East and South

Saturday January 8th
Got Ira off early to South Bimini by water taxi and then to the airport (total cost $5.00!).  Weather is beautiful and sunny & 80 degrees, but the wind is still strong.  We may go and anchor out tomorrow to save marina fees.  Had our usual Saturday breakfast.  Washing up, grocery shopping (not too much fresh stuff apart from bananas and eggs – but that’s O.K.), write up blog then it’s supper time!  Had the last of the veggies in a stir fry with fried tilapia.  Very good.

Sunday January 9th
After breakfast, had a meeting with a few other boaters to decide the best time to leave Bimini.  Three or four of the boaters have decided to leave at 1:00 p.m. to anchor at North Rock and take off from there and do a straight 22 hours to Nassau.   We have decided, with Bilbo, just to move out of the marina to an anchorage a bit further north from here and see what the forecast says.  There is supposed to be another front coming Weds./Thurs./Fri.  The anchorage is very nice.  There is a large housing development on shore.  It is a typical American-style gated community – very well manicured.  A casino is supposed to be going up shortly.

Our new (Italian) friends from ‘Jancris’

were there and in the afternoon we all went over to have an espresso coffee with Alfredo and Nicoletta. 



They have circumnavigated the world in their beautiful boat but are visiting The Bahamas for the first time. 

There will possibly be a window to cross ‘the Banks’  tomorrow.

Monday January 10th
It’s a go! Weather looks favourable for a crossing.  We said goodbye to Alice Town which is where we were actually docked.



It actually looks a little more impressive in the photos than reality.  It’s very third worldy.  Though the customs house is impressive.



We left the anchorage in Bimini to anchor south of North Rock at East Wells from where we took off for the crossing at 6:30 p.m.  We said goodbye to Alfredo and Nicoletta as they were also anchored there but leaving later with their much faster boat.  We should arrive at Chub Cay around 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Tuesday January 11th
It was a long and (happily) uneventful journey.  The water was relatively smooth.  Lynton and I both stayed up in the cockpit along with Buddy, snatching sleep every now and then.  We decided to anchor at Frazer’s Hog Cay, just beyond Chub Cay.  We ate at a little restaurant at the Berry Island Club where we subsequently spent quite a bit of time as they administer the mooring balls and dispense the Internet at $10/hr



 – no wine though at $7.00 a glass!  Then back to the boat for an early night and catch up on sleep.

Wednesday January 12th
It was a very calm night and we slept for 12 hours.  The weather is lovely, but another front will start coming through today.  As the holding is not very good in the anchorage, Lynton has decided to take a mooring can.
Much conch is consumed here – the beach near the anchorage has the evidence.



Thursday January 13th
The wind is still relentless.  After dragging their anchor, John and Rejeanne decided to take a mooring can.

Friday January 14th
The wind is still strong.  One of the locals sold us some fresh grouper fillets.  Had a pleasant, relaxing day.

Saturday January 15th
Decided it was time to try my hand at making (Bunkey’s) English muffins as we are running out of bread.  They turned out pretty well.

We had another go at anchoring, but failed after three attempts.  So, back to the mooring can!!
  
Sunday January 16th
We had English muffins for breakfast.  Very tasty.  Thank you Bunkey.
Went out to anchor again, this time successfully. 
A wild sunset.



According to the forecast, it looks like Tuesday will be the day to head to Nassau.

Monday January 17th
The wind picked up as forecast and howled relentlessly the whole day.  Finally it was too much for our anchors.  Had to give in and go back to the mooring can.  It was impossible to get up one of the anchors, so we had to drag it back with us to the can.   Just after we got into bed, a storm came up with thunder and lightning and lashings of rain.  Once again, the Budster ended up in bed with us!!

Tuesday January 18th
The anchor roller required repairs after yesterday’s escapade.  So we will not be setting out for Nassau today.  Back to reading and Sudoku.  It is a beautiful calm, sunny day.  As the sun went down the moon came up for an eerie effect.
 


Wednesday January 19th
Up early to finally set off for Nassau. 



The wind has come up a bit and the water is a tad choppy. I decide to take a precautionary Dramamine.
Here’s Bilbo carving along under full sail.

 

It was a good crossing – motor sailing until the last 10 miles before Nassau Harbour entrance when we actually sailed with NO MOTOR for a couple of hours.  The entry into the harbor went without a hitch.  We passed three large cruise ships and ended up in a slip in the Nassau Yacht Haven Marina around 2:00 p.m.  I staggered off to do 2 loads of washing.  After a supper of fried tilapia, mushroom rice, beans with snap peas accompanied by a bottle of Korbel ‘fizzy’, I crawled into bed at 8:30 p.m. followed by Lynton at 9:00 p.m.

Thursday January 20th
Nassau is probably our last chance to buy odd items – like a Canadian flag.  After 10 years on the back of the boat through squalls and high winds our flag (and flagpole) disappeared off the back of the boat in Frasers Hog.  Went grocery shopping at the City Market supermarket.  John and Rejeanne came over with the rest of the lobster tails we’d bought in Bimini and had a great supper outside in the cockpit under a full moon.

Friday January 21st
We are staying in our slip at the marina as there is supposed to be some ‘weather’ tomorrow.  This marina charges a flat daily rate for water, so it is wonderful to splurge and have more than 1 inch in the bowl for washing up.  Lynton washed down the boat already and we have filled all our plastic containers.
This afternoon, we all went sight-seeing to see the canyon carved out by slaves for the ruling governor for his escape route. 



When Queen Victoria brought in a law abolishing slavery, the freedmen carved a staircase from the bottom up of the canyon floor to show their gratitude to the queen. 



It is called (naturally) the Queen’s Staircase.



Once at the top of the steps you get to see the old fort which the the Governor fancifully had made shaped like a ship.



There is a commanding view from the high point with cruise ships in the distance.



This is not a hotel complex, just another cruise ship.



Back to the boat and supper.

On the (Watery) Road Again

Sunday 12th December
Twas the day for updating the blog  and measuring up for a trip to West Marine.

Monday 13th December
Trundled the RV to Stuart for a visit to West Marine to make extra support for the stern rail plus the inevitable Publix trip for more groceries.

Tuesday 14th December
Another really cold morning.  It's good job the days are so beautiful and sunny.  Installed the stern rail supports.

Wednesday 15th December
Another COLD morning.  Installed a new exhaust elbow.  Hey it's not all play you know.


Thursday 16th December
Installation (proper) of the fluxgate compass for the autopilot part 1.
Had John & Rejeanne over for supper - snapper on the barbie.

Friday 17th December
Installation (proper) of the fluxgate compass for the autopilot part 2.
Pulled off what we thought was another tick on Buddy.  Hmm! seems there's a little bit left and it did bleed a lot.

Saturday 18th December
Trundled the RV towards Stuart again to take Buddy to the vet.  Turns out we pulled a little growth off him, not a tick, poor little blighter.

Went to the Saturday BBQ at the marina for a change.  Lots of good food.  To our surprise fog rolled in later - spooky.

Sunday 19th December
Clearing out the RV of all things we will need on the boat.

Monday 20th December
In preparation for maybe leaving some time soon, we moved the boat to a 'proper' dock where we would be able to mount the dinghy on the back and still get out.

We would no longer be next to the alligator but we also had to say goodbye to dib-dib as we called him/her who would stand on a line just behind us and berate us, for being there presumably.

At the end of the previous season a couple of lines were 'lost' at the top of the mast.  For non sailors this is where you let go of a line and the weight of sail drags the end up through the mast and then out the top.  If the mast is left on the boat this presents a problem.

John had previously volunteered to be hauled up the mast and fix this and a couple of other things so up he went, he did a sterling job and everything was fixed.

Ira and Ann drove up from West Palm Beach for the Saturday BBQ and an overnight stay in the not-yet-put-away RV.

After supper we sat aboard Bilbo for a nightcap.

Some of us already looked the worse for wear.

Tuesday 21st December
After a good breakfast aboard Incognita we had a navigation planning pow wow for the upcoming trip to the Bahamas.  To assuage Carol's fear of crossing the Gulf Stream, Ira had 'volunteered' to make the crossing with us.

We were still deciding whether to cross from Lake Worth to Lucaya on Grand Bahama or go south to Miami and cross to Bimini.  The decision was to decide when we got to Lake Worth depending on the weather.

Wednesday 22nd December
Another trip to Stuart with John and Rejeanne for more 'last minute' supplies

Thursday 23rd December
Installed more things - grab bars on the dodger sides.

Friday 24th December
Christmas Eve and there's a big communal meal.  But first the RV got put away in it's winter resting place.
Ira and Ann showed up again to participate in the pot luck with Marina supplied turkey.

We had a good night with more drinks aboard Bilbo with their next door neighbours Bob and Maxine from BC.  Before bed we sat around the fire before being smoked out.

Saturday 25th DecemberChristmas Day but before taking some time off, the work goes on.  Found out that the whisker pole I spent a LOT of money on and never used didn't actually fit, so I carted it off to the RV.

John and Rejeanne suggested we went to Stuart and take in a movie and so we did - Tron - mediocre even in 3-D.

Sunday 26th December
Boxing Day and the preparations continue including giving the boat a good clean.

Monday 27th December. 
Time to put the cover on the RV and finally put it to bed.
We had our ex-Brit friend Marty over for a long-promised drink and he kindly gave us a bottle of wine as a parting gift.


Tuesday December 28th
Carol has taken over blog duties for the rest of this posting.

Departed Indiantown 7:35 a.m..  Freezing cold with frost on the dock.  It didn't help when the hose filling the water tank burst from its hole spraying the boat deck and dock.  Now there is a skating rink on top of the frost!.  Both of us in Auntie Betty's famous knitted hats.  Both of us wrapped up in woolies.

I in my  winter coat; Buddy under his 'blankey'.

Had a very pleasant, uneventful (uneventful good!) passage through Stuart to one of our favourite anchorages - Peck Lake - for a getting-away-from-the-dock celebration.

Lulled to sleep with the sound of crashing waves against the beach.  Hot water bottle - 2 duvet night! Cosy,

Wednesday December 29th
Arose at 7:00 a.m. to a crisp morning.  Looks like one of the batteries might have kicked the bucket.  Also, the dinghy tried to escape from the shore when Lynton took Buddy for 'walkies'  It helps if you remember to tie it up!.  Quick stripping off of the pants and a cold wade saved the day.  Five minutes later and it would have been a cold swim.

Left Peck Lake at 9:30 a.m. after, almost literally, bumping into 'Blue Puffin' chugging into Peck Lake.  We knew them from Waupoos Marina.

It's a bit warmer today.  No hat necessary and relinquished one layer of woolies.  Temperature somewhere in the 50s and sunny.  Spied one bald eagle and two ospreys - the first osprey wading at the shore line - the heck with this diving stuff!  Many beautiful homes to look at and pelicans diving aplenty.  Arrived at North Lake Worth early in the afternoon.  After settling in, it's time to go to Publix Supermarket, yet one more time!!  It has now warmed up and we are sweating - 70 degrees.

Thursday December 30th
Left North Lake Worth for Lake Boca Raton.  There are 12 bascule bridges to get through.  Finally arrived at Lake Boca Raton at  4:15 p.m.

Friday December 31st
Another good early start.  Went through the first bridge (just around the corner from Lake Boca Raton) at 8:20 a.m.  Weather sunny and warm. It was a tediously uneventful journey, but this time there were only 8 bridges to pass through.  Arrived at Lake Sylvia at 1:00 p.m.  After securing the boat, dinghied over to Jim and Laurie on 'Kismet'.  It was wonderful to see Laurie looking so well and relaxed.

We celebrated New Year's Eve by watching a movie with John and Rejeanne.  We had decided on 'The Kids are All Right' but the French subtitles wouldn't come up for Rejeanne, so we decided on 'Brothers' - a tad heavy for New Year's Eve but very good.  It was a noisy night and the wind was rocking the boat.  Buddy got scared and decided he wanted to share the V-berth with us.

Saturday January 1st
HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Woke up with Buddy between us with his head on the pillow!  He had a good night at least!  At 8:15 a.m., we made a hairy exit from Lake Sylvia which was jam-packed with New Year's revelers.  20 knot winds didn't help either - me at the wheel while Lynton hauled anchor.  Scary stuff. Turned out to be not such an uneventful trip.  Bilbo ran aground and Tow Boat US couldn't budge him.  We missed a bridge opening twice (same bridge - long story).  Jackasses abounded on the water.  We hit bottom 3 times.  Shoaling is pretty bad .  We finally reached Sunset Lake, another of our favourite anchorages, at sunset!!  Bad news for John and Rejeanne.  Tow Boat US did some soundings further along the channel and measured only 4'6" in places.  They draw 6 feet. So they stayed in a nearby anchorage.  They may have to go back up to Fort Lauderdale and sail down the outside to Miami.

It was a splendid evening.  'Looney Tunes' who lives in a house at the other end of the lake is still playing endless moronic rap music to annoy the boaters.  But our radio covers it up.  Early to bed.  We are absolutely knackered after 5 gruelling days.

Sunday January 2nd
It was a luxury to have a lie-in 'til 7:20 a.m.  Couldn't sleep any longer.  After Buddy's walk, had a leisurely breakfast of fried eggs, bacon (fake), sausage patties (fake), baked beans. O.J., toast and jam and coffee.  Then off we go in the dinghy up Collins Canal to Publix Supermarket once more.  It is a beautiful, hot sunny day around 80 degrees.  Heard from John and Rejeanne.  Tow Boat US have told them about an alternative route down the west coast of the ICW to save them going on the outside.  So they are going to try that tomorrow.

Monday January 3rd
The alternative route for John and Rejeanne worked and they surprised us by turning up at 11:00 a.m. this morning.  Today is cloudy but very warm.  Still have no definite date for setting off for the Bahamas.  We had a visit from the young family on the next boat.  They have three children all seeming to be under the age of 8!  They are taking advantage of a very small window on Wednesday to head for Bimini.  But there is a cold front due to come through on Thursday with high winds and cold temperatures, so we might wait.

Tuesday January 4th
Time to take Buddy to the grooming salon once more.  He looks like a mop.  So off we toddle and drop him off at "The Grooming Loft" and take the opportunity to do a few loads of washing at a nearby laundromat.  John and Rejeanne suddenly decide that it is a good time to set off for the Bahamas after all, so everything goes into high gear.  We call Ira and tell him to get on down here.

We need fuel and water, so set off in the boat for Miami Beach marina which is at the furthest end of Government Cut where the large cruisers wait to pick up or disgorge passengers.  It takes an hour to get there from Sunset Lake, then 45 minutes to get back to the anchorage near the Venetian Causeway.  Lynton thought he would be late to pick Ira up at the police dock in South Beach Miami.  But no, they had been held up in a traffic jam on the I-95 and it finally took them 3 hours to do 75 miles.

Ira is picked up; then supper; then anchors up at 10:00 p.m.  Once more down Government Cut and out to the ocean.

Wednesday January 5th
Well, if that wasn't the rolliest passage there ever was.  I took my 1/2 dramamine and Buddy and I spent the whole night in the cockpit (Buddy tucked in between my legs all the way!).  The Gulf Stream current was tremendously strong and it took us 15 hours to cross.  John couldn't go too fast as his engine was playing up (seemed to be a dirty filter).  However after dawn came up and the wind shifted a little he got a sail up (our furling jammed) and he came surging past us.

 We arrived at 1:30 p.m. through a tortuously shallow and narrow channel into North Bimini.  No-one ran aground!  We are in the Sea Crest Marina in Alice Town.

Met up with Alfredo and Nicoletta from 'Jancris' who were anchored behind us in Lake Sylvia.  They are from Padua and have already sailed around the world. It is very pretty here and the colour of the water exactly matches our canvas.  We were all soooooo tired.  We could hardly stand up.  So it was eat supper, then crash.

Thursday January 6th
January 6th and another birthday rolls around.  Nobody remembered, including me.  Lynton felt so guilty, we're going out for supper and I can choose the most expensive dish on the menu!  Spent a fair amount of time Skyping Ann, working out how to get Ira back and discussing future weather conditions.  Looks like there are no good weather windows for at least a week.  We ate out at the Blue Water Anchorage Restaurant.  The meal was perfectly adequate (damning with faint praise!).  We all had grouper cooked in various ways.

Friday January 7th
On with the continuing saga of trying to get Ira back home.  His ticket finally got booked for tomorrow morning at 11:10 a.m. from Bimini Airport.  Went shopping at the local straw market for my birthday presents (a dress, 2 necklaces and a sparkly shopping bag).  Then on to the local grocery store - not too much in the way of choice.  Lynton has volunteered to make the English muffins from scratch.  For supper, we had lobster tails Lynton bought from one of the locals (we got taken, of course).  But they cooked up beautifully, accompanied by spicy rice and roasted Brussels sprouts.