30 Aug - Being on the dock fr the first time in a while, and with all the parts needed to work on the boats issues, we got to work today with a vengeance.  To start with we worked on getting the windlass operational again.  The motor went on pretty well but it still took the whole morning to finish this important task. 

In the afternoon we gave the engine a much needed oil change after having found somewhere that would take the used engine oil.  We looked quite the pair walking through the holiday crowds with grubby oil stained clothes and 6 litres of dirty oil.  Once these jobs were completed we could then relax and a walk along the beach was very cathartic  but we both recognised we were in need of a bit of a break soon.

31 Aug - We had both recognised yesterday that we had felt like we had been permanently on the go for a while now and so decided that we should not set our sights to high for today.  Having said that we spent the morning putting a plan together for the next few weeks and sorting out admin whilst we had internet on the computers.  This included reaching out to about a dozen yacht clubs in Los Angeles and San Diego as well as starting to find out about hauling the boat out in Ensenada in early October.  What made this task less onerous was the gorgeous California sunshine and views from our 'office' as well as being able to go for a walk around the Harbour area and along the beach when we wanted a break

01 Sep  - This morning we woke up to yet another wonderful sunny day in Ventura.  As we had decided to stay on another night we could take things easy this morning.  Around 11:00 we headed over to the east side of the harbour in the dinghy and tied up at a local municipal dock associated to MArina Park.  With it being Labour day, there were lots of families in the park enjoying the weather and setting up for the day with their gazebos on the park.  From the park we headed into town and found a supermarket where we could restock in anticipation of spending a few days around the Channel Islands.  In the afternoon the yacht club was having a party which one of the directors invited us along too.  It was great to meet up with many other club members and talk boats (even though too many people seemed keen to just share their scare stories!).  After a couple of beers at the party we were in a mellow mood for the evening, going for another walk along the expansive california beach, smiling as we watched everyone else having to pack up and head home for the work week!