Wednesday February 11, 2009
Laundry to do and so we headed into town with the load of clothes. When we got to the government dock Buck was there and Dick gave him the buck he promised him from the day before and we asked him where he was. He said he had to help a friend.
Today was a Bahama Beautiful weather day. Finally the sun and warm temperature. It is the first day we felt like taking a swim in the ocean. There is a beach at Marsh Harbour called Mermaid Park and they say it is a perfect place to learn to snorkel. Well the beginner got her first lesson. Michelle and Ian lent me a diving suit and we had purchase the snorkel equipment and brought it with us. We went to the water and the breathing was something else. I could not relax and the breathing through my mouth was such a weird noise in my ears was bothering me. I tried it a few times and kept holding my breath. Then when I started to see things I got nervous and started breathing too fast. I was almost hyper ventilating but not really.:) If I had actually saw a fish I would have been. Dick and Ian Michelle went out and checked the reef and apparently it was beautifully thousands of fish. Ian who is a scuba diver came back to give me a lesson and we decided I should try doing it in a pool first. I got out and was watching the three of them from the beach and I saw a fin. Not sure what it was I waited a minute before I told them to look up and there were about 5 or 6 dolphins went swimming by them. How cool is that. Dick made Barbecued hamburger on the boat and it tasted delicious. What a great day to be here and be alive and enjoying the sun.
Thursday February 12, 2009
This morning we took off to pick up some sugar. We were so happy to see Buck was busy unloading groceries onto a boat. He was to busy to notice us so we went over and waved at him and he gave us a big grin. I told him I was happy to see him working. There was a new fence being built around a vacant lot and gangs of workmen all around. It felt neat to see that there would be work in the neighborhood again. When we came back I said to Buck, “That is not your real name is it.” He gave me a smile and said no. When I asked him his real name he said it was Eliezer.
We went over to use the Internet at a local chafe and when we got to the Marina Ian and Michelle offered to let us try and access it at their boat and so we did. We walked uptown again and got a pizza for lunch. The temperatures are in the 80's. Tonight there is a meet and greet at the Gib Restaurant who offered drinks for half price and people were allowed to bring hores'derves. It is a good way to meet people and see some people that have been traveling the same journey for hundreds of miles. The couple that had made the crossing with us said it was the best crossing they have ever been in in four years of doing it. There boat is an Ericson and it is called LeeAnn. They want us to come back to Marsh Harbour and we can get together and compare notes. Their Ericson was in the Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 and it was on a mooring ball at Man-of -War Cay. It was seriously damaged and they bought it back from the insurance company and did all the repairs. The first year they cruised in the Chesapeake they were hit by lightning. Incredible stories and how they overcame them.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Marsh Harbour
Monday February 9, 2009
Well the big day had come. We were heading for the Whale. The winds were about 36 km and the sun was out. Apparently the waves are two to three feet so it cannot get much better than that. Things were going along fine and the boat was slamming up and down over the waves until we got to the Shipping Channel. Captain mentioned we were over heated. FM took over the helm and Captain went below to
see what was wrong. The impeller must of lost its prime when we were beating through the waves. We had a favorable wind direction to sail “Praise the Lord” and I just kept sailing until the Captain had it all working again. :) “Three cheers for Dick”
We had not really decided where we were going so we dropped anchor with Southern Flite at Bakers Bay. This island had a huge development (Disney) some years ago and the cruise ships could not regularly get through the Whale to bring tourists so they just walked away from it. When we were anchored there we could see them working on new homes. Agapi was anchored there and came by to tell us they had gotten their own lobsters and George had been diving on the reef and saw a nurse shark. Due to the wind direction we decided to spend the night at Great Guana Cay. We needed to get fuel and when we got to the dock there was a huge wind and current so it took us about ½ hour to get the boat near the dock and all the time the Bahamian Gas pumper stood there looking at us like another annoying tourist sailboat. Anyway we filled up and paid 4. 25 per gallon. We tried to go to a mooring ball in the harbour and went aground a few time. Southern Flite had a deep water mooring and gave it up so we could stay in the harbour. The wonderful part about this part of the Bahamas is you can get up and go through all this aggravation and humiliation and be docked and tied by 2:00 pm and then
head out for a time of touring the island. Our island rendezvous took us along the harbour up a hill and to a place called Nippers. It is a huge bar, swimming pool right on the ocean. It is painted in festive Bahamian colours and has a restaurant and gift shop. After we had bought a drink Michelle decided to go into look at the T shirts and got bitten by a Pomeranian Dog. From then on all their drinks were free and they even through in a T shirt. We decided to stay for supper and a couple we meet on the beach at Manjack joined us. The big highlight of the day was the moon that rose over the ocean and it was bright red. Everyone ran to take a picture of it. When we got back to the dinghy we had been told to put a stern anchor out which we did. Michelle and Ian invited us aboard so we headed out with them and then Dick realized after we were tying up on their swim ladder that we did not have our stern anchor. I guess the knot did not hold. Anyway Captain picked it up the next day.
Tuesday February 10, 2009
On to Marsh Harbour
7:30 am knock on the hull and we were awakened by the Dock master who had come and collected
his mooring ball fee. The harbour had been choppy all night and we decided to head to Marsh Harbour. We were discussing going to Man of War but there is to be a big Yard/Bake/Everything Sale on Saturday and they are raising money for their schools so we decided to do Marsh Harbour today. Ian told us about a Marina called the Conch Inn and since we need showers and to re provision we opt to go to a dock for the night. When headed across the Sea of Abaco with a stiff breeze, stiff enough to loose my cap. I asked Dick about the water depths at the channel to the marina and they were saying 1.5 – 1.7 meters which was not good for us at low tide. When we got to the harbour there were tons of boats anchored and even though the chart said do not anchor in channel it was hard to find our way. We made a quick decision to stay at the anchorage and radioed Southern Flite about our situation.
In the afternoon we headed to the public dinghy dock to go into Marsh Harbour and get some groceries.
When we got to the dinghy dock we meet a Bahamian man that offered to take the line and guard our dinghy for us. What's the gig I asked do you want a tip when we come back. Just enjoy the Bahama's Mame don matter what ever y' think. Don't worry be happy Mame.
Well the big day had come. We were heading for the Whale. The winds were about 36 km and the sun was out. Apparently the waves are two to three feet so it cannot get much better than that. Things were going along fine and the boat was slamming up and down over the waves until we got to the Shipping Channel. Captain mentioned we were over heated. FM took over the helm and Captain went below to
see what was wrong. The impeller must of lost its prime when we were beating through the waves. We had a favorable wind direction to sail “Praise the Lord” and I just kept sailing until the Captain had it all working again. :) “Three cheers for Dick”
We had not really decided where we were going so we dropped anchor with Southern Flite at Bakers Bay. This island had a huge development (Disney) some years ago and the cruise ships could not regularly get through the Whale to bring tourists so they just walked away from it. When we were anchored there we could see them working on new homes. Agapi was anchored there and came by to tell us they had gotten their own lobsters and George had been diving on the reef and saw a nurse shark. Due to the wind direction we decided to spend the night at Great Guana Cay. We needed to get fuel and when we got to the dock there was a huge wind and current so it took us about ½ hour to get the boat near the dock and all the time the Bahamian Gas pumper stood there looking at us like another annoying tourist sailboat. Anyway we filled up and paid 4. 25 per gallon. We tried to go to a mooring ball in the harbour and went aground a few time. Southern Flite had a deep water mooring and gave it up so we could stay in the harbour. The wonderful part about this part of the Bahamas is you can get up and go through all this aggravation and humiliation and be docked and tied by 2:00 pm and then
head out for a time of touring the island. Our island rendezvous took us along the harbour up a hill and to a place called Nippers. It is a huge bar, swimming pool right on the ocean. It is painted in festive Bahamian colours and has a restaurant and gift shop. After we had bought a drink Michelle decided to go into look at the T shirts and got bitten by a Pomeranian Dog. From then on all their drinks were free and they even through in a T shirt. We decided to stay for supper and a couple we meet on the beach at Manjack joined us. The big highlight of the day was the moon that rose over the ocean and it was bright red. Everyone ran to take a picture of it. When we got back to the dinghy we had been told to put a stern anchor out which we did. Michelle and Ian invited us aboard so we headed out with them and then Dick realized after we were tying up on their swim ladder that we did not have our stern anchor. I guess the knot did not hold. Anyway Captain picked it up the next day.
Tuesday February 10, 2009
On to Marsh Harbour
7:30 am knock on the hull and we were awakened by the Dock master who had come and collected
his mooring ball fee. The harbour had been choppy all night and we decided to head to Marsh Harbour. We were discussing going to Man of War but there is to be a big Yard/Bake/Everything Sale on Saturday and they are raising money for their schools so we decided to do Marsh Harbour today. Ian told us about a Marina called the Conch Inn and since we need showers and to re provision we opt to go to a dock for the night. When headed across the Sea of Abaco with a stiff breeze, stiff enough to loose my cap. I asked Dick about the water depths at the channel to the marina and they were saying 1.5 – 1.7 meters which was not good for us at low tide. When we got to the harbour there were tons of boats anchored and even though the chart said do not anchor in channel it was hard to find our way. We made a quick decision to stay at the anchorage and radioed Southern Flite about our situation.
In the afternoon we headed to the public dinghy dock to go into Marsh Harbour and get some groceries.
When we got to the dinghy dock we meet a Bahamian man that offered to take the line and guard our dinghy for us. What's the gig I asked do you want a tip when we come back. Just enjoy the Bahama's Mame don matter what ever y' think. Don't worry be happy Mame.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Manjack Tour
Saturday February 7, 2009
The weather is windy and cool but in the lee of the island it is not bad. We had a restful night at anchor.
I was able to chat with Josh of a bit this morning on Google and hear some Grand baby news. She had her 15 month check up and got her needle. She weighs 20 lbs and grew an inch from last time but did not gain weight. Dick did a water colour and I got out the sewing machine and finished putting the border on my quilt. Michelle and John dropped by to talk us into going ashore. When we got there ,there were about 6 other dinghies tied to the tiki pole that someone so kindly installed at the shore to keep the dingies. We took a walk all the way to the north shore to see the ocean and I picked up my first sea bean. I made chili for dinner with a can of Campbell's, tomatoes left from the Bruschetta and a can of corn. Not to bad. Playing a movie helps to pass the very long evening.
The weather is windy and cool but in the lee of the island it is not bad. We had a restful night at anchor.
I was able to chat with Josh of a bit this morning on Google and hear some Grand baby news. She had her 15 month check up and got her needle. She weighs 20 lbs and grew an inch from last time but did not gain weight. Dick did a water colour and I got out the sewing machine and finished putting the border on my quilt. Michelle and John dropped by to talk us into going ashore. When we got there ,there were about 6 other dinghies tied to the tiki pole that someone so kindly installed at the shore to keep the dingies. We took a walk all the way to the north shore to see the ocean and I picked up my first sea bean. I made chili for dinner with a can of Campbell's, tomatoes left from the Bruschetta and a can of corn. Not to bad. Playing a movie helps to pass the very long evening.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Manjack Anchorage
Friday February 6, 2009The small fleet from Green Turtle Marina restless and anxious to set underway decided to go north to Manjack anhorage to ride out the next few days of high winds and wait for the Whale to open. This is a beautiful island and one of the inhabitants offers free wifi to the cruisers as they have been there and done that. There are some deserted beaches so we will be checking that out. Our night here was relaxing and being in the lee of the wind it was quite comfortable on the hook.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Ground Hog Movie - February 4, 5, ???????
I was telling some people today at breakfast I am starting to feel like I am in the Ground Hog Movie. I wake up every morning about the same time at the same dock hearing the same weather report on the VHF and see the same boats at the dock. Think you get my drift. Apparently we are being breezed with our third cold front. How many are there? The Bahamiam waitresses had mittens on this morning serving breakfast on the screened in patio. So what do you do when you are glued to Paradise and have no more idea about how to spend your free time. Michelle and I decided a few nights ago we should try a boat tour night but some bigger brains than ours came up with the idea to do it by the pool so I am making bread for Bruschetta and the resort gave us permission to have a pot luck at the pool/tikibar. Fortunately they built it out of the wind.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Week-end and beyond
Saturday January 31, 2009
Slept in this morning and tried to work on the Internet but there was no connection. The front came through last night so it is colder and windy. We decided to have lunch at the restaurant. I pulled some material out and started to finish sewing. We went over to view the ocean and the breaker were huge. As the weather had some rain with it we decided to curl up on board and watch some movies or should I say re watch. We have had the same DVD we had when we left and are running out of choices.
Sunday February 1, 2009.
After we got up and had breakfast we went down to the poster board to see what the menu was for tonight and what the weather was going to be like. While we were down there we ran into George and Georgina from Agapi and they invited us to sit down and relax on the patio. I cannot believe we started a conversation in the morning and basically sat there the whole day relaxing and chatting. Different boaters came by and so it continued. We went back to the boat in time to dress for dinner. There were 8 of us that gathered for dinner and when it was over we headed back to the boat to watch a movie. Ian went diving for something and Dick asked him to check our zinc on the shaft. It is totally disappeared from electrolysis. Ian offers to put the new one on and some how accomplishes this by just holding his breath. An amazing guy!
Monday February 2, 2009
Woke up and had breakfast on board. Some of the boats from the anchorage have moved over to the dock. The wind is picking up. It is still sunny and warm so we decide to walk over to the ocean to see the waves and then walk into town. New Plymouth is about 3 miles away. On the way there a woman from the resort comes by with a young boy who she is taking to see the nurse on the island. She offers us a ride and when we return she agrees to pick us up if she sees us. We were very thankful for the lift.
I have some sewing to work on and in the afternoon I lay down for a nap. Dick decided to wash off the waterline. We meet up with some of the boaters on the patio and then went to dinner with the gang from Mystic Moon and Southern Flight.
Slept in this morning and tried to work on the Internet but there was no connection. The front came through last night so it is colder and windy. We decided to have lunch at the restaurant. I pulled some material out and started to finish sewing. We went over to view the ocean and the breaker were huge. As the weather had some rain with it we decided to curl up on board and watch some movies or should I say re watch. We have had the same DVD we had when we left and are running out of choices.
Sunday February 1, 2009.
After we got up and had breakfast we went down to the poster board to see what the menu was for tonight and what the weather was going to be like. While we were down there we ran into George and Georgina from Agapi and they invited us to sit down and relax on the patio. I cannot believe we started a conversation in the morning and basically sat there the whole day relaxing and chatting. Different boaters came by and so it continued. We went back to the boat in time to dress for dinner. There were 8 of us that gathered for dinner and when it was over we headed back to the boat to watch a movie. Ian went diving for something and Dick asked him to check our zinc on the shaft. It is totally disappeared from electrolysis. Ian offers to put the new one on and some how accomplishes this by just holding his breath. An amazing guy!
Monday February 2, 2009
Woke up and had breakfast on board. Some of the boats from the anchorage have moved over to the dock. The wind is picking up. It is still sunny and warm so we decide to walk over to the ocean to see the waves and then walk into town. New Plymouth is about 3 miles away. On the way there a woman from the resort comes by with a young boy who she is taking to see the nurse on the island. She offers us a ride and when we return she agrees to pick us up if she sees us. We were very thankful for the lift.
I have some sewing to work on and in the afternoon I lay down for a nap. Dick decided to wash off the waterline. We meet up with some of the boaters on the patio and then went to dinner with the gang from Mystic Moon and Southern Flight.
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