Winter is back, and this morning at 1:20 it was "with a vengeance." I thought Pacha would sleep all the night through since I had taken her out at 8:30 usually a satisfactory time for her last run. Not this time. I have gotten used to the idea that she may want to go out in the wee hours, so I'm prepared with all necessities for a warm trip right near my bunk. This morning I needed all the warmth I could find, for it was not only 27F but the wind was blowing at about 20kts. We stayed no longer than necessary, but it was a very cold trip nonetheless. Now, the sun is shining without a cloud in the sky, and it has warmed up somewhat, but it will be cold again tonight. One very optimistic point: The marina has turned on the bubblers, and our heat pump is still warming up the saloon, so we're living in comfort. I was told yesterday that when the bubblers are on they bring warmer water up from below and that is enough to allow the heat pump to throw warm air. Hope that continues, for the heat pump really works well.

A new decision. We have decided to go back to "Plan A" which was for Anne to make the first trip to Canada by herself, stay with a friend while getting all her work done and come back as soon as practicable. I'll stay on the boat with the animals, and sometime after her return I'll go to Toronto to look after my business. There are several reasons for the new decision. 1. Pacha is not doing well, and with last night as a good example she most likely could not get the care she needs and have the opportunity to go outside to relieve herself. If her health further detiorates that could cause additional problems; 2. With this cold weather onslaught we are afraid to leave the boat alone without someone on board to look after it. Pipes could freeze and other weather related problems or even marina problems could arise. Scary stuff. 3. Cost! It is expensive to board animals in kennels in this area, so that alone would be about $500; If the two of us go at the same time we'll have to stay in hotels for the entire trip, and that would likely total more than $1,000 an expense we would rather not incur. So I'll stay here and see that the animals are properly looked after and make my trip at a slightly later date. Besides, I like it here and would rather wait until it warms up just a bit before I head for the cooler climes 600 miles to the north.

Tomorrow morning the animals go to the vet for their shots, so we'll get the prognosis on all three at that time. Hopefully this trip will not be as expensive as the last one was ($500 for evaluation). Onward and forward as "The Process" continues.