We are on an Island in the Bahamas -- Out Island

Any land mass in the Bahamas outside of Nassau is called an out Island. This came very clear the other night and yesterday when the entire Island lost power. The power is generated in Marsh Harbour on Abaco Island and then sent via subterranean cable to the various Islands. We lost power for 7 hours on Tuesday and 5 hours yesterday. When it is gone -- it is gone.

It has been hot and windless the last 2 days so we have run the Air conditioning at night when we had power. Today the wind is back and a cold front on the way -- that means the highs will drop from 82 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Eat your hearts out mid westerners.

We have been doing chores. Yesterday is was laundry and I had to do some sewing on my Genoa Sail. Some of the sacrificial strip had come loose and had to be stitched back -- probably that rough Gulf Stream crossing. No sail loft here so I had to sew it in the deck. Not easy... In the afternoon I went to the ocean which was very calm and swam for about a half hour -- oh it felt good in that pristine salt water.

Today we went to town and sorted out the phone business. We had to buy a new SIM card for the Iphone and we have a Bahamas phone number but more importantly we have a data plan so we can do internet anywhere but at a price -- no such thing as unlimited, family size, 20% more in the Bahamas.

This afternoon we repaired one of the couch cushions where the shaped foam in the cushion had delaminate. I had a big can of spray adhesive so we took the cushion apart and on a picnic table we repaired the foam. After an unintended nap I went over to the Bluff House Marina and explored. It is just across the way here in White Sound. It was sad. The main restaurant and bar are under renovation I think. No work being done but lots of boxes in the building. The beach bar was open but man that is a rugged walk up and down the steep hill here.

Back on the boat now for a simple dinner and simple entertainment tonight. It would be easy to get carried away eating out and drinking in the bar since they want me to charge everything to the slip.. be careful or it will pile up.

Greetings from Green Turtle Cay (GTC) Again and Again

We were going to leave the marina today but there is a strong 80% chance of thunderstorms today and the winds are stronger than forecast. We still don't have a useable I-phone on the BTC network (thus no internet once we leave) and we need to wait till Thursday for the BTC office to open one day a week for 3 hours or go around the Whale Cay passage to Treasure Cay and get it sorted out there. Since we haven't used the phone in a long time we have to start over with a new SIM card and account. Can't do that online so we wait.

The WiFi here at GT Club is GREAT. So I figured if I got a good monthly rate we could just stay here and save the $100 that we would have spent on a 6GB plan with BTC for a month. Well they came up with a good rate (each is decided individually by the owner) so we are here for the next 30 days. Now we can come and go as we please but we have a slip here for 30 days now. Good thing because after a few great weather days it all comes to an end Thursday night through Sunday with strong winds and rain. I have never seen so much rain here before than again we are here earlier than in the past.

We wanted to stay in the area through New Years so this works out well for us.
Unfortunately day to day not much will be happening. Just eating, drinking, and being merry with nearly daily long walks and swims in the ocean.

I'll post when something interesting occurs.

Today was just coming to the decision to stay, then launching the dinghy for town, and picking up some fresh Conch Salad (they made it in front of me) and a case of Kalik Gold to wash it all down with. Hmmm that is eating, drinking, and being merry.