Jan 23/24 - two wonderful days

The highlight of the 23rd was our boating; the highlight of the 24th was getting the car back together !

Backtrack ...

We headed over to the marina at 10:30 in two cars, because the X5 wasn't going anywhere. I had gone over to HD early in the a.m. to pick up metal chisels and a big pry bar, but that would wait for another day.

The weather turned out to be great. At first I was worried that we'd have cloud all day but it cleared up, we bounced around out on the ocean for a while and then headed to the island. There wasn't any wildlife out there -- no rays, dolphins, turtles ... but it was pleasant nonetheless.

We walked the beach and then re-boarded, Abby having had her fun. Sandy and Linda had discussed lunch and decided on The Grill on Riverside, so we pulled into their dock and had a delightful lunch. It's pretty close to home, but a good spot especially on a Monday when the SYC is closed. They do offer a broader selection than the Tiki for lunch anyway.

From there we putted up a canal to Calalisa Creek, until we ran out of water that is. We turned around, cruised up past the club and then back to the Marina. Al immediately pulled us out of the water and I did the normal rinse-off. Come to think of it, I didn't fill up the fresh water tank, so I'll have to do that before we head out again. I'll also need more fuel, as we're getting down to 1/4.

Back home, we rested, ate and drank. We sat outside until the mosquitoes showed up; it was getting dark anyway. Linda loved the Hot Mamas Lime and Tequila ! Alec doesn't go for spicy, so it was just Linda and I partaking of that appetizer. We all liked Sandy's mushroom spread; she wasn't as keen on it -- but then she knows how much work it took.

Back inside, Sandy finished up dinner prep and I grilled the panko encrusted salmon. That was a hit, along with the wild rice and squash (?) mixture and sauteed cherry tomatoes. A simple dinner with great wines supplied by Linda and Alec. I wound things up though with an Opimian Icewine which went perfectly with Sandy's lemony frozen desert. Ah yes, we did well.

We did drink too much though. Not enough to be silly but we all noted in the a.m. that we hadn't slept as well as we might ... serves us right.

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Another day dawned and I headed over to see Christie. When I got back, breakfast preparations were underway. Alec volunteered to delay his shower and give me a hand with the ball joint etc. I got the car up on jacks, wheel off and tools out.

Well, it took a few goes and a lot of heat, but eventually the ball popped out of the carrier with a combination of heat, prying and banging from above. The reason that the ball came out was that I'd cut away enough metal for it to be freed. One problem behind me, another loomed. The carrier was still in there. Alec helped for a while as we pounded, chiseled, heated, etc. etc. but no go. He organized to leave and I gave it a break.

Next up, back to the Dremel. Alec and Linda left and I got back at it. Cut, pound, chisel, ... sounds like scissors, paper, rock ? I wasn't winning though.

Ah Ha ! about 1/2 hour after A&L left, it moved ! The carrier rotated a little ... I was going to beat this thing ! Well, it took another hour but I eventually got it out. I used the Dremel to clean the hole and inserted the new ball joint and carrier ... found that my threads were a little spoiled for the torx screw. I worked at that for a while and eventually got it mounted. I was envisaging drilling out the hole and putting a bolt in from the bottom and a nut from the top. There's actually enough clearance so I wasn't panicking. I don't think those threads will take many more in's and out's, however ... but I don't intend to do any more anyway !

It was a simple matter to attach the control arm, put the weight back on the car per the instructions and then tighten up at the ball joint. I took it for a spin around the block and it feels good. Most, if not all, of the jiggle is gone.

I've ordered this Kroil product to try on the other side. I'm not going to touch it until I have a decent penetrating oil in hand. It's interesting though, a 50/50 mixture of ATF fluid and Acetone got the best ratings for freeing up rust ... who knows.

I'm calling this glass half full at this point !

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I'd missed lunch with the car work, so went inside and prepared a sandwich and also cleared out the lazy susan. It took no more than about 15 minutes to install the cute little water heater ... another job done ! The previous plumbing all held, was watertight, and the new hoses have rubber-faced connectors so they don't take much to install.

I'm calling it a day !

It's not over yet though. Harris and Debbie, from down the street, are coming over for a drink in an hour. I'm pretty wiped but will certainly have a celebratory drink !

Dinner is going to be leftovers from last night and whatever else is around. It's all good.

Onward ... whew.