Friday, February 13, 2009

Lazy Hazy Sunday in Hope Town



Ohhh it has been just a real nice Sunday in Hope Town. It’s just an old fashioned town where everything is closed except 3 restaurants. You just have to slow down but the fun never slows.

The sailing club here is unbelievably active. They sponsor and run usually 2 races a week. Big boats on Wednesdays and dinghies on Sunday.

We just enjoyed the day and watched the dinghy racers a bit. We even had a little rain shower today which has been unusual – it has been very dry here this winter. Karen went on a long beach walk and collected more sea glass.

The storm system coming off Florida this afternoon and evening is forecast to really shake things up here tonight (always the middle of the night) and tomorrow. So far the winds have been pretty gentle today but will definitely be romping by tonight.

Not much else done today. Just some light boat cleaning, removing the flags so they don’t flog themselves to death in strong winds, and putting chaffing protection on the mooring lines.

We did run the generator for an extended time this morning and produced new social cards and played Internet and watched the gallows humor YOUTUBE videos on Nortel’s demise. Well-done spoof with a lot of truth in them and you have to feel so sorry for the employees that are being impacted. What a debacle and shameful way for such a proud company to find itself today. I won’t say anymore.

Got fleas???


Today the weather started fine. We decided to go to the Man-O-War flea market which is an annual BIG DEAL here in the Abacos.

We pulled the anchor about 8:15am and had the hook down in MOW by 9:30am -- had to drop it twice. It is tough to get the hook to set in sand and grass. Born to Cruise was right behind us and anchored nearby. They gave us a ride into the flea market in their dinghy. Good thing because it was crowded.

It was a warm sunny day too – almost HOT. This tropical sun is becoming intense now – you can see and feel the difference. The festival was centered at the marina grounds which were very shady. You found the usual stuff you would expect at a Flea Market. We bought just a couple of books then really spent some money buying food and drink. It is all for a good cause – the public school on MOW.

The market was not the big attraction it was really socializing with all the cruisers we have been meeting here. Wayne thinks the cruisers outnumbered the locals at this fair.

We stayed till around noon then left. I wanted to catch the trailing high tide to see if I could get back into Hope Town and a mooring for the next expected Cold Front, which begins tomorrow night. Once moored and after visiting briefly with Celtic Cross, Karen and I went to the beach and took a long walk and she collected a bunch of sea glass today – some very nice pieces.

This morning Chris said this weather system would be a doozy. He said if meteorology was your interest then this series of low pressures would be very interesting. The low is expected to drop to 980 millibars near Bermuda – you usually see that low only in hurricanes – thus expect hurricane force winds up there. The winds will not be that strong here but will definitely be romping in the 30-knot range Monday into Tuesday as well as some stout rain – thus reason for seeking safe harbour and peace of mind.

We are on the same mooring we had last time here so should be not much to worry about. Looking forward to a pleasant night tonight.

Ohhh Happy Valentines Day to everyone. Karen is enjoying her dark chocolates with truffles today.

Must be Friday the 13th


Yep – must be Friday the thirteenth!!! Nothing bad has happened today (yet) but just weird. Like this morning when I came up to the cockpit to make my weather observations for the net we had reduced visibility. First time that has happened in the Bahamas!! It was a mixture of fog and smoke from brush fires on Great Abaco Island. Really stunk of smoke too. However it did make for a nice sunrise picture in Marsh Harbour.

We decided, given the weather forecast, that we would do laundry here then go this afternoon and anchor off Man-O-War for the flea market tomorrow then head around the Whale Cay Passage and into Green Turtle Cay Sunday morning ahead of the next strong front. Today a cold front was passing but they said we would hardly notice it.

Well we got to the laundry and that went well except the machines will not accept any Bahamian money – only U.S. Quarters!! How about that. Wasn’t too bad -- $2.50 to wash and $2.00 to dry. Good commercial quality machines and FAST.

Then on the way back to the boat – dark clouds on the horizon. Hmmm maybe a passing shower.. No it rained and misted and stayed overcast all afternoon even this evening. Well we didn’t go to MOW today although several boats did and had problems anchoring. Everyone seemed to know of that cable I hooked when I was over there but no one told me. Its not on the most recent charts either but because the water was so still folks could see it in the water.. It was ROUGH when I anchored over there..

Any way we will enjoy another day and evening here in Marsh Harbour – especially since so many boats left for MOW today and we will decide on a plan tomorrow.

I have a feeling of trepidation since the weather forecast was off by so much today. My plan called for pretty close accounting of wind speeds for my plan. Like when I go to GTC tomorrow I will have to anchor off the Island and then enter White Sound in the morning on Sunday. There is no protection for strong S and SW winds off the Island but I could handle less than 10.

Decisions decisions…

Thursday, February 12, 2009

A busy day -- real busy -- in Marsh Harbour

Today was a better day in Marsh Harbour. However – very busy.

When I did the weather report for the BASRA weather net this morning the boat count was 50 which is the greatest that I have seen here this winter.

I started the day by running the propane tank into the hardware store to have it filled. They say in by 9 ready by 12pm. I was there at 8:45am and they said it would be ready by 10 am and it was. The price of propane here is not bad. A 20lb tank is $25.
While waiting for that I changed the oil and filter on the main engine -- the book says every 250 hours but I like 100 hours. I pushed it this time and changed at 129 hours and it did not look bad. However – no way you can do it neatly. Black stuff all over my legs and feet – how??? I don’t know.

After cooling off we did a provisioning run to the wholesale grocery at Skaggs. Whoops cash only no credit cards so it took two trips. Bought Karen some dark Dove chocolates with truffles for Valentines day – a 2lb’R. Her suggestion – I never think of these things.

Then onto to Hollywood George’s stand for some dynamite Conch Salad. He has great quality control all batches are delicious!!

After lunch it was to the grocery store and beer store and fabric store to feed our habits. Then back on the boat to put it all away and take some well deserved Sun showers – Yooow the water was HOT.

Now it’s time to put together an appetizer to share and go to the cruisers appetizer happy hour at the Jib room tonight. Looking forward to it – we are taking some homemade meatballs and sauce.

The plans from here?? I don’t know. Chris pains a pretty changeable weather picture for the next 2 weeks – don’t expect any 2 days to be alike for a while and virtually no East winds.

Hunker down and stay put?? Move to another anchorage?? Go to a marina?? Don’t know. Maybe I’ll be move decisive tomorrow after discussing this with the cruisers at the appetizer pot luck tonight.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Mad Dogs and the Bahamas

Back in Marsh Harbour again…

Treasure Cay is nice but we have been gone 2 weeks again and it was time to reprovision again. We had staged to head north but the forecast for the next week and half has a lot of south and west winds, which are no good for anchoring off the cays north of the whale. It is best to use North to SE for that purpose. The prevailing winds here are East but not this week or next. Sooo back to Marsh Harbour. On the plus side we can now go to the 23rd annual flea market on Man-O-War Cay which is a big deal here in the Abacos.

When we left Treasure cay we stopped at the fuel dock and filled up – not bad for 2 weeks on the hook/mooring I had used 11 gallons of diesel, 3 gallons of gas, and 130 gallons of water. Now water was a bargain there at a fill up price of only $7.

Now we have not spent but a couple of days here the other 2 times we were here and that may happen again. I really wanted to spend a week here but the events from this afternoon have clouded that.

Once we landed at the public dinghy dock we were accosted by a young drunk Bahamian who just rambled on and on how he was going to protect our stuff and would fight anyone that might mess with it. Ohhh boy I just wanted to leave. Than just a couple of minutes later on the road we encounter another young drunk fearsome looking Bahamian – hair and beard like a young Castro – and he is just swearing up a storm and wildly gesturing and looking right at us. We froze and looked like we had just seen a rabid dog!!!

Well we turned around and took a different path and fortunately he did not follow.

This is really a great place – ABACOS – but Marsh Harbour is not as friendly or comfortable as the other places. Although the best shopping and provisioning is here.

We will give it another couple of days and see if things improve – otherwise we will be “out of here”.!!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

ATTACK of the Coconuts!!!



No the opening picture is not the coconuts. That was taken over at Nippers the day before yesterday. Crews from Musoka Moon, Celtic Cross, and Temptation.


The coconuts have heard of my purchase yesterday. They attacked in force this morning!! While observing weather conditions for the BASRA weather net this morning just after sun up. I noticed several objects in the water that looked like brown floats. Closer inspection proved they were actually coconuts and a dozen of them all floating towards me. I’ve never seen that before – must be an omen..

Just a nice day in Treasure Cay Abacos. The weather turned out better than forecast. Several boats left and a few arrived leaving the entire anchorage only lightly crowded.

We had a lazy morning and did a bunch of radio work on the SSB. Went into the beach and had a nice walk but nothing found. The beach is magnificent but just devoid of beach combing artifacts.

Ohhh I’m bad – I forgot to follow up on the letter in the bottle that the crew from Born to Cruise found on the beach at Great Guana Cay. All the details and a picture of the letter are on their web blog page – check it out --- it was very coool: www.borntocruise.com.

Just going with the easy day today so not much else to report.

What else – hmmm. Ohh I got my scuba tank filled here at the dive shop here at the marina. Nice shop and very friendly crew there. Wayne on Born to cruise helped me get the tank on the dock. I went this morning at near high tide and had no trouble getting the tank on the dock – unfortunately they were all out on a dive and said to return around 2pm. Well then it was near low tide and a l o n g way up to the dock for the tank. Wayne assisted – thank You.

On the way back to the boat I told Wayne I was concerned that my anchor might be dragging back a bit but confused since all my reference points -- boats around me had left. He brought his glass bottomed bucket over and we looked for that anchor. Well we found the chain and it just disappears in the sand – anchor completely buried – thus no reason for concern. I like that.


Monday, February 9, 2009

I'm a WINNER!!!

Had a great night last night with the crew from Born to Cruise. Wayne and Jill introduced us to the games Mexican train Dominoes and Farkle. That was fun especially since I won 3 of 4 games of Dominos and 1 of 2 games of Farkle – just beginners luck.

This morning we left Fisher’s Bay early – about 8:15am and headed to Treasure Cay. I need some high water to get in and high tide was at 7:15am in the morning. We had a nice motor sail across the Sea of Abaco and found plenty of water entering Treasure Cay. Wow – only 6 boats on the hook there. Plenty of room to anchor so we did. I called Born to Cruise and Celtic Cross to alert them to the fine condition of the anchorage. Later in the day Born to Cruise came in.

After dropping the hook we went to the grocery store and picked up just a few tings. I also bought a big ol machete to open some coconuts I have found. I just want to try some really fresh coconut.

Once Born to Cruise got settled we took them on a brief orientation to Treasure Cay shops and beach and then went to the Treasure Cay Library. WOW they have a real library and real librarian here. A very nice facility and well ordered, neat and very clean. The people there were most friendly.

Yu can become a member for $10 dollars a year to checkout books or videos and they also have a nice sized room with books to purchase. Hard backs are $5 and paper backs are a dollar. A very nice selection so we bought some. Books are important as food and consumed at almost the same rate.

Another 5 boats have come in and anchored but still plenty of room. Some not so nice weather is expected tomorrow so we will stay put here for a couple of days – a great all weather anchorage. I should be happy more boats have not discovered this area.

Well need to beak now and practice for more games tonight. To keep my beginners luck on a roll we will have to play new games that I have never played before.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Blog from the World Down Under tonight

Brrrr – I’m cold today!! Not from the air temps but from the water.

It has been tooo long a time to check the bottom of the boat, propeller, and zincs. So this morning I did it. WOW – water temps were 65 degrees. That is COLD by an standard. Wore a 3.2 mm wet suit – full suit but it was still chilly. The worse part was trapping water in the hood on my ears – they ached from the cold!!

Actually the inspection turned out very good. The prop is still free from any barnacles or growth. The zincs are fine, and the hull had a pretty good crop of slime on it. I brushed a lot of it off but could not do the keel. I didn’t have enough weight on the weight belt so couldn’t sink easily. I’ll get it later when the water warms up. The biggie was the inspection of prop, zincs and rudder.

After putting on several layers of clothes and sitting in direct sunlight out of the wind for 20 minutes I felt fine. For some reason I was quite dizzy or off balance when I first came out of the water. When I climbed the ladder I complained to Karen that the boat was moving a lot and she said – it wasn’t.

After cleaning everything and hanging to dry we went to town which is really Nippers here. We met the crews from Celtic Cross and Muskokie Moon (both very fine Canadians) and enjoyed their company. Later we all retired to Grabbers at the beach. Hmmm might as well have a Grabber drink there. While there the crew from Born to Cruise – Jill and Wayne showed up. They had come around the Whale Cay Passage this afternoon!! Not an easy trip today.

They had gone on a short walk on the beach by Nippers and had found a sealed bottle with a message in it.. What LUCK.. We were all so envious. They hadn’t retrieved the message yet so we are all waiting to find what they have. Hopefully I’ll post it tomorrow.

I suspect we will go to Treasure Cay tomorrow for water and provisions and then stage for our Northerly trek around the whale cay next week.