Docking on the south side of the east-west dock against a strong north wind without thrusters proved challenging enough. I mean, challenging enough. Three of us did finally managed to outwit wind and secure the broad, that is, the broadside of Miss PineAweigh to bullrails, new bullrails to be sure but, bullrails, nevertheless. At last, the only thing free to move much is the flapping flag and it is furiously snap flapping.

 Next, plug in power. 

“Now?” Dave asked.

”No,” I responded, flipping the panel switch to “shore power.” We went though this about ten times before he moved our power cord to a differen tower on the new, state-of-the-art public dock at Bainbridge Island, hoping the problem lay in the tower (we’ve never had a problem securing power before).

But, said the dockmaster, who came to assess the situation, “the problem is on your boat—a stray current.” The power towers are programmed to shortcircuit the connection the instant even a slight irregularity is detected. A slight irregularity was detected. The power cord was stowed. We are drawing power from the inverter and planning dinner at the dockside pub. No problem.