We then stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. The food selection was not as good as in the US, and the restaurant was definitely primarily for 'take out' as there were only 4 tables and 8 chairs for people wanting to eat in the restaurant.

After lunch we shopped for groceries at Coles, an Australian supermarket chain. The purpose of this provisioning trip was for non-perishable items, such as canned fruit, coffee, junk food, beer, whine, soda pop, etc. We'll make a final provisioning stop either Sunday or Monday before our Tuesday departure. We'll load up on perishables then, like meats, chicken, more eggs, fresh fruit, etc.

Our final stop was at a chandlery where we needed some screws to mount the new TV and some stainless fittings for our preventer.

Joel and I returned our rental car to Thrifty at 5:15 PM, then took a taxi back to the marina. Once back at the boat we plugged in the new TV to make sure it worked. Australia, like most countries in the world, is on a different electrical standard than the US.

We walked to the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association, a 10 minute walk from our Tipperary Waters Marina, for a cocktail reception starting at 6:00 PM. Once there we got our first chance to meet the members of a new boat joining the rally, Sirocco of Oz, a 57 foot catamaran. John, Sandra, Steve and Amanda from the Watson family. They live in Darwin and keep their boat at the Cullen Bay Marina.

Back on the boat at 8:30 PM, we watch Zombieland. A zombie spoof staring Woody Harrelson. A very funny movie. Joel went right to bed after the movie, at 10:15 AM; followed shortly thereafter by Jeanine.

Tomorrow we have to get up early as the Rally has set up a tour of the Litchfield National Park for us. The bus leaves at 7:30 AM and we'll be returning at 5:30 PM.

Brian Fox


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