Sometimes life smiles on you even as it throws a curveball. And for the first time in years Jamie was lost for words…

While Liz was in the UK, Jamie received a call from our friend Ricardo asking him if he would like a job helping out on a catamaran for the afternoon. Initially skeptical, Jamie’s interest piqued when he heard the phrase “Miss Thailand”.

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The contestants competing to represent Thailand in 2018’s Miss Universe competition were coming to the marina for a photoshoot and spending the afternoon on the water for a sunset cruise, would Jamie like to join the crew? Naturally he took his camera.

They started the visit in the marina complex. Dressed in black trousers and white polo shirts, the women were young and natural. The warm reception they received from local families and marina staff helped eased the nervousness of the contestants for whom this was a competition, not just a day out on a boat.

MISS THAILAND 2017 RUNNER-UP!

Leaving aside a discussion on the merits of beauty pageants here, for Jamie it was a glimmer of glamour in a week of grease and labour on board Esper. Back in the real world, while Millie directed operations asleep on her back, Lek and Wit’s team of stainless experts began beefing up the dodger with more struts. They also designed and worked on fabricating frames for the solar panels. They are a pleasure to watch and work with.

LEK AND WIT IN THEIR WORKSHOP

But, oh the diesel leak… All that cleaning out and repairing hadn’t done the trick. The leak was still there!

But we’re not depressed about it. We’re not. Definitely not.

HERE BE LEAKS!

As we swim uphill through molasses, trying to get the boat ready for our big push eastwards, it is your interest and support that keeps us motivated. Thank you for being with us.

Peace and fair winds, friends!

Liz, Jamie and Millie

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