Daily Post from The Port Of New Barcelona

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

Hard labor must be reinforced with proper rest and recreation.

We set sail for The Mainland and took Liberty in Phoenix for the Independence Day Celebration.

Met and broke bread with other Pirates and are taking an extra day to laze about before we return to Home Port.

This trip was also needed to resupply the water cache as we still haven't determined if our well is going to pan out or not. In excavating the hole we hit a rock shelf that must be cut because of the size of the piece. That will happen this week. Even if the well doesn't pan out, we will have one hell of a hole for a Root Cellar, and I will build The Bunkhouse (with a big Community Kitchen) over that site.

My First Mate is a gambler so I have agreed to accompany him to The Casino to try our luck. I have no gold but I do have some silver so I will see if I can't remedy that situation. A good win would supply me with more lumber before we return. Can't get enough building materials at this point. That's the beauty of visiting a Big City - they discard perfectly good materials in vast quantities. It's just taking the time and travelling to collect it all up - and it's FREE. A Pirate can't ask for better.

We need more Crew!

We have enough rock excavated to begin constructing The Lighthouse but everyone has a full work order list so that project is on hold for now. Nobody has touched the roads for a week and we still have no animal enclosures yet. I WANT FRESH EGGS. A chicken coop is DEFINITELY on order for this month if I have to drop everything and build it myself (as usual). Canned meat is good and tasty, but getting old.

I pray you had a good Holiday and hope for someone reading this to reply someday ,

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

Home once again.

Rumors of "Civil War" moved the Crew to pitch in and purchase a Brass Cannon, Balls, and Powder for the Tower overlooking the Harbor before returning. A Cadre was selected to review security measures for The Port and make changes wherever necessary.

We also got rid of all our paper before returning, and converted it all into silver. Not only do we not trust any paper issued by any 'Realm', thought of stamping our own coin in silver with The Jolly Roger on it to use as currency tickled every last one of us. Blacksmith said "No problem - just give me the metal and the image you want on it!"

Coming soon.

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

A light, cool breeze just after sundown was the most pleasant setting for rest last evening. Satisfaction from another full day of construction fed my appetite and I ate an extra portion of chicken and wild rice soup. I switched the bedding from winter to summer cloth and was vastly more comfortable, and I slept in until well after sunup.

Problems with the generator was found to simply be an automatic shutoff switch when the oil level gets low.

Facepalm.

Today I tackle "stairs". Straight or spiral?

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

No day at The Port is more treasured than The Sabbath.

God knows I couldn't survive this task without a Day of Rest and Reflection each week.

May you be as blessed as I am to know Him.

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

For the last two days we have been inundated by a small, flying bug that resembles what hatches out when you don't protect flour.Tthey come out just before Sundown (in the hundreds) and persist until midmorning of the next day, when they die out. I hope it doesn't last much longer as it has taken a considerable amount of time to clear the room one is to sleep in and it's costing sleep time.

I finished the roof to extend the kitchen and will be moving walls today. Never got to even start the stairs, but it looks like where I want it a spiral staircase will work well and look good too.

Three times this week it looked like we might get rain, but each time it went around us and the cistern is almost empty. Monsoon my ass. Rain would be so much simpler than making a run to haul water from the nearby island with a freshwater lake.

Preparations to attend the Jackalope Festival are on the mind as it is two weeks away. Fortune smiles on us as we are less than fifty nautical miles from Baca Meadows and I can't wait to see old friends again.

Another Day In Paradise,

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

Thank God.

There was only a couple dozen bugs to contend with, and sleep wasn't interrupted last night. Hopefully that nightmare is over until this time next year. By then domiciles should be properly sealed after the Winter Closing this fall.

I was tightening up the head on a sledgehammer and hit my hand with a hammer. OW! It didn't seem that bad yesterday and I finished out work ok, but it sure hurt like hell this morning, and actually woke me up early. I took some aspirin and went back to bed. When I got up it was still tender, but didn't hurt so bad, and the swelling had gone down. It's difficult being triple up on Safety when working but it's necessary being out here without a proper Doctor.

Never got the walls moved for the kitchen, but instead got quite a bit done on the Root Cellar. The Ship Cat Lucky has discovered the cool rock at the bottom of the hole, and has taken to napping down there during the hot part of the day. Smart!

Wind continues and plans have been drawn up for power generation from it. We have the alternators and pulleys but Smithy says we need a certain gearbox to transfer the torque into RPMs and will have to obtain one on our next foray. The roof covering has to be completed before we get hit by rain but the wind makes it almost impossible to handle 4x8 plywood panels up there without taking a sail! No Doctor, remember?

We are low on water and will be departing for the Mainland tomorrow instead of Friday.

Anyone following my chronicles here of the Port development please pray for our safe journey, and a safe return. We are all devout Christians and believe in The Power of Prayer.

Thanks,

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

Looking at the view count jump I know there are skallywags reading my posts.

Welcome.

Activity here started long before Sunup and it looks like you kicked an anthill. Anticipation of Liberty has the Crew amped up (it always does) and there is singing and laughter amongst the frenzied scurry to accomplish preparations and loading of the Ship. Communications last eve have confirmed that we will be bringing Royalty back to the Island for a couple of days for an Official Visit . Along with everything else a General Cleanup has been mandated so that The Port is presentable upon return. That means it's also Trash Day before we can depart. Of course that entails all rubbish, refuse, and garbage be gathered up and burned, with the ashes saved for the Garden.

Much to do, and Mainland Lassies are just waiting to give comfort to a hardworking bunch of scoundrels that have been busting ass for a fortnight.

Today has to be better than yesterday. A foul mood hung in the air and if things could go wrong, they did. It was topped off by high winds tearing off a portion of the roof covering I had taken so long to put on because the prevailing wind shifted direction and hit the side that wasn't fully attached yet. I was just going to Evening Mess when it happened, and it took me another hour to batten it down. Arrr.

I best get hopping myself. Each day is a Blessing from God and to honor that every minute must be made to count.

Adios,

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

After living a life of scarcity and prudence, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of precious water that is wasted in a Big City of limitless resources. I feel so guilty about taking a shower with the same amount of water that would keep me alive for a MONTH! I got down to within 12 ounces of water before having to open one of the "reserve barrels" of water that we maintain at all times just before departing, and that was just too close. It had started to rain just before we left, so I hope that we get some fill in the cistern by the time we return.

Today is Shopping Day.

The list is long of what is needed for the Port so it will probably take all day. Top of the list is the gearbox Smithy needs to convert wind power into electricity. One of the boys have discovered a hill on the island where the wind seems to be funneled through a chasm that blows constantly, and would be an ideal spot for the turbine.

Again the subject of "Wimmen" residing at The Port has surfaced (it always does when the Crew gains Liberty heh heh) but I feel it is still too soon in the development of the Port and, if allowed, would decrease the work done in too great an amount. The issue has been sidelined for another time.

Another item on the 'to get' list is materials for an enclosure, AND SOME CHICKENS! I will go absolutely batshit crazy if I have to go another extended period without FRESH EGGS!

Well, there's the Call to Breakfast so I will go begin my Day in the City.

Respectfully yours,

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

A stiff breeze and a smooth, eventless journey always signals a successful adventure.

Reunions with loved ones and an almost completed list of necessities acquired before a feast and merriment erased most of the aches from the work done this past fortnight. I must have twisted wrong before we left as my back seems to be out of place. I have always been an early-riser and rarely sleep in beyond Sunrise, even when on leave. I have yet to do my morning calisthenics and I can usually pop it back into place when I stretch. I'll do that after this posting.

Being a Pirate, I am always sniffing the air for Opportunity. It fuels the engine that drives Freedom, and I was quite fortunate this trip to hear of an upcoming 10 day Festival that is rumored to be well attended this year, but there is a problem with Transportation for the Participants due to complications resulting from the Chinese Plague going around. Being isolated as we are, all are bright and healthy and willing to act as Ferry for these passengers. We have already made appointments and accepted deposits so this looks like a lucrative endeavor. The Crew happily agrees.

One of my contacts was unavoidably unavailable and it is critical I speak with him, so the return voyage has been delayed. I prefer early morning departures so that there is still some usable daylight available for unloading upon arrival at Home Port, but in this instance that can be put off until morning.

I hope and pray that the solar panels picked up this trip will give us enough wattage to finally be able to make ice. That has been voted by all as the most missed item - even over flush toilets and "wimmen"! I concur. Chemically-induced cold packets are handy to have but we don't have them in quantity to use them for anything but medical treatment of sprains, etc. I want a cold drink when working on a hot day! Warm water turns my stomach.

I was able to visit my almost 80 year old Stepfather. His eyes are clouding up and he wants the doctors to fix them, but it seems he tested positive for the virus and won't touch him until he tests negative. He has gone beyond the quarantine period without symptom but has had trouble getting a re-test. He is scheduled for that Monday, so we'll see. Regarding this insane 'mask' issue, The Crew can only shake their heads in disbelief because they know:

1. The virus is 1 micron in size, but even the best 'mask' only filters out particles five microns and bigger
2. An infectious person wearing a mask with an Exit Valve (like an N-95) still emits the same unfiltered particulates as one without a mask, and
3. Airborne virus infects THROUGH THE EYES!

We have no fear because we are armed with knowledge and boost our immune systems constantly with proper nutrition, sunlight, and rest. Hard work makes all three of those requirements mandatory, or the Machine breaks down, and nothing gets done. Add in the Spiritual aspect and a clean life produces JOY - something this hedonistic, hell-bound 'society' endlessly chases but know nothing about other than the comfort their self-imposed superiority over other humans that they assume gives them.

Thank you GOD for the life you have given me, and all Glory and Honor goes to you.

It IS a Good Day.

EB 1679

[Eduardo Blomar 1679]

I apologize for not posting yesterday but the comfort and happiness of our Visitors to The Port are our highest priority. All of my time was taken from before dawn until too far past dusk, and I woke this morning with a gargantuan headache. It has subsided with my usual regimen of coffee, aspirin, and I was treated with Cherry and Cream Cheese Danish brought back from the last trip.

Luckily, Guests always tend to 'sleep in' here as conditions are so favorable you just don't want to get up. That gave me time to survey the status of ongoing projects.

1. Canon is in place, and functional. We have a Sharpshooter aboard and a hit was registered on the test fire so there was no need to waste further shot or powder.
2. The hole for Root Cellar was determined to have a layer of gypsum about a foot thick, and fresh dirt was seen in a smaller hole broken through. More excavation will have to be done to widen the hole before any depth can be attained, but I remain hopeful. Due to the shallow depth of the rock foundation South of that location I expected to hit solid rock before now.
3. Hardly any water was garnered from the rain of our departure morning, and a special trip for water will have to be made.
4. After several contacts with The Outside World, no one has come down sick or even felt slightly ill. It seems our Immune System Boosting Tact has been successful.
5. An accident occurred that broke the fourth and final working solar panel. My intuition being at a heightened state from practice relying on it caused me to purchase an additional 100-watt package that would have doubled my output but now supplants my ailing system. Once I exchange the broken panels (I extended the warranties) then I will split my Bank in two, and put a system on each Bank.
6. The gearbox needed for wind generation was not available, and one had to ordered made. That hopefully will be picked up in a few days when we return our Guests to the Mainland.

Wind is picking up and rain is happening around us. It gets so close sometimes you can see it fall.

Nada.

Pray.

EB 1679