We started this short week with preparing Hilbre for our trip home and being away for at least six weeks. There were a number of thigs that needed to be arranged including having someone wash the boat every two weeks, a diver to clean the bottom of the hull and have someone check that all is well inside the boat.

Tony, of Tony’s Boat Management was asked to do this for us (now called Dockwise services). He is from Manchester and one of a number of British ex-pats who have made a home in Mexico. One of them even went to the same primary school that I did.

Monday, 2 December 2013 – Anita went off to line dancing in the morning while I did some chores around the boat. We met Lane and Vicki at 10:30 a.m. and took the bus into town to show them around. The bus terminus is close to the Mercado (Market) and so that is where we started. Anita bought a dress and I bought a new belt. The Mercado is interesting and while most visitors spend their time on the ground floor, there are a number of small and inexpensive restaurants on the first floor with good food. We did not eat there this time but instead headed for Plaza Machado for lunch. We later toured the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Building the cathedral began in 1856 and it was finally consecrated in December 1941. It was built in the Baroque-Revival style of Sinaloa, Mexico.

Tuesday, 3 December 2013 – Time to do the laundry so we will arrive home with clean clothes. In the evening, we joined other cruisers in a Pizza party. These are random get togethers for cruisers to swap information and just generally catch up on cruising news. Many of these individuals we will see again in different ports so it is an opportunity to socialize and talk about future sailing plans or even meeting up somewhere.

Wednesday, 4 December 2013 – Vicki and Lane left for La Cruz (Puerto Vallarta) as they will have guests over Christmas and New Year. There are more facilities there as it is part of a Hotel and Resort. I walked Tony through the boat and gave him a list of things to do while we were away. We also needed to give him deposits for cleaning and maintenance.

Thursday, 5 December 2013 – This morning we went to a presentation at the Palapa for the El Salvador Rally. www.elsalvadorrally.com They covered the facilities there and how to request help with entering the lagoons there as you have to cross a Bar which needs some guidance. After locking the boat up we headed to the airport for the flight home. Our round-trip airfare was $517 each. We flew out at 3:25 p.m.