Flight Paths and silent stalkers

Walking along one of the bridges in the Marina last night during our evening saunter, we were directly in the flight path of a great GreyHeron, which took last minute dive. Fortunately for both of us, it saw us at the last minute and diverted with a very loud 'cry'. Phew! Could have been nasty for all three of us.
One of the things we enjoy about our evening stroll is the night stalkers. These are the herons et al that we see during the daytime also, but they become silent stalkers at night. We can get quite close to them without disturbing their night time fishing. Being very territorial, we also witness many 'fights' over their patch on the banks of the estuary.
we saw our first Muskrat the other night. Thinking it was a VERY large water rat (well, technically it is!) we exclaimed to the night security man what we had just seen. He was driving by on his rounds, at the time. He corrected our assumption and explained that they had been hunted almost to extinction at one time...about the 1920's I believe...and have made an astonishing comeback. They are a nuisance in that they undermine river banks...make their nests in holes under the banks. Being strictly vegetarian, they eat the rushes and grasses along the rivers and estuaries and also any new plants, such as palms. They love to eat the new stalks! That is why there are little fences around all the new plantings at the marina.

Yesterday was another busy day...and more of the fridge saga!

We made the necessary trip to Lowes to purchase the small fridge ($112, incl. Tax) and got it up the stairs onto the fly deck no problems. One problem...the old fridge was bigger than the new by several inches!
After measuring the various orifices by which the old might come down off her lofty perch, we ascertained that we had half an inch to spare on the most likely hatch. Just enought for one finger:)

 Heier Brand! (dont look at the wires hanging out on the left side...Waz is trying to figure out where all of those go and what they operate)

Two of the Marina workmen went by on their extended golf cart, and I whistled (I can get the attention of most people with that one:) ), but we were too high up for them to see my wildly swinging arms. They heard it though!!!
Waz took the door off...the hinges had rusted, of course, so some heavy duty instruments were needed for this task. Meanwhile, not wanting to bust myself, being the only first mate available, I took a stroll over to the Marina Office where I pleaded  with the management to lend me someone to help with the operation.
Well, actually, I passed the time of day first. Discussed the hot water in the swimming pool, the daily temps, the fact that I was the first mate, and where would they like the offending fridge, once it was off it's perch? This of course necessitated them asking me how *I* was going to get it down.
I mentioned the 'whistle-up' of the workers, and they just volunteered the men to come and deal with the problem. 
The manager tracked down the workers and they arrived forthwith to lower the fridge, now wrapped in an old sheet (to stop any scratches on our French polished interior), down the interior stairs. Warren and I didnt have to lift a finger!!! AND they disposed of it too. How's THAT for service. Pays to be a female some times:)
Waz, of course (being male) didnt want to get someone in to help...if we could do it ourselves. My sense of self preservation is obviously stronger than his:)

On our way home from Lowes, we were stopped at an intersection...and my eyes wandered to the shops along the perpendicular strip...where I discovered a Sewing Machine shop. We werent in a position to change lanes, being boxed in by cars (I dont think being female would have helped me on that one!), so made a note of the landmarks, so we wouldnt overshoot it next time.

I am a little afraid to take the curtains on the boat down for fear they will disintegrate. They look like they haven't been laundered for many years...and feel a bit like it too. The fabric is obviously an 'elderly' choice, as is the choice of chair fabric on the two chairs..

You cant really tell these chairs are green. The same fabric (which may be waterproof) is in the 'curtains' in both bathrooms. It feels rough to touch, with a slub that doesnt feel nice to handle.

The carpet is cream! The brown streak down the middle of this photo is pretty typical of the foot paths on the salon carpet. This color is also in the master stateroom and guest stateroom. Bah! It is a thick top grade nylon, which is all very well, but not at all practical, obviously.

We also visited a marine seamstress, in the morning, to get a winch cover remade. $50, thank you! Like I said...BOAT .