HAPPY NEW YEARS and mourn Mermaid Reef

Greetings and a Happy New Years from Marsh Harbor Abacos.

We had a nice cocktail hour yesterday afternoon to celebrate New Years Eve. Craig and Dovie, Jim and Barb, and me and Karen gathered on Bubbles to share snacks and tales. It was a great afternoon. Comfortable too as the wind increased beyond forecast strength but manageable.

It was a quiet News Years Eve with some fireworks. This area is economically depressed thus can't expect much. Nevertheless a nice evening in the harbour.

I was a little bummed out yesterday. We were looking for the new Maxwell's Grocery and was having troubles with direction. We came across a trio of 2 young women and a young man all native Bahamians and I asked for a direction. I was greeted with a stare of "why did you spit in my coffee" from the young man and no response. Oh well. MArsh is not known for the friendly natives.

The new maxwell's is a very nice grocery with most everything but pricey by stateside standards although cheaper than Green Turtle Cay and Hope town.

We provisioned up and prepared to head to Hope Towwn on Friday.

Today we relaxed and I kept to my New Years Resolution of not spending any money TODAY.

Late morning we all went to the Jib Room to tie up and walk to Mermaid Reef. OHHHHH what a disappointment. Apparently you could buy the land side of Mermaid Reef and some rich SOB did and erected fences and no trespassing signs everywhere. I couldn't believe it.

Obviously many of the locals can't either and have taken matters personally. The new owner had to erect a fishing net barrier behind his picnic area that overlooks the reef to protect against thrown objects from passing cars. Hell he deserves it!!

Other than that it has been a nice New Years day except for the too strong wind here today which makes the anchorage uncomfortable.

We or better I had Lobster for lunch but Karen became queasy and didn't eat any lunch. She feels better this evening though.

Tomorrow HOPE TOWN or if there is no room then back to Treasure. We expect moderate winds for the next several days and I want top be in either Hope Town or Treasure Cay.