First outing since Singapore's lockdown - and the batt is flat

Date: July 18, 2020
Weather: Gloomy, slightly drizzly, then sunny
Waters: Flat off Tuas
On board: C, A,  J1, J2, R, P and Pudding
New gear on board: C's stylish swim shorts by Orlebar Brown, haha.   

A marine crocodile poked its snout out of the water just off the Yio Chu Kang fish farms, where we were anchored,  and caused a bit of a tizzy on board Little Wanderer 2. We have hung out at this peaceful spot so many times in the last couple of years, but this is the first time we have seen anything beyond a Brahminy kite up in the sky, terrified fish leaping out of the water, chased by some predator, and wild boar by the water's edge. 

The croc didn't seem too large, but we were so excited that nobody thought to whip out a phone camera or the binoculars. So, no pic, sorry. There was some general musing about whether it would be safe to swim in these waters - this afternoon, or ever again... 

And crocs aren't the only problem, apparently. Box jellyfish have been reported in Singapore waters too.  

We had been late getting to the marina, as usual, because of the usual tardiness. Then when we got to Raffles Marina, another delay awaited us: The marina staff who have been keeping the boat's batteries juiced up forgot to turn off the batt after the last top-up of power earlier this week, so every last bit had drained out. 

It was a sinking feeling as the ignition was turned and the boat didn't power up. It reminded us of our old (fifth-hand or something!) boat, which broke down with alarming frequency, disappointing the kiddie-versions of J1 and J2, who were swim-suited and goggled, and all ready for a ride out and picnic on the beach of some Southern island.  

I guess we have to be thankful that today, it was just a flat battery, not some mechanical problem. All we had to do was wait until spare batteries were installed on board, and our flat ones were sent to be charged in the dockmaster's office while we were out. 

This is our first outing since the circuit breaker was lifted, although with some conditions, such as masking up, keeping a metre apart and gathering in groups of no more than five. As Singapore emerges cautiously from that partial lockdown, owners of private pleasure craft are allowed to have a maximum of five guests on board, excluding the boat captain, in our case, C. So we were five plus le capitan, and the dog. 

We spent a couple of hours out at our usual spot north of the SAF firing range, just chilling. On the ride out, we were met with a fine drizzle. We were just on the edge of a rain cloud, which quickly blew Malaysia-ward. It got blazingly hot after that. 

Le Capitan with his swank swim shorts. 

J1 and P

J2 with R

#dogsonboats

Photo by P

And so this was the Saturday that was. Good grief, it was only the second outing in 2020, and it is already past mid-July! No thanks to the coronavirus, which shut down the marina. 

How about playing catchup with outings for the rest of this year?