tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566673214177629752024-03-21T22:33:07.633-04:00The Parkinsons---From Ottawa to the Bahamas 2008This blog is a journal of Graeme & Laura Parkinson's
voyage from Ottawa to the Bahamas in 2008 on their vessel 'Sweet Chariot', a Viking 33. Sweet Chariot has been in the Carribean on 2 other occasions with it's previous owner, Jim & Lise Craig.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-63207916225492437762012-08-05T11:25:00.003-04:002012-08-05T11:25:51.641-04:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure Mar. 16-31, 2009</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 16<sup>th</sup>:
Another super fantastic day weather-wise predicted today with a high of
78F. We are waiting for our appointment
on Wed. re the cutlass bearing, so we have definitely decided to take the Albury
Ferry to Hope Town at 1030hrs. for the day.
When we were just about to leave we were hailed on VHF by Sandcastle, a
boat that we have not seen since Jan. but have maintained contact with via
email when at all possible. They were on
their way from Lynyard Cay to Hope Town.
We made arrangements to meet them there at 1300hrs., stay with them
overnight & the next day they would take us back to our vessel in Marsh
Harbour. Celtic Cross agreed to look
after Sweet Chariot ie running the motor & refrigeration during our absence. They even took us to shore where we then
walked to Crossing Beach to caught the ferry; one way ticket per person =$15.00
for the 20 minute trip, return fare= $22.00; there is a ferry every few hours
from 0715 to 1830hrs. It was a very
warm, light breeze day, so when we arrived we first walked the south end of the
island including South Beach & a number of people were swimming in the
Atlantic Waters. We walked Queens
Highway (one must see photos to appreciate such a name), in & out of shops,
built & gaily painted in the normal Bahamian architecture &
colours. After finding are friends we
hugged & chatted over beers &
lunch ‘till the cows came home’. When in
Hope Town I had been advised to go to Vernon’s Grocery & purchase a Key
Lime pie; not cheap, but the best one has ever tasted I’m told. And so we did, to have with supper tonight. Before returning to Sandcastle, we dinghied
over to the lighthouse side; built in 1863, can be seen for 17 mi. & run by
kerosene . We climbed the 101 circular
staircase to the top viewing deck. On
such a beautiful day as this, the view was breathtaking. Again photos are necessary to appreciate the
panoramic view, the colours of the homes, the vegetation, & the seas with
the spectrum of aqua, teal, light & dark blues. A beautiful evening, reacquainting with
friends & getting caught up with their adventures in Eleuthera &
the Exumas, & a magnificent calm,
quiet, clear, star filled sky.</div>
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Mar. 17<sup>th</sup>:
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! A
brilliant sunny, hot day (80F). After
breakfast we went ashore & walked part of Queens Highway to North Beach
& along its shoreline. We attempted
to cross private property from the beach to the road instead of back tracking,
when a caretaker explained this was not kosher, but then invited to give us a tour
of a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom , 3 yr. old gorgeous beach house with a spectacular
view of the Atlantic as well as the Sea of Abaco & meticulous gardens &
yard, that rents out from a mere $9000.00 to $16,000.00 per week. After lunch we detached from our mooring ball
& motored to Marsh Harbour as there was minimal wind. Happy Hour was planned at Snappas (beer &
well drinks= $3.00). St. Patty’s Day feastivities were well
publicized on Cruisers Net this morn throughout the Abacos. Suddenly, very dark clouds, threatening skies
& gusting winds + rain blew up as predicted at Happy Hour--- a weak cold
front. At the gathering I learnt that the Cost Right (equivalent to Costco back
home) closed down mid Feb., so that leaves basically one grocery store in
Marsh. It was a cool trip back to Sweet Chariot for
supper, & a windy night.</div>
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Mar. 18<sup>th</sup>:
E wind blew all night long & right into the morning. High, gusting winds 20-25K were predicted for
several days. Today is the day though
that we have an appointment to have the cutlass bearing repaired. Due to the keel depth & Marsh Harbour
Boatyard’s shallow harbour, it is necessary for us to arrive on a rising &
near high tide, which today is at 1400hrs.
We up anchored & with the jenny half deployed we sailed the 10.7nm
distance first on a beat, then beam reach as we rounded the land mass &
finally a run towards the boatyard. The
journey was better than the conditions were described in the am on Cruisers
Net. The sea chop was only 1-2ft. Gingerly, we entered the boatyard’s channel
right to the travel lift channel & Sweet Chariot was lifted to have the
cutlass bearing replaced; a tow line from the rescue had jammed so tightly in
the shaft, that the bearing was pushed out & bent from the normal round
circumference to an oval, with a scant remnants of the rope still present. Graeme had done quite a good job at scraping
the hull, but we went ahead & had the bottom pressure washed. Sweet Chariot has been through so much &
has withstood some harsh treatment, that she deserved some pampering to make
her look pretty from the bottom up! The
job took 1-11/2hrs. only, but the bill was expensive. We wished this problem was detected in
Spanish Wells where the repair prices were very reasonable. We did not want to take a chance & leave
the boatyard now on a dropping tide, so we asked to stay overnight tied up to a
dock. The skies had opened up when we
arrived & continued on & off the rest of the day & night.</div>
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Mar. 19<sup>th</sup>:
An ugly grey, very rainy day with thunder & lightening in the
am. The locals are very happy to see
this rain as they have had nothing for months & there is still 2 months
left in their dry season. We hope that
the weather improves when we plan to depart this afternoon; high tide today is
1522hrs. We had cleaned out the boat’s
water tank & cleaned the water filter, so refilled the water tank ($0.10
per gal.) & dieslled up before we ventured back to Marsh Harbour at
1430hrs. Winds were decent & we were
on a beat at 4.5K in less than 1ft. chop, but that soon died rendering us to
motor into the anchorage at Marsh Harbour at 1730hr. The rains had slowed down with only an
occasional sprinkle; in fact before sunset the sun poked its head out. The night was calm, quiet even humid & some
stars were out.</div>
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Mar. 20<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny morning with a few clouds, but NE winds at 20-25K predicted for
next 2 days. It was laundry day today
& at the same time we picked up a few groceries in anticipation of a
departure to start heading north then across the Gulf to the Florida. The boat looked like a Chinese junk with the
laundry hanging from everywhere. Winds
had now increased from the NE to 8-10K driving the humidity out of the air
& by sunset they were blowing 15-20K & cool. We had a plastic insert sewn into our solid
connector since we lost our see-through connector in the Feb. mishap &
picked up some emails at the internet café.
Then we hit Happy Hour at not one, but two boats; I guess we are making
up for lost time. So it was a very late
supper tonight. Lots of stars in a clear
night sky. First day of Spring came in
at 2347hrs.</div>
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Mar. 21<sup>st</sup>:
First full day of Spring & not a nice day at all. Winds howled from the wee hours of the morning
throughout the whole day & evening, & heavy rain during the noon
hour. Lots of spray (salt) as one
journeyed in the dinghy across the harbour to shore. Celtic Cross was called an internet café at
one point this afternoon as a few of us gathered & sat on the boat working
away at our computers, because Ian & Sharon were tied up at Mangoes Marina
with internet access & shore power to boot.
I received a lesson on how to copy & paste compositions created on
Word 2007 & sent out as an email rather than as an attachment, so it is
easier for people to open on their computers, as I have Vista which complicates
things for my recipients. Thank you Anne
Wallace & Jim for the instructions; they worked! We watched the DVD Benjamin Button this
evening; it was good or well done, but very solemn & sad; I cried a lot
thinking of my Dad, not an uncommon reaction for me most days.</div>
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Mar. 22<sup>nd</sup>:
A cool sunny Sunday morning with NE winds at 15K as I went to shore to
get the bus at Mangoes for Church.
Graeme cleaned & polished the stern combing, then rearranged the
water & diesel & gas jerry cans tied to the lifelines after lunch. A couple from Toronto came & introduced
themselves to us & asked us if our boat was a Viking 34. We were surprised someone recognized Sweet
Chariot as a Viking, but corrected them on her size. They had a Viking 34 in the past, & were
impressed on Sweet Chariot’s condition.
In the mid afternoon we dinghied to shore so I might call Mom on Skype,
do some internet stuff & clean out some stuff on my laptop. It remained cold & windy all afternoon,
evening & night.</div>
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Mar. 23<sup>rd</sup>:
Repeat---cool, ENE 15-20K winds with sun & cloudy periods today, but
still enough chop in the harbour. I
promised to serve Donald & France (Alto) a French toast with bacon
breakfast & they supplied real maple syrup.
We chatted away the morning, I particularly interested in the
communication system & the supporting power supply system they have
installed on their vessel. They have SSB
(ICOM HF Marine IC-M802), computer hook-up to SSB with a modem & printer
(Canon IP 100---ink cartridge is good & lasts a long time & produces
good photos), 1-12V battery dedicated to engine only & 4-12V batteries for
house ( they would like to change to 6V), Xantrex Battery Status Monitor, solar
panel, 2000 watts generator, 2 inverters, 2 AC battery chargers, & a 11
gal. Webasto ST 90 water heating system that also provides warm heat into the
cabin via 4 heat vents on rheostats
(they feel a 6 gal. is sufficient). Alto
gave us a hands-on tour of the systems this afternoon. It looks as if Treasure Cay is where we will
move on to tomorrow, so picked up fresh milk & breads & lettuce. Fuel tank & one water tank was topped
up. We had a final gathering for Happy
Hour at Snappas from 1700- 1900hrs.
& said our good-byes. A very cool
night, but at least the wind & harbour chop have finally settled down some.</div>
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Mar. 24<sup>th</sup>:
A quiet & calm night until just before sunrise when the ENE cold
wind increased, but the sun was in & out.
The weather forecast & the sea conditions are not sounding good for
several days. I am getting more &
more anxious to be home. I miss my
family, I miss my friends, I miss my work-outs, I miss skiing, I miss my bike…
I MISS OTTAWA! Ten months is too long
for me to be away. On a positive note, we did make our way up to Treasure Cay,
a distance of 14.7nm with the jenny fully deployed on a beam reach at about 6K
then broad reach at about 4K, leaving Marsh at 1000hrs. & arriving at our
destination at 1315hrs. at low tide, but soon to rise. On anchoring we went aground once again; it’s
these small sand humps that we seem to find everywhere. Until the tide came up
enough we had lunch & attempted to get on the internet but unsuccessful;
others were successful, so I guess it depends on your location in this harbour. Once we
dropped the hook, we venture to shore & walked the long 3 mile semi-circular powdery white
sand beach for a few hours looking for shells & sand dollars, but the tide
was already coming in where the sand dollars are normally found; maybe tomorrow
at low tide. The economy has hit this
famous & popular tourist destination as everywhere in the Bahamas & the
USA. This is the common comment from
everyone this year. Normally these beaches are packed with tourists especially
at this prime time of the year, but the beach was virtually all ours; only a few swimmers. A beer at the bar & we were the only
customers, then back to the boat to cook up a pot of chili. Some reading & some journal writing then
off to bed. The wind continued to blow
all night 15-20K.</div>
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Mar. 25<sup>th</sup>:
The day started off very cloudy & windy & unfortunately my mood
matched the day. We filled the boat’s
water & diesel tanks from the jerry cans, then refilled the jerry cans
onshore in preparation tomorrows probable departure north. After lunch the sun slowly started to poke
it’s head through the clouds. I needed
to renew my laptop virus protection subscription & since I can’t get
internet access here we went to shore.
After frustrating session with virus renewal reverted to their chat line
& then left Graeme use the laptop as he so wished while I walked the
wonderful beach once again at low tide with the ladies. Emotionally I needed this. On walking toward the beach we past some very
lovely condos for rent & magnificent homes & their yards & gardens;
sure there is a nice price tag attached
to these places. There were more people
on the beach today even though it was windy & cool. The tide was a rising low tide. It would have been a perfect day if the wind
wasn’t so strong to have one’s bathing suit on & walk the shallows way, way
out into the aqua waters looking for the infamous sand dollars that are in
abundance. On returning I was provided a
quick but confusing computer lesson on saving emails into Word. The best was the long awaited shower that
followed; it was just too quick. We
BBQ’d tonight since the winds had subsided some. Clear skies & millions of stars prevailed
all night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 26<sup>th</sup>:
It was an early start this sunny morning as we were definitely leaving
Treasure Cay on high tide to cross the Whale Cut. Many boats had the same plan, but some took
the short route in very shallow waters through Don’t Rock taking advantage of
their shoal draft keels. The cool winds
were from the E at 10-15K with 5-6ft. rollers & the occasional 8 footer
pushing us through the Cut (deep Atlantic waters meeting the shallow Abacos
Sea). We made the pass by 0915hrs. then
had a run in 2-3ft. chop past Green Turtle Cay to tuck in behind Crab Cay by
Manjack Cay at 1120hrs. The nice thing
about this location is the fact that the residents here maintain free
WiFi. Distance=18.1nm. After lunch & some internet work we were
off in the dinghy at a low rising tide to the beach on Crab Cay & the
Atlantic coast for shell & sea glass hunting. There were tons of sea muffins, conch of very
size imaginable & starfish; you had to be careful where you stepped! Lots of sea glass as well. A very pleasant couple of hours spent in the
warm sun. After supper we were invited
over to a boat that we had just met to play several fun rounds of Mexican
Dominoes (4 couples). A light &
short rain shower had us disperse to our respective boats about 2200hrs. A quiet & fairly calm night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 27<sup>th</sup>:
A rather lazy day. It was sunny
with cloudy periods & cool SSE winds at least 15K & higher in the afternoon
as predicted. Another cold front with
high winds is expected to pass Sat. & Sun.
Since this will be my last internet possibility till somewhere in
Florida, I took advantage of the situation & did a lot of email
writing. After lunch we got together
with Celtic Cross & made tentative plans for moving on to another Crab Cay
past Powell Cay tomorrow, then onto Great Sales Cay on Sun., Memory Rock on
Mon. & crossing the Gulf to Lake Worth on Tues. weather permitting. Then it was time to do some more exploring to
the Atlantic beach on Manjack Cay, through trails cut , provided & well
marked with colourful directional signs made from palms by the same residents
who provide WiFi to us cruisers. It was
a nice hike to a wide, pink, mostly powdery sand beach with high rollers of
aqua coloured waters crashing over the reefs, & large, eroding coral rocks
at one end. Ian & I found sea
beans---travel from Africa across the Atlantic.
We had a well needed, quick shower from the shower bag to rinse off the
salt. A few people blew their conchs at
sunset, but none were as good as Ian.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 28<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny & warm with cool SSW winds in the am blowing 20-25K. Before we up anchored at 0915hrs., I tried
Mom on Skype as this is the last internet ability until sometime in Florida;
great, I got her, so she is well aware
of our schedule etc. We had a good &
fast sail with the jenny alone heading W on a beam reach & averaging 6-7K.
We picked one of few anchorages that would provide us with some protection from
SW winds, that being Crab Cay on Little Abaco Island, past & across the Sea of Abaco from Powell
Cay. We travelled the 17.1nm distance
anchoring in a strong 25+K winds at
1245hrs. The SW winds blew all afternoon
& evening with gusts as high as 30K.
It was a little spooky at night here; very windy, no nearby settlements
except a slight glow from Cooper Town & anchor lights from the 6 anchored
sailboats here(Celtic Cross & Sandcastle travelling with us), therefore
very black, but lots of stars in the sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 29<sup>th</sup>:
A cloudy, warm, humid day with threatening skies, only an occasional
sunny break but very windy---SSW at 25-30K & 1-2ft. chop. The anchor was up at 0900hrs. & we
deployed about 1/3 of the jenny averaging a speed of 4-6K. We inched our way under motor only, through
the shallow shoals into the east side of Great Sales Cay & hoping the winds
will clock more to the W as predicted at 1900hrs. This location is not good for a SW wind &
the westward clocking is not to occur until very late. It took us 5 tries to get the anchor to hook;
there must be a shallow layer of sand over coral because others had difficulty
as well. Alto joined our little
contingent here. Distance= 35.9nm. All
night it remained warm & humid; the sheets felt damp getting into bed. The
winds continued to blow 20K from the SW so all the boats rock & rolled;
some did not sleep well. At 0200hrs. there was a sudden onset of
lightning & thunder--- scarry in a sailboat, followed by a good downpour of
rain (good for washing the salty sailboats down). Graeme told me the next day that he stood in
the rain to rinse the salt off himself until he got too cold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 30<sup>th</sup>:
It is still warm & humid.
Alto is well equipped with a ham radio, a modem & a printer, &
so they have been able to provide extensive weather forecasts for us boaters
including wind directions & speed, & waves on a near hourly basis for a
7 day period. This morning was no
exception. Graeme has now decided to put
the dinghy on deck as Celtic Cross & Sandcastle have already up anchored.
We depart an hour later. Alto has
planned to cross the Gulf Sream to Cape Canaveral today & through the night,
were as the rest of us are overnighting at Memory Rock on the Little Bahama
Bank, then will move on to Lake Worth Inlet tomorrow. So we bide good-bye to our dear friends, wishing
them a safe & good sail, hoping that our paths will cross in the near
future. It was cloudy at sunrise but in
no time the sun shone in all it’s glory.
Winds had clocked W during the night & by dawn they were from the
N. Main & jenny were fully deployed in lightish winds
that picked up to 8-10K from the NW as time went by. We were hailed by a 51ft. trimaran with twin
masts heading south & had a nice conversation with him over VHF (we are
monitoring 16 now); he has a sailing vessel on the west coast as he resides in
the state of Washington & keeps this trimaran on the east coast---such a
pity! Winds are decreasing so we need to
rely on the the engine for some speed in order to make our destination in
daylight hours. Approximately 6 miles
from Memory Rock waypoint we are hailed by Alto. They changed their plans due to weather
predictions for the Cape Canaveral are---lightning & thunder. Anchor was down at 1845hrs. in 8-10 ft. of
water. Distance= 49.2nm. At 2000
hrs. Graeme checked the anchor before he
put his head down & discovered that the anchor was directly behind us yet
we are not drifting . So what is happening here? Well, the current is stronger than the wind
& all four of us are experiencing the same thing. As night approached, the winds picked up to 12-15K & in the
middle of nothing we were rolling back & forth, so little sleep for all. Again tonight because of the complete lack of
light, it is black & eerie but the stars are phenomenal in a clear sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 31<sup>st</sup>:
This is the big day of our crossing!
Last night at 0340hrs., I heard a
conversation from 3 sailboats that were doing a night crossing, knew that the 4
of us were a small community here at Memory Rock, identified by our mast anchor
lights & doing the crossing as soon as there is some daylight. At 0630hrs. the anchors came out easily as
the anchors straightened out a decrease in current & we headed in a
westerly direction on a broad reach. SE
winds were only 5-8K but the seas were calm with less than 1 ft. of chop &
minimal swells; this is a very good thing.
The sun was in & out & the humidity was high. Shortly after noon, the winds became more
south & thus are boat speed increased.
But by 1400hrs. the clouds rolled in & the sky over the Florida
coast became ominous. On the VHF 9 a weather warning signal blurted out the
onset of a sudden rain storm with possible winds up to 60mph, heavy rainfall
& possibility of tornado until 1645 hrs.
We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, knives, flashlights. We furled the jenny in a little, refueled the
diesel tank just in case, prepared the strobe lights, the flares & safety
equipment . Lightning & thunder on
the mainland; yuk! VHF transmissions
very staticky. By 1700 hrs. the north
was clearing & dark ugly clouds now over the south, but still little to no
increase in wind & only slight raindrops for us way out to sea. Inland the rain was very heavy causing
flooding & zero visiblilty with 35-50K winds in Lake Worth, causing boats
to spin 360 on their anchors. The
weather gods were with us as the winds & the seas remained the same. By 1900 hrs. we spotted the bifurcation mark
& the red/green channel markers into Lake Worth. Winds now were SW & increased to 15-20K,
the sea chop increased to 3 ft. & hitting us at our port quarter, so we
downed the sail. We rock & rolled
our way into the channel & thankfully no freights or big cruise ships were
coming out of port. Dark was fast
approaching as we anchored well down the anchoring field at 2000hrs.
Distance= 67.4nm. It was a hotdog
supper at 2100 hrs. then to bed. The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure Mar. 16-31, 2009</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 16<sup>th</sup>:
Another super fantastic day weather-wise predicted today with a high of
78F. We are waiting for our appointment
on Wed. re the cutlass bearing, so we have definitely decided to take the Albury
Ferry to Hope Town at 1030hrs. for the day.
When we were just about to leave we were hailed on VHF by Sandcastle, a
boat that we have not seen since Jan. but have maintained contact with via
email when at all possible. They were on
their way from Lynyard Cay to Hope Town.
We made arrangements to meet them there at 1300hrs., stay with them
overnight & the next day they would take us back to our vessel in Marsh
Harbour. Celtic Cross agreed to look
after Sweet Chariot ie running the motor & refrigeration during our absence. They even took us to shore where we then
walked to Crossing Beach to caught the ferry; one way ticket per person =$15.00
for the 20 minute trip, return fare= $22.00; there is a ferry every few hours
from 0715 to 1830hrs. It was a very
warm, light breeze day, so when we arrived we first walked the south end of the
island including South Beach & a number of people were swimming in the
Atlantic Waters. We walked Queens
Highway (one must see photos to appreciate such a name), in & out of shops,
built & gaily painted in the normal Bahamian architecture &
colours. After finding are friends we
hugged & chatted over beers &
lunch ‘till the cows came home’. When in
Hope Town I had been advised to go to Vernon’s Grocery & purchase a Key
Lime pie; not cheap, but the best one has ever tasted I’m told. And so we did, to have with supper tonight. Before returning to Sandcastle, we dinghied
over to the lighthouse side; built in 1863, can be seen for 17 mi. & run by
kerosene . We climbed the 101 circular
staircase to the top viewing deck. On
such a beautiful day as this, the view was breathtaking. Again photos are necessary to appreciate the
panoramic view, the colours of the homes, the vegetation, & the seas with
the spectrum of aqua, teal, light & dark blues. A beautiful evening, reacquainting with
friends & getting caught up with their adventures in Eleuthera &
the Exumas, & a magnificent calm,
quiet, clear, star filled sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 17<sup>th</sup>:
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! A
brilliant sunny, hot day (80F). After
breakfast we went ashore & walked part of Queens Highway to North Beach
& along its shoreline. We attempted
to cross private property from the beach to the road instead of back tracking,
when a caretaker explained this was not kosher, but then invited to give us a tour
of a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom , 3 yr. old gorgeous beach house with a spectacular
view of the Atlantic as well as the Sea of Abaco & meticulous gardens &
yard, that rents out from a mere $9000.00 to $16,000.00 per week. After lunch we detached from our mooring ball
& motored to Marsh Harbour as there was minimal wind. Happy Hour was planned at Snappas (beer &
well drinks= $3.00). St. Patty’s Day feastivities were well
publicized on Cruisers Net this morn throughout the Abacos. Suddenly, very dark clouds, threatening skies
& gusting winds + rain blew up as predicted at Happy Hour--- a weak cold
front. At the gathering I learnt that the Cost Right (equivalent to Costco back
home) closed down mid Feb., so that leaves basically one grocery store in
Marsh. It was a cool trip back to Sweet Chariot for
supper, & a windy night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 18<sup>th</sup>:
E wind blew all night long & right into the morning. High, gusting winds 20-25K were predicted for
several days. Today is the day though
that we have an appointment to have the cutlass bearing repaired. Due to the keel depth & Marsh Harbour
Boatyard’s shallow harbour, it is necessary for us to arrive on a rising &
near high tide, which today is at 1400hrs.
We up anchored & with the jenny half deployed we sailed the 10.7nm
distance first on a beat, then beam reach as we rounded the land mass &
finally a run towards the boatyard. The
journey was better than the conditions were described in the am on Cruisers
Net. The sea chop was only 1-2ft. Gingerly, we entered the boatyard’s channel
right to the travel lift channel & Sweet Chariot was lifted to have the
cutlass bearing replaced; a tow line from the rescue had jammed so tightly in
the shaft, that the bearing was pushed out & bent from the normal round
circumference to an oval, with a scant remnants of the rope still present. Graeme had done quite a good job at scraping
the hull, but we went ahead & had the bottom pressure washed. Sweet Chariot has been through so much &
has withstood some harsh treatment, that she deserved some pampering to make
her look pretty from the bottom up! The
job took 1-11/2hrs. only, but the bill was expensive. We wished this problem was detected in
Spanish Wells where the repair prices were very reasonable. We did not want to take a chance & leave
the boatyard now on a dropping tide, so we asked to stay overnight tied up to a
dock. The skies had opened up when we
arrived & continued on & off the rest of the day & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 19<sup>th</sup>:
An ugly grey, very rainy day with thunder & lightening in the
am. The locals are very happy to see
this rain as they have had nothing for months & there is still 2 months
left in their dry season. We hope that
the weather improves when we plan to depart this afternoon; high tide today is
1522hrs. We had cleaned out the boat’s
water tank & cleaned the water filter, so refilled the water tank ($0.10
per gal.) & dieslled up before we ventured back to Marsh Harbour at
1430hrs. Winds were decent & we were
on a beat at 4.5K in less than 1ft. chop, but that soon died rendering us to
motor into the anchorage at Marsh Harbour at 1730hr. The rains had slowed down with only an
occasional sprinkle; in fact before sunset the sun poked its head out. The night was calm, quiet even humid & some
stars were out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 20<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny morning with a few clouds, but NE winds at 20-25K predicted for
next 2 days. It was laundry day today
& at the same time we picked up a few groceries in anticipation of a
departure to start heading north then across the Gulf to the Florida. The boat looked like a Chinese junk with the
laundry hanging from everywhere. Winds
had now increased from the NE to 8-10K driving the humidity out of the air
& by sunset they were blowing 15-20K & cool. We had a plastic insert sewn into our solid
connector since we lost our see-through connector in the Feb. mishap &
picked up some emails at the internet café.
Then we hit Happy Hour at not one, but two boats; I guess we are making
up for lost time. So it was a very late
supper tonight. Lots of stars in a clear
night sky. First day of Spring came in
at 2347hrs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 21<sup>st</sup>:
First full day of Spring & not a nice day at all. Winds howled from the wee hours of the morning
throughout the whole day & evening, & heavy rain during the noon
hour. Lots of spray (salt) as one
journeyed in the dinghy across the harbour to shore. Celtic Cross was called an internet café at
one point this afternoon as a few of us gathered & sat on the boat working
away at our computers, because Ian & Sharon were tied up at Mangoes Marina
with internet access & shore power to boot.
I received a lesson on how to copy & paste compositions created on
Word 2007 & sent out as an email rather than as an attachment, so it is
easier for people to open on their computers, as I have Vista which complicates
things for my recipients. Thank you Anne
Wallace & Jim for the instructions; they worked! We watched the DVD Benjamin Button this
evening; it was good or well done, but very solemn & sad; I cried a lot
thinking of my Dad, not an uncommon reaction for me most days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 22<sup>nd</sup>:
A cool sunny Sunday morning with NE winds at 15K as I went to shore to
get the bus at Mangoes for Church.
Graeme cleaned & polished the stern combing, then rearranged the
water & diesel & gas jerry cans tied to the lifelines after lunch. A couple from Toronto came & introduced
themselves to us & asked us if our boat was a Viking 34. We were surprised someone recognized Sweet
Chariot as a Viking, but corrected them on her size. They had a Viking 34 in the past, & were
impressed on Sweet Chariot’s condition.
In the mid afternoon we dinghied to shore so I might call Mom on Skype,
do some internet stuff & clean out some stuff on my laptop. It remained cold & windy all afternoon,
evening & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 23<sup>rd</sup>:
Repeat---cool, ENE 15-20K winds with sun & cloudy periods today, but
still enough chop in the harbour. I
promised to serve Donald & France (Alto) a French toast with bacon
breakfast & they supplied real maple syrup.
We chatted away the morning, I particularly interested in the
communication system & the supporting power supply system they have
installed on their vessel. They have SSB
(ICOM HF Marine IC-M802), computer hook-up to SSB with a modem & printer
(Canon IP 100---ink cartridge is good & lasts a long time & produces
good photos), 1-12V battery dedicated to engine only & 4-12V batteries for
house ( they would like to change to 6V), Xantrex Battery Status Monitor, solar
panel, 2000 watts generator, 2 inverters, 2 AC battery chargers, & a 11
gal. Webasto ST 90 water heating system that also provides warm heat into the
cabin via 4 heat vents on rheostats
(they feel a 6 gal. is sufficient). Alto
gave us a hands-on tour of the systems this afternoon. It looks as if Treasure Cay is where we will
move on to tomorrow, so picked up fresh milk & breads & lettuce. Fuel tank & one water tank was topped
up. We had a final gathering for Happy
Hour at Snappas from 1700- 1900hrs.
& said our good-byes. A very cool
night, but at least the wind & harbour chop have finally settled down some.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 24<sup>th</sup>:
A quiet & calm night until just before sunrise when the ENE cold
wind increased, but the sun was in & out.
The weather forecast & the sea conditions are not sounding good for
several days. I am getting more &
more anxious to be home. I miss my
family, I miss my friends, I miss my work-outs, I miss skiing, I miss my bike…
I MISS OTTAWA! Ten months is too long
for me to be away. On a positive note, we did make our way up to Treasure Cay,
a distance of 14.7nm with the jenny fully deployed on a beam reach at about 6K
then broad reach at about 4K, leaving Marsh at 1000hrs. & arriving at our
destination at 1315hrs. at low tide, but soon to rise. On anchoring we went aground once again; it’s
these small sand humps that we seem to find everywhere. Until the tide came up
enough we had lunch & attempted to get on the internet but unsuccessful;
others were successful, so I guess it depends on your location in this harbour. Once we
dropped the hook, we venture to shore & walked the long 3 mile semi-circular powdery white
sand beach for a few hours looking for shells & sand dollars, but the tide
was already coming in where the sand dollars are normally found; maybe tomorrow
at low tide. The economy has hit this
famous & popular tourist destination as everywhere in the Bahamas & the
USA. This is the common comment from
everyone this year. Normally these beaches are packed with tourists especially
at this prime time of the year, but the beach was virtually all ours; only a few swimmers. A beer at the bar & we were the only
customers, then back to the boat to cook up a pot of chili. Some reading & some journal writing then
off to bed. The wind continued to blow
all night 15-20K.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 25<sup>th</sup>:
The day started off very cloudy & windy & unfortunately my mood
matched the day. We filled the boat’s
water & diesel tanks from the jerry cans, then refilled the jerry cans
onshore in preparation tomorrows probable departure north. After lunch the sun slowly started to poke
it’s head through the clouds. I needed
to renew my laptop virus protection subscription & since I can’t get
internet access here we went to shore.
After frustrating session with virus renewal reverted to their chat line
& then left Graeme use the laptop as he so wished while I walked the
wonderful beach once again at low tide with the ladies. Emotionally I needed this. On walking toward the beach we past some very
lovely condos for rent & magnificent homes & their yards & gardens;
sure there is a nice price tag attached
to these places. There were more people
on the beach today even though it was windy & cool. The tide was a rising low tide. It would have been a perfect day if the wind
wasn’t so strong to have one’s bathing suit on & walk the shallows way, way
out into the aqua waters looking for the infamous sand dollars that are in
abundance. On returning I was provided a
quick but confusing computer lesson on saving emails into Word. The best was the long awaited shower that
followed; it was just too quick. We
BBQ’d tonight since the winds had subsided some. Clear skies & millions of stars prevailed
all night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 26<sup>th</sup>:
It was an early start this sunny morning as we were definitely leaving
Treasure Cay on high tide to cross the Whale Cut. Many boats had the same plan, but some took
the short route in very shallow waters through Don’t Rock taking advantage of
their shoal draft keels. The cool winds
were from the E at 10-15K with 5-6ft. rollers & the occasional 8 footer
pushing us through the Cut (deep Atlantic waters meeting the shallow Abacos
Sea). We made the pass by 0915hrs. then
had a run in 2-3ft. chop past Green Turtle Cay to tuck in behind Crab Cay by
Manjack Cay at 1120hrs. The nice thing
about this location is the fact that the residents here maintain free
WiFi. Distance=18.1nm. After lunch & some internet work we were
off in the dinghy at a low rising tide to the beach on Crab Cay & the
Atlantic coast for shell & sea glass hunting. There were tons of sea muffins, conch of very
size imaginable & starfish; you had to be careful where you stepped! Lots of sea glass as well. A very pleasant couple of hours spent in the
warm sun. After supper we were invited
over to a boat that we had just met to play several fun rounds of Mexican
Dominoes (4 couples). A light &
short rain shower had us disperse to our respective boats about 2200hrs. A quiet & fairly calm night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 27<sup>th</sup>:
A rather lazy day. It was sunny
with cloudy periods & cool SSE winds at least 15K & higher in the afternoon
as predicted. Another cold front with
high winds is expected to pass Sat. & Sun.
Since this will be my last internet possibility till somewhere in
Florida, I took advantage of the situation & did a lot of email
writing. After lunch we got together
with Celtic Cross & made tentative plans for moving on to another Crab Cay
past Powell Cay tomorrow, then onto Great Sales Cay on Sun., Memory Rock on
Mon. & crossing the Gulf to Lake Worth on Tues. weather permitting. Then it was time to do some more exploring to
the Atlantic beach on Manjack Cay, through trails cut , provided & well
marked with colourful directional signs made from palms by the same residents
who provide WiFi to us cruisers. It was
a nice hike to a wide, pink, mostly powdery sand beach with high rollers of
aqua coloured waters crashing over the reefs, & large, eroding coral rocks
at one end. Ian & I found sea
beans---travel from Africa across the Atlantic.
We had a well needed, quick shower from the shower bag to rinse off the
salt. A few people blew their conchs at
sunset, but none were as good as Ian.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 28<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny & warm with cool SSW winds in the am blowing 20-25K. Before we up anchored at 0915hrs., I tried
Mom on Skype as this is the last internet ability until sometime in Florida;
great, I got her, so she is well aware
of our schedule etc. We had a good &
fast sail with the jenny alone heading W on a beam reach & averaging 6-7K.
We picked one of few anchorages that would provide us with some protection from
SW winds, that being Crab Cay on Little Abaco Island, past & across the Sea of Abaco from Powell
Cay. We travelled the 17.1nm distance
anchoring in a strong 25+K winds at
1245hrs. The SW winds blew all afternoon
& evening with gusts as high as 30K.
It was a little spooky at night here; very windy, no nearby settlements
except a slight glow from Cooper Town & anchor lights from the 6 anchored
sailboats here(Celtic Cross & Sandcastle travelling with us), therefore
very black, but lots of stars in the sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 29<sup>th</sup>:
A cloudy, warm, humid day with threatening skies, only an occasional
sunny break but very windy---SSW at 25-30K & 1-2ft. chop. The anchor was up at 0900hrs. & we
deployed about 1/3 of the jenny averaging a speed of 4-6K. We inched our way under motor only, through
the shallow shoals into the east side of Great Sales Cay & hoping the winds
will clock more to the W as predicted at 1900hrs. This location is not good for a SW wind &
the westward clocking is not to occur until very late. It took us 5 tries to get the anchor to hook;
there must be a shallow layer of sand over coral because others had difficulty
as well. Alto joined our little
contingent here. Distance= 35.9nm. All
night it remained warm & humid; the sheets felt damp getting into bed. The
winds continued to blow 20K from the SW so all the boats rock & rolled;
some did not sleep well. At 0200hrs. there was a sudden onset of
lightning & thunder--- scarry in a sailboat, followed by a good downpour of
rain (good for washing the salty sailboats down). Graeme told me the next day that he stood in
the rain to rinse the salt off himself until he got too cold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 30<sup>th</sup>:
It is still warm & humid.
Alto is well equipped with a ham radio, a modem & a printer, &
so they have been able to provide extensive weather forecasts for us boaters
including wind directions & speed, & waves on a near hourly basis for a
7 day period. This morning was no
exception. Graeme has now decided to put
the dinghy on deck as Celtic Cross & Sandcastle have already up anchored.
We depart an hour later. Alto has
planned to cross the Gulf Sream to Cape Canaveral today & through the night,
were as the rest of us are overnighting at Memory Rock on the Little Bahama
Bank, then will move on to Lake Worth Inlet tomorrow. So we bide good-bye to our dear friends, wishing
them a safe & good sail, hoping that our paths will cross in the near
future. It was cloudy at sunrise but in
no time the sun shone in all it’s glory.
Winds had clocked W during the night & by dawn they were from the
N. Main & jenny were fully deployed in lightish winds
that picked up to 8-10K from the NW as time went by. We were hailed by a 51ft. trimaran with twin
masts heading south & had a nice conversation with him over VHF (we are
monitoring 16 now); he has a sailing vessel on the west coast as he resides in
the state of Washington & keeps this trimaran on the east coast---such a
pity! Winds are decreasing so we need to
rely on the the engine for some speed in order to make our destination in
daylight hours. Approximately 6 miles
from Memory Rock waypoint we are hailed by Alto. They changed their plans due to weather
predictions for the Cape Canaveral are---lightning & thunder. Anchor was down at 1845hrs. in 8-10 ft. of
water. Distance= 49.2nm. At 2000
hrs. Graeme checked the anchor before he
put his head down & discovered that the anchor was directly behind us yet
we are not drifting . So what is happening here? Well, the current is stronger than the wind
& all four of us are experiencing the same thing. As night approached, the winds picked up to 12-15K & in the
middle of nothing we were rolling back & forth, so little sleep for all. Again tonight because of the complete lack of
light, it is black & eerie but the stars are phenomenal in a clear sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 31<sup>st</sup>:
This is the big day of our crossing!
Last night at 0340hrs., I heard a
conversation from 3 sailboats that were doing a night crossing, knew that the 4
of us were a small community here at Memory Rock, identified by our mast anchor
lights & doing the crossing as soon as there is some daylight. At 0630hrs. the anchors came out easily as
the anchors straightened out a decrease in current & we headed in a
westerly direction on a broad reach. SE
winds were only 5-8K but the seas were calm with less than 1 ft. of chop &
minimal swells; this is a very good thing.
The sun was in & out & the humidity was high. Shortly after noon, the winds became more
south & thus are boat speed increased.
But by 1400hrs. the clouds rolled in & the sky over the Florida
coast became ominous. On the VHF 9 a weather warning signal blurted out the
onset of a sudden rain storm with possible winds up to 60mph, heavy rainfall
& possibility of tornado until 1645 hrs.
We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, knives, flashlights. We furled the jenny in a little, refueled the
diesel tank just in case, prepared the strobe lights, the flares & safety
equipment . Lightning & thunder on
the mainland; yuk! VHF transmissions
very staticky. By 1700 hrs. the north
was clearing & dark ugly clouds now over the south, but still little to no
increase in wind & only slight raindrops for us way out to sea. Inland the rain was very heavy causing
flooding & zero visiblilty with 35-50K winds in Lake Worth, causing boats
to spin 360 on their anchors. The
weather gods were with us as the winds & the seas remained the same. By 1900 hrs. we spotted the bifurcation mark
& the red/green channel markers into Lake Worth. Winds now were SW & increased to 15-20K,
the sea chop increased to 3 ft. & hitting us at our port quarter, so we
downed the sail. We rock & rolled
our way into the channel & thankfully no freights or big cruise ships were
coming out of port. Dark was fast
approaching as we anchored well down the anchoring field at 2000hrs.
Distance= 67.4nm. It was a hotdog
supper at 2100 hrs. then to bed. The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure Mar. 16-31, 2009</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 16<sup>th</sup>:
Another super fantastic day weather-wise predicted today with a high of
78F. We are waiting for our appointment
on Wed. re the cutlass bearing, so we have definitely decided to take the Albury
Ferry to Hope Town at 1030hrs. for the day.
When we were just about to leave we were hailed on VHF by Sandcastle, a
boat that we have not seen since Jan. but have maintained contact with via
email when at all possible. They were on
their way from Lynyard Cay to Hope Town.
We made arrangements to meet them there at 1300hrs., stay with them
overnight & the next day they would take us back to our vessel in Marsh
Harbour. Celtic Cross agreed to look
after Sweet Chariot ie running the motor & refrigeration during our absence. They even took us to shore where we then
walked to Crossing Beach to caught the ferry; one way ticket per person =$15.00
for the 20 minute trip, return fare= $22.00; there is a ferry every few hours
from 0715 to 1830hrs. It was a very
warm, light breeze day, so when we arrived we first walked the south end of the
island including South Beach & a number of people were swimming in the
Atlantic Waters. We walked Queens
Highway (one must see photos to appreciate such a name), in & out of shops,
built & gaily painted in the normal Bahamian architecture &
colours. After finding are friends we
hugged & chatted over beers &
lunch ‘till the cows came home’. When in
Hope Town I had been advised to go to Vernon’s Grocery & purchase a Key
Lime pie; not cheap, but the best one has ever tasted I’m told. And so we did, to have with supper tonight. Before returning to Sandcastle, we dinghied
over to the lighthouse side; built in 1863, can be seen for 17 mi. & run by
kerosene . We climbed the 101 circular
staircase to the top viewing deck. On
such a beautiful day as this, the view was breathtaking. Again photos are necessary to appreciate the
panoramic view, the colours of the homes, the vegetation, & the seas with
the spectrum of aqua, teal, light & dark blues. A beautiful evening, reacquainting with
friends & getting caught up with their adventures in Eleuthera &
the Exumas, & a magnificent calm,
quiet, clear, star filled sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 17<sup>th</sup>:
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! A
brilliant sunny, hot day (80F). After
breakfast we went ashore & walked part of Queens Highway to North Beach
& along its shoreline. We attempted
to cross private property from the beach to the road instead of back tracking,
when a caretaker explained this was not kosher, but then invited to give us a tour
of a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom , 3 yr. old gorgeous beach house with a spectacular
view of the Atlantic as well as the Sea of Abaco & meticulous gardens &
yard, that rents out from a mere $9000.00 to $16,000.00 per week. After lunch we detached from our mooring ball
& motored to Marsh Harbour as there was minimal wind. Happy Hour was planned at Snappas (beer &
well drinks= $3.00). St. Patty’s Day feastivities were well
publicized on Cruisers Net this morn throughout the Abacos. Suddenly, very dark clouds, threatening skies
& gusting winds + rain blew up as predicted at Happy Hour--- a weak cold
front. At the gathering I learnt that the Cost Right (equivalent to Costco back
home) closed down mid Feb., so that leaves basically one grocery store in
Marsh. It was a cool trip back to Sweet Chariot for
supper, & a windy night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 18<sup>th</sup>:
E wind blew all night long & right into the morning. High, gusting winds 20-25K were predicted for
several days. Today is the day though
that we have an appointment to have the cutlass bearing repaired. Due to the keel depth & Marsh Harbour
Boatyard’s shallow harbour, it is necessary for us to arrive on a rising &
near high tide, which today is at 1400hrs.
We up anchored & with the jenny half deployed we sailed the 10.7nm
distance first on a beat, then beam reach as we rounded the land mass &
finally a run towards the boatyard. The
journey was better than the conditions were described in the am on Cruisers
Net. The sea chop was only 1-2ft. Gingerly, we entered the boatyard’s channel
right to the travel lift channel & Sweet Chariot was lifted to have the
cutlass bearing replaced; a tow line from the rescue had jammed so tightly in
the shaft, that the bearing was pushed out & bent from the normal round
circumference to an oval, with a scant remnants of the rope still present. Graeme had done quite a good job at scraping
the hull, but we went ahead & had the bottom pressure washed. Sweet Chariot has been through so much &
has withstood some harsh treatment, that she deserved some pampering to make
her look pretty from the bottom up! The
job took 1-11/2hrs. only, but the bill was expensive. We wished this problem was detected in
Spanish Wells where the repair prices were very reasonable. We did not want to take a chance & leave
the boatyard now on a dropping tide, so we asked to stay overnight tied up to a
dock. The skies had opened up when we
arrived & continued on & off the rest of the day & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 19<sup>th</sup>:
An ugly grey, very rainy day with thunder & lightening in the
am. The locals are very happy to see
this rain as they have had nothing for months & there is still 2 months
left in their dry season. We hope that
the weather improves when we plan to depart this afternoon; high tide today is
1522hrs. We had cleaned out the boat’s
water tank & cleaned the water filter, so refilled the water tank ($0.10
per gal.) & dieslled up before we ventured back to Marsh Harbour at
1430hrs. Winds were decent & we were
on a beat at 4.5K in less than 1ft. chop, but that soon died rendering us to
motor into the anchorage at Marsh Harbour at 1730hr. The rains had slowed down with only an
occasional sprinkle; in fact before sunset the sun poked its head out. The night was calm, quiet even humid & some
stars were out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 20<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny morning with a few clouds, but NE winds at 20-25K predicted for
next 2 days. It was laundry day today
& at the same time we picked up a few groceries in anticipation of a
departure to start heading north then across the Gulf to the Florida. The boat looked like a Chinese junk with the
laundry hanging from everywhere. Winds
had now increased from the NE to 8-10K driving the humidity out of the air
& by sunset they were blowing 15-20K & cool. We had a plastic insert sewn into our solid
connector since we lost our see-through connector in the Feb. mishap &
picked up some emails at the internet café.
Then we hit Happy Hour at not one, but two boats; I guess we are making
up for lost time. So it was a very late
supper tonight. Lots of stars in a clear
night sky. First day of Spring came in
at 2347hrs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 21<sup>st</sup>:
First full day of Spring & not a nice day at all. Winds howled from the wee hours of the morning
throughout the whole day & evening, & heavy rain during the noon
hour. Lots of spray (salt) as one
journeyed in the dinghy across the harbour to shore. Celtic Cross was called an internet café at
one point this afternoon as a few of us gathered & sat on the boat working
away at our computers, because Ian & Sharon were tied up at Mangoes Marina
with internet access & shore power to boot.
I received a lesson on how to copy & paste compositions created on
Word 2007 & sent out as an email rather than as an attachment, so it is
easier for people to open on their computers, as I have Vista which complicates
things for my recipients. Thank you Anne
Wallace & Jim for the instructions; they worked! We watched the DVD Benjamin Button this
evening; it was good or well done, but very solemn & sad; I cried a lot
thinking of my Dad, not an uncommon reaction for me most days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 22<sup>nd</sup>:
A cool sunny Sunday morning with NE winds at 15K as I went to shore to
get the bus at Mangoes for Church.
Graeme cleaned & polished the stern combing, then rearranged the
water & diesel & gas jerry cans tied to the lifelines after lunch. A couple from Toronto came & introduced
themselves to us & asked us if our boat was a Viking 34. We were surprised someone recognized Sweet
Chariot as a Viking, but corrected them on her size. They had a Viking 34 in the past, & were
impressed on Sweet Chariot’s condition.
In the mid afternoon we dinghied to shore so I might call Mom on Skype,
do some internet stuff & clean out some stuff on my laptop. It remained cold & windy all afternoon,
evening & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 23<sup>rd</sup>:
Repeat---cool, ENE 15-20K winds with sun & cloudy periods today, but
still enough chop in the harbour. I
promised to serve Donald & France (Alto) a French toast with bacon
breakfast & they supplied real maple syrup.
We chatted away the morning, I particularly interested in the
communication system & the supporting power supply system they have
installed on their vessel. They have SSB
(ICOM HF Marine IC-M802), computer hook-up to SSB with a modem & printer
(Canon IP 100---ink cartridge is good & lasts a long time & produces
good photos), 1-12V battery dedicated to engine only & 4-12V batteries for
house ( they would like to change to 6V), Xantrex Battery Status Monitor, solar
panel, 2000 watts generator, 2 inverters, 2 AC battery chargers, & a 11
gal. Webasto ST 90 water heating system that also provides warm heat into the
cabin via 4 heat vents on rheostats
(they feel a 6 gal. is sufficient). Alto
gave us a hands-on tour of the systems this afternoon. It looks as if Treasure Cay is where we will
move on to tomorrow, so picked up fresh milk & breads & lettuce. Fuel tank & one water tank was topped
up. We had a final gathering for Happy
Hour at Snappas from 1700- 1900hrs.
& said our good-byes. A very cool
night, but at least the wind & harbour chop have finally settled down some.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 24<sup>th</sup>:
A quiet & calm night until just before sunrise when the ENE cold
wind increased, but the sun was in & out.
The weather forecast & the sea conditions are not sounding good for
several days. I am getting more &
more anxious to be home. I miss my
family, I miss my friends, I miss my work-outs, I miss skiing, I miss my bike…
I MISS OTTAWA! Ten months is too long
for me to be away. On a positive note, we did make our way up to Treasure Cay,
a distance of 14.7nm with the jenny fully deployed on a beam reach at about 6K
then broad reach at about 4K, leaving Marsh at 1000hrs. & arriving at our
destination at 1315hrs. at low tide, but soon to rise. On anchoring we went aground once again; it’s
these small sand humps that we seem to find everywhere. Until the tide came up
enough we had lunch & attempted to get on the internet but unsuccessful;
others were successful, so I guess it depends on your location in this harbour. Once we
dropped the hook, we venture to shore & walked the long 3 mile semi-circular powdery white
sand beach for a few hours looking for shells & sand dollars, but the tide
was already coming in where the sand dollars are normally found; maybe tomorrow
at low tide. The economy has hit this
famous & popular tourist destination as everywhere in the Bahamas & the
USA. This is the common comment from
everyone this year. Normally these beaches are packed with tourists especially
at this prime time of the year, but the beach was virtually all ours; only a few swimmers. A beer at the bar & we were the only
customers, then back to the boat to cook up a pot of chili. Some reading & some journal writing then
off to bed. The wind continued to blow
all night 15-20K.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 25<sup>th</sup>:
The day started off very cloudy & windy & unfortunately my mood
matched the day. We filled the boat’s
water & diesel tanks from the jerry cans, then refilled the jerry cans
onshore in preparation tomorrows probable departure north. After lunch the sun slowly started to poke
it’s head through the clouds. I needed
to renew my laptop virus protection subscription & since I can’t get
internet access here we went to shore.
After frustrating session with virus renewal reverted to their chat line
& then left Graeme use the laptop as he so wished while I walked the
wonderful beach once again at low tide with the ladies. Emotionally I needed this. On walking toward the beach we past some very
lovely condos for rent & magnificent homes & their yards & gardens;
sure there is a nice price tag attached
to these places. There were more people
on the beach today even though it was windy & cool. The tide was a rising low tide. It would have been a perfect day if the wind
wasn’t so strong to have one’s bathing suit on & walk the shallows way, way
out into the aqua waters looking for the infamous sand dollars that are in
abundance. On returning I was provided a
quick but confusing computer lesson on saving emails into Word. The best was the long awaited shower that
followed; it was just too quick. We
BBQ’d tonight since the winds had subsided some. Clear skies & millions of stars prevailed
all night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 26<sup>th</sup>:
It was an early start this sunny morning as we were definitely leaving
Treasure Cay on high tide to cross the Whale Cut. Many boats had the same plan, but some took
the short route in very shallow waters through Don’t Rock taking advantage of
their shoal draft keels. The cool winds
were from the E at 10-15K with 5-6ft. rollers & the occasional 8 footer
pushing us through the Cut (deep Atlantic waters meeting the shallow Abacos
Sea). We made the pass by 0915hrs. then
had a run in 2-3ft. chop past Green Turtle Cay to tuck in behind Crab Cay by
Manjack Cay at 1120hrs. The nice thing
about this location is the fact that the residents here maintain free
WiFi. Distance=18.1nm. After lunch & some internet work we were
off in the dinghy at a low rising tide to the beach on Crab Cay & the
Atlantic coast for shell & sea glass hunting. There were tons of sea muffins, conch of very
size imaginable & starfish; you had to be careful where you stepped! Lots of sea glass as well. A very pleasant couple of hours spent in the
warm sun. After supper we were invited
over to a boat that we had just met to play several fun rounds of Mexican
Dominoes (4 couples). A light &
short rain shower had us disperse to our respective boats about 2200hrs. A quiet & fairly calm night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 27<sup>th</sup>:
A rather lazy day. It was sunny
with cloudy periods & cool SSE winds at least 15K & higher in the afternoon
as predicted. Another cold front with
high winds is expected to pass Sat. & Sun.
Since this will be my last internet possibility till somewhere in
Florida, I took advantage of the situation & did a lot of email
writing. After lunch we got together
with Celtic Cross & made tentative plans for moving on to another Crab Cay
past Powell Cay tomorrow, then onto Great Sales Cay on Sun., Memory Rock on
Mon. & crossing the Gulf to Lake Worth on Tues. weather permitting. Then it was time to do some more exploring to
the Atlantic beach on Manjack Cay, through trails cut , provided & well
marked with colourful directional signs made from palms by the same residents
who provide WiFi to us cruisers. It was
a nice hike to a wide, pink, mostly powdery sand beach with high rollers of
aqua coloured waters crashing over the reefs, & large, eroding coral rocks
at one end. Ian & I found sea
beans---travel from Africa across the Atlantic.
We had a well needed, quick shower from the shower bag to rinse off the
salt. A few people blew their conchs at
sunset, but none were as good as Ian.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 28<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny & warm with cool SSW winds in the am blowing 20-25K. Before we up anchored at 0915hrs., I tried
Mom on Skype as this is the last internet ability until sometime in Florida;
great, I got her, so she is well aware
of our schedule etc. We had a good &
fast sail with the jenny alone heading W on a beam reach & averaging 6-7K.
We picked one of few anchorages that would provide us with some protection from
SW winds, that being Crab Cay on Little Abaco Island, past & across the Sea of Abaco from Powell
Cay. We travelled the 17.1nm distance
anchoring in a strong 25+K winds at
1245hrs. The SW winds blew all afternoon
& evening with gusts as high as 30K.
It was a little spooky at night here; very windy, no nearby settlements
except a slight glow from Cooper Town & anchor lights from the 6 anchored
sailboats here(Celtic Cross & Sandcastle travelling with us), therefore
very black, but lots of stars in the sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 29<sup>th</sup>:
A cloudy, warm, humid day with threatening skies, only an occasional
sunny break but very windy---SSW at 25-30K & 1-2ft. chop. The anchor was up at 0900hrs. & we
deployed about 1/3 of the jenny averaging a speed of 4-6K. We inched our way under motor only, through
the shallow shoals into the east side of Great Sales Cay & hoping the winds
will clock more to the W as predicted at 1900hrs. This location is not good for a SW wind &
the westward clocking is not to occur until very late. It took us 5 tries to get the anchor to hook;
there must be a shallow layer of sand over coral because others had difficulty
as well. Alto joined our little
contingent here. Distance= 35.9nm. All
night it remained warm & humid; the sheets felt damp getting into bed. The
winds continued to blow 20K from the SW so all the boats rock & rolled;
some did not sleep well. At 0200hrs. there was a sudden onset of
lightning & thunder--- scarry in a sailboat, followed by a good downpour of
rain (good for washing the salty sailboats down). Graeme told me the next day that he stood in
the rain to rinse the salt off himself until he got too cold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 30<sup>th</sup>:
It is still warm & humid.
Alto is well equipped with a ham radio, a modem & a printer, &
so they have been able to provide extensive weather forecasts for us boaters
including wind directions & speed, & waves on a near hourly basis for a
7 day period. This morning was no
exception. Graeme has now decided to put
the dinghy on deck as Celtic Cross & Sandcastle have already up anchored.
We depart an hour later. Alto has
planned to cross the Gulf Sream to Cape Canaveral today & through the night,
were as the rest of us are overnighting at Memory Rock on the Little Bahama
Bank, then will move on to Lake Worth Inlet tomorrow. So we bide good-bye to our dear friends, wishing
them a safe & good sail, hoping that our paths will cross in the near
future. It was cloudy at sunrise but in
no time the sun shone in all it’s glory.
Winds had clocked W during the night & by dawn they were from the
N. Main & jenny were fully deployed in lightish winds
that picked up to 8-10K from the NW as time went by. We were hailed by a 51ft. trimaran with twin
masts heading south & had a nice conversation with him over VHF (we are
monitoring 16 now); he has a sailing vessel on the west coast as he resides in
the state of Washington & keeps this trimaran on the east coast---such a
pity! Winds are decreasing so we need to
rely on the the engine for some speed in order to make our destination in
daylight hours. Approximately 6 miles
from Memory Rock waypoint we are hailed by Alto. They changed their plans due to weather
predictions for the Cape Canaveral are---lightning & thunder. Anchor was down at 1845hrs. in 8-10 ft. of
water. Distance= 49.2nm. At 2000
hrs. Graeme checked the anchor before he
put his head down & discovered that the anchor was directly behind us yet
we are not drifting . So what is happening here? Well, the current is stronger than the wind
& all four of us are experiencing the same thing. As night approached, the winds picked up to 12-15K & in the
middle of nothing we were rolling back & forth, so little sleep for all. Again tonight because of the complete lack of
light, it is black & eerie but the stars are phenomenal in a clear sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 31<sup>st</sup>:
This is the big day of our crossing!
Last night at 0340hrs., I heard a
conversation from 3 sailboats that were doing a night crossing, knew that the 4
of us were a small community here at Memory Rock, identified by our mast anchor
lights & doing the crossing as soon as there is some daylight. At 0630hrs. the anchors came out easily as
the anchors straightened out a decrease in current & we headed in a
westerly direction on a broad reach. SE
winds were only 5-8K but the seas were calm with less than 1 ft. of chop &
minimal swells; this is a very good thing.
The sun was in & out & the humidity was high. Shortly after noon, the winds became more
south & thus are boat speed increased.
But by 1400hrs. the clouds rolled in & the sky over the Florida
coast became ominous. On the VHF 9 a weather warning signal blurted out the
onset of a sudden rain storm with possible winds up to 60mph, heavy rainfall
& possibility of tornado until 1645 hrs.
We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, knives, flashlights. We furled the jenny in a little, refueled the
diesel tank just in case, prepared the strobe lights, the flares & safety
equipment . Lightning & thunder on
the mainland; yuk! VHF transmissions
very staticky. By 1700 hrs. the north
was clearing & dark ugly clouds now over the south, but still little to no
increase in wind & only slight raindrops for us way out to sea. Inland the rain was very heavy causing
flooding & zero visiblilty with 35-50K winds in Lake Worth, causing boats
to spin 360 on their anchors. The
weather gods were with us as the winds & the seas remained the same. By 1900 hrs. we spotted the bifurcation mark
& the red/green channel markers into Lake Worth. Winds now were SW & increased to 15-20K,
the sea chop increased to 3 ft. & hitting us at our port quarter, so we
downed the sail. We rock & rolled
our way into the channel & thankfully no freights or big cruise ships were
coming out of port. Dark was fast
approaching as we anchored well down the anchoring field at 2000hrs.
Distance= 67.4nm. It was a hotdog
supper at 2100 hrs. then to bed. The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure Mar. 16-31, 2009</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 16<sup>th</sup>:
Another super fantastic day weather-wise predicted today with a high of
78F. We are waiting for our appointment
on Wed. re the cutlass bearing, so we have definitely decided to take the Albury
Ferry to Hope Town at 1030hrs. for the day.
When we were just about to leave we were hailed on VHF by Sandcastle, a
boat that we have not seen since Jan. but have maintained contact with via
email when at all possible. They were on
their way from Lynyard Cay to Hope Town.
We made arrangements to meet them there at 1300hrs., stay with them
overnight & the next day they would take us back to our vessel in Marsh
Harbour. Celtic Cross agreed to look
after Sweet Chariot ie running the motor & refrigeration during our absence. They even took us to shore where we then
walked to Crossing Beach to caught the ferry; one way ticket per person =$15.00
for the 20 minute trip, return fare= $22.00; there is a ferry every few hours
from 0715 to 1830hrs. It was a very
warm, light breeze day, so when we arrived we first walked the south end of the
island including South Beach & a number of people were swimming in the
Atlantic Waters. We walked Queens
Highway (one must see photos to appreciate such a name), in & out of shops,
built & gaily painted in the normal Bahamian architecture &
colours. After finding are friends we
hugged & chatted over beers &
lunch ‘till the cows came home’. When in
Hope Town I had been advised to go to Vernon’s Grocery & purchase a Key
Lime pie; not cheap, but the best one has ever tasted I’m told. And so we did, to have with supper tonight. Before returning to Sandcastle, we dinghied
over to the lighthouse side; built in 1863, can be seen for 17 mi. & run by
kerosene . We climbed the 101 circular
staircase to the top viewing deck. On
such a beautiful day as this, the view was breathtaking. Again photos are necessary to appreciate the
panoramic view, the colours of the homes, the vegetation, & the seas with
the spectrum of aqua, teal, light & dark blues. A beautiful evening, reacquainting with
friends & getting caught up with their adventures in Eleuthera &
the Exumas, & a magnificent calm,
quiet, clear, star filled sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 17<sup>th</sup>:
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! A
brilliant sunny, hot day (80F). After
breakfast we went ashore & walked part of Queens Highway to North Beach
& along its shoreline. We attempted
to cross private property from the beach to the road instead of back tracking,
when a caretaker explained this was not kosher, but then invited to give us a tour
of a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom , 3 yr. old gorgeous beach house with a spectacular
view of the Atlantic as well as the Sea of Abaco & meticulous gardens &
yard, that rents out from a mere $9000.00 to $16,000.00 per week. After lunch we detached from our mooring ball
& motored to Marsh Harbour as there was minimal wind. Happy Hour was planned at Snappas (beer &
well drinks= $3.00). St. Patty’s Day feastivities were well
publicized on Cruisers Net this morn throughout the Abacos. Suddenly, very dark clouds, threatening skies
& gusting winds + rain blew up as predicted at Happy Hour--- a weak cold
front. At the gathering I learnt that the Cost Right (equivalent to Costco back
home) closed down mid Feb., so that leaves basically one grocery store in
Marsh. It was a cool trip back to Sweet Chariot for
supper, & a windy night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 18<sup>th</sup>:
E wind blew all night long & right into the morning. High, gusting winds 20-25K were predicted for
several days. Today is the day though
that we have an appointment to have the cutlass bearing repaired. Due to the keel depth & Marsh Harbour
Boatyard’s shallow harbour, it is necessary for us to arrive on a rising &
near high tide, which today is at 1400hrs.
We up anchored & with the jenny half deployed we sailed the 10.7nm
distance first on a beat, then beam reach as we rounded the land mass &
finally a run towards the boatyard. The
journey was better than the conditions were described in the am on Cruisers
Net. The sea chop was only 1-2ft. Gingerly, we entered the boatyard’s channel
right to the travel lift channel & Sweet Chariot was lifted to have the
cutlass bearing replaced; a tow line from the rescue had jammed so tightly in
the shaft, that the bearing was pushed out & bent from the normal round
circumference to an oval, with a scant remnants of the rope still present. Graeme had done quite a good job at scraping
the hull, but we went ahead & had the bottom pressure washed. Sweet Chariot has been through so much &
has withstood some harsh treatment, that she deserved some pampering to make
her look pretty from the bottom up! The
job took 1-11/2hrs. only, but the bill was expensive. We wished this problem was detected in
Spanish Wells where the repair prices were very reasonable. We did not want to take a chance & leave
the boatyard now on a dropping tide, so we asked to stay overnight tied up to a
dock. The skies had opened up when we
arrived & continued on & off the rest of the day & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 19<sup>th</sup>:
An ugly grey, very rainy day with thunder & lightening in the
am. The locals are very happy to see
this rain as they have had nothing for months & there is still 2 months
left in their dry season. We hope that
the weather improves when we plan to depart this afternoon; high tide today is
1522hrs. We had cleaned out the boat’s
water tank & cleaned the water filter, so refilled the water tank ($0.10
per gal.) & dieslled up before we ventured back to Marsh Harbour at
1430hrs. Winds were decent & we were
on a beat at 4.5K in less than 1ft. chop, but that soon died rendering us to
motor into the anchorage at Marsh Harbour at 1730hr. The rains had slowed down with only an
occasional sprinkle; in fact before sunset the sun poked its head out. The night was calm, quiet even humid & some
stars were out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 20<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny morning with a few clouds, but NE winds at 20-25K predicted for
next 2 days. It was laundry day today
& at the same time we picked up a few groceries in anticipation of a
departure to start heading north then across the Gulf to the Florida. The boat looked like a Chinese junk with the
laundry hanging from everywhere. Winds
had now increased from the NE to 8-10K driving the humidity out of the air
& by sunset they were blowing 15-20K & cool. We had a plastic insert sewn into our solid
connector since we lost our see-through connector in the Feb. mishap &
picked up some emails at the internet café.
Then we hit Happy Hour at not one, but two boats; I guess we are making
up for lost time. So it was a very late
supper tonight. Lots of stars in a clear
night sky. First day of Spring came in
at 2347hrs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 21<sup>st</sup>:
First full day of Spring & not a nice day at all. Winds howled from the wee hours of the morning
throughout the whole day & evening, & heavy rain during the noon
hour. Lots of spray (salt) as one
journeyed in the dinghy across the harbour to shore. Celtic Cross was called an internet café at
one point this afternoon as a few of us gathered & sat on the boat working
away at our computers, because Ian & Sharon were tied up at Mangoes Marina
with internet access & shore power to boot.
I received a lesson on how to copy & paste compositions created on
Word 2007 & sent out as an email rather than as an attachment, so it is
easier for people to open on their computers, as I have Vista which complicates
things for my recipients. Thank you Anne
Wallace & Jim for the instructions; they worked! We watched the DVD Benjamin Button this
evening; it was good or well done, but very solemn & sad; I cried a lot
thinking of my Dad, not an uncommon reaction for me most days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 22<sup>nd</sup>:
A cool sunny Sunday morning with NE winds at 15K as I went to shore to
get the bus at Mangoes for Church.
Graeme cleaned & polished the stern combing, then rearranged the
water & diesel & gas jerry cans tied to the lifelines after lunch. A couple from Toronto came & introduced
themselves to us & asked us if our boat was a Viking 34. We were surprised someone recognized Sweet
Chariot as a Viking, but corrected them on her size. They had a Viking 34 in the past, & were
impressed on Sweet Chariot’s condition.
In the mid afternoon we dinghied to shore so I might call Mom on Skype,
do some internet stuff & clean out some stuff on my laptop. It remained cold & windy all afternoon,
evening & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 23<sup>rd</sup>:
Repeat---cool, ENE 15-20K winds with sun & cloudy periods today, but
still enough chop in the harbour. I
promised to serve Donald & France (Alto) a French toast with bacon
breakfast & they supplied real maple syrup.
We chatted away the morning, I particularly interested in the
communication system & the supporting power supply system they have
installed on their vessel. They have SSB
(ICOM HF Marine IC-M802), computer hook-up to SSB with a modem & printer
(Canon IP 100---ink cartridge is good & lasts a long time & produces
good photos), 1-12V battery dedicated to engine only & 4-12V batteries for
house ( they would like to change to 6V), Xantrex Battery Status Monitor, solar
panel, 2000 watts generator, 2 inverters, 2 AC battery chargers, & a 11
gal. Webasto ST 90 water heating system that also provides warm heat into the
cabin via 4 heat vents on rheostats
(they feel a 6 gal. is sufficient). Alto
gave us a hands-on tour of the systems this afternoon. It looks as if Treasure Cay is where we will
move on to tomorrow, so picked up fresh milk & breads & lettuce. Fuel tank & one water tank was topped
up. We had a final gathering for Happy
Hour at Snappas from 1700- 1900hrs.
& said our good-byes. A very cool
night, but at least the wind & harbour chop have finally settled down some.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 24<sup>th</sup>:
A quiet & calm night until just before sunrise when the ENE cold
wind increased, but the sun was in & out.
The weather forecast & the sea conditions are not sounding good for
several days. I am getting more &
more anxious to be home. I miss my
family, I miss my friends, I miss my work-outs, I miss skiing, I miss my bike…
I MISS OTTAWA! Ten months is too long
for me to be away. On a positive note, we did make our way up to Treasure Cay,
a distance of 14.7nm with the jenny fully deployed on a beam reach at about 6K
then broad reach at about 4K, leaving Marsh at 1000hrs. & arriving at our
destination at 1315hrs. at low tide, but soon to rise. On anchoring we went aground once again; it’s
these small sand humps that we seem to find everywhere. Until the tide came up
enough we had lunch & attempted to get on the internet but unsuccessful;
others were successful, so I guess it depends on your location in this harbour. Once we
dropped the hook, we venture to shore & walked the long 3 mile semi-circular powdery white
sand beach for a few hours looking for shells & sand dollars, but the tide
was already coming in where the sand dollars are normally found; maybe tomorrow
at low tide. The economy has hit this
famous & popular tourist destination as everywhere in the Bahamas & the
USA. This is the common comment from
everyone this year. Normally these beaches are packed with tourists especially
at this prime time of the year, but the beach was virtually all ours; only a few swimmers. A beer at the bar & we were the only
customers, then back to the boat to cook up a pot of chili. Some reading & some journal writing then
off to bed. The wind continued to blow
all night 15-20K.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 25<sup>th</sup>:
The day started off very cloudy & windy & unfortunately my mood
matched the day. We filled the boat’s
water & diesel tanks from the jerry cans, then refilled the jerry cans
onshore in preparation tomorrows probable departure north. After lunch the sun slowly started to poke
it’s head through the clouds. I needed
to renew my laptop virus protection subscription & since I can’t get
internet access here we went to shore.
After frustrating session with virus renewal reverted to their chat line
& then left Graeme use the laptop as he so wished while I walked the
wonderful beach once again at low tide with the ladies. Emotionally I needed this. On walking toward the beach we past some very
lovely condos for rent & magnificent homes & their yards & gardens;
sure there is a nice price tag attached
to these places. There were more people
on the beach today even though it was windy & cool. The tide was a rising low tide. It would have been a perfect day if the wind
wasn’t so strong to have one’s bathing suit on & walk the shallows way, way
out into the aqua waters looking for the infamous sand dollars that are in
abundance. On returning I was provided a
quick but confusing computer lesson on saving emails into Word. The best was the long awaited shower that
followed; it was just too quick. We
BBQ’d tonight since the winds had subsided some. Clear skies & millions of stars prevailed
all night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 26<sup>th</sup>:
It was an early start this sunny morning as we were definitely leaving
Treasure Cay on high tide to cross the Whale Cut. Many boats had the same plan, but some took
the short route in very shallow waters through Don’t Rock taking advantage of
their shoal draft keels. The cool winds
were from the E at 10-15K with 5-6ft. rollers & the occasional 8 footer
pushing us through the Cut (deep Atlantic waters meeting the shallow Abacos
Sea). We made the pass by 0915hrs. then
had a run in 2-3ft. chop past Green Turtle Cay to tuck in behind Crab Cay by
Manjack Cay at 1120hrs. The nice thing
about this location is the fact that the residents here maintain free
WiFi. Distance=18.1nm. After lunch & some internet work we were
off in the dinghy at a low rising tide to the beach on Crab Cay & the
Atlantic coast for shell & sea glass hunting. There were tons of sea muffins, conch of very
size imaginable & starfish; you had to be careful where you stepped! Lots of sea glass as well. A very pleasant couple of hours spent in the
warm sun. After supper we were invited
over to a boat that we had just met to play several fun rounds of Mexican
Dominoes (4 couples). A light &
short rain shower had us disperse to our respective boats about 2200hrs. A quiet & fairly calm night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 27<sup>th</sup>:
A rather lazy day. It was sunny
with cloudy periods & cool SSE winds at least 15K & higher in the afternoon
as predicted. Another cold front with
high winds is expected to pass Sat. & Sun.
Since this will be my last internet possibility till somewhere in
Florida, I took advantage of the situation & did a lot of email
writing. After lunch we got together
with Celtic Cross & made tentative plans for moving on to another Crab Cay
past Powell Cay tomorrow, then onto Great Sales Cay on Sun., Memory Rock on
Mon. & crossing the Gulf to Lake Worth on Tues. weather permitting. Then it was time to do some more exploring to
the Atlantic beach on Manjack Cay, through trails cut , provided & well
marked with colourful directional signs made from palms by the same residents
who provide WiFi to us cruisers. It was
a nice hike to a wide, pink, mostly powdery sand beach with high rollers of
aqua coloured waters crashing over the reefs, & large, eroding coral rocks
at one end. Ian & I found sea
beans---travel from Africa across the Atlantic.
We had a well needed, quick shower from the shower bag to rinse off the
salt. A few people blew their conchs at
sunset, but none were as good as Ian.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 28<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny & warm with cool SSW winds in the am blowing 20-25K. Before we up anchored at 0915hrs., I tried
Mom on Skype as this is the last internet ability until sometime in Florida;
great, I got her, so she is well aware
of our schedule etc. We had a good &
fast sail with the jenny alone heading W on a beam reach & averaging 6-7K.
We picked one of few anchorages that would provide us with some protection from
SW winds, that being Crab Cay on Little Abaco Island, past & across the Sea of Abaco from Powell
Cay. We travelled the 17.1nm distance
anchoring in a strong 25+K winds at
1245hrs. The SW winds blew all afternoon
& evening with gusts as high as 30K.
It was a little spooky at night here; very windy, no nearby settlements
except a slight glow from Cooper Town & anchor lights from the 6 anchored
sailboats here(Celtic Cross & Sandcastle travelling with us), therefore
very black, but lots of stars in the sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 29<sup>th</sup>:
A cloudy, warm, humid day with threatening skies, only an occasional
sunny break but very windy---SSW at 25-30K & 1-2ft. chop. The anchor was up at 0900hrs. & we
deployed about 1/3 of the jenny averaging a speed of 4-6K. We inched our way under motor only, through
the shallow shoals into the east side of Great Sales Cay & hoping the winds
will clock more to the W as predicted at 1900hrs. This location is not good for a SW wind &
the westward clocking is not to occur until very late. It took us 5 tries to get the anchor to hook;
there must be a shallow layer of sand over coral because others had difficulty
as well. Alto joined our little
contingent here. Distance= 35.9nm. All
night it remained warm & humid; the sheets felt damp getting into bed. The
winds continued to blow 20K from the SW so all the boats rock & rolled;
some did not sleep well. At 0200hrs. there was a sudden onset of
lightning & thunder--- scarry in a sailboat, followed by a good downpour of
rain (good for washing the salty sailboats down). Graeme told me the next day that he stood in
the rain to rinse the salt off himself until he got too cold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 30<sup>th</sup>:
It is still warm & humid.
Alto is well equipped with a ham radio, a modem & a printer, &
so they have been able to provide extensive weather forecasts for us boaters
including wind directions & speed, & waves on a near hourly basis for a
7 day period. This morning was no
exception. Graeme has now decided to put
the dinghy on deck as Celtic Cross & Sandcastle have already up anchored.
We depart an hour later. Alto has
planned to cross the Gulf Sream to Cape Canaveral today & through the night,
were as the rest of us are overnighting at Memory Rock on the Little Bahama
Bank, then will move on to Lake Worth Inlet tomorrow. So we bide good-bye to our dear friends, wishing
them a safe & good sail, hoping that our paths will cross in the near
future. It was cloudy at sunrise but in
no time the sun shone in all it’s glory.
Winds had clocked W during the night & by dawn they were from the
N. Main & jenny were fully deployed in lightish winds
that picked up to 8-10K from the NW as time went by. We were hailed by a 51ft. trimaran with twin
masts heading south & had a nice conversation with him over VHF (we are
monitoring 16 now); he has a sailing vessel on the west coast as he resides in
the state of Washington & keeps this trimaran on the east coast---such a
pity! Winds are decreasing so we need to
rely on the the engine for some speed in order to make our destination in
daylight hours. Approximately 6 miles
from Memory Rock waypoint we are hailed by Alto. They changed their plans due to weather
predictions for the Cape Canaveral are---lightning & thunder. Anchor was down at 1845hrs. in 8-10 ft. of
water. Distance= 49.2nm. At 2000
hrs. Graeme checked the anchor before he
put his head down & discovered that the anchor was directly behind us yet
we are not drifting . So what is happening here? Well, the current is stronger than the wind
& all four of us are experiencing the same thing. As night approached, the winds picked up to 12-15K & in the
middle of nothing we were rolling back & forth, so little sleep for all. Again tonight because of the complete lack of
light, it is black & eerie but the stars are phenomenal in a clear sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 31<sup>st</sup>:
This is the big day of our crossing!
Last night at 0340hrs., I heard a
conversation from 3 sailboats that were doing a night crossing, knew that the 4
of us were a small community here at Memory Rock, identified by our mast anchor
lights & doing the crossing as soon as there is some daylight. At 0630hrs. the anchors came out easily as
the anchors straightened out a decrease in current & we headed in a
westerly direction on a broad reach. SE
winds were only 5-8K but the seas were calm with less than 1 ft. of chop &
minimal swells; this is a very good thing.
The sun was in & out & the humidity was high. Shortly after noon, the winds became more
south & thus are boat speed increased.
But by 1400hrs. the clouds rolled in & the sky over the Florida
coast became ominous. On the VHF 9 a weather warning signal blurted out the
onset of a sudden rain storm with possible winds up to 60mph, heavy rainfall
& possibility of tornado until 1645 hrs.
We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, knives, flashlights. We furled the jenny in a little, refueled the
diesel tank just in case, prepared the strobe lights, the flares & safety
equipment . Lightning & thunder on
the mainland; yuk! VHF transmissions
very staticky. By 1700 hrs. the north
was clearing & dark ugly clouds now over the south, but still little to no
increase in wind & only slight raindrops for us way out to sea. Inland the rain was very heavy causing
flooding & zero visiblilty with 35-50K winds in Lake Worth, causing boats
to spin 360 on their anchors. The
weather gods were with us as the winds & the seas remained the same. By 1900 hrs. we spotted the bifurcation mark
& the red/green channel markers into Lake Worth. Winds now were SW & increased to 15-20K,
the sea chop increased to 3 ft. & hitting us at our port quarter, so we
downed the sail. We rock & rolled
our way into the channel & thankfully no freights or big cruise ships were
coming out of port. Dark was fast
approaching as we anchored well down the anchoring field at 2000hrs.
Distance= 67.4nm. It was a hotdog
supper at 2100 hrs. then to bed. The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure Mar. 16-31, 2009</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 16<sup>th</sup>:
Another super fantastic day weather-wise predicted today with a high of
78F. We are waiting for our appointment
on Wed. re the cutlass bearing, so we have definitely decided to take the Albury
Ferry to Hope Town at 1030hrs. for the day.
When we were just about to leave we were hailed on VHF by Sandcastle, a
boat that we have not seen since Jan. but have maintained contact with via
email when at all possible. They were on
their way from Lynyard Cay to Hope Town.
We made arrangements to meet them there at 1300hrs., stay with them
overnight & the next day they would take us back to our vessel in Marsh
Harbour. Celtic Cross agreed to look
after Sweet Chariot ie running the motor & refrigeration during our absence. They even took us to shore where we then
walked to Crossing Beach to caught the ferry; one way ticket per person =$15.00
for the 20 minute trip, return fare= $22.00; there is a ferry every few hours
from 0715 to 1830hrs. It was a very
warm, light breeze day, so when we arrived we first walked the south end of the
island including South Beach & a number of people were swimming in the
Atlantic Waters. We walked Queens
Highway (one must see photos to appreciate such a name), in & out of shops,
built & gaily painted in the normal Bahamian architecture &
colours. After finding are friends we
hugged & chatted over beers &
lunch ‘till the cows came home’. When in
Hope Town I had been advised to go to Vernon’s Grocery & purchase a Key
Lime pie; not cheap, but the best one has ever tasted I’m told. And so we did, to have with supper tonight. Before returning to Sandcastle, we dinghied
over to the lighthouse side; built in 1863, can be seen for 17 mi. & run by
kerosene . We climbed the 101 circular
staircase to the top viewing deck. On
such a beautiful day as this, the view was breathtaking. Again photos are necessary to appreciate the
panoramic view, the colours of the homes, the vegetation, & the seas with
the spectrum of aqua, teal, light & dark blues. A beautiful evening, reacquainting with
friends & getting caught up with their adventures in Eleuthera &
the Exumas, & a magnificent calm,
quiet, clear, star filled sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 17<sup>th</sup>:
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! A
brilliant sunny, hot day (80F). After
breakfast we went ashore & walked part of Queens Highway to North Beach
& along its shoreline. We attempted
to cross private property from the beach to the road instead of back tracking,
when a caretaker explained this was not kosher, but then invited to give us a tour
of a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom , 3 yr. old gorgeous beach house with a spectacular
view of the Atlantic as well as the Sea of Abaco & meticulous gardens &
yard, that rents out from a mere $9000.00 to $16,000.00 per week. After lunch we detached from our mooring ball
& motored to Marsh Harbour as there was minimal wind. Happy Hour was planned at Snappas (beer &
well drinks= $3.00). St. Patty’s Day feastivities were well
publicized on Cruisers Net this morn throughout the Abacos. Suddenly, very dark clouds, threatening skies
& gusting winds + rain blew up as predicted at Happy Hour--- a weak cold
front. At the gathering I learnt that the Cost Right (equivalent to Costco back
home) closed down mid Feb., so that leaves basically one grocery store in
Marsh. It was a cool trip back to Sweet Chariot for
supper, & a windy night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 18<sup>th</sup>:
E wind blew all night long & right into the morning. High, gusting winds 20-25K were predicted for
several days. Today is the day though
that we have an appointment to have the cutlass bearing repaired. Due to the keel depth & Marsh Harbour
Boatyard’s shallow harbour, it is necessary for us to arrive on a rising &
near high tide, which today is at 1400hrs.
We up anchored & with the jenny half deployed we sailed the 10.7nm
distance first on a beat, then beam reach as we rounded the land mass &
finally a run towards the boatyard. The
journey was better than the conditions were described in the am on Cruisers
Net. The sea chop was only 1-2ft. Gingerly, we entered the boatyard’s channel
right to the travel lift channel & Sweet Chariot was lifted to have the
cutlass bearing replaced; a tow line from the rescue had jammed so tightly in
the shaft, that the bearing was pushed out & bent from the normal round
circumference to an oval, with a scant remnants of the rope still present. Graeme had done quite a good job at scraping
the hull, but we went ahead & had the bottom pressure washed. Sweet Chariot has been through so much &
has withstood some harsh treatment, that she deserved some pampering to make
her look pretty from the bottom up! The
job took 1-11/2hrs. only, but the bill was expensive. We wished this problem was detected in
Spanish Wells where the repair prices were very reasonable. We did not want to take a chance & leave
the boatyard now on a dropping tide, so we asked to stay overnight tied up to a
dock. The skies had opened up when we
arrived & continued on & off the rest of the day & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 19<sup>th</sup>:
An ugly grey, very rainy day with thunder & lightening in the
am. The locals are very happy to see
this rain as they have had nothing for months & there is still 2 months
left in their dry season. We hope that
the weather improves when we plan to depart this afternoon; high tide today is
1522hrs. We had cleaned out the boat’s
water tank & cleaned the water filter, so refilled the water tank ($0.10
per gal.) & dieslled up before we ventured back to Marsh Harbour at
1430hrs. Winds were decent & we were
on a beat at 4.5K in less than 1ft. chop, but that soon died rendering us to
motor into the anchorage at Marsh Harbour at 1730hr. The rains had slowed down with only an
occasional sprinkle; in fact before sunset the sun poked its head out. The night was calm, quiet even humid & some
stars were out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 20<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny morning with a few clouds, but NE winds at 20-25K predicted for
next 2 days. It was laundry day today
& at the same time we picked up a few groceries in anticipation of a
departure to start heading north then across the Gulf to the Florida. The boat looked like a Chinese junk with the
laundry hanging from everywhere. Winds
had now increased from the NE to 8-10K driving the humidity out of the air
& by sunset they were blowing 15-20K & cool. We had a plastic insert sewn into our solid
connector since we lost our see-through connector in the Feb. mishap &
picked up some emails at the internet café.
Then we hit Happy Hour at not one, but two boats; I guess we are making
up for lost time. So it was a very late
supper tonight. Lots of stars in a clear
night sky. First day of Spring came in
at 2347hrs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 21<sup>st</sup>:
First full day of Spring & not a nice day at all. Winds howled from the wee hours of the morning
throughout the whole day & evening, & heavy rain during the noon
hour. Lots of spray (salt) as one
journeyed in the dinghy across the harbour to shore. Celtic Cross was called an internet café at
one point this afternoon as a few of us gathered & sat on the boat working
away at our computers, because Ian & Sharon were tied up at Mangoes Marina
with internet access & shore power to boot.
I received a lesson on how to copy & paste compositions created on
Word 2007 & sent out as an email rather than as an attachment, so it is
easier for people to open on their computers, as I have Vista which complicates
things for my recipients. Thank you Anne
Wallace & Jim for the instructions; they worked! We watched the DVD Benjamin Button this
evening; it was good or well done, but very solemn & sad; I cried a lot
thinking of my Dad, not an uncommon reaction for me most days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 22<sup>nd</sup>:
A cool sunny Sunday morning with NE winds at 15K as I went to shore to
get the bus at Mangoes for Church.
Graeme cleaned & polished the stern combing, then rearranged the
water & diesel & gas jerry cans tied to the lifelines after lunch. A couple from Toronto came & introduced
themselves to us & asked us if our boat was a Viking 34. We were surprised someone recognized Sweet
Chariot as a Viking, but corrected them on her size. They had a Viking 34 in the past, & were
impressed on Sweet Chariot’s condition.
In the mid afternoon we dinghied to shore so I might call Mom on Skype,
do some internet stuff & clean out some stuff on my laptop. It remained cold & windy all afternoon,
evening & night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 23<sup>rd</sup>:
Repeat---cool, ENE 15-20K winds with sun & cloudy periods today, but
still enough chop in the harbour. I
promised to serve Donald & France (Alto) a French toast with bacon
breakfast & they supplied real maple syrup.
We chatted away the morning, I particularly interested in the
communication system & the supporting power supply system they have
installed on their vessel. They have SSB
(ICOM HF Marine IC-M802), computer hook-up to SSB with a modem & printer
(Canon IP 100---ink cartridge is good & lasts a long time & produces
good photos), 1-12V battery dedicated to engine only & 4-12V batteries for
house ( they would like to change to 6V), Xantrex Battery Status Monitor, solar
panel, 2000 watts generator, 2 inverters, 2 AC battery chargers, & a 11
gal. Webasto ST 90 water heating system that also provides warm heat into the
cabin via 4 heat vents on rheostats
(they feel a 6 gal. is sufficient). Alto
gave us a hands-on tour of the systems this afternoon. It looks as if Treasure Cay is where we will
move on to tomorrow, so picked up fresh milk & breads & lettuce. Fuel tank & one water tank was topped
up. We had a final gathering for Happy
Hour at Snappas from 1700- 1900hrs.
& said our good-byes. A very cool
night, but at least the wind & harbour chop have finally settled down some.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 24<sup>th</sup>:
A quiet & calm night until just before sunrise when the ENE cold
wind increased, but the sun was in & out.
The weather forecast & the sea conditions are not sounding good for
several days. I am getting more &
more anxious to be home. I miss my
family, I miss my friends, I miss my work-outs, I miss skiing, I miss my bike…
I MISS OTTAWA! Ten months is too long
for me to be away. On a positive note, we did make our way up to Treasure Cay,
a distance of 14.7nm with the jenny fully deployed on a beam reach at about 6K
then broad reach at about 4K, leaving Marsh at 1000hrs. & arriving at our
destination at 1315hrs. at low tide, but soon to rise. On anchoring we went aground once again; it’s
these small sand humps that we seem to find everywhere. Until the tide came up
enough we had lunch & attempted to get on the internet but unsuccessful;
others were successful, so I guess it depends on your location in this harbour. Once we
dropped the hook, we venture to shore & walked the long 3 mile semi-circular powdery white
sand beach for a few hours looking for shells & sand dollars, but the tide
was already coming in where the sand dollars are normally found; maybe tomorrow
at low tide. The economy has hit this
famous & popular tourist destination as everywhere in the Bahamas & the
USA. This is the common comment from
everyone this year. Normally these beaches are packed with tourists especially
at this prime time of the year, but the beach was virtually all ours; only a few swimmers. A beer at the bar & we were the only
customers, then back to the boat to cook up a pot of chili. Some reading & some journal writing then
off to bed. The wind continued to blow
all night 15-20K.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 25<sup>th</sup>:
The day started off very cloudy & windy & unfortunately my mood
matched the day. We filled the boat’s
water & diesel tanks from the jerry cans, then refilled the jerry cans
onshore in preparation tomorrows probable departure north. After lunch the sun slowly started to poke
it’s head through the clouds. I needed
to renew my laptop virus protection subscription & since I can’t get
internet access here we went to shore.
After frustrating session with virus renewal reverted to their chat line
& then left Graeme use the laptop as he so wished while I walked the
wonderful beach once again at low tide with the ladies. Emotionally I needed this. On walking toward the beach we past some very
lovely condos for rent & magnificent homes & their yards & gardens;
sure there is a nice price tag attached
to these places. There were more people
on the beach today even though it was windy & cool. The tide was a rising low tide. It would have been a perfect day if the wind
wasn’t so strong to have one’s bathing suit on & walk the shallows way, way
out into the aqua waters looking for the infamous sand dollars that are in
abundance. On returning I was provided a
quick but confusing computer lesson on saving emails into Word. The best was the long awaited shower that
followed; it was just too quick. We
BBQ’d tonight since the winds had subsided some. Clear skies & millions of stars prevailed
all night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 26<sup>th</sup>:
It was an early start this sunny morning as we were definitely leaving
Treasure Cay on high tide to cross the Whale Cut. Many boats had the same plan, but some took
the short route in very shallow waters through Don’t Rock taking advantage of
their shoal draft keels. The cool winds
were from the E at 10-15K with 5-6ft. rollers & the occasional 8 footer
pushing us through the Cut (deep Atlantic waters meeting the shallow Abacos
Sea). We made the pass by 0915hrs. then
had a run in 2-3ft. chop past Green Turtle Cay to tuck in behind Crab Cay by
Manjack Cay at 1120hrs. The nice thing
about this location is the fact that the residents here maintain free
WiFi. Distance=18.1nm. After lunch & some internet work we were
off in the dinghy at a low rising tide to the beach on Crab Cay & the
Atlantic coast for shell & sea glass hunting. There were tons of sea muffins, conch of very
size imaginable & starfish; you had to be careful where you stepped! Lots of sea glass as well. A very pleasant couple of hours spent in the
warm sun. After supper we were invited
over to a boat that we had just met to play several fun rounds of Mexican
Dominoes (4 couples). A light &
short rain shower had us disperse to our respective boats about 2200hrs. A quiet & fairly calm night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 27<sup>th</sup>:
A rather lazy day. It was sunny
with cloudy periods & cool SSE winds at least 15K & higher in the afternoon
as predicted. Another cold front with
high winds is expected to pass Sat. & Sun.
Since this will be my last internet possibility till somewhere in
Florida, I took advantage of the situation & did a lot of email
writing. After lunch we got together
with Celtic Cross & made tentative plans for moving on to another Crab Cay
past Powell Cay tomorrow, then onto Great Sales Cay on Sun., Memory Rock on
Mon. & crossing the Gulf to Lake Worth on Tues. weather permitting. Then it was time to do some more exploring to
the Atlantic beach on Manjack Cay, through trails cut , provided & well
marked with colourful directional signs made from palms by the same residents
who provide WiFi to us cruisers. It was
a nice hike to a wide, pink, mostly powdery sand beach with high rollers of
aqua coloured waters crashing over the reefs, & large, eroding coral rocks
at one end. Ian & I found sea
beans---travel from Africa across the Atlantic.
We had a well needed, quick shower from the shower bag to rinse off the
salt. A few people blew their conchs at
sunset, but none were as good as Ian.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 28<sup>th</sup>:
Sunny & warm with cool SSW winds in the am blowing 20-25K. Before we up anchored at 0915hrs., I tried
Mom on Skype as this is the last internet ability until sometime in Florida;
great, I got her, so she is well aware
of our schedule etc. We had a good &
fast sail with the jenny alone heading W on a beam reach & averaging 6-7K.
We picked one of few anchorages that would provide us with some protection from
SW winds, that being Crab Cay on Little Abaco Island, past & across the Sea of Abaco from Powell
Cay. We travelled the 17.1nm distance
anchoring in a strong 25+K winds at
1245hrs. The SW winds blew all afternoon
& evening with gusts as high as 30K.
It was a little spooky at night here; very windy, no nearby settlements
except a slight glow from Cooper Town & anchor lights from the 6 anchored
sailboats here(Celtic Cross & Sandcastle travelling with us), therefore
very black, but lots of stars in the sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 29<sup>th</sup>:
A cloudy, warm, humid day with threatening skies, only an occasional
sunny break but very windy---SSW at 25-30K & 1-2ft. chop. The anchor was up at 0900hrs. & we
deployed about 1/3 of the jenny averaging a speed of 4-6K. We inched our way under motor only, through
the shallow shoals into the east side of Great Sales Cay & hoping the winds
will clock more to the W as predicted at 1900hrs. This location is not good for a SW wind &
the westward clocking is not to occur until very late. It took us 5 tries to get the anchor to hook;
there must be a shallow layer of sand over coral because others had difficulty
as well. Alto joined our little
contingent here. Distance= 35.9nm. All
night it remained warm & humid; the sheets felt damp getting into bed. The
winds continued to blow 20K from the SW so all the boats rock & rolled;
some did not sleep well. At 0200hrs. there was a sudden onset of
lightning & thunder--- scarry in a sailboat, followed by a good downpour of
rain (good for washing the salty sailboats down). Graeme told me the next day that he stood in
the rain to rinse the salt off himself until he got too cold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 30<sup>th</sup>:
It is still warm & humid.
Alto is well equipped with a ham radio, a modem & a printer, &
so they have been able to provide extensive weather forecasts for us boaters
including wind directions & speed, & waves on a near hourly basis for a
7 day period. This morning was no
exception. Graeme has now decided to put
the dinghy on deck as Celtic Cross & Sandcastle have already up anchored.
We depart an hour later. Alto has
planned to cross the Gulf Sream to Cape Canaveral today & through the night,
were as the rest of us are overnighting at Memory Rock on the Little Bahama
Bank, then will move on to Lake Worth Inlet tomorrow. So we bide good-bye to our dear friends, wishing
them a safe & good sail, hoping that our paths will cross in the near
future. It was cloudy at sunrise but in
no time the sun shone in all it’s glory.
Winds had clocked W during the night & by dawn they were from the
N. Main & jenny were fully deployed in lightish winds
that picked up to 8-10K from the NW as time went by. We were hailed by a 51ft. trimaran with twin
masts heading south & had a nice conversation with him over VHF (we are
monitoring 16 now); he has a sailing vessel on the west coast as he resides in
the state of Washington & keeps this trimaran on the east coast---such a
pity! Winds are decreasing so we need to
rely on the the engine for some speed in order to make our destination in
daylight hours. Approximately 6 miles
from Memory Rock waypoint we are hailed by Alto. They changed their plans due to weather
predictions for the Cape Canaveral are---lightning & thunder. Anchor was down at 1845hrs. in 8-10 ft. of
water. Distance= 49.2nm. At 2000
hrs. Graeme checked the anchor before he
put his head down & discovered that the anchor was directly behind us yet
we are not drifting . So what is happening here? Well, the current is stronger than the wind
& all four of us are experiencing the same thing. As night approached, the winds picked up to 12-15K & in the
middle of nothing we were rolling back & forth, so little sleep for all. Again tonight because of the complete lack of
light, it is black & eerie but the stars are phenomenal in a clear sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar. 31<sup>st</sup>:
This is the big day of our crossing!
Last night at 0340hrs., I heard a
conversation from 3 sailboats that were doing a night crossing, knew that the 4
of us were a small community here at Memory Rock, identified by our mast anchor
lights & doing the crossing as soon as there is some daylight. At 0630hrs. the anchors came out easily as
the anchors straightened out a decrease in current & we headed in a
westerly direction on a broad reach. SE
winds were only 5-8K but the seas were calm with less than 1 ft. of chop &
minimal swells; this is a very good thing.
The sun was in & out & the humidity was high. Shortly after noon, the winds became more
south & thus are boat speed increased.
But by 1400hrs. the clouds rolled in & the sky over the Florida
coast became ominous. On the VHF 9 a weather warning signal blurted out the
onset of a sudden rain storm with possible winds up to 60mph, heavy rainfall
& possibility of tornado until 1645 hrs.
We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, knives, flashlights. We furled the jenny in a little, refueled the
diesel tank just in case, prepared the strobe lights, the flares & safety
equipment . Lightning & thunder on
the mainland; yuk! VHF transmissions
very staticky. By 1700 hrs. the north
was clearing & dark ugly clouds now over the south, but still little to no
increase in wind & only slight raindrops for us way out to sea. Inland the rain was very heavy causing
flooding & zero visiblilty with 35-50K winds in Lake Worth, causing boats
to spin 360 on their anchors. The
weather gods were with us as the winds & the seas remained the same. By 1900 hrs. we spotted the bifurcation mark
& the red/green channel markers into Lake Worth. Winds now were SW & increased to 15-20K,
the sea chop increased to 3 ft. & hitting us at our port quarter, so we
downed the sail. We rock & rolled
our way into the channel & thankfully no freights or big cruise ships were
coming out of port. Dark was fast
approaching as we anchored well down the anchoring field at 2000hrs.
Distance= 67.4nm. It was a hotdog
supper at 2100 hrs. then to bed. </div>
Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-27382146437143602532010-09-25T20:48:00.002-04:002010-09-26T10:42:50.906-04:00<p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Parkinson’s Adventure to the Bahamas, April 25- May 29, 2009</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">This edition of my journal was the hardest to write because it is my last composition & I was unable to spend the time each day to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many of the later days have been filled with non-cruising activities.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 25<sup>th(Week 29, Day 195)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Good-bye Charleston, S.C.!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You are beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You are so gracious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We must meet again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was another sunny, fabulous morning with a light 5-8K wind beginning the day, despite being woken at an early hour by power boat traffic wave action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are in no hurry to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More of our cruising friends have arrived at this location (Charleston City Marina).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But is time for us to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had to kill a bit of time for the Ben Sawyer Swing Bridge opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are four of us travelling today together & the majority of time in a falling low tide (max. low= 1530 hrs.), so we are seeing a lot of exposed shoreline & skinny water depths in a number of areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>2 of the 4 boats went <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>aground at 2 different spots requiring TowBoat US assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This service is an absolute necessity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds were from the SE & gusty between 10-12K in the PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>At 1645 hrs. we anchored at our predetermined destination---Awendaw Creek, a deep water creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 33.6sm or 30.8nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A very calm, quiet night with a sky filled with stars.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 26<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another magnificent sunny dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Light NE winds with a light mist over the saltwater marshes & mirror water when we raised the anchor at 0645 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dolphins greeted us as we were exiting the Awendaw Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Without any thought, I said ‘good morning’ to them & thought of my Dad with tears welling up in my eyes. We started with a rising tide as we passed the known skinny waters towards McCellanville , but the current was against us most of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Through the South Santee River towards the Minim Creek we were seeing wooden docks in marshes that seemed to lead to nowhere; there were no houses or buildings anywhere around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Slowly the NE wind increased to 5-8K as we were approaching Georgetown, increasing to 10K after Georgetown & started clocking NE, ENE, to E, making for a good ride on the Waccamaw River, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>except for the increasing number of power boaters out on a beautiful, awesome Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How could you blame them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some were very conscientious, well others …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Waccamaw River in the Springtime is so different from the Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the Fall it was so bleak & dreary looking & the shores were lined with leafless trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today it was stunning, beautiful vibrant green leafed trees & as the Waterway Guide describes it as one of the most scenic & beautiful areas of the ICW;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it truly was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At low tide these yellow pines at shoreline have root systems that are visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Docks in the Waccamaw are so long from water level to homes or marinas that golf carts are used to travel the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>several creeks off the ICW, but we chose Cow House Creek at Mile 383.5;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>good depth at the mouth & has a charted minimum low depth of 7 ft. at low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sure--- we went aground in a falling tide in 5’2” then 4’8” water & unable to get off despite 2 guys taking our anchor & dropping it in deeper water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So there we sat BBQ’ing & eating our supper until the tide started coming in at 1945 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 2015 hrs. we now showed 5’8” on our depth sounder, we started floating, so relocated back towards the mouth of the wonderment proportions. Distance= 52.2sm or 47.7nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 27<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once the sun was over the horizon, it was a very sunny morning, no wind & a mist that was magnificent as it hugged the still water & the treetops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were on our way by 0630 hrs. with a low tide & a slight current against us passing more beautiful creeks of the Waccamaw River;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Prince Creek is suppose to be nice & Osprey Marina comes hightly recommended--- cheap, great facilities & friendly;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the next time round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once we left the Waccamaw River & approached North Mrytle Beach the contrast was so alarming;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wilderness & naturalness of the Waccamaw to the commercialism of Mrytle Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Brown turtles were sighted on the logs on port sunning themselves;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we also had a water snake following us for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We stopped for fuel at Barefoot Resort Yacht Club & Marina, then through the Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge & then onto Pine Island Cut also called ‘The Rock Pile’ from Mile 365.5 (G19) to 347 (G15)--- the name aptly expresses the bottom;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>although a falling tide, we encountered no problems seeing 9-11 ft. depths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After the Little River Swing Bridge we were seeing 7-8.5 ft. depths, the tide was still falling for a few more hours & we were hearing conversations from our intendant <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>destination of Calabash Creek over the VHF between Celtic Cross & Temptation re Earl <u>manually </u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>sounding the depths & Waterparke going aground (draws 4’11”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Right then & there we decided to make a U-turn back to Cricket Cove Marina, the last marina before Calabash Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This marina is in dire need of dredging--- suppose to be done any day now;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nice facilities here ie huge showers , nice lounge with laundry facilities that are relatively inexpensive (washers X2= $1.00 & dryers X2 = $0.75).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 38.4sm or 36.4nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We spoiled ourselves with a piece of Key Lime Pie after supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the western sky the crescent moon was upside down like a bowl & this position with relation to the sun is responsible for the extreme high & low tides we were <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>experiencing.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 28<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The fog was so bad this AM that we could not see 100 yd. in front of the bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tide had also just started to rise so all was more favourable in half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We left the dock at 0700hrs. with 6ft. water under the keel & maneuvered into & down the ICW channel towards Calabash Creek, the terrible area for many yesterday, by GPS alone as visibility was still questionable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We crossed into North Carolina territory a short distance from the marina & had no problems in any of the charted shallow areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We even were able to make the 0800hr. opening of the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, which has been closed on many occasions at low tide because of the extreme Spring lows. Now with the fog lifted it was a magnificent sunny, warm, windless day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Slowly & gently the wind filled in from the ENE, on our nose until we got closer to Southport when the wind shifted a little more to the NE & became a little stronger sometimes on a run & sometimes on a broad reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Past Southport on the Cape Fear River the wind increased more but we were fighting a strong current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In Snow Cut the current reversed & was with us on a still falling tide & we were nicely pushed through at 5.8K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After the Cut we turned to port up the North Carolina Beach section of the ICW<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>where the inlet comes from the ocean & is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>infamous for shallows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dead middle of the channel we bumped on & off sandbars continuously until we came to a dead halt about 50 ft. past G155 in 5’2” of water & unable to get off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were tired because of the long day, it was 1630hrs. & we still had 5 more miles to go in known shallows on a max. low tide for one more hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With no hesitation we hailed TowBoatUS (unlimited membership was one of the smartest things we did);<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in 30 min. they would be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were bounced further into shallow water by power boaters as we tried to use their wake (4’8”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>TowBoatUS<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>dragged us a few feet to starboard to the green side of the channel & the only words of wisdom he had was stay mid channel (as we had being doing) & yes take the Shinn Creek passage which is naturally deeper water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was so spooky;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there was no other sailboats on the ICW that we could see & only a few power boats & some kayakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived at Wrightsville. N.C. & anchored at 1915 hrs.--- a 12hrs. day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank goodness for Spring & longer daylight hours!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 61.9sm or 53.8nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Late supper, late dishwashing, but a welcomed shower sitting on the cockpit floor under the stars & the crescent moon still in the western sky.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 29<sup>th(Week 30, Day 200)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Brilliant sunny, warm, cloudless & windless morning as we up anchored trying for the 0700hrs. Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once again, well in channel, most unexpectedly we went <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>aground (G19—4’8”) & we haven’t yet reached G25 that has given numerous boats problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then again, as advised, kept our distance off G25 & went aground a second time in a matter of less than 15 min.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A power boat went inside us close to G25 & he had 10ft. of water;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>go figure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We backed up, turned to the mark & passed through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But now we were late for the 0700 hr. opening & had to wait the hour for the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Temptation went offshore;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wish we could have, but it is over 60 miles & the wind was nonexistent in the early AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A SE wind slowly picked up within a few short hours as well as a slight cloud cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We approached the New River Inlet 3 hours after high tide & that would be the latest we would recommend for a safe passage through this constant re-shoaling area;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>flavouring the red side we slowly crept to R76 to R74 turning with the sinuosity of the starboard shoreline, snuggled right up to R72A & R72 ignoring R72B entirely & saw humps of 6-7ft. otherwise 8-18ft. depths & anchored at Mile Hammock Bay Mile 244.5 at 1500 hrs., with only 3 others boats there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 38.7sm or 32.2nm. Mile Hammock is within a military training zone, so we were all entertained with 2 twin blade helicopters doing maneuvers above us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Skipper’s Meeting was held with a discussion as to where & how long to stay at various stages keeping in mind that the ICW would be closed May 3, 4, & 5 for removal of the Jordan Lift Bridge (just south of Norfolk, Virginia).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a BBQ supper I sat out in the cockpit watching the pelicans dive bombing & slamming their heads into the water, watching the tons of fish jumping all around until after the lovely sunset & when the dampness set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were only nine of us here tonight, not like the Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had a wonderful shower in the cockpit then some journal writing & reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Time is flying by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the beginning of our 30<sup>th</sup> week or 200<sup>th</sup> day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>& we’re one more day from the end of the month!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 30<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A misty foggy morning but could see enough to up anchor at 0700 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The air was damp & the sunless sky made it feel cool enough that I had to wear long pants, long sleeve T, sweat top & a tuque & a scarf for heaven’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By mid morning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>a warm sun broke through but the breeze was still chilly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A light NE wind in the early morning that built to E to ESE about 8-10K as we headed in an easterly direction for Morehead City/Beaufort, N.C. on a beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most unusual---the bridge tender for the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge told Graeme when we asked for an opening to favour the red or port side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The current was at times with us & other times against us as we passed many inlets ie Browns Inlet (shoal at G60), Bear Inlet, Boque Inlet, rising tide as were passing the first 2 inlets, then slack to a falling tide nearing Morehead City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyday we have encountered dolphins gracefully swimming up & down & all around, but can never get a good photo of these amazing mammals that instill such peacefulness inside me;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if I believed in reincarnation I would come back as a dolphin!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived at 1540 hrs. at these brand new docks called Morehead City Docks (Fall ’08);<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>water & electricity but no washroom/shower or laundry facilities but these are expected to be available in the Fall ’09.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Payment was made at the Webb Memorial Public Library, one block north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This library is old but fantastic;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>multi rooms of old wooden floors & furniture, a children’s room, a computer room with 3-4 desktops, a reading room where I linked up to the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A good hair salon 3 blocks up to the left;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Trendsetters= $22.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The group had a great dinner at Ruddy Duck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A warm night with a moderate wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance=<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>40.9sm or 35.7nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 1<sup>st</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The first day of May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wonder what the tulips are like at home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This month is a busy month of family celebrations of Mother’s Day, birthdays & anniversaries which we will be missing;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that really tugs at my heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the day also that we should be in Deltaville, Virginia re our new boat & all, but they are aware of our situation & present location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The morning included some nearby window shopping;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O.K. maybe a little more than window shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Good hardware store & bakery & gourmet food shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With a SE-S winds at 10-12K<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which increased towards noon, we untied from the docks at 1300hrs. & motor-sailed a huge distance of 3.7sm or 4.3nm to Town Creek Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Two courtesy cars were organized for propane refills & basic groceries ( Food Lion better than Piggly Wiggly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then it was BBQ supper, shower, laundry ( 2 washers= $1.50 each, 2 dryers= $0.50 but top one runs free), & free WiFi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I squeezed in some reading until my eyes could not focus anymore at 2330hrs.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 2<sup>nd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A windy, warm night with high winds & thunderstorms predicted for today as well, hence we were staying put.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The cloud & mugginess of the morning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>was soon replaced by hot & muggy sunny weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arranged for the courtesy car from 0930hrs. till 1330hrs. then again 1430 till 1630hrs. to visit the shopping area in Morehead City away from the harbour on the main drag, ie West Marine, Wal Mart, Lowe’s Food, buying fresh fish from stands at the side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>S to SW winds at 15-20K increased as evening approached & as the clouds darkened from the W, with a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>downpour about 1900hrs. but no lightning & thunder as predicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And the weather forecast for this coming week does not sound promising--- more wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Laundry, internet & then sleep.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 3<sup>rd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sunny, warm but also windy about 15K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No great hurry as we were planning to go up to Cedar Creek off Adams Creek approximately 15 miles, so had our showers & checked the internet before leaving at 1030hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We skillfully untied from the piles & dock & motored out into Beaufort River soon followed by Celtic Cross & Waterparke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was near maximum low tide & the shallows were very evident with the lighting & the time of day;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the channel was a commercial fishing trawler aground just patiently waiting for the tide to come in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>As we were nearing Adams Creek Channel we rolled out 1/3 of the jenny & unexpectantly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>went aground on the red/port side of the channel before G21, but were able to motor off X 5-10 min. & warned the others;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Celtic Cross touched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds S-SW at our stern were now blowing 15-20K, but by Cedar Creek there were whitecaps+++ & blowing 20-25K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The channel into Cedar Creek is shallow & dotted with fish traps;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we were seeing depths of 5’2”-5’6” & generally less than 8’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Celtic Cross tried repeatedly to anchor unsuccessfully & motored out as we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There would have been no protection with the current wind direction;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in fact, there was no anchorage with adequate protection in the vicinity; and the sky<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the NW was looking ominous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Decision time--- we would try for a marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winds were now SSW<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with whitecaps+++ continually blowing ;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Celtic Cross captured 37.?K on her windspeed instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oriental Marina was too shallow for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is no tides to speak of here off the Neuse River, but interestingly enough because of a southern component of high winds X 3 days, the water had been sucked out of the creeks & rivers by 2-21/2ft (called wind tide)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbour was able to accommodate <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>the 3 of us & our 6ft. draft, only with strict observance of directions--- the range + hugging R2 & R4, staying about 35ft. from G1, 3, & 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite seeing 5’2” & 5’4” depths in some spots otherwise 6’ish ft., we made it through & had lots of hands at the piles & dock to catch our lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The weather certainly was the topic of conversation as we chit chatted on the dock with the 2 other boats who also happened to be from Canada from Port Stanley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had internet, water & electricity at dockside for $1.50 per foot with TowBoatUS 1<sup>st</sup> night, $1.00 2<sup>nd</sup> night & ? free 3<sup>rd</sup> night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Supper, shower, bonfire then to bed at 2200 hrs. under a cloudy sky & SW winds howling. Distance= 19.9sm or 21.2 nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 4<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Grey, cloudy & still SW winds blowing at 20-25K in the AM & 25-30K in the PM with lots of white capped chop about 1-2ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The water level was still low & difficult to get out of the channel--- wind tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And thunderstorms are predicted all week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By mid morning the sun came out & stayed out for most of the day & it became muggy (80F).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I powerwalked X 1hrs. into Oriental & caught up with Sandcastle & Plumpuppet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After lunch Graeme & I actually got on courtesy bikes (poor shape) & rode to West Marine & in & around the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The fantastic smell of pine reminded me so much of home; beautiful assortment of colours of azaleas in their prime, the irises, peonies, & the roses & their fragrance that knocked me over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We saw our 1<sup>st</sup> robin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I worked on the internet, then it was Happy Hour followed by supper (brought our own) on Waterparke. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Suddenly the wind & chop stopped at 1700hrs. & only lightly increased at 1930hrs.; a very pleasant night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 5<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Early Am the weather seemed O.K.;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the water had laid down & the water level was up by at least 6 in..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We topped off the water tank & rolled up the electrical cord & off the dock at 0730hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We followed the exact instructions out of the marina channel into the Neuse River without going aground & sailing a beam reach in a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>5-8K E to SE wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The weather deteriorated as the AM progressed;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>grey-black rain clouds to the SE gave way to quite a downpour & 12-15K of wind, so we furled in 2/3 of the jenny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From the Neuse River we turned round Maw Point Shoal into Bay River, through Gale Creek past the Coast Guard Station & Hobucken Bridge into the Goose Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then it was the Pamlico River where we encountered pouring rain again;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>due to the wideness of the river & the greyness of this day, it was difficult to see the marks & the wind died here as well until we turned into the Pungo River up to Belhaven on a beat in a good wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When we turned past & changed direction away from Belhaven we were sailing on a beam reach in a SE 10K breeze turning at G23 Mile 127.5 to port just before the Alligator River- Pungo River Canal at 1800hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are back to tannic water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 53.5sm or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>48.7nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Toilet was not pumping so Graeme replaced a few parts so as it is functional but still leaking at the handle;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>probably time for a new toilet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>The skies were cloudy & threatening all evening<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with winds gusting 10-12K & later very gusty at 25K.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 6<sup>th(Week 31, Day 207)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had set ourselves up yesterday for the Alligator River –Pungo River Canal followed by the Alligator River today & tomorrow for the dreaded<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Albemarle Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We pulled the anchor up at 0640hrs. & black, sticky, stinky muck all over everything ie sail, pulpit, anchor & chain , deck, my feet & legs, arms & clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yuk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were headed due E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sun & clear blue skies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>were to the E & S, but grey rain clouds W & N with deteriorating conditions predicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Zero to less than 5K E- ESE breeze in the AM & building throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Coming up to noon the winds increased to 15K, whitecaps & shifted to SE then to S, from beam to broad reach then a run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It took us 41/2hrs. to do the canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have not seen any dolphins since leaving Beaufort, N.C., no wildlife along the route yesterday & this AM’s passage & no palms; only green coniferous trees & spring green deciduous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mid afternoon the winds were 25K & the whitecaps in the Alligator River were sitting on the crests of 1ft. chop that were so close that it almost had the appearance of a blanket of snow over the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thunderstorms & heavy winds forecasted for the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hence after the Alligator River Bridge opening we turned to port into the Alligator River Marina<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mile 84.1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Price= $1.00/ft.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>cheaper diesel prices, laundry facilities (2 washers= $1.25 ea.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>2 dryers= $0.75 ea.),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>2 large showers + AC lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Arrival= 1450hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 43.4sm or 39.4nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The nasty weather with tornado warnings was visibly around but did not materialize except rain during the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today along the route I did more thinking of my family;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was recalling the night before I returned to the Bahamas in Feb. & how Donna & Tom came over to say good-bye & how Dave had his lunch break with Mom & I & how he squeezed me saying good-bye & how the two of us choked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know I have said this before but I yearn for my family, my friends, my life in Ottawa more & more as each day passes closer to the end of this adventure!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>May 7<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today’s forecast--- cloudy, thunderstorms, possible tornados, high winds & heavy rains for the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is sounding repetative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Radar showed the bad weather was heading toward our destination of Elizabeth City, N.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were off the docks at 0715hrs. & into about 15K winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The water appeared calmer north of the bridge where we were than south of the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No problems encountered from G9 directly to G7, a noted trouble spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were having a good sail across the Albemarle Sound, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>dodging crab pots+++ until 1030hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the threatening clouds we had been keeping an eye on were all encompassing;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>lightning, thunder, nasty blue-black clouds, then sudden 40+K winds & heavy rains to the point where we had no visibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had the jenny furled in time, but now the high SW winds against us cancelled all our speed ;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our knotmeter read ‘0’ & crab pots surrounded us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme had no boat control but quickly decided to turn back in the direction of Albemarle Sound <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>from where we came from in order to gain control & speed. Then turned back towards<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the mouth of the Pasquotank River again losing speed & control , so back out once more to the Sound, passing the same crab pots over & over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did know we were right side up as the water was concave from port to starboard but all was a light brown colour, water & sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t recall how long this went on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do know that if we had left 30-60 min. earlier we would have been in some protection by being in the Pasquotank River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The rain continued to pelt us but the visibility improved & the number of crab pots increased aggravating Graeme to no end;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we had to slalom through the multiple strings of pots that had no pattern, no rhyme or reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We learnt later that they are owned & placed by Vietnamese fishermen who claim they “no speak English” yet chatter away in English on their VHF’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The government is trying to clamp down on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The chop was far less, the rain stopped & slowly the skies even cleared to blue with sunny breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 1330hrs. we arrived & tied up to a slip (free X 48hrs.) in Elizabeth City, Mile 51.0 & now it is hot & muggy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I squeezed in a haircut as a walk-in & used an RBC facility both within 1 block of the waterfront .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then cruisers ( Larry & Lynn Morrow) who we had met in Florida that have a home 30 min. away in Edenton N.C., drove to Elizabeth City to visit all of us (6 boats), since at this time it was not feasible for us to detrack from our schedule & route to sail to their home 35 miles off the ICW up the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Albemarle Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>They drove us to Fresh Farm for a few groceries (fantastic & also provide a complimentary service of picking up & dropping off boaters at the docks to their store) & to the gas station for diesel;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>anything we needed they were willing to drive us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We all went to the Welcome Party The Rose Buddies of Elizabeth City put on each day at 1630hrs if there are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>4 boats around; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>this small Coast Guard community is so friendly & is the hospitality capital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is an absolute ‘must visit’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then 14 of us went out for dinner at ‘Thumpers’ & had a great time with wonderful people;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>this is what makes the trip so fantastic--- people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At bedtime we were given a stupendous lightning show in the western sky between the layers of clouds, almost a match for the fireworks on July 1 or the 4<sup>th</sup> of July depending on your country of patriotism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 33.1sm or 30.2nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 8<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sunny, hot (80’sF) with a little breeze & water surface in front of the docks here in Elizabeth City was calm all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Powerwalk X 50min. then 2 loads of laundry at the Laundromat (washers= $1.50, dryer= $0.25 for at least 10 min.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I rushed back because at noon 6 of us ladies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>attended the Harbor Tea Room for a light lunch--- real old fashion china tea cups & tea service + a scrumptious cheddar red pepper soup, tea sandwiches & English tea scone with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>blotted cream & strawberry sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Owners= Cotrisha & Tommy;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>both down to earth delightful people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then it was to the Arts of the Albemarle--- paintings, sculptures,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>photos, ceramics, jewellery, & woodcravings by artists of this district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I bought some fresh shrimp ($4.99/ lb.) for supper for myself anyway, while Graeme<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>had BBQ hamburger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And to top this highly cultured day was attending a musical at the Arts of Albemarle Theatre at 2000hrs.;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>free ticket from a spouse of one of the actresses who was promoting culture & hospitality of Elizabeth City once again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What a wonderful, warm evening!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What a wonderful day this has been!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 9<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A warm night was followed by another hot, sunny & muggy AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Farmers’ Market every Sat. at 0900hrs. was set up directly in front of us--- produce, arts & crafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I talked to Mom on Skype before leaving the slip at 0940hrs.;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>she was pleased to hear that we have definitely decided to finish our homeward bound adventures in Deltaville, Virginia & have Sweet Chariot hauled back to Ottawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Weather apparently coming in this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We wound through the Pasquotang River, jenny in, jenny out, on starboard, on port, & back & forth <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>numerous times from the wide then the narrow parts of the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We saw numerous<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>brown turtles on the sunny or starboard side of the river sitting sunning on fallen logs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We timed our arrival perfectly to catch the 1330hrs. opening of the South Mills Lock, then the bascule bridge;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>9 boats were in the lock, a process that took over an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sun was very hot at ?92F with a west wind that was variable in strength & direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eight boats tied up at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Centre Mile 28.0 at 1540hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 23sm or 19.9nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A big social was organized up at the picnic tables from 1730 till 1900hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who wanted to cook supper now but need to cook the meat we have aboard before it goes bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A welcomed shower in the cockpit via the warmed shower bag water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The possible storm never materialized except slightly cooler & dryer weather followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An important note--- upon Graeme registering he was informed that the Gilmerton Bridge was closed tomorrow from 0500-2300hrs. in order that work on the Southern 707 Railroad Bridge could be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So we are in the Dismal Swamp for another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh oh!--- I have a sore throat starting up.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 10<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Mother’s Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>most beautiful crystal clear sunny day with blue skies, no humidity, a hot sun with temps of 75-80F & a very light S-SW wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few boats in our gang moved on after we said our good-byes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Barb from Plumpuppet gave all the ladies a gold box with a piece of white & chocolate fudge inside--- absolutely divine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sandcastle does not plan to stop in Norfolk & like Plumpuppet & Sea Change, they wish to explore the eastern Chesapeake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Arrivederci!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It has been so much fun with you guys!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We attended a lecture at 1030hrs. at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Museum followed by my hour powerwalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Boats kept arriving & tying up with each lock & bridge openings until at the end of the day the total= 12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We met a nice couple from Elizabeth City (Phil & Martha Richardson originally from Buffalo) out for a Sunday drive & to take photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a very late lunch we played Mexican Train (dominos) on a picnic table under the shade of the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I finally used my $5.00 phone card I purchased in the Fall in Brewerton & phoned Ottawa & spoke to Colleen, Donna then Mom to wish them a Happy Mother’s Day; family dinner at my brother’s & we’re missing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But instead we had a potluck dinner where Sharon cooked Bombay Chicken, I a Japanese Cabbage Salad & Brian a cranberry loaf from the Farmers’ Market in Elizabeth City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My sore throat has progressed to a hoarse voice & a chesty cough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What a peaceful night!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 11<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Birthday Dave!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cloudy day with a few sprinkles of rain on rising .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m feeling rough this AM; chills & sweats during the night & waking on & off coughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It took awhile to get the rafted boats woken up to get moving so we can make the 1100hrs. Deep Creek Bridge & Lock openings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We finally got moving at 0725hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bright green shrubs, trees, vines & vegetation gently encroaching onto the narrow path of the Dismal Swamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unlike the section of the Dismal Swamp south up to South Mills where the depths of 10-12ft. are maintained whereas north of South Mills depths are only 7-8ft.--- no<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>commercial traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We saw a black bear swimming across the swamp;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>some boaters saw moccinaws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We adjusted our speed in accordance to the bridge & lock openings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Deep Creek opening was at 115hrs. followed by the Deep Creek Lock;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>lock opening was painfully slow taking over an hour (1130-1245hrs.) for 8 boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Finally we were able to lunch on chicken noodle soup & cheese & crackers to warm us up from the inside in conjunction with our sweat tops & bottoms, scarf, tuque & sailing gloves on the outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived at the Waterside Marina, Norfolk (Mile 0.4) at 1420hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 27.6sm or 20.7nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A hot shower was just what the doctor ordered, then a leisure walk around the MacArthur Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A social & a lovely lasagna dinner hosted by Waterparke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some emails, some reading in the comfort of heat from the electric heater we resurrected from the bowels of the bow storage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It has been confirmed that Gail & Richard will drive from Ottawa to Deltaville in their truck on May 19<sup>th</sup> & I will hitch a ride on the 20<sup>th</sup>, then will drive our van back to Deltaville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And Parke has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>informed Dave Bratt that we will be calling him to haul Sweet Chariot back to Ottawa from Deltaville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will stay here in Norfolk one more day for better weather, getting an early start for the long passage to Deltaville on Wed.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 12<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite an uncomfortable bronchitic cough, I slept well & slept in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Breakfast, shower & fridge wash down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme & I then did a historical walk of homes, museums whose tours are Wed. to Sat., churches mostly on Freemason E & W, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Norfolk Scope & Arena, Performing Art & Theatre Centre from 1015-1530hrs. taking in lunch at Granby Street Pizzeria, where owner Peter remembered us from the Fall & showed us the expansion area under construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sun was out in all it’s glory in a cloudless, bright clear blue sky today;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>air was slightly chilly when a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>light breeze periodically came up, but a perfect day for walking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A social on Celtic Cross, then said our good byes to Waterparke<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as Parke needs to fly to Ottawa for business 13<sup>th</sup> -15<sup>th<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></sup>& we will be moving on early tomorrow morn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I applied online tonight to be a volunteer for the Vancouver Olympics, Feb. 2010! </span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 13<sup>th(Week 32, Day 214)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The end is near!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The alarm went off at 0500hrs., breakfast was consumed as the sun was rising & we untied from the docks at 0625hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a clear, sunny AM with a very light NNE wind as we headed towards our last destination north on this adventure, Deltaville Virginia; direction= NE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again we passed the miles & miles of naval ships, destroyers & aircraft carriers & the endless sight of freight lifts as we were leaving Norfolk’s huge harbour. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>From 1100-1400hrs. the wind was almost flat & the water surface was flat calm with no chop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The breath of wind we had just enough to keep our jenny full & working must have been well off the water surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was a change of wind direction to the S & a sudden increase in wind speed to 10K then 15K (whitecaps) at 1400hrs.; we were now doing speeds of over 6K!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was also an increase in the number of crabpots, but they seem to be in an organized pattern & not an issue today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We turned from the Chesapeake to port towards the channel marks to Broad Creek about 1500hrs. & the water depth changed from 30 to 20 then down to 10 ft., but at R2 we bumped a couple of times in 5’4”- 5’6” water, then back up to 9ft.;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>guess that was our last reminder as to what touching bottom felt like, lest we forget!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We hailed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Norton’s Yacht Sales on the VHF & then called on the toll free number on the cell, but only got the secretary as they were closed. So at 1630hrs. we just tied ourselves up at the end of the fuel dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was nice & calm here & the night was quiet & tranquil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Celtic Cross anchored in Jackson Creek close to Deltaville Marina & Deltaville Boatyard as that was their boat’s destination & home till the Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sandcastle, Plumpuppet & Sea Change were exploring the eastern Chesapeake & were anchored in Onancock Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 52.5sm or 47.5nm. <u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><u>Reflection</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In some respect it is almost sad that the real adventure is over; 8 months to the day ---Sept. 13 ’08- May 13. ’09! There are so many memories;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>many good, but some sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We are not taking Sweet Chariot any further north, but she will be trucked to Ottawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sweet Chariot--- you have be mighty sweet , & strong, patient , never complaining ; some may say you are old, but wise & dependable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you for taking good care of us!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">As much as I would like to explore the Chesapeake, I want to go home even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I miss my family, my friends, my exercising, my Ottawa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hopefully the near future will be the time for exploration of this area!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have met so many fabulous people along the way & so many of them that I would like to remain friends with!</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>EPILOGUE</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 14<sup>th(Week 32, Day 215)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A warm, sunny, muggy & breezy day, although we seem to be well protected here in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Broad Creek compared to Jackson Creek;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Chesapeake was very rough last night & today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had a meeting with Mike & Ken from Norton’s, & discussed our plans for Sweet Chariot & the Jeanneau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Norton’s is not a marina & not a location for long term liveaboards but rather a brokerage & a sailing school & boatyard for storage & maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Boat storage= $100.00 per month, free car storage, in & out hauling fees= $7.00 per ft. with a travel lift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ken sees no problem demasting Sweet Chariot & supplying horses or the like to dissemble the mast & prepare for shipping & lifting her onto Dave Bratt’s flat bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Final payment for the Jeanneau was completed + a walkabout was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We also had a discussion with Scott re some changes to previously discussed canvass work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were given a Volvo no less as a free loaner vehicle to do our running around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We made our first purchase for the Jeanneau today--- a 45lb. CQR from the consignment shop at Nauti Nells, only to return it the next day for a 35lb. CQR. (45 too big).</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 15<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sunny, hot & muggy & a calmer day out on the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We did malfunctioning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>equipment replacement at the 2 West Marines <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>& some grocery shopping, then visited Celtic Cross & Waterparke who had just arrived at Deltaville Marina in the later PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were given a tour of the joint; nice key in showers & washrooms, laundry facilities with 2 washers & 2 dryers, lounge open 24/7 with TV, internet access, complimentary coffee & the fixings.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 16<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Birthday Ian!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sunny, hot & muggy again & windy out in the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cold front is predicted Sat. night & Sun. morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We celebrated Ian’s birthday at Bella’s Pizza followed by a brownie cake & coffee back at Deltaville Marina in the screened in patio that houses a propane BBQ for customer use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A gentle rain during the night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 17<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A gentle rain, warm & muggy first thing in the AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I attended Mass at The Catholic Church of the Visitation at 0900hrs. & by the time mass was ended, the wind was howling, it was cold & raining heavily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The rains continued all morning & most of the PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A good day to do 3 loads of laundry as I worked away at my email journal, finishing at 1530hrs. A social gathering with Celtic Cross , then supper & preparation of a few meals for Graeme while I am in Ottawa.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 18<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cold & cloudy morning with high winds from the north; not a good day again for Waterparke to leave for Annapolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Jeanneau was lifted into the water at 0930hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jeannie from Nauti Nells had some fresh asparagus & fresh green & red leaf lettuce from her garden for Graeme & I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sun broke through in the afternoon but the wind remained cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cold & windy night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 19<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I slept in till 0715hrs. then prepared some sweet & sour meatballs as another meal for Graeme while I am away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dave Bratt called at 0800hrs. confirming that he will haul us around June 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a bright sunny, blue cloudless sky day with moderate light cool breeze; temperature= 60-65F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We drove to White Stone for some lumber for Sweet Chariot’s furler when we demast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I packed a bag & some things to return to Ottawa. Gail & Richard arrived in their truck at 1930hrs. & we all helped pack her up with Celtic Cross’s goods.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 20<sup>th(Week 33, Dy 221)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A sunny, pleasantly warm day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We didn’t get away from Deltaville till 1230hrs.; 5 adults cramped in the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived in Ottawa 13 hours later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I stayed overnight at Mom’s.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 21-23<sup>rd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next few days were filled with readying the van for me to drive back to Deltaville ie. oil change, checking the tire pressures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I gathered up all our empty plastic Rubbermaid containers & boxes to fill with articles that would not be transferred onto the Jeanneau & to make Sweet Chariot as light as possible in order to use the NSC crane to transfer her from Dave’s flat bed truck to Sweet Chariot’s trailer rather than renting a commercial crane (expensive).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I bought a adapter to play my iPod via the radio for the 13 hour drive back all alone; if I feel tired I will be pulling over & sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is Memorial Holiday Long Weekend in the US, so I decided to make the drive on the Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I slept over at Mom’s on Sat. night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 24<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Shower, breakfast & on my way by 0510hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was cloudy, then cloudy & rainy until Watertown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No problems crossing at the border at Ivy League--- #1 stop: for duty free & O.K. a pee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>#2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>stop: at for gas & a pee in Kirkland, N.Y. at 0930hrs. #3 stop: for lunch at Rest Area in Pennsylvania at 1330hrs.--- feel good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>#4 stop: for gas at Tappahannock, Virginia at 1730hrs.--- still feel good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>#5 stop at 1830hrs. in Deltaville!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme was surprised to see me, thinking that I would split the drive in 2 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was sunny & warm for most of the later morning & all of the PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And Sunday was the best day to have chosen to drive in terms of traffic & road construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was able to successfully program & operate the GPS & I drove it nuts when I did not keep to her route pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The highways I chose in the US was Interstate 81 to 17 to 66 to 33 to 336; approximately 600 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The panoramic landscape in some areas was stunning.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 25<sup>th</sup>-28<sup>th(Week 33 &34, Days 226-229) </sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The days were all gorgeous , sunny & warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was now that I realized how great the storage capacity & the easy accessibility on Sweet Chariot really was. We filled the days cleaning both boats as we transferred articles from one boat to the next & thinking of the best working arrangement on a boat we have sailed for one hour in the Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We packed all linens & cans, clothes & shoes in bins & boxes to take home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The van was nicely filled by departure day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The jenny sail & the mainsail & stack pack were removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Sweet Chariot was demasted on May 27<sup>th</sup> & the mast was prepared in the usual fashion + plastic wrapped for transportation to Ottawa when Dave arrives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The dinghy was hoisted onto the Jeanneau<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>& tied down onto the foredeck & the dinghy motor was mounted on the pull pit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sweet Chariot’s bimini, dodger & their frames were removed & tied securely down on the foredeck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All the cockpit cushions were stored in the main cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The fridge was emptied at the very last, with perishable articles stored for the trip home in the van in a cooler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We said our goodbyes to Carolyn & Ken <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>& Mike & presented them with a small Canadian gift of maple syrup to each of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Late nights came too quickly.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">May 29<sup>th(Week 34, Day 230)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 0610hrs. we said our goodbyes to both boats & started our 13hrs. drive home in brilliant sunshine & hot temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After Graeme had driven the first 5 hours, I was called upon to take over those duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But after barely 2 hours my eyes closed three times & I had to hand the reins back to Graeme, yet days prior I drove the 13 hours myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I redeemed myself by driving the last 3 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The weather in Syracuse had turned cold & windy & we were digging in our luggage for warmer clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We crossed the border at Prescott & stopped in the Customs Office as Dave had instructed us to do to give them the heads up that Sweet Chariot would be crossing on June 3<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But they were not interested to hear any such news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 2015hrs. we were unlocking the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And now the hectic city life is upon us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have often yearned over the last month for the simplistic boat life that had become our life for 8 months!</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt -0.5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: auto 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p>Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-42331437604425076172010-09-25T20:44:00.002-04:002010-09-26T10:28:43.744-04:00<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure, April 13-24,2009</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 13<sup>th(Week 27, Day 184)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Birthday Colleen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Warm & humid, but cloudy day with predictions of high winds & thunderstorms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winds were from the south & about 10K when we left dock at 0820 hrs. but as the day progressed they increased & became gusty & shifty with the jenny pulling nice sometimes then flicking back & forth with the change of wind direction & strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As we were entering the Palm Valley Cut the skies looked more & more ominous, the winds increased with whitecaps on the ICW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite the short distance travelled, we decided to tie up at Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville Beach for the night, as 5 other boats had also decided to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The anchorages from this point on to Fernandina Beach &/or Cumberland Island left little to no options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 21.7nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Time= 1330 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There had been a horrific boat & barge accident in the Palm Valley Cut just the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With increasingly grey skies we quickly walked to Publix for a few groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Hour was hosted by Lynn & Larry on ‘Two Morrows’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On their blackberry we could see a storm about to hit; sure enough at 1700 hrs. lightning, thunder , heavy rains, WSW winds & possible tornado warnings <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were all so glad we decided to tie up for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The heavy, gusty winds & 2-3 inches of rain continued the rest of the evening.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 14<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cloudy, grey morn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Skipper’s Meeting held at 0800 hrs. over breakfast at café on site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>High winds 30-35K & possibility of tornados predicted for the am, improving in the pm & clearing in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Decision each of made was to play it by ear hour by hour, keeping the tides in mind as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Suddenly at about 100 hrs., there was a burst of winds gusting 30-47K X 1 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some jennys in the marina unfurled, flapping & some tearing;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>dinghies on boat decks were lifted; from the marina lounge we could observe sailboats at dockside heeling over 5 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not the time to be out on any body of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead I worked on internet stuff, updating ICW problem areas we would be encountering in the near future, particularly in Georgia & South Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I discovered dredging had been done in some areas of North Carolina in Jan. Feb. & Mar. ’09.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A late lunch then an hour’s powerwalk in a 10-15K S wind late in the afternoon before Happy Hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 1930 hrs. the evening <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>south sky was clearing & the humidity had passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A good night to BBQ especially with these longer days.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 15<sup>th(Week 28, Day 186)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clear, sunny cool morn with only blue skies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>NW wind slowly increased from 5 to 10 K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Weather forecast much more favourable, but must wait for a rising tide to creep out of the marina channel into the ICW (low tide 0844 hrs.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So after breakfast I decided to do a load of laundry, especially since washers & dryers were only $1.00 each per load.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One boat at a time crept out, starting with the boat that had the least draft & so on, each giving a running commentary as to depth of water along the way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We finally made our departure, last & at 1040 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds N-NW at 10-12K & the current was against us transversing the St. Johns River, then we wound our way through the maize of the South Amelia & Amelia Rivers using our jenny when possible; my arms got a workout today pulling that jenny in & out numerous times to adjust to the winds & the direction of travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t mind one bit, in fact wished we could or would do this more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That has been an issue for me;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>too sedentary an existence, with too little physical workout, too much eating & too much drinking;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>one gets lazy, & as the expression goes, the less you do the less you want to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>It was much different passing through here from the Fall as we did it through low tide then (scary) & high tide today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived in Fernandina Beach then turned up into the Bells River <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>to anchor in 15 ft. of water with an opposing current at 1715 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dolphins were a frequent sight today especially approaching Fernandina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Supper, then a social when we all chatted on how we all faired the weather storms of the last few days, & a few matches of Mexican Train (dominos) on ‘Temptation’ till 2200 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sky was clear & star filled & the water was calm, quiet almost like glass.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 16<sup>th</sup>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Sunny, clear blue skies with 8K NNW winds & coolish temps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I seem tired for no reason this AM;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am homesick no doubt about it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a low ebb tide when we upanchored at 0820 hrs. onto Cumberland Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cold winds kicked up to 15-22K, whitecaps & 1 ft. chop + a current against us until we past St. Mary’s Inlet from the Atlantic, then we were pushed into Cumberland Island, anchoring at 1030 hrs. off the Sea Camp Dock. The strong winds & even stronger current were opposing, so at times we would do 360’s around our anchor & be pointing in opposite directions to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was prudent for us to stay onboard observing the anchorage of ourselves & of others, hoping the winds would lay down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The very gusty NE winds blew greater than 25-30K until 1400 hrs. when they laid down enough that we put the motor on the dinghy, went ashore & walked to the Ice House Museum, to the Dungeness Ruins, the saltwater marshes picking sharks teeth from the dredged material dropped along walking paths on the entire island, the Carriage House, Cemetery of the Greene’s & Millers + General Lee, the boardwalk to the sand dunes & the Sea Camp Beach on the Atlantic coast that stretched for miles & today the Atlantic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>was raging with unbelievable waves & foam that was being blown off the waves & skittering along the shoreline inland;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the beach sand was hard as cement with some shells & coral fans but not as many as usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The beach continued on & on towards the north to Stafford House & Plum Orchard miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But we turned off here & entered an area of live oak trees whose branches intertwined amongst themselves & with our adjacent trees, staring from ground level such that it is a favourite spot for children to climb;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>here are also located 3 shower stations one could use after a pleasant day on the beach in the sand & swimming the ocean, washrooms, cold showers & the campgrounds by schools groups, etc. for a max. of 2 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was already 1730 hrs. so it was back to the Sea Camp Ranger Station & Dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The waters had laid down a little more for the dinghy ride back to the boat but the temps were cold, barely 60F. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>We got in a BBQ supper before the sunset & the NE winds picked up again under clear skies & brilliant stars at 2200 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The hatch & all ports were closed when<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we went to bed this night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Earlier in the day I had done a switch around of clothing, pulling out the scarf & tuque & long sleeve shirts.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 17<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>NOAA weather forecast not favourable for a departure today;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in fact high NE 25-30K winds with gusts even higher predicted from the morning hours till 2000 hrs. Although the sun shone, it was cold & we all donned our fleeces etc. & headed to shore to take in the lecture by the National Seashore Reserve on story the history of Dungeness; the ranger was Renee Noe & she was not only very informative but very animated & interactive with the group involving all at various times as she talked about historical characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winds did pick up over the noon hour till 1600 hrs. then conveniently dropped enough for us to dinghy was again to shore to have a Happy Hour as we viewed the lowering sun on the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>waters of Cumberland River through the live oaks trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had a discussion today re repeating this kind of trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I said that I was not prepared to do this in 4months time (home in June & leave again in Oct.). The night continued to calm for a more restful sleep.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 18<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clear, sunny morning, cool like Fall mornings with dew over the exterior of the boat & the canvass & windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The anchor was well secured in the thick grey mud bottom from the previous 2 day strong NE winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was an early AM start as we now needed to make some serious mileage north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unfortunately once in the Cumberland Sound the winds were NE, 8-10K, right on our nose & an opposing current of 1-2K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The current & wind remained against us until noonish when we rounded R32 out in the St. Andrews Sound; here the tannic waters splashed up our bow & down along the sides of the port & starboard hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We crept through Jeykll Creek on a rising tide thankfully at 1300 hrs. (high tide=1610 hrs.) into the St. Simon Sound, under the Lanier Bridge into the MacKay River at Mile 675, then Buttermilk Sound from Mile 664 to 660, arriving at our night anchorage at 1815 hrs. in a creek at G211 on the north end of Little St. Simon Island;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>another interesting anchoring with an opposing tide, current & NE wind & thus the anchor pointing to the stern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 45.1nm or 51sm (statuatory miles). I have suddenly decided to include both miles, as the statuatory miles are more indicative of our progress per day, whereas the nautical miles are boat specific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Near at & after sunset the no-see-ums were terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dew was already settling on the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But the night was still calm & quiet.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 19<sup>th</sup>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>The surface of the water was like a mirror & the sky was a beautiful shade of pink with a little foggy mist over the marsh grasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The fog increased as dawn was approaching until the sun burnt it away by 0800 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were on our way by 0640 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is already one week since Easter & we are in the middle of nowhere here in the Buttermilk Sound with no opportunity to go to Church;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will just have to say my own prayers for a trouble free day through a few wearisome problem areas on the agenda today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a falling tide till 100 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>& we had no problems passing through the Altamaha Sound & Little Mud River, & even had the jenny working for us in a SE wind as the wind slowly increased during the AM & the current against us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds shifted a bit to the ESE to 10-12K in the afternoon with a push from the current after rounding St. Catherines Sound until our anchorage at Redbird Creek at 1615 hrs. at Mile 606.8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 53.2sm or 41.1 nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It had been a mixed bag of weather from sun to cloud like rain to clearing & back to a light cloud cover, but a fairly warm evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was a strong current on anchoring, thus the anchor was behind the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With the aid of the engine, we straightened the anchor line so it was ahead as one would expect just before dark, but who knows what will happen by the AM.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 20<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We wanted an early start to take advantage of the tides as this was another day through problem areas, but that was not to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The anchor was very hard behind the boat around the keel, so much so that we could not even motor the boat in forward of reverse to free up the rode line to pull it in inch by inch. Instead we had to do the scariest thing---use a fender as a float, attach it to the anchor rode & let the entire anchor rode to free!; then once free & away, motor the boat back to the float, pick it up with the boat hook & pull in the rode, packing it back into the anchor well until I reached the tied off section to a cleat then bring the anchor end of the rode up in the usual fashion;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>this only took an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite high tide at about 0500 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>& losing a good hour with the anchor, Hells Gate on a falling tide at 0830 hrs. went well;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>one bad spot out of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The weather predicted was not favourable with possible rain & thunderstorms in the AM & PM with winds 10-20K & gusts to 30K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Depending in which direction we were travelling through this “serpentine” section of the ICW & the currents sometimes with us & other times against us, we used the jenny accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mid morning the winds did become more gusty & the skies were more cloudy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Temptation, a boat we were travelling with, has radar & was picking up serious storm patches here & there throughout the Savannah area<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>& winds shifting SW to NE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maximum low tide was about 1100 hrs. as we would<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be approaching Fields Cut, a serious shallow problem area, + the pending weather was not a good time to this passage. Temptation & Sweet Chariot anchored at noon in Herb River for a few hours to survey the situation in front of beautiful mansions, all with elaborate large docks & gazebos with hanging flower baskets & large power boats. There is a distance of 8.4sm to Fields Cut with a bridge opening that has restricted opening hours & so leaving at 1400 hrs. on a rising tide with high tide scheduled at 1700 hrs. would be in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But at this time the weather was worsening; at 1600 hrs. there were intense black clouds to the north & at 1615 to 1645 hrs. the skies opened up with lightning & thunder, but no wind thank heavens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A good decision to stay put.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The no-see-ums unfortunately were absolutely the worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some supper, some internet to my family, then settled down to a quiet, calm night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 21<sup>st</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 0635 hrs. tried raising the anchor that was hard to stern, but with just brut strength from the two of us for 30 min. & a little help from the engine we finally got her up & made our way to the Causton Bluff Bridge, Georgia Mile 579.9 for it’s 0800 hrs. opening on a warm, sunny morning with no wind or clouds but dew covering the boat’s exterior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 0900 hrs. SW winds were increasing allowing us to use the jenny, & throughout the day increasing at times to 8-10K & other times to nil, requiring the jenny to be realed in & out;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the current also was for & against us at different times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The dreaded Fields Cut passage went well 2-21/2 hrs. after high tide with the most difficult parts at the south & north ends of the cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were nice NW winds through the Cooper River around Dafuskie Island & Calabogue Sound in the morning, but no winds at noon at low tide through the deep, well marked serpentine channel of Hilton Head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Great W winds rounding Parris Island to Beaufort River that kept building as we approached & were tying up at dockside at Port Landing Marina in Beaufort, S.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at 1500 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After fuelling , registering & paying<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we borrowed the courtesy truck went to Piggly Wiggly, liquor store, West Marine, CVS, & a drive by downtown historic Beaufort by 1745 hrs.;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>old, huge, well maintained mansions & their big wrap around verandahs; walk about is definitely in order fot the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Back at the marina it was laundry time but I had to compete for the washers & dryers; 2 loads of washing & one of drying took me till 2200 hrs. as I darted back & forth from dinner at the restaurant on the premises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even did some internet during dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cold front came through as we were docking & throughout the evening with winds blowing 20-25K & whitecaps everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were told the following day that it was not a restful night for those that anchored until the winds died after midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 47.5sm or 38.5nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 22<sup>nd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I took advantage of another shower while Graeme topped up the boat’s water tank, then we slowly made our way to the Lady island Bridge for it’s 0900 hr. opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a bright, sunny day with coolish NW winds that increased as the morning progressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are definitely moving north as our style & number of layers of clothes indicate ie ling sleeve T-shirt, hoodie sweat top & pants & even a fleece scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We watched a sub hunter making touch & go maneouvers while we sailed the Brickyard Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then it was the sometime shallow waters of the wide, unobstructed Coosaw River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Low tide was at 1315 hrs. & it was 1230 hrs. when we started into the Ashepoo-Coosaw Cutoff, one of the trickiest & shallowest parts if the entire ICW;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a power boat asked to pass but we diplomatically said ‘no’, as we draw near 6 ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were seeing 7-8ish depths as were crept slow through this area where exposed fish pots lined the mudbanks & so narrow you felt you could touch them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fenwick Cut at Mile 511 was also skinny especially at R162 & R162A; at these marks we were motoring through 4’7’’ depths like it was butter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is important to take wide, sweeping turns & use the ranges in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On a rising tide we saw 8-10 ft. depths along the South Edisto River, Watts Cut & the Dawho River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Suddenly mid afternoon the WNW winds kicked up to 30-35K with whitecaps & chop on the supposedly protected waters of the ICW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At Mile 495.2 we dropped our anchor in Tom Point Creek off the North Edisto River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The high winds & strong opposing current made for an interesting anchoring;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>4 boats here & all pointing in different directions until the winds calmed down a little at 1900 hrs. then again at 2100 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact we had a surprisingly calm night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 41.2sm or 37.5nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 23<sup>rd(Week 29, Day 193)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A magnificent sunrise over the saltwater marshes & the few trees of the Low Country as we were taking up anchor was breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a clear, sunny, warm morning with too little wind to sail by & current that was working for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>High tide= 088 hrs. & low tide= 1418 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We set ourselves up perfectly for Elliott Cut, rocketing through there at 8.7K in about 3 min. flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ask me about the time we went through in the Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had to wait for the Wappoo Creek Bridge opening at 1030 hrs. but by 1130 hrs. we were tied up on the Megadock at the Charleston City Marina. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Distance= 18.4nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>A quick lunch then caught the 1300 hrs. shuttle to the Charleston Market & walked back to the marina for a well deserved shower, onto Skype with my Mom, & then dinner with 9 other cruisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mid afternoon the winds suddenly increased as did the harbour chop<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but by dark it was once again calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What a warm delightful day!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 24<sup>th(Week 29, Day 194)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A good breakfast on this glorious sunny, warm morning, followed by some cleaning & internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A group of us got the 1000 hrs. shuttle to the Market area, where we browsed & shopped, & had a fabulous lunch at the St. Phillips Episcopal Tea Room (4 day fundraiser for the missions, April 20-24), then to the Slave Museum on Chalmers & Church---depressing reality of the history of slavery in the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Off to Harris Teeters for a few groceries, the shuttle to the marina, laundry, internet & a shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We blew the budget here in Charleston as we attended another group dinner at Hymans (10 people), but then again this is our last night here before we move on tomorrow. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p>Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-31859843049757991642010-09-25T20:40:00.002-04:002010-09-26T10:25:44.374-04:00<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure April 1-12, 2009</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 1<sup>st(Week 26, Day 174)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite the howling winds all night, we slept well but I couldn’t drag myself out of bed till 0730 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We hadn’t had a good night sleep for 3 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme had coffee made & was stomping around the deck getting the dinghy ready to drop into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have to clear US Customs & Immigration onshore sometime soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme phoned & received his reference # after numerous attempts & a few different numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winds were S blowing 15-20K with whitecaps on the waters of the ICW; we surfed down to the Riviera Marina dinghy dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If the winds don’t settle down by the time to return to the boat, it will surely be a wet ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Paying the $10.00 docking fee at the marina gave us the privilege to take showers & do laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Checking into Customs & Immigration on the second floor was no <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>problem & quite quick despite the number of people doing the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We then went up to the third floor to show our Decal (Jan.- Dec.), & apply for a cruising permit from today till July 1 ($19.00 for 3 months); a cruising permit is required if the <u>boat</u> is registered outside of the USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alto, Celtic Cross, Sandcastle & us met at the Tiki Bar & had a celebration lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then we went our separate ways to do a bit of provisioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Happy Hour gathering was cancelled because the wind & chop on Lake Worth was too bad; yes, the dinghy ride back to the boat was a very wet one, requiring a shower bag shower in the cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lying in bed with a brisk, warm, humid breeze flowing through the front hatch, I got to thinking of some of today’s events; of being thrusted back to reality of North American lifestyle & the world we live in ie driving on the right side of the road, walking on the opposite side that I have gotten so use to doing, the many more lanes of cars, roads & traffic, noises, increase emergency vehicle noises, more availability of familiar products & prices, are just a few reality checks. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 2<sup>nd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was an early start this am as we wanted to put in some good miles north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>First, we lifted the dinghy motor, then up anchored at 0745 hrs. & motored into the ICW channel with a brisk S breeze at our stern, on a sunny with some cloudy periods, hot & muggy morn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We passed through the usual string of bascule bridges from Palm Beach to Jupiter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The S wind piped up to 10-15K making it feasible to deploy the jenny in Hobe Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Suddenly the clouds & 25+K winds rolled in as we were going to set anchor in Lake Peck around 1400 hrs.; the anchorage is small & quite shallow & there were quite a few boats here already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We abandoned that idea & pressed on through St. Lucie Inlet to Jensen Beach, just north of the fixed bridge in 8 ft. of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winds & chop were up & down, S to SW between 10-20K; the skies too were variable, sun, cloud, threatening & angry, but nothing developed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By evening the winds & chop decreased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 32.9nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another shower bag shower in the cockpit felt very refreshing.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 3<sup>rd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds decreased during the night, but as dawn was approaching, they increased from the WSW. It was very cloudy, humid, grey such that there was little difference in colour & distinction between sky & water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had another early start & threatening rain clouds followed us all the way to Vero Beach City Municipal Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With only 1/3 of the jenny out & myself on the helm were averaged 5-6K on the knotmeter, but a high of 7.4 on SOG on GPS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were at Vero on a mooring ball #39 by 1245 hrs. with Celtic Cross & Sandcastle soon to follow (usual for 3 boats per mooring ball).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The black skies did open up with heavy downpour that repeated itself a few times throughout the rest of the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were able to get to shore to do 4 loads of laundry (all foul weather gear got a well-needed wash to rid them of saltwater) & a long, hot long awaited shower (Oh I’m in heaven!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An outdoor ‘Happy Hour’ had been organized for all cruisers in the anchorage & was well attended despite the weather; after all we are suppose to be used to rain & getting wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Surprise, surprise---Waterparke made it all the way from the Lake Worth area;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they were dead tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since arriving in the US this is the first internet access I have had, so called my Mom on Skype;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>warm & rainy in Ottawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Too many city lights; the stars are not as plentiful & bright as in the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A warm & humid breeze wafted through the hatch all night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 4<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was the day to race around & do reprovisioning, with anticipation to leave & travel north on Mon. or Tues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Vero Beach have free transportation Mon. through Sat. with short day on Sat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a beautiful sunny day with clear blue sky & less humidity due to winds from NE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I squeezed in an hour powerwalk with the purpose of locating a church for tomorrow, followed by another gorgeous shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We attended ‘Happy Hour’ at the Riverside Café & met a few more new boaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once back on the boat we fired up the BBQ, but that did not keep the no-see-ums away;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are particularly bad tonight.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 5<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Palm Sunday;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I walked to Holy Cross RC Church on A1A to attended the 0900 hrs. processional mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After lunch, while others went shopping, it was beach time for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>It was a busy day on Vero Beach with families enjoying such a beautiful sunny, hot, humid day with 10-15K winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I walked the sandy beach, the boardwalk, took in some rays while reading, then walked back to the marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another grand shower, internet work & a superb BBQ beef fillet supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The night was a quiet one; the winds died down to nil; some no-see-ums.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 6<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was still sunny, hot, humid with some threatening cloudy periods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ian & Sharon had a loaner car yesterday & today; we were fortunate to tag along to a variety of stops they were making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I even got a haircut at the barbershop across from the Publix ($13.00).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The skies opened with a short burst of rain just as we were about to leave to dinghy to Waterparke as they were hosting a potluck supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The predicted high winds blew in bringing dryer air & a considerable drop in temperature from 90F to 60F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Skipper’s Meeting this eve made a decision to cancel tomorrow’s departure as winds are predicted to be 20-30K N-NW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a cool & gusty , windy night with clearing skies & a moon that was approaching full in a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Good night Dad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love you!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 7<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, it certainly was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>very gusty & windy & cold today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Temperature high = 69F & low= 55F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a fleece day despite the brilliant sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some tidying up & little joe jobs, some internet work like installing MacAfee successfully in Graeme’s unprotected laptop all on my own + sending my mass email successfully on my own by highlighting, copying (Ctrl C) & pasting (Ctrl V); I have learnt some new computer tricks from a variety of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I even crammed in a powerwalk to Riverside Park (SR60 & Mockingbird), while Graeme was shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then it was Happy Hour up by the Holiday Inn on the beach, followed by a quick supper & a game of Mexican Dominoes on Celtic Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The N wind has died down this eve but still very fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Predictions are good for a departure tomorrow.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 8th (Week 27, Day 179):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The morning was sunny, gorgeous, cool, cloudless blue sky with NNW winds about 5-8K & minimal chop on the ICW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Quite a number of us were on the move this am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The wind was on our nose until we just past Sebastian Inlet, then it clocked slightly to the E so we were able to roll the jenny out & decrease our motor rev’s as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it’s strength increased to 10K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We sighted a large number of dolphins around the Melbourne area & also a huge osprey nest with a possibility of young-uns in the nest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We sailed to Palm Shores & anchored NE of the causeway at 1700 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 35.6nm & water temp= 22C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds now SE about 5K, but by sunset they had clocked to SW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nevertheless it remained calm & gentle at anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know I have mentioned a few striking differences from here to the Bahamas but it seemed to be emphasized here on our own anchor ie colour of the water, more car/traffic noise, but nevertheless & similarly is the presence of water no matter what colour, the sound of water slapping against the boat, the clear night skies emphasizing the amazing magnitude of stars, the moon in it’s varied stages of the month. & the complete sense of peacefulness on the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know you have peace to Dad!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 9<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cool start to the day but a magnificent red hue on the horizon before sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sun was in full force warming the air to the mid 70’sF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 0730 hrs. we up anchored & again sailed most of the day in a NW wind about 5K in the am, then it increased to 8-10K & clocked to NE, then E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived at our destination, Titusville & anchored at 1315 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 24.5nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By evening, the wind increased to 10-15K & clocked to the S, so we were rocking a bit at this location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Hour was not missed; we were supplied with Mojitos compliments of Sandcastle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The full moon shone brilliantly despite the wispy clouds & few stars in the night sky.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 10<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Good Friday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The idea was to go to Daytona today then St. Augustine for Sat. & Easter Sunday, both full mileage days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hence a 0630 hrs. start<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on a coolish morning with cloud cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was quite a number of us on the move through Haulover Canal, a favourite spot for fishing, then into Mosquito Lagoon, where the fisherman were wearing hipwaiters standing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>waist high in the water about 100 ft. from the ICW;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it is that shallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sun did make an appearance & warmed the cooled air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds were SW about 5K, then W but not the 10-15K predicted until late afternoon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Too many powerboats on the waterway creating waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One really should decide if it is worth travelling on weekends or holidays when the weather is nice, winds are light & the rocking & rolling over powerboat wakes knock any little wind out of the sails. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>We anchored with many others at Mile 831.9, Daytona, east of R 44 at 1515 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now the winds have clocked to the Se & are blowing 10-15K; interesting though was the fact that the current was stronger than the wind so our anchor was behind us & all boats were pointing in different directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 1630 hrs. the winds shifted again to the SW to 15-20K with 1 ft. chop, making the anchorage bouncy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 42nm.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 11<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another 0515 hrs. wake up alarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now the anchor line was wrapped around the keel, so it took extra time & maneuvering to pull up the anchor as we tried for an early getaway before dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In no time there was an entourage of boaters at our tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This early morning was cloudy with even some haze/fog, W winds at about 5K, just enough to keep our jenny filled on a beam reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The wind picked up mid morning & shifted to the NW (a beat).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We went aground favouring the G19 (Flagler Beach) in 4.3 ft. but managed to get ourselves off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The ICW weands around in the area from Flagler Beach to St. Augustine on the Matanzas River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winds were shifty & gusty, & had <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>increased to 15K & later 20K in a falling tide no less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tides<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>are exaggerated at the time around a full moon (April 9<sup>th</sup>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had numerous warnings over the VHF from leading boats when approaching G81 & G81A, but we farred O.K. making long wide sweeping turns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>passed through the south & north anchorage fields at St. Augustine & took a slip at Comanche Cove Yacht Harbour at 1715 hrs.(M16), having no problems with the construction & limited openings of the Bridge of Lions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This location is an Easter gift to each other; we haven’t been in a marina since having boat repairs done in Spanish Wells in Feb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Besides the winds had really gustied up to 20+K, the anchorages were quite full & it would have been a long & wet dinghy ride to shore to showers, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I took advantage of laundry facilities & did 3 loads + long, hot shower, even blow drying & passing a curling iron through my hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 46.0nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have arranged a complimentary vehicle for 0700hrs. to attend an open air Episcopal Easter Sunrise Service at the Castillo in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The wind died down by bedtime & there was a very pleasant night breeze flowing through the V-berth hatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">April 12<sup>th(Week 27, Day 183)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Easter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hot, sunny, slightly humid day with light winds that built over the afternoon into the evening , but very pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After showering, we were on our way to the Sunrise Service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The music started as the sun was just poking over the horizon. The crowds were seated in their lawn chairs facing east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The homily was not very good. The best part was when 3 adults were baptized, completely immersed in full clothes in the salt water of the harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then we all went to the Bunnery on St. George St. in old St. Augustine for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Group Easter Supper at a local restaurant was arranged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme & I walked back to the marina, a 11/2 hr. walk; Graeme hosed the boat down well with fresh water while I cooked a few meals for future use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was an Easter Parade downtown that some in our group attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I called my family on Skype before they sat down for their Easter Dinner at Donna’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had the loaner vehicle again for the evening & met the group of 16 for dinner at Harry’s, a Louisianna-style food; lots of talk, pictures, drinks & good food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When all was said & done, we said our good-byes to some who were staying on at St. Augustines & good night to those who were moving on tomorrow like ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We drove the van on a little tour over the Bridge of Lions & back & over the Villano Bridge, put $10.00 of gas in the van, then home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Weather tomorrow through Wed. is not to be good; decisions will be confirmed in the morn.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p>Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-25460571818297512912010-09-25T20:34:00.003-04:002010-09-26T10:22:34.321-04:00<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Parkinson’s Bahamas Adventure Mar. 16-31, 2009</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 16<sup>th(Week 23, Day 158)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another super fantastic day weather-wise predicted today with a high of 78F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are waiting for our appointment on Wed. re the cutlass bearing, so we have definitely decided to take the Albury Ferry to Hope Town at 1030hrs. for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When we were just about to leave we were hailed on VHF by Sandcastle, a boat that we have not seen since Jan. but have maintained contact with via email when at all possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were on their way from Lynyard Cay to Hope Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We made arrangements to meet them there at 1300hrs., stay with them overnight & the next day they would take us back to our vessel in Marsh Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Celtic Cross agreed to look after Sweet Chariot ie running the motor & refrigeration during our absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They even took us to shore where we then walked to Crossing Beach to caught the ferry; one way ticket per person =$15.00 for the 20 minute trip, return fare= $22.00; there is a ferry every few hours from 0715 to 1830hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a very warm, light breeze day, so when we arrived we first walked the south end of the island including South Beach & a number of people were swimming in the Atlantic Waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We walked Queens Highway (one must see photos to appreciate such a name), in & out of shops, built & gaily painted in the normal Bahamian architecture & colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After finding are friends we hugged & chatted<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>over beers & lunch ‘till the cows came home’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When in Hope Town I had been advised to go to Vernon’s Grocery & purchase a Key Lime pie; not cheap, but the best one has ever tasted I’m told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And so we did, to have with supper tonight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Before returning to Sandcastle, we dinghied over to the lighthouse side; built in 1863, can be seen for 17 mi. & run by kerosene .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We climbed the 101 circular staircase to the top viewing deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On such a beautiful day as this, the view was breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again photos are necessary to appreciate the panoramic view, the colours of the homes, the vegetation, & the seas with the spectrum of aqua, teal, light & dark blues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A beautiful evening, reacquainting with friends & getting caught up with their adventures in Eleuthera & the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Exumas, & a magnificent calm, quiet, clear, star filled sky.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 17<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy St. Patty’s Day!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A brilliant sunny, hot day (80F).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After breakfast we went ashore & walked part of Queens Highway to North Beach & along its shoreline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We attempted to cross private property from the beach to the road instead of back tracking, when a caretaker explained this was not kosher, but then invited to give us a tour of a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom , 3 yr. old gorgeous beach house with a spectacular view of the Atlantic as well as the Sea of Abaco & meticulous gardens & yard, that rents out from a mere $9000.00 to $16,000.00 per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After lunch we detached from our mooring ball & motored to Marsh Harbour as there was minimal wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Happy Hour was planned at Snappas (beer & well drinks=<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>$3.00).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>St. Patty’s Day feastivities were well publicized on Cruisers Net this morn throughout the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Suddenly, very dark clouds, threatening skies & gusting winds + rain blew up as predicted at Happy Hour--- a weak cold front. At the gathering I learnt that the Cost Right (equivalent to Costco back home) closed down mid Feb., so that leaves basically one grocery store in Marsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>It was a cool trip back to Sweet Chariot for supper, & a windy night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 18<sup>th(Week 24, Day 160)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>E wind blew all night long & right into the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>High, gusting winds 20-25K were predicted for several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today is the day though that we have an appointment to have the cutlass bearing repaired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Due to the keel depth & Marsh Harbour Boatyard’s shallow harbour, it is necessary for us to arrive on a rising & near high tide, which today is at 1400hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We up anchored & with the jenny half deployed we sailed the 10.7nm distance first on a beat, then beam reach as we rounded the land mass & finally a run towards the boatyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The journey was better than the conditions were described in the am on Cruisers Net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sea chop was only 1-2ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Gingerly, we entered the boatyard’s channel right to the travel lift channel & Sweet Chariot was lifted to have the cutlass bearing replaced; a tow line from the rescue had jammed so tightly in the shaft, that the bearing was pushed out & bent from the normal round circumference to an oval, with a scant remnants of the rope still present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme had done quite a good job at scraping the hull, but we went ahead & had the bottom pressure washed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sweet Chariot has been through so much & has withstood some harsh treatment, that she deserved some pampering to make her look pretty from the bottom up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The job took 1-11/2hrs. only, but the bill was expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We wished this problem was detected in Spanish Wells where the repair prices were very reasonable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>We did not want to take a chance & leave the boatyard now on a dropping tide, so we asked to stay overnight tied up to a dock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>The skies had opened up when we arrived & continued on & off the rest of the day & night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 19<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An ugly grey, very rainy day with thunder & lightening in the am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The locals are very happy to see this rain as they have had nothing for months & there is still 2 months left in their dry season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We hope that the weather improves when we plan to depart this afternoon; high tide today is 1522hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had cleaned out the boat’s water tank & cleaned the water filter, so refilled the water tank ($0.10 per gal.) & dieslled up before we ventured back to Marsh Harbour at 1430hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds were decent & we were on a beat at 4.5K in less than 1ft. chop, but that soon died rendering us to motor into the anchorage at Marsh Harbour at 1730hr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The rains had slowed down with only an occasional sprinkle; in fact before sunset the sun poked its head out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The night was calm, quiet even humid & some stars were out.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 20<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sunny morning with a few clouds, but NE winds at 20-25K predicted for next 2 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was laundry day today & at the same time we picked up a few groceries in anticipation of a departure to start heading north then across the Gulf to the Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The boat looked like a Chinese junk with the laundry hanging from everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds had now increased from the NE to 8-10K driving the humidity out of the air & by sunset they were blowing 15-20K & cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had a plastic insert sewn into our solid connector since we lost our see-through connector in the Feb. mishap & picked up some emails at the internet café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then we hit Happy Hour at not one, but two boats; I guess we are making up for lost time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So it was a very late supper tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lots of stars in a clear night sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>First day of Spring came in at 2347hrs.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 21<sup>st</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>First full day of Spring & not a nice day at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds howled from the wee hours of the morning throughout the whole day & evening, & heavy rain during the noon hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lots of spray (salt) as one journeyed in the dinghy across the harbour to shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Celtic Cross was called an internet café at one point this afternoon as a few of us gathered & sat on the boat working away at our computers, because Ian & Sharon were tied up at Mangoes Marina with internet access & shore power to boot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I received a lesson on how to copy & paste compositions created on Word 2007 & sent out as an email rather than as an attachment, so it is easier for people to open on their computers, as I have Vista which complicates things for my recipients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you Anne Wallace & Jim for the instructions; they worked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We watched the DVD Benjamin Button this evening; it was good or well done, but very solemn & sad; I cried a lot thinking of my Dad, not an uncommon reaction for me most days.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 22<sup>nd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cool sunny Sunday morning with NE winds at 15K as I went to shore to get the bus at Mangoes for Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme cleaned & polished the stern combing, then rearranged the water & diesel & gas jerry cans tied to the lifelines after lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A couple from Toronto came & introduced themselves to us & asked us if our boat was a Viking 34.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were surprised someone recognized Sweet Chariot as a Viking, but corrected them on her size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They had a Viking 34 in the past, & were impressed on Sweet Chariot’s condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the mid afternoon we dinghied to shore so I might call Mom on Skype, do some internet stuff & clean out some stuff on my laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It remained cold & windy all afternoon, evening & night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 23<sup>rd</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Repeat---cool, ENE 15-20K winds with sun & cloudy periods today, but still enough chop in the harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I promised to serve Donald & France (Alto) a French toast with bacon breakfast & they supplied real maple syrup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We chatted away the morning, I particularly interested in the communication system & the supporting power supply system they have installed on their vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They have SSB (ICOM HF Marine IC-M802), computer hook-up to SSB with a modem & printer (Canon IP 100---ink cartridge is good & lasts a long time & produces good photos), 1-12V battery dedicated to engine only & 4-12V batteries for house ( they would like to change to 6V), Xantrex Battery Status Monitor, solar panel, 2000 watts generator, 2 inverters, 2 AC battery chargers, & a 11 gal. Webasto ST 90 water heating system that also provides warm heat into the cabin<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>via 4 heat vents on rheostats (they feel a 6 gal. is sufficient).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alto gave us a hands-on tour of the systems this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It looks as if Treasure Cay is where we will move on to tomorrow, so picked up fresh milk & breads & lettuce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fuel tank & one water tank was topped up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had a final gathering for Happy Hour at Snappas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from 1700- 1900hrs. & said our good-byes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A very cool night, but at least the wind & harbour chop have finally settled down some.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 24<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A quiet & calm night until just before sunrise when the ENE cold wind increased, but the sun was in & out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The weather forecast & the sea conditions are not sounding good for several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am getting more & more anxious to be home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my work-outs, I miss skiing, I miss my bike… I MISS OTTAWA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ten months is too long for me to be away. On a positive note, we did make our way up to Treasure Cay, a distance of 14.7nm with the jenny fully deployed on a beam reach at about 6K then broad reach at about 4K, leaving Marsh at 1000hrs. & arriving at our destination at 1315hrs. at low tide, but soon to rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On anchoring we went aground once again; it’s these small sand humps that we seem to find everywhere. Until the tide came up enough we had lunch & attempted to get on the internet but unsuccessful; others were successful, so I guess it depends <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>on your location in this harbour. Once we dropped the hook, we venture to shore & walked<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the long 3 mile semi-circular powdery white sand beach for a few hours looking for shells & sand dollars, but the tide was already coming in where the sand dollars are normally found; maybe tomorrow at low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The economy has hit this famous & popular tourist destination as everywhere in the Bahamas & the USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the common comment from everyone this year. Normally these beaches are packed with tourists especially at this prime time of the year, but the beach was virtually all ours;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>only a few swimmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A beer at the bar & we were the only customers, then back to the boat to cook up a pot of chili.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some reading & some journal writing then off to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The wind continued to blow all night 15-20K.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 25<sup>th(Week 15, Day 167)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The day started off very cloudy & windy & unfortunately my mood matched the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We filled the boat’s water & diesel tanks from the jerry cans, then refilled the jerry cans onshore in preparation tomorrows probable departure north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After lunch the sun slowly started to poke it’s head through the clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I needed to renew my laptop virus protection subscription & since I can’t get internet access here we went to shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After frustrating session with virus renewal reverted to their chat line & then left Graeme use the laptop as he so wished while I walked the wonderful beach once again at low tide with the ladies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Emotionally I needed this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On walking toward the beach we past some very lovely condos for rent & magnificent homes & their yards & gardens; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>sure there is a nice price tag attached to these places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were more people on the beach today even though it was windy & cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tide was a rising low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would have been a perfect day if the wind wasn’t so strong to have one’s bathing suit on & walk the shallows way, way out into the aqua waters looking for the infamous sand dollars that are in abundance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On returning I was provided a quick but confusing computer lesson on saving emails into Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The best was the long awaited shower that followed; it was just too quick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We BBQ’d tonight since the winds had subsided some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clear skies & millions of stars prevailed all night. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 26<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was an early start this sunny morning as we were definitely leaving Treasure Cay on high tide to cross the Whale Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many boats had the same plan, but some took the short route in very shallow waters through Don’t Rock taking advantage of their shoal draft keels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The cool winds were from the E at 10-15K with 5-6ft. rollers & the occasional 8 footer pushing us through the Cut (deep Atlantic waters meeting the shallow Abacos Sea).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We made the pass by 0915hrs. then had a run in 2-3ft. chop past Green Turtle Cay to tuck in behind Crab Cay by Manjack Cay at 1120hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The nice thing about this location is the fact that the residents here maintain free WiFi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance=18.1nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After lunch & some internet work we were off in the dinghy at a low rising tide to the beach on Crab Cay & the Atlantic coast for shell & sea glass hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were tons of sea muffins, conch of very size imaginable & starfish; you had to be careful where you stepped!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lots of sea glass as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A very pleasant couple of hours spent in the warm sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After supper we were invited over to a boat that we had just met to play several fun rounds of Mexican Dominoes (4 couples).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A light & short rain shower had us disperse to our respective boats about 2200hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A quiet & fairly calm night.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 27<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A rather lazy day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was sunny with cloudy periods & cool SSE winds at least 15K & higher in the afternoon as predicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another cold front with high winds is expected to pass Sat. & Sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since this will be my last internet possibility till somewhere in Florida, I took advantage of the situation & did a lot of email writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After lunch we got together with Celtic Cross & made tentative plans for moving on to another Crab Cay past Powell Cay tomorrow, then onto Great Sales Cay on Sun., Memory Rock on Mon. & crossing the Gulf to Lake Worth on Tues. weather permitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then it was time to do some more exploring to the Atlantic beach on Manjack Cay, through trails cut , provided & well marked with colourful directional signs made from palms by the same residents who provide WiFi to us cruisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a nice hike to a wide, pink, mostly powdery sand beach with high rollers of aqua coloured waters crashing over the reefs, & large, eroding coral rocks at one end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ian & I found sea beans---travel from Africa across the Atlantic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had a well needed, quick shower from the shower bag to rinse off the salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few people blew their conchs at sunset, but none were as good as Ian.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 28<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sunny & warm with cool SSW winds in the am blowing 20-25K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Before we up anchored at 0915hrs., I tried Mom on Skype as this is the last internet ability until sometime in Florida; great, I got her, so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>she is well aware of our schedule etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had a good & fast sail with the jenny alone heading W on a beam reach & averaging 6-7K. We picked one of few anchorages that would provide us with some protection from SW winds, that being Crab Cay on Little Abaco Island, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>past <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>& across the Sea of Abaco from Powell Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We travelled the 17.1nm distance anchoring in a strong 25+K <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>winds at 1245hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The SW winds blew all afternoon & evening with gusts as high as 30K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a little spooky at night here; very windy, no nearby settlements except a slight glow from Cooper Town & anchor lights from the 6 anchored sailboats here(Celtic Cross & Sandcastle travelling with us), therefore very black, but lots of stars in the sky.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 29<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A cloudy, warm, humid day with threatening skies, only an occasional sunny break but very windy---SSW at 25-30K & 1-2ft. chop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The anchor was up at 0900hrs. & we deployed about 1/3 of the jenny averaging a speed of 4-6K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We inched our way under motor only, through the shallow shoals into the east side of Great Sales Cay & hoping the winds will clock more to the W as predicted at 1900hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This location is not good for a SW wind & the westward clocking is not to occur until very late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It took us 5 tries to get the anchor to hook; there must be a shallow layer of sand over coral because others had difficulty as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alto joined our little contingent here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Distance= 35.9nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>All night it remained warm & humid; the sheets felt damp getting into bed. The winds continued to blow 20K from the SW so all the boats rock & rolled; some did not sleep well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>At 0200hrs. there was a sudden onset of lightning & thunder--- scarry in a sailboat, followed by a good downpour of rain (good for washing the salty sailboats down).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme told me the next day that he stood in the rain to rinse the salt off himself until he got too cold.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 30<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is still warm & humid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alto is well equipped with a ham radio, a modem & a printer, & so they have been able to provide extensive weather forecasts for us boaters including wind directions & speed, & waves on a near hourly basis for a 7 day period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This morning was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme has now decided to put the dinghy on deck as Celtic Cross & Sandcastle have already up anchored. We depart an hour later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alto has planned to cross the Gulf Sream to Cape Canaveral today & through the night, were as the rest of us are overnighting at Memory Rock on the Little Bahama Bank, then will move on to Lake Worth Inlet tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So we bide good-bye to our dear friends, wishing them a safe & good sail, hoping that our paths will cross in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was cloudy at sunrise but in no time the sun shone in all it’s glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds had clocked W during the night & by dawn they were from the N.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Main &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>jenny were fully deployed in lightish winds that picked up to 8-10K from the NW as time went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were hailed by a 51ft. trimaran with twin masts heading south & had a nice conversation with him over VHF (we are monitoring 16 now); he has a sailing vessel on the west coast as he resides in the state of Washington & keeps this trimaran on the east coast---such a pity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds are decreasing so we need to rely on the the engine for some speed in order to make our destination in daylight hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Approximately 6 miles from Memory Rock waypoint we are hailed by Alto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They changed their plans due to weather predictions for the Cape Canaveral are---lightning & thunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Anchor was down at 1845hrs. in 8-10 ft. of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 49.2nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>2000 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Graeme checked the anchor before he put his head down & discovered that the anchor was directly behind us yet we are not drifting . So what is happening here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, the current is stronger than the wind & all four of us are experiencing the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As night approached,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the winds picked up to 12-15K & in the middle of nothing we were rolling back & forth, so little sleep for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again tonight because of the complete lack of light, it is black & eerie but the stars are phenomenal in a clear sky.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mar. 31<sup>st(Week 15, Day 173)</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the big day of our crossing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Last night at 0340hrs.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I heard a conversation from 3 sailboats that were doing a night crossing, knew that the 4 of us were a small community here at Memory Rock, identified by our mast anchor lights & doing the crossing as soon as there is some daylight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 0630hrs. the anchors came out easily as the anchors straightened out a decrease in current & we headed in a westerly direction on a broad reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>SE winds were only 5-8K but the seas were calm with less than 1 ft. of chop & minimal swells; this is a very good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sun was in & out & the humidity was high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Shortly after noon, the winds became more south & thus are boat speed increased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But by 1400hrs. the clouds rolled in & the sky over the Florida coast became ominous. On the VHF 9 a weather warning signal blurted out the onset of a sudden rain storm with possible winds up to 60mph, heavy rainfall & possibility of tornado until 1645 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, knives, flashlights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We furled the jenny in a little, refueled the diesel tank just in case, prepared the strobe lights, the flares & safety equipment .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lightning & thunder on the mainland; yuk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>VHF transmissions very staticky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 1700 hrs. the north was clearing & dark ugly clouds now over the south, but still little to no increase in wind & only slight raindrops for us way out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Inland the rain was very heavy causing flooding & zero visiblilty with 35-50K winds in Lake Worth, causing boats to spin 360 on their anchors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The weather gods were with us as the winds & the seas remained the same. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>By 1900 hrs. we spotted the bifurcation mark & the red/green channel markers into Lake Worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Winds now were SW & increased to 15-20K, the sea chop increased to 3 ft. & hitting us at our port quarter, so we downed the sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We rock & rolled our way into the channel & thankfully no freights or big cruise ships were coming out of port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dark was fast approaching as we anchored well down the anchoring field<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at 2000hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Distance= 67.4nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a hotdog supper at 2100 hrs. then to bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p>Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-76447650487580304212010-09-25T17:18:00.002-04:002013-08-20T21:45:59.235-04:00Week 18-23: Feb. 4, 2009 to Mar. 15, 2009<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Parkinson’s Returning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the Bahamas:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Graeme returned to Marsh Harbour on Jan. 25<sup>th</sup>, 2009, whereas I stayed an extra week to help my Mom with legalities, thank you notes & simply emotional support after the death of my father on Jan. 23<sup>rd</sup>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 4th, 2009 (Week 18, Day 119):</i></b> I returned to the Bahamas with a very heavy heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left Ottawa on the same flight as Carol O’Neil &Pat Morden, who were going to be visiting the Joyce’s for 2 weeks in the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a Wed., & a flight with West Jet, it was a direct flight to Nassau, with a 4 hour wait in Nassau before the final leg to Marsh Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But due to high winds the flight was delayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nassau airport is a miserable place ; there are very limited facilities, in the boonies, & it is an expensive taxi ride to town. We finally arrived in Marsh Harbour in the dark<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 hours late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool temperatures & gale force winds had been blowing for almost a week before my arrival, & many cruisers took up spots at Mangoes Marina for safety & comfort reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds had been blowing in a direction that made anchorage in Marsh Harbour rocking & rolling & very wet when travelling to shore by dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the week before my return, Graeme<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>met many new boaters, many of which were Canadian & they too were expecting guests on the Nassau-Marsh Harbour flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of us shared the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>taxi that had been arranged to pick us up (Vera-- taxi # 138).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not having had supper yet at 2000hrs., a group of us went to Mangoes for dinner &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was introduced to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this new group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered grouper which was served with a mango sauce, rice & plantain—yummy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After unpacking , we hit the sack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even hear the strong north winds that howled all night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 5<sup>th</sup>:</i></b> Cold N to NE winds & clouds persisted all day; the high today was only 66F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no favourable weather & sailing reports predicted for a few days, especially for those of us who wanted to leave the Abacos & move on south towards Eleuthera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were back into sweats or fleece, top & bottom, long sleeve t-shirt & socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got an hour long walk-run in to the west end of Great Abaco Island in the morning & grocery shopping<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& made a few meals for future suppers in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a great turn out for Happy Hour & meeting of more new folks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 6<sup>th</sup>:</i></b> Sunny with cloudy periods today, cool temps of about 69F & persistent brisk winds; although by suppertime the winds had decreased considerably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The talk amongst the cruisers is that tomorrow departure is a possibility to consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There just might be a mass exodus from Marsh Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am itching to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence my morning walk consisted of walking to the Cost Right, a Bahamian version of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a Costco, emailing to family of our intentions & doing laundry in preparation for a possible departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bar-hopped from Snappas to Mangoes for Happy Hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 7<sup>th</sup>:</i></b> Internet down in the morning until the marina office reset their router.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a chat with Mom via Skype<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& also received a voicemail through Skype with Lee; my first experience at doing that---cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arranged with Lee to have our 2009 Decal mailed to Erin Joyce in Ottawa & she would bring it to Marsh Harbour when she came for her visit to the Bahamas in March, then hopefully link up with Celtic Cross before sailing back to Florida towards the end of March-the beginning of April, in order to get our new Decal that is required upon re-entering the USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With water tanks & jerry cans<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& fuel tanks & containers topped up, we said our good-byes to new friends & we pushed off the dock at 1030hrs. in a low tide & immediately<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>went aground in 5 ft. water; we should have taken heed of this omen for future mishaps that we were to encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the assistance of our jenny we were able to plow through the shallow spot & out of Marsh Harbour into the Sea of Abaco passed Great Guana Cay, Hope Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds were from the ENE 15-20K with periods of lulls & seas of 1-2ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temps were a cool 68F & cloudy with sunny periods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played the jenny in & out depending on the wind strength, manoevering through the shallows of Lubber’s Bank when suddenly were went aground again at Witch Point in 5ft. of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The GPS had indicated that there was to be 8-10ft. of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tide was low but rising, but the winds<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& seas were pushing us toward shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>persistence with the engine for an hour to get off; there was some grinding sounds which was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>either coral or hard ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all part of the adventure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once free we motor-sailed past Tilloo Cay & Tilloo Bank with good depths in a rising tide, then towards & around Channel Cay, past Sandy Cay & onto Lynyard Cay. There must be some debris causing the depth sounder to suddenly stop working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the wind direction we, decided to tuck in here as we would have been too exposed in Little Harbour by Pete’s Pub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchor was down at 1730 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance=20nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a near full moon tonight & the winds continued to gust all night from the E.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 8<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Winds still blowing a good 20K &we can see that waves are periodically crashing over the rocks by Little Harbour Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temps are a cool 66F with highs of only 68F today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were still able to get Cruisers Net here & heard that a couple of boats we met up in Marsh Harbour crossed the Cut without any problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather tomorrow is predicted to be much the same as today, so we hold up here for the day &try the Cut tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lazy day--- reading & lazying around behind the protection of the dodger out of the cool wind trying to catch some sun rays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried cleaning the hull at the level of the depth sounder hoping that will do the trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By evening the winds were down to 10-15K NE & a good sunset & red sky followed by a full moon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 9<sup>th</sup>:</i></b> The waves were not breaking as heavily over the rocks as yesterday as we watched a boat cross through the Cut at 0700hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We up anchored at 0745hrs. listening to the Cruisers Net &on through Little Harbour Cut into NE Providence Channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds were NE 10-15K & chop was 2-4ft., increasing as predicted by noon to 25-30K & 4-6ft. seas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are on a heading of SE on a beam reach at a speed of 5-7K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played the jenny in & out according to the winds & the sea chop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw 3 freighters, 1 northbound sailboat & a huge cruise ship throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our destination is Royal Island, a distance of about 50 mi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 1245 we hit 25nm, the sea was inky so deep that the depth sounder was not recording, but GPS indicated over 1300ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not seasick but I’m not 100% either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1600hrs. we started to see some land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can clearly identify Egg Island & Little Egg Island & mad a wide turn around a visible wreck, then on a beat into Royal Island as the sun is setting, dropping the anchor in 14ft. at 1830hrs. off a beach resort, protected from the NE winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided not to enter the Royal Island protected bay due to the lighting, the time of day & that there is a rock at it’s entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance=57.9nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full moon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 10<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No local news, no weather or tide reports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1000hrs. we beat in an E wind of about 15K & 1-2ft. seas in an NE direction over Meek Patch Island; some protection with current wind direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme snorkeled to check the prop & anode--- in good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope to go into Spanish Wells tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By evening the winds have calmed & it was very calm & the skies were clear with many stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full moon up at 2000hrs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 11th (Week 19, Day 126):</i></b> Sunny with moderate breeze from the E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We up anchored at 0945hrs. &motored the short distance to Spanish Wells, passing Russell Island on port & Charles Island on starboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The settlement of Spanish Wells is actually on the island of St. George Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We motored through the marked & dredged channel that cuts along the harbour front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legend has it that the Spaniards filled their water casks from the sweet wells of the island, but when you look at the charts, the surrounding reefs & the history of ship wrecks, one<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wonders how credible the stories are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a serious fishing community since 1648 with a self-supporting infrastructure; 75% of Bahamian lobster annual production &export<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>comes from Spanish Wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a settlement of sturdy, well-built & meticulously cared for colourful houses (pink & white, aqua & white, yellow, very bright blue & white, fuschia, periwinkle &even pink & teal) with real grass, flower beds & trees & even some vegetable gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other cruisers have told us that it is an almost completely Caucasian community, where blacks particularly Haitians are ferried to the island in the morning & off at the end of the work day before sunset; because it is such a wealthy community, it has the attention of the government in Nassau in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>providing them with much<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We slowly progressed down the cut to the mooring field & picked up a mooring ball at $15.00 per night (or $80.00/ week) by hailing Cinnabar or Bandit on VHF16; 9 in total.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacques was soon around to collect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Wed. many business close ½-days at noon; Mon through Sat. they open 0800 to 0900hrs. & close at 1700hrs. & close for lunch at 1200 to 1300hrs.; Pinders Super Market at dockside stay open through lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we hustlelled & dinghied to shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Computer Concepts at the corner of the main street & 18<sup>th</sup> St. is where one can buy internet time at $10.00 per hour or one might be able to negotiate a price if you were to use it everyday for an extended period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was desperate for a connection since I had not been in touch with family for 4 days that I bought time, but it was the lunch hour so we spent time walking the 2.5 mi. pink sand beach on the north side of the island; lovely different shades of aqua, teal & blue, shallow for a great distance out, & refreshingly warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food Fair (main & 18thSt.) & CW Grocery (main &10<sup>th</sup>) are also places to purchase groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy’s Bakery is across the street from Food Fair & the bread here as in the grocery stores is expensive ($5.00-5.50/ loaf).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked past the cemetery, Admin. Offices, Customs, Post Office, & All-Grades School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly is a bustling community with numerous golf carts, motorcycles & bicycles, cars, vans & trucks, freights, ferries small & large (Bo Hengy II daily run from Nassau & onto Little Harbour = $40.00/per person return), fishing boats & harbour activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a late lunch & a late supper,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>intersperced with map studying & reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the sun went in the air & breeze was cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 12<sup>th</sup>: </i></b>Sunny, very warm & next to no breeze this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning we filled the fuel & water tanks & refilled the jerry cans at Pinders, then spent the sunny, hot afternoon lazying on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the evening I happened to check for internet access & was able to pick up an unsecured line with my antenna, so the 2 of us worked away for several hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very calm night, beautiful moon rising in the night sky, but from just before sunset on the no-see-ums were nasty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 13<sup>th</sup>:</i></b> Lots of dew was on the deck & canvass in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot, sunny, cloudless & almost windless day with breezes from SSE at a max. of 5K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was high tied when we departed at 0810hrs. & the sea was calm, at times flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also hazy so looking out on the Caribbean<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sea it was difficult to distinguish horizon from water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were approaching Current Cut at about noon & had planned to anchor off the beach to the north of the Cut, but a slight current seemed to be with us & it appeared to be high ebb, & a local fisherman encouraged us to go now but not in an hours time, so we proceeded with a 1K current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Current Cut is a deep passage (35ft.) with eddies on starboard & after exiting the Cut it is shallower (7.2ft) on starboard, then it averages out to 12ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lower Bogue & Rotten Bay to port looked too shallow at this time of the day & tide, thus we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>turn south & slide down Current Island anchoring in absolute sandy bottom bay at 1315hrs. in 6.5 ft of amazingly clear water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the day was simply so relaxing lunching on a hotdog, reading, & swimming to cool down in the refreshing turquoise water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance=14.1nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very calm, still night with no lights, clear skies & tons of stars. This is the life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then that I discovered the no-see-ums bites I had acquired the night prior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 14<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Happy Valentine’s Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunny, calm morning with few clouds in the periphery only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds ESE at 5-8K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We up anchored at 0900hrs.& gently sailed towards Glass Window on an easterly direction averaging 3.5K; it seems to be a calm enough day to view this narrow part of North Eleuthera with the shallow, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea are on one side & the deep navy blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean come in crashing into the huge rock cliffs with a single lane bridge joining<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the two separate land sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anchored at 1300hrs. in a bay a little ways past Glass Window, had lunch, then dinghied to shore & walked across Queens Hwy. over the rugged & jagged rock formation that had been eroded over thousands of years to capture the Atlantic Ocean coastline of Eleuthera, then<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>up to the bridge that seemed to be still under construction after a rogue wave took out the bridge in 1991.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photos +++.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were the only sailboat around for miles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On returning to Sweet Chariot, we took a dip in the refreshing but absolutely amazing crystal clear turquoise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>waters here because it was so hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can’t get any better than this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we up anchored & slid down from Three Sisters Beach to Kravitz Beach for a little more wind protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance= 11.0nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a nice looking resort here with a beautiful sand beach + palms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being Valentine’s Day, I had stuck a bottle of champagne in the fridge to chill given to us by Maureen & Bryan for that perfect Bahamas sunset night;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was looking very promising to be that perfect sunset with perhaps a green flash as the sky was so clear, but at the last minute a low bank of clouds came across the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad; everything else was perfect & the champagne still tasted the best!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another perfect BBQ night; the 2<sup>nd</sup> in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the evening before bed, every so often we gently felt the keel touch the sand bottom---low tide, so we felt it best to up anchor & relocate about 200ft. further out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another very calm night with a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>soft fore & aft rolling action of the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have noticed on these nights after a warm day that when first getting into bed the linens feel slightly damp, but in short order one’s body heat rids the bed of that feeling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 15<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not sleep well, waking in the wee hours of the night, & then on & off sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night I think of my Dad & then I get teary thinking about losing him, even though he is in a better place. Upon rising at dawn I noticed a slight evidence of fog in the low areas of the land; quite pretty in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the 4<sup>th</sup> day in a row that it is sunny, hot, near cloudless blue sky<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& as yesterday, a deceptive amount of wind compared to the calmness of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We up anchored at 0845hrs.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sailed towards Gregorytown, the pineapple capital of the Bahamas, but being a Sunday & everything closed, we continued on slithering down<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the rocky cliffs & shoreline in a SE direction with light winds of 5K from the south, Hatchet Bay & James Cistern until at 1330hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we anchored just north of Pelican Cay close to Alabaster Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance= 15.1nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have met no other cruisers & I am getting anxious to meet some people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very quiet evening & night with light rolling action during the night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb.16th (Week 20, Day 133):</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have titled this day our D-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In history D-day was a triumphant day;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>D-day Feb. 16,2009 was our Disaster Day; the day our trip southward ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It began as a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sunny, warm day with a light breeze, but weather predictions indicated a cold front was approaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We up anchored at 0830hrs. & in so doing noticed a section of the rode of about 18in. had chaffed close up to the chain; the rode must have been rubbing on some coral last night & perhaps that was the unusal sound I heard about 0300hrs.; we will need to change the ends of the rode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sailed along in a SE direction with a west wind of 5-8K towards Governors Harbour<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as they have laundry, grocery facilities &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>government mooring balls if the weather is to turn nasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to keep our eyes open to avoid fishing nets along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1100hrs. we entered the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>harbour & easily tied up to the last remaining mooring ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance=8.4nm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had lunch & were able to hook up to the internet from our location, so did some emailing to family since we have had no access for several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laundry was all sorted &all supplies were loaded into the dinghy, then off to shore at 1330hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme went & paid our mooring fee of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$5.71 in the pink Administration Office, & then up we went to find the Laundromat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is run by a Bahamian named Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each machine costs $3.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were coming ashore in the dinghy it was a rising tide & the area of beach was diminishing, so at 1430hrs. he went to check on the dinghy, returned & said that he would wait for me at the dinghy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He returned to the dinghy at 1530hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had noticed how the wind had picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I returned to the beach with the clean laundry at about 1600hrs. only to discover no Graeme, the dinghy still tied where we had left it, but Sweet Chariot was not in the location we left her, she was listing to port, yet the mooring ball was still attached;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the government mooring ball had broken loose from it’s anchor & now Sweet Chariot was beached!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The north winds & seas had increased considerably to at least 20K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly I see Graeme climbing from a powerboat onto Sweet Chariot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They try to free her from a line from the bow but she is too hard aground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next was taking a halyard from the top of the mast, tipping her to starboard when she came around about 180 degrees but still not free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From shore I could hear a snapping/pinging sound thinking that it was our mooring line that had snapped; I learnt later that it was cleats from the powerboat that were pulled off, & that the mooring line caught around the prop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind & sea continued to slam against the hull moving her almost back in the original position. A Bahamian government worker by the name of Susie was trying to console me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lines were re-established & with persistence Sweet Chariot was freed then towed around the point in the area between Cupid Cay & Laughing Bird Cay where Graeme set the anchor just before sunset. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>He walked back to where I was hugged me, as I collapsed in his arms & said the rudder is so very badly damaged<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that the boat is inoperable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t know what to do, what to think, just couldn’t believe what had just happened, as we stood holding each other crying & trembling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the town people & cars that lined the harbour road had dispersed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We launched the dinghy in waist high saltwater; Graeme drove it around to the back bay & picked me up & the laundry & we returned to our damaged home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon entering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the boat now in the dark we discovered saltwater in the bilge up to the floor boards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mopping up began as we rocked & rolled from side to side often losing our balance & being<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thrown down, only to discover more areas that were filled with water ie the compartment where I kept my shoes; the shoes were floating in water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we had the main cabin cleaned up I insisted that we have some supper, but Graeme was too upset to eat. We had no engine power because a mooring line was still wrapped around the prop; so we were conserving battery power & working with flashlights & a kerosene lamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We discovered that we had lost our see-through connector at some point through this mishap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At midnight we tried to put our heads down to sleep, I in the V-berth & Graeme in the main cabin, but sleep would not come. And every 30-60 min. one of us had to be up to sponge the bilge; water was either coming in through the stuffing box or slowly down the sides from between the hull &deck due to the degree of heel of the boat during the rescue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds were howling from the WNW, the seas were rocking &rolling us so much that we had to hold on from not being knocked off our beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worried about the chaffing spot on our rode that we did not change yet, if the anchor were to drag we would be on the rocks that were about 100ft. away where the waves were crashing into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night light can be so deceptive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally Graeme suggested that we both prepare a bag with the belongings we most wanted in case we had to abandon ship; we tied the dinghy up close on port for a quick escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daylight could not come soon enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 17<sup>th</sup>: </i></b>Despite an almost sleepless night, we survived & made it to dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the crack of dawn more mopping up & cleaning began; I was finding fine sand in the head & on counters & shelves & saltwater in all lower compartments & storage lockers ie the hanging locker, the locker on starboard with all our tins & non-perishable foods, & the locker on port storing many tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cabin floors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were washed repeatedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No engine, no power , no refrigeration so the first thing in the morning was to free the prop of the mooring line &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hope the engine would run, that the transmission was not damaged; with swimsuit, snorkel &mask Graeme climbed into the cold waters & successfully freed the prop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could now put the engine in neutral & she ran---hurray for small mercies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, was to adjust the stuffing box & that cured the trickling of water into the bilge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirdly, was to see if the fridge & compressor would work--- yes!; so the process of cooling it down from 15C began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried to eat a simple breakfast but Graeme felt unwell & my stomach ached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to keep going as we have a long day ahead of us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the night the winds had clocked to the NE, but by morning they were now SE to S still at 15-20K, but the seas where we were anchored had calmed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was shining, but the breeze was brisk & cool; plenty to hang out some of our clothes that were wet of saltwater; don’t know what they will feel like without been washed in fresh water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mid morning we ventured to shore up to the Admin. Office to see what they would do as far as towing us to a boatyard (the nearest being Spanish Wells, about 50 mi. away) for repairs & to see how much they would compensate us because of their <u>government </u>mooring ball that failed & resulted in this disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Port Officer is Lionel Fernander & it was he that we first had to speak to;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he said he was in the midst of doing his report, which would then to go the Administrator Gary Knowles & any further action would be his decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lovely library on the corner (Haynes Library, 1897) that we stopped in first to see what facilities they had ie email, fax machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had very nice computers for public use at the rate of $5.00 per hour; I needed to let my family know of our problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I was used to library services to be free & the emotional strain, on walking out I simply burst into tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The librarian saw my reaction, put two & two together that we were the sailboat that she & all the town folk saw beached yesterday, came running after us & allowed us to use their computers free of charge to contact the necessary people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With tears streaming down my face & trying to think logically, I wrote my necessary emails, one of with included communication to Tina & Lee in Fort Lauderdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then back to the boat where we composed our letters to each of these government officials in written form (no internet access in this location on the boat & no printer on board), & the drying of more clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late afternoon we returned to the Admin. Office & handed in our letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They mentioned about re-locating us to a more comfortable location but at sunset there was no news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early supper & early to bed as we were exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds & seas had calmed down considerably so we slept well properly & in bed with clean, fresh smelling linen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 18<sup>th</sup>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Feeling much more rested on rising this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t fine the head sink drain plug, so did more cleaning behind the toilet & under the sink finding more sand & saltwater, but no drain plug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After washing up I decided I would put some eye makeup on today, hoping that it would be an incentive I needed to keep from crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so low, so lonely with no other boaters around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was having a hard time seeing any positive out of all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are alone in a foreign country; we have no control over anything; we can’t move if we wanted to; one wonders what is going on in the background that we are not privy to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can’t help but think of my Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we are alive & we have some where to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mid morning we ventured in the Admin. Office seeing the mooring ball out front with the mooring line still attached & the broken end which is usually secured to the anchor system; photos taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spoke to Mr. Fernander & made him aware that we were not re-located, that we had given a substantial sum of money to the 3 people who performed the rescue; he seemed surprised & mentioned the damage to the rescue boat would be their responsibility, & that he has calls out to people to tow us but awaiting their reply & ultimately the Administrator’s decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then walked up to the Bakery (good variety of breads, biscuits, donuts, tarts & sandwiches, & reasonable prices;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>white bread=$2.75, whole wheat=$3.25, raisin=$3.50).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked past the Dept. of Tourism to Burrows One Stop Shop which had the best selection of fresh produce & checked out<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a few other shops just out of curiosity, &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>finally back to the Admin. Office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no new news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to the boat & although it was sunny with cloudy periods, the winds were increasing & clocking SW to W; not a good direction<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for this anchorage; in fact we felt like a cork bobbing up & down in the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late afternoon we were back into the Admin. Office; Mr. Fernander was quite aware of the uncomfortable location we were in, but still no action to re-locate us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked about the town, up over the hilltop till we could see the Atlantic--- some very nice homes & even construction of a new complex in this area, but the road deteriorated into huge potholes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hustled back as sunset was soon upon us & as we were dinghing back to the boat one of the rescue guys, Paul Petty, caught our attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were to be on VHF tomorrow morning at 0730 with news of a tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s keep our fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 19<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunny, cloudless blue sky, but the wind is cool, blowing from the SW at 15-20K, so yes we are still bobbing up & down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul showed up at our boat at 0730hrs. & said that Danny Colmer , also part of the rescue team, would be towing us to Spanish Wells around 0915hrs. but still to be confirmed by the Admin. Office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul, we found out is also on the Port Board, so seems to have some pull about things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were at the Admin. Office when they opened at 0900hrs. but no confirmation of the tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one seems to know the Administrator’s ruling, but he was not in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead we left all the details with his Senior Admin. Secretary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hours tick away; no tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At noon Paul returns & said he would tow us south to a marina in South Palmetto called Runaway Bay Marina because he didn’t feel right leaving us anchored in this location with no protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon we were on our way under tow in 2-3 ft. waves<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for 5 miles, which did a number on our mooring lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would never survive a 50 mi. tow to Spanish Wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get us through the narrow channel into the marina, the tow boat had to come along side us & push us through & to the dock straight ahead, where we had to quickly get a line on the bow & stern dock poles to come to a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking around one can see that a lot of dredging has been down here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story of this place is that it was being developed as a marina but the owner abandoned the project due to red tape, permit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& money issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sighted 2 turtles in the dredged basin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an exquisite restaurant with a magnificent view over looking the sea called The Dolce Vita that has WiFi I am able to access; fantastic food, great décor, run be a Canadian (Montrealer) & her husband, the chef, an Italian & the waitress<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Johanie).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some very nice homes along the road that leads to South Palmetto Settlement, an hour’s walk away to a bleak & a basic grocery store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very isolated here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 20<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light winds from the W in the morning that changed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the N by noon & graying, rain-like clouds, but not enough to wash by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By nightfall the winds were gusting from the N---another cold front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme worked on pieces of equipment that was exposed to saltwater that needed repairing, while I worked on the internet to stay in touch with family & friends & took up a cross stitching project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our friends Tina & Lee from Ft. Lauderdale so happen to have an old rudder from their Viking 33 they had when in Ottawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happened to get moved to Ft. Lauderdale & they were offering it to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This certainly is a bright light to our dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No contact or news from Governors Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now out of their sight in this isolated community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this a wise decision to be moved here? We are secure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we have no phone numbers & are 5 mi. from town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 21<sup>st</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Day 6 since the boat damage & no more closer to having repairs done let allow what is to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>feel liked getting out of bed this am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are low of butter, bread & meat, & thought it best to preserve water because there is no source of fresh water here so no dishwashing till supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tears are flowing too readily today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is cloudy with sunny breaks<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with winds in the am gusting from the ENE to about 10K & the sea appears calm, but by the afternoon & all evening the winds are from the N to NE & blowing 20-30K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch we walked for 2 hours into South Palmetto & back for some provisions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 22<sup>nd</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before sunrise there was complete dead calmness of air & sea, & hence the no-see-ums invaded in hordes even before rising from sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite applying products high in deet, the no-see-ums were more than a nosense all day; we were eaten alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very slight breeze about noon from SSW that later switched to NE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to have picked up a good internet connection today so worked many hours communication with friends in the Bahamas & in Ottawa & family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 23<sup>rd</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t sleep well last night & so had plenty of time to think. Even if it meant hitch hiking, which I have never done or walking, I was going to make an appearance at the Admin. Office in Governors Harbour .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead Danny who happens to have his crabbing boat located in this harbour, offered to drive me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived & asked to speak to Mr. Knowles (Administrator) I was told he was in Nassau all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made an appointment with the Senior Secretary (Carletta Turnquest) to see him at 0930 the following morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Fernander was going in my direction, so after picking up a few groceries he agreed to drive me back to isolation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Danny so happened to be at his boat again & asked how things went & I related my story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He once again offered to drive me in the morning; pick up time 0915hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme insisted on buying lunch at Dolce Vita; pricey but excellent. I took the opportunity to work on the internet with power for several hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme got into the water & chiseled away at the rudder that was split open at the top & jammed up in such a fashion that made it impossible to turn the wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grey & cloudy all day with NE winds increasing especially during the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 24<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S hrove (Pancake)Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although late, Danny did show up & drove both of us to the Admin. Office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were shown into the Senior<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secretary’s office; Mr. Knowles was not in yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1015hrs. she got a hold of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>still in Nassau & would not be returning until<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the end of the day, but he would see us at 1600hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now to waste the day in Governors Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked in & around Cupid Cay, to the bakery,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& for some reason I decided to wander into the Dept. of Tourism & ask them if they help tourists in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met Glenda & explained our dilemma; she made a couple of calls to Spanish Wells for us where Graeme was able to explain our problems & obtained some quotes from R&B Boatyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted us to let her know about our meeting with Mr. Knowles at 1600hrs. & she would drive us back to the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well that was helpful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wasted the day as much as we could, returning to the Admin. Office at 1500hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carletta knew that we had been speaking to Glenda at the Dept. of Tourism before we even told her & that we had arranged a ride home at 1700hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Mr. Knowles at 1600, 1630 & 1645 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1700hrs. Mr. Knowles shows & shortly we have our half hour meeting with him pleading our case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stated that he has no funds & is in no position to rule in this situation; he receives the report from the Port Officer & it is presented to the Port Board, but the Port Controller in Nassau (Captain Anthony Allens) makes such decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bureaucracy!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a fruitless meeting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a wasted day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A meeting though is set up for 0930hrs. tomorrow & Carletta is instructed by him to pick us up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glenda from Tourism is called & she drives us back to our boat, even inviting us to join her for dinner, but we gracefully decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did some homework & prepared a list of questions & comments should the need arise depending on how the meeting goes tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another poor sleep night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 25th (Week 21, Day 140):</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ash Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cloudy, gusty<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>winds persist from the NE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15-20K &sea chop was about 1ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at the meeting with Mr. Fernander also present &Mr. Knowles came right to the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The decision had been made that they would look after our tow to Spanish Wells & from there the damage would be assessed; no need to plead my case by asking my list of questions & comments prepared last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lets leave now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let our insurance deal with the Bahamian Government re the cost of boat repairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to Spanish Wells today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We expressed our thanks & appreciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also we walked to Dept. of Tourism & told Glenda the decision; I could not stop hugging her with tears streaming down my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And again she had a coworker drive us back to South Palmetto to prepare for our departure, which was to be done in 2 phases; 1<sup>st</sup> night in Hatchet Bay, then onto Spanish Wells a distance of about 50 mi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hours ticked away slowly, low tide was soon upon us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1530hrs. Leander Cartwright from Hatchet Bay & his crabbing boat, ‘Double Eagle’, arrived with 2 other assistants & by 1630hrs. we were on our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course we had to make a grand exit & go aground at the markers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skies cleared & the sun came out in all it’s glory;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this is a sign from my Dad upstairs, a sign of a good omen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful sunset & all the steep, rocky cliffs we had sailed by 10 days ago we were observing from different eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In complete darkness it is a very different, unnerving, spooky feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were seeing street & house lights from the small settlements & slight fog as car lights travelled Queens Highway along the hilly Eleutherean coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds were still NE but the seas were a bit higher adding to the erriness of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The towboat would every now & again shine a huge spotlight onto to the land to there before your eyes would be a rock faced cay. These guys obviously know the area by heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally approaching 2100hrs. we past through the narrow entrance under tow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into Hatchet Bay, went aground twice in the manner in which Leander had to make the approach to the dock, then<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tied up sideways against ‘Double Eagle’ which in turn was tied to the concrete dock..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Double Eagle’ had been fishing all day; they threw all their catch in the boat freezer, hosed the boat down, then lickety split gone with instructions that 0500-0600hrs. would be go time; fine with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grilled cheese sandwiches for supper now 2200hrs., then to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One more step closer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 26<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>The alarm went off at 0430hrs. & the hours went by & no Leander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has he stood us up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 0800hrs. he shows up, alone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t say a word as we just wanted to get to Spanish Wells & safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cloudy with sunny periods this am & cool winds at our beam still from the NE blowing 15-20K & seas of 2-3ft. & white caps; even a brief rain shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet Chariot was swaying from side to side, jerking & bouncing & Leander all alone was happy as a clam with his music blaring having to correct his position to ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1030hrs. we were making our approach to Current Cut in these conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nervous as hell, in fact white knuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t tell if the current was with us, but we passed through this dreaded cut like silk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Land mass of north Eleuthera was now protection for us from the sea chop & the wind was now more close hauled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered the channel into Spanish Wells at low tide, maneuvering around a freighter & to a dock arranged for us by R&B Boatyard at 1215hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were dock hands there to assist our landing since we have nil steerage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe I mentioned before that it is very civilized here; most businesses close for lunch between 1200-1300hrs., so we too had lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards we met Robert, part owner of the boatyard; no time frame given as they are busy & have customers booked before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breathe easy; we have made it to Spanish Wells safely at government’s expense & we are on island time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A coolish & breezy night with multiple stars in the night sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We retired to our beds early tonight;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 27<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunny with cloudy periods. Winds still from the NE at a very gentle 5-8K & the sun was warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was laundry day today, so off to CW Grocery with cart & laundry paraphanalia & backpack with laptop in case I acquired internet access otherwise there was my novel to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sue Lynn has 1 washer & 1 dryer at $4.00 each; tokens to be purchased from her during working hours, but machines are in a shed out back opened 24/7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a nice enough breeze that I was going to just hang the 3 loads of laundry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all around the boat; a juggling act that finished at 1530hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what did you do all day today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a magnificent day weather-wise, wasted doing laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the best was when we were BBQ’ing a steak supper, we heard this slap, slap noise, looked up & saw this lone dolphin slamming its tail in the water then leaping 8ft. into the air repeatedly down the length of the channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sight to behold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More & more boats<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had been entering the harbour hoping to pick up a mooring, as impending bad weather with winds of 40K are predicted for Sunday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But tonight was beautiful, calm, & quiet under a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>star-filled sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Feb. 28<sup>th</sup>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Last day of the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How time has flown yet we did not accomplish our goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was off after breakfast to do my hour power walking looking for the 3 churches on the island & for antennae that may get me internet access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took in the beauty of this settlement with all the well kept yards & homes, freshly painted gaily in any combination of colours<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of pink & white, aqua & white, yellow, bright bright blue & white, fuschia, periwinkle, blue & yellow, & even pink & teal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme washed down the boat with fresh water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of our location, we met many other cruisers & everyone seemed to know our story & misfortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even while I was walking up to the larger grocery store (Food Fair), I met a Scottish couple who have been on the seas for <u>9</u> years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was speaking with other cruisers that seemed to lift me out of the black hole I felt I was trapped in;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t seem to see any light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After noon, work was started on freeing up the quadrant then trying to drop the rudder, but it was so badly bent that very aggressive tactics would be necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And being a Sat. & the end of the day, the next method would now have to wait till Mon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took Prism & cleaned all the boat chrome, watching even more boats<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hoping for shelter on a mooring ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where we met up with ‘Alto’, whom we first met way back on the Hudson River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late in the afternoon I thought I would try my hunches re internet access, & down by Ronald’s Seafood proved successful;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there were<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>28 emails in our Inbox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even called my Mom on Skype successfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another warm & quiet night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 1:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warm, sunny day with little to no wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme was up early washing the decks & canvass all down again with fresh water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My power walk after breakfast was to the west end of the island to the Public Park & Restrooms--- lovely powdery soft pink sand beach, areas of swings, jungle jims etc. for children, picnic tables, BBQ’s, outdoor shower heads, &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>clean washrooms separate for men &; women with 2 bathroom stalls & a shower stall; impressive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must try these showers out; I can’t remember the last time I showered properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met more cruisers today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hotspot was still working for internet access, so we were communicating with Lee 1-2 times per day as to the progress on the rudder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since noon the winds had increasing from the SSW<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& by evening they were blowing from the WSW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Alto’ had the ability to print off very detailed hourly weather predictions for a 5 day period from the web site windfinder.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Revised predictions now had the winds highest north of Spanish Wells at 27 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless it howled during the night as we were securely tied up to a dock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Grey & white clouds with sunny periods, but the winds were cold from the NW to N at about 10-15K; we were back into sweats/fleece & long sleeves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My power walk took me in & out, up & down the streets at the west end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were awaiting the R&B crew to arrive with the aggressive method to knock out the rudder & rudder post with a heavy duty sledgehammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my hotspot to email & Skype Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I returned the sledgehammer was in action & with the right heavy duty stainless tube, the rudder & post were freed & caught by a diver in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The damaged goods were examined & there was much discussion, but the advice for the quickest & cheapest fix was to get Lee’s rudder from Fort Lauderdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The necessary info of the air freight company & the info required for the obligatory invoice for Customs was obtained from Robert, then down to my hotspot once again at 1630hrs. to email Lee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is light at the end of the tunnel!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 3 (Week 21, Day 146):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Brilliant day, sunny with few clouds, cool temps & winds N at 5-10K. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>My purpose for walking today was to search for someone to cut my hair & to take pictures;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had not picked up my camera since Feb. 15<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joanie cut my hair mid morning; way too short especially at the crown but it will grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked the emails & Lee wrote that Twin-Air Calypso closed at 1800 hrs. on Mon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& they do not fly to this vicinity on Wednesdays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O.K., we will wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dinghied over to Genes Bay Ferry Dock on Eleuthera to the liquor store as Spanish Wells is a dry island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went down to the Public Park, walked the beautiful beach around the west end as it was low tide & watched a family jumping from the bridge that goes to Russell Island, then took that long awaited shower;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>oh my!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool night with light breeze, some stars & some cloud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar 4th (Week 22, Day 146):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>The morning started out quite cloudy & we had decided that since it is Wed. & the rudder would not be arriving till tomorrow, we would take the high speed ferry called Bo Hengy II ($40.00 per person round trip) once it arrives from Nassau at about 1000hrs. over to Harbour Island for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clouds broke up & were less threatening, but the winds were strong from the ENE & were predicted to stay high till Sun. or Mon., which meant the sea would be high & uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a ride!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ferry cruised at almost 30K, quite close to shore that was crashing the rocky shore over to Harbour Island, so lots of sea spray, past the coral heads of the Devils Backbone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed to the beach once we arrived about 35-40 min. later;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wide, soft pink sand, but very windy today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kite gliders were having a ball. We walked Dunmore St., lunched at the lovely Valentine’s Resort & Marina, walked into a 1700 RC Church, past the bakery which was closed & had a beer just before boarding the ferry that returned to Spanish Wells at 1540hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer the settlement on Spanish Wells, but it was a fun day that we shared with a cruising couple from the New England area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended the night differently as well--- we watched a DVD loaned to us by a cruiser.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar 5<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunny with cloudy periods with cool winds from the E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started a new routine, whereby when we run the engine to cool the fridge & charge cell phones, handheld VHF, & laptops, I worked in Word on my email journal;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thank you France & Donald (Alto).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was out for my power walk, meeting ‘Whiskey Mak’ on my return route, then at noon a surprise visit from Merril & Cindy (Ambition).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a Greek pasta salad & hamburger patties for guests for supper tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the rest of the afternoon is free to email at my hotspot & read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rudder has arrived & everyone is telling us it is sitting on the harbour dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no invoice appeared to be attached to Lee’s rudder packaging, so Customs would not release it to R&B; Robert said he could take care of that problem & he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No installation today though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool & windy again this evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 6<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another day that is sunny with cloudy periods & cool moderate winds from the ENE to E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again it was email journal writing while engine running, then walk to Food Fair for fresh fruit & veggies that are usually delivered late pm on Wed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up a little bit here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an example of prices here: pears= $0.95 ea., oranges= $0.75 ea., green pepper= $0.70-0.75 ea., iceberg lettuce which has been staying well for decent length of time= $2.80.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anti-fouling applied to rudder this pm & scheduled for installation tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought some seafood at Ronald’s;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 lb. grouper fillet= $9.00 & crawfish (spiny lobster)= $15.00 per lb.; absolutely delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>watched another DVD tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 7<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cloudy morning with winds about 8-10K from E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was departure day for many boats that were heading further south or planning the crossing of the Atlantic back to the Abacos<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>via the Little Harbour Cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the weather window is predicted to hold right through till Mon. or Tues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rudder installation was coordinated mid morning with a diver pushing the rudder & post up from the water; all was going well until the quadrant was tightened & it was discovered the hole drilled was not a 90 degree measurement, but in fact 30 degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now what to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing was specifically mark where the new hole needs to be drilled, drop the rudder again, weld the old hole & re-drill the new hole, then re install the rudder & the quadrant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my anticipation that the work would be complete about noon, I started readying for a departure mid afternoon over to Royal Island; those preparations came to an abrupt halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skies had cleared by mid morning with winds about 15K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed my book & went to the bow & laid out in the sun, said some prayers & talked to my Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sat. work day ends at 1700 hrs. & tomorrow, Sunday, is a day of rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayers were answered; the work was all completed at 1630hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the settling up of expenses!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much to our surprise, the bill which included flight delivery & Custom Duty of the rudder, labour<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& dockage was <u>very</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reasonable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supper was a happy event this evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A calm night with light breeze & the makings of a near full moon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 8<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daylight Savings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is barely any light at 0600hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the day that we make our departure from Spanish Wells just a few miles closer before doing the Atlantic crossing to the Abacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a ride down to the Public Park for a shower, lifted the dinghy engine & Graeme did other necessities for departure while I ran down to my hotspot to email family & friends of our plans to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tide was now on the down when we shoved<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>off the dock at 1045hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of dolphins ushered us out of channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cloudy with sunny periods light breeze from the ESE, so we had a gentle sail with the jenny fully deployed for the short distance of 3.96nm to Royal Island;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anchor was down at 1215hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entrance is well marked with red & green lights, & the anchorage is well protected from all directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 5 sailboats + 2 power boats anchored here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme got his buzz hair cut this afternoon since there was virtually no wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was still light at 1900hrs. & I hardly had thought about supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind from E to ESE picked up a little late afternoon, but still a calm & quiet night with a near full moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we have started our journey to go back home & there are 2000 mi. to go, I have come to realize that 10 months is too long a time for me to be living on a boat & we are just in month 6 now, & the lack of consistent physical exercise is really bugging me to no end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But more importantly, I want to thank Tina & Lee for their rudder;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you are God’s angels!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to thank all those people who have been emailing encouraging messages to us through this ordeal!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have no idea how it has helped me imparticular!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 9<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds are as predicted very light, so the crossing will be very slow & a lot of motoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence Graeme has re-thought the plan; we want to arrive with good daylight when we cross Little Harbour Cut where the deep Atlantic waters meets the shallow Sea of Abaco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rollers are common here & you want to be going with the current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now going to leave Royal Island at 1500hrs. & do an overnight crossing of the Atlantic; that will give us several day hours even for a very slow crossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our major meal at 1300hrs. &I pr epared a number of sandwiches for supper &/or when we felt we needed some nourishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at 1415hrs. we up anchored & winds increased a little from the E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fully deployed the jenny as we were on a run sliding down Egg & Little Egg Island, past the wreck, changed our point of sail to a beat averaging 4K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The depth sounder dropped steadily & quickly from 10ft. aqua waters to 40 then 90ft. navy waters;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>further in the passage it is so deep that the depth sounder does not even register.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely clear sunset at 1910hrs. but did not see a green flash & the moon was already up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme rested from 1900 to 2400hrs. then it was my turn to sleep hopefully as I then had the 2400 to 0400hrs. shift; this is just like being at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds from ENE were diminishing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 10<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds on my shift were nil to next to nil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even late at night you could see the flat water, no chop, just long 2-3ft. swells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were only doing speeds of 1.2 to 3.0K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of cloud cover until near the end of my shift at 0400hrs. so the full moon wasn’t observed at it’s best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme took over while I slept pretty well from 0400 to 0700hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunrise was about 0700hrs.; there was some cloud cover but the sun rays steaming down through the clouds were spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 10 mi. from the Cut at 0800hrs. we started picking up the Abaco Cruisers Net on VHF 68. We can now clearly see bottom at a depth of 50 ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High tide was at 0830hrs. We had a pushing sea with a few breaking rollers when we crossed the Cut at 1045hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We down anchored at 1115hrs. at Lynyard Cay; lots of boats here today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distance= 56.2nmn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a good pancake breakfast-lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme did some snorkeling to clean the hull of growth & sea grass off the prop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was lovely, warm & sunny today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good sunset & clear, star-filled sky with a near full moon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 11th (Week 23, Day 153):</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful sunny, warm day with a few clouds & light winds from the E, minimal chop & temps of 76-78F .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weather is to hold like this till Sun. With high tide at 0930hrs. we up anchored at 1005hrs. & passed the shallow waters of Tiloo Banks to Tavern Cay at 1300hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up with ‘Alto’ in this very serene location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put the dinghy motor back on the dinghy & motored around the area of Tiloo Cay, Lubbers Quarters, Tahiti Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the official full moon tonight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& a nice E to SE wind tonight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 12<sup>th</sup>:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Birthday to my sister!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a lovely day it is here at Tavern Cay; so peaceful, near solitude, steady moderate E winds , sunny with a few clouds & warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High tide today at 1000 hrs. We were on our way to Marsh Harbour at 0915hrs. & passed Celtic Cross going in the opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to hail Marsh Harbour Boatyard as we were sailing by their premises, but they are unable to repair/replace our cutlass bearing</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> until Mar 18</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, that probably sustained damage when a mooring line got trapped in the prop during our rescue</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once in Marsh Harbour & anchored, we hustled to shore to do laundry & grocery shopping.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After supper we were back to shore to Skype Donna to wish her a Happy Birthday, & Mom & check our emails.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beautiful, clear, little coolish night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 13<sup>th</sup>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>The day started out cloudy, but just as the Cruisers Net weather forecast predicted the sun came out late morning & it became warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds were from the ESE at 10-15K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked on this journal in the am while our charging process was underway, then it was to town to do a few errands such as banking & the bakery & of course window shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the boat for lunch, then to shore to swap novels with Mangoes & purchase others at Buck A Book (open Mon. Wed. Fri. from 1430-1700hrs.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked the docks where Moorings & Sun Sail have their charter boats, then took in the panoramic view of the harbour from upstairs at Curly Tails sipping a rum punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Threatening clouds rolled in at sunset but that did not deter the conch blowers in the harbour to sounding the sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weekly Friday evening<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>music from Curly Tails was clearly audible from any spot in the harbour, from Happy Hour through to midnight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 14<sup>th</sup>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>There was a short but good downpour of rain in the wee hours of the morning, just enough to wash some of the salt off the decks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cloudy with sunny breaks & winds from the SE at about 15K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A weak cold front is expected Sun. night & Mon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We splurged & had a shower in the cockpit this morning after breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch we went to shore to ask directions from Ray at Mangoes on walking to Marsh Harbour Boatyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead Ray drove us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is common practice in Marsh Harbour for many businesses on Sat. to close at noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boatyard was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme is most uncomfortable now to motor anywhere knowing about the cutlass bearing issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Mar. 18<sup>th</sup> appointment is still 4 days away;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 days that we could have used to visit other Abaco Islands in the vicinity of interest to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are hoping to start heading north & make the jump to Florida around Mar. 18-19<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So today we did some inquiries about taking a ferry to Hope Town & Man-A-War Cay ($25.00 each return trip), & ½ day snorkel tours to the reefs around the Park Reserve near Fowl Cay ($65.00 each);<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we will think about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last dinghy trip before heading back was to Scaggs Fish Market;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they sell almost everything but in bulk--- too much for 2 people & for the limited room we have onboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did find a package of 3 individually wrapped yellowfin tuna steaks($6.00 per lb.) for supper tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also had crawfish which I may go back & get before leaving Marsh Harbour. It has been an emotionally down day for me today;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really want to be home now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read & slept till sunset when I should have invited ‘Alto’ over for Happy Hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>worked away on my journal tonight, I hear Mangoes having their weekly music show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Mar. 15th (Week 23, Day 157):</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ides<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were up a little earlier than usual this morning, as I wanted to go to Mass at St. Francis de Sales for 0900hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to get to Mangoes for the bus pick-up at 0830hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another quick shower then actually put on some decent clothing appropriate for Church & Graeme took me into shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I & the bus were on time, picking up other customers at several spots along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another enjoyable & interactive service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also another perfect day in the Abacos;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sun, sun, & more sun all day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds from the SE at about 8K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had an early lunch, then over to a small beach till 1500hrs. where there is some snorkeling on Mermaid Reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near supper hour we see Celtic Cross motoring into harbour<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& anchored next door to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Hour was there until sunset & the conch blowers sounded the sun down at 1918hrs..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While eating supper in the cockpit, we saw the space shuttle launch rising in the NW sky at 1943hrs.---spectacular!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if our photos will do the sight any justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have actually caught up with our adventures & hope to send this off for the interested to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope never to wait this long to compile a mass email of this length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do apologize!</span></div>
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Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-91594524825424988862010-09-25T17:11:00.004-04:002013-08-20T18:25:48.359-04:00Week 11- Week 16: Nov. 24, 2008 to Feb. 4, 2009<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="color: red;">Merry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas &</span><span style="color: lime;"> Happy New Year</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Parkinson’s in the Bahamas! </b>(Nov. 24, 2008-Feb. 4, 2009)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This email has been a long time coming, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Internet connections have not improved since we have entered Florida since I last wrote you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Bahamas are not any different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my main projects when I come home in the summer will be ways to improve my email/communications with family & friends<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at all times when we are travelling about on a sailboat even in Timbuktu, ie Pocketmail or SSB.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has to be a better way, although my antenna has helped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe the last time I sent an email to you was when we had arrived in Jacksonville Beach, Florida on<b><i> Nov. 24th (Week 11, Day 73):</i></b><sup> </sup>We stayed at a marina here; good location to all amenities, & facilities at this marina were good; we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>met some fellow Canadians here from Nova Scotia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><i style="font-weight: bold;">Nov. 25th: </i>We<sup> </sup>reached beautiful, historic St. Augustine & it’s very Spanish- influenced architecture for 2 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up with friends on Sandcastle here after 18 days of being on our own, & toured & journeyed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>until we met up with the other<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NSC boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather was warm & sunny during the day, but cool in the evenings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Nov. 27<sup>th: </sup></i></b>43.8nm motorsail to Daytona, but mostly motor because the wind was on the nose. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Nov 28th: </i></b>42.3nm to Titusville where we could see Cape Canaveral<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Space<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Launching Site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Nov. 29<sup>th</sup> (Week 12, Day 78):</i></b> 33.2nm to Eau Gallie/Melbourne where we stayed at a marina X 2 nights because of wind, rain, & tornado warnings; in fact, a tornado did touch down close by, but I did not hear if there was any destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Dec. 1: </i></b>32.2nm on a lovely sunny day & passed through some very huge & beautiful mansions with their well manicured lawns & landscaping along the ICW into Vero Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a popular spot , so everyone is assigned to a mooring ball with 2 other boats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is popular for many who need to provision to do the crossing of the Strait of Florida to the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is free bus transportation to all the big shopping stores & malls ie grocery stores, Super Wal Mart, Sams Club, Bells, outlets, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is here that we met up with Celtic Cross, Waterparke & Thyme Off after<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>24 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We said our good byes to Sandcastle, wishing them a Merry Christmas & Happy New Years, as they were crossing to the Bahamas before Christmas, & the rest of us were making our way down to Ft. Lauderdale to visit with Tina & Lee for a few days, leave our boats in their capable & generous hands, while we flew home for Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So we left Vero Beach on <b><i>Dec. 4<sup>th</sup></i></b>, first night (24.4nm) to Jensen Beach--- calm, sunny motorsail<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& very calm night anchorage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><b><i>Dec. 5<sup>th:</sup> </i></b>34.4nm to Lake Worth which comprised of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 bridge openings; stayed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>X 2 nights because there is a lot of motorboat traffic in this particular area of Florida (Palm Beach) on weekends;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we partied<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>extensively that night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Dec. 7<sup>th </sup>(Week 13, Day 86):</i></b> 15 bridge openings; 38.5nm to Pompano Beach at a marina, as there are no anchorages in this general vicinity;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee actually met us there for just an evening social. Unfortunately we had some fuel related problems at the start of this day; although Graeme spent 5 hours problem solving & changing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the 2 fuel filters on the engine, the problem seemed not to be totally resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By looening the fuel cap which seemed to create a vacuum, things improved temporarily for several days anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Dec. 9<sup>th</sup></i></b>: interesting passage through north, downtown & south Ft. Lauderdale involving more bridge openings to Tina & Lee’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preparations were done during the day to closing the boats up while we were back in Ottawa for the holidays, laundrying of course, shopping, the partying continued each evening as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><b><i>Dec. 12<sup>th</sup> (Week 13, Day 91): </i></b>We flew home compliments of Sharon’s association with Air Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of my best Christmas’ since my Dad is so sick unlikely to enjoy another Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent all possible time with my parents, talking, laughing, crying, holding my Dad, sitting with him in silence while he slept, shaving him getting shaving cream up his nose which made breathing a little bit difficult, (I was better the second time), trying to relieve my Mom of some of the physical strain & stress of looking after Dad, running errands for her,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being part of his care, taking him to medical appointments, meeting his new palliative doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were even able to get him out to my brother’s home for Christmas Dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also fortunate to have a morning of skiing with ski friends, a four<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hour luncheon with some co-workers, one evening meeting some sailing friends at NSC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all it was a very satisfying holiday, one I will treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">On Dec. 26th (Week 14, Day 92): </i> We headed to the Ottawa Airport to return to Ft. Lauderdale, only to discover that there were no flights of any kind available to all of us until Jan.1!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must remember we are flying standby on Sharon’s pass with Air Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few hours were spent researching multiple airlines, car rentals, bus & train options; nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a bus strike, the Canadian Junior Hockey Championshipsis in town as well as the Bell Cup, & it’s Christmas Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at 1300 hrs. we decided, the 6 of us (Sharon’s sister & brother-in-law were returning to Florida with us) to drive down in our van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were on our way by 1500 hrs.!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">32 hrs. later<b style="font-style: italic;"> ( Dec. 27</b><sup style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">th </sup><b style="font-style: italic;">night)</b> we pulled into Ft. Lauderdale, tip-toed onto our boats & crashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Dec. 28<sup>th</sup></i></b>: We launched the dinghies, provisioned the boats with food & fresh water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Dec. 29<sup>th</sup></i></b>: We were retracing our tracks back up north through the ICW to Lantana, as we had reservations in St. Lucie for Dec. 31<sup>st</sup>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><b><i>Dec. 30<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Hobe Sound. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Dec. 31<sup>st</sup> (New Years Eve-- Week 14, Day 97):</i></b> We made a left turn from the ICW, up the St. Lucie River, passed Stuart & into the Ocheechobee<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waterway, through one lock, then to St. Lucie South Campground;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>facilities for RV’s, tent camping, & 5 slips for boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only problem was that there were<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no laundry or internet facilities, & it was a long distance to shopping;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thank heavens for Sharon’s brother’s vehicle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We brought the New Year in a quiet fashion sitting around a campfire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weekend motorboat traffic is heavy especially when it also includes Christmas & New Years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus we waited till <b><i>Jan. 5th, 2009</i></b> to retrace our steps back to the St. Lucie River into the ICW on a beautiful sunny, warm, cloudless sky,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calm water day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One problem; low tide & this particular area is shallow anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence we went aground twice & touched semi hard once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This night was again in Hobe Sound, a distance of 23.6nm, looking over at all the beautiful mansions & watching some locals fishing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><b><i>Jan. 6<sup>th</sup>(Week 15, Day 103): </i></b>Through all the bridge openings again & onto to Lake Worth (16.4nm); there was a nice breeze today, but it was on our nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lake Worth is a Class A Inlet & considered a favourite inlet to leave from to cross the Strait of Florida<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into the Little Bahama Bank to the northern Abaco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A south wind of 10-15K is predicted for tomorrow, but then a cold front is moving in from the north & the winds are to remain from the N & NE for several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will reassess the weather in the am at dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 7<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Essentially<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the same forecast, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the winds are to be 15-20K; heavier than we would ideally like, but we really do not want to wait in Lake Worth until the winds clock around to the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 0700 we up-anchored & started the venture through the cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds started out south at 10K & seas at 2 ft.; the Gulf Stream is out about 12 mi. & we are sailing due E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By mid morning the winds were up to 20-25K with gusts to 30K, & the seas also increased at least to the predicted 4-6 ft. if not more on several occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were sailing on the jenny alone, on a close to beam reach,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>any where from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5-6K to a max. of 8.5K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My tummy was not 100%, but not too bad either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharon’s brother-in-law was uncomfortable, but better when he took the wheel;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a huge learning curve for him since he does not sail at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original plan was to anchor at Memory Rock, but we reached that destination at 1440. So decided to go on to Mangrove Cay, calculating our arrival time to be 1715.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1600 we vividly saw the cold front approaching us from the north;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a huge, fast approaching black wall of clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foul weather gear was immediately donned & suddenly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the jenny jibbed on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thought there would be a lot of wind associated with front so we furled the jenny quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was quickly replaced by a grey sky, then a downpour of rain where you did not know the difference from sky & water, & if not for the compass & GPS, we initially did not know which direction we were travelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full moon was in a few days, so when day was replaced by night, the lighting was still grey & fog-like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the change of direction of the wind to the north, Mangrove Cay was not the place to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best protection in this situation would be Great Sale Cay, which was 25 mi. away;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 hours at 5K now making arrival time for an anchorage at 2300-2400.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been out for 12 hrs. now, mostly under sail but the engine ran at an idle, but we were still concerned about our fuel supply in the boat tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not a lot of wind or rain<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in this front after the initially onslaught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hit a dead calm at 2000 so fuelled up only to discover that we had not even used 2 gallons of diesel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We plugged along under motor because the wind never did come back & dropped the anchor in Great Sale Cay at 0030 (100.1nm!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A calm, quiet night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 8<sup>th</sup></i></b>: A most beautiful sunny day with lightish breeze in the am that picked up in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chose to stay here the day, drop the dinghy in the water, polish the chrome & metal with Prism & generally hang out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since yesterday was the Joyce’s Anniversary & we could not celebrate, we took the day off to celebrate; a good excuse, right! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 9<sup>th</sup>(Week 16, Day 106): </i></b>Another beautiful sunny day with NW winds<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at about 8K thus close hauled; with only the jenny out, we were moving nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we changed our point of sail to a broad reach, our speed dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 1755 & 44nm under our belts, we dropped anchor in Powell Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting events at 0200---some locals perhaps from Cooper Town came cross in a motorboat into our bay occupied by 4 boats + 1 perhaps abandoned sailboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were racing round & round Celtic Cross & ourselves, climbing aboard the abandoned boat, yelling laughing, using the ‘F’ word every second word repeatedly for about an hour; a most uncomfortable feeling for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quess a full moon affects people here as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 12th:</i></b> Again the sun was shining & the breeze</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">is cool unless you are shielded by some canvass.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wind is SE & a good strength, but unfortunately on the nose.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took it easy sinced it was only 12.5nm to Green Turtle Cay. This is the location we chose to clear Bahamian Customs.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We dropped anchor at 1500 just north of the docks at New Plymouth, dinghied to shore to the Customs Office.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A very pleasant & efficient lady, curlers in her hair, processed us &the boat in about 20 min. once she was located from her home where she was making pizzas.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did a walk around of the community & located St. Peter’s Anglican Church where a service was scheduled at 1100 the next am (Sunday).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 11<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Upon rising we found the water flat calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun had risen & the full moon was still up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A perfect reflection of the moon was on the water;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what a magnificent photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graeme highly suggested that since the water was so calm, it would be the perfect day to do the Whale Channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Whale Channel is where the deep Atlantic Ocean waters meet & crash into the shallow waters of the Sea of Abaco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sea rushes in & out quickly with low & high tides keeping the waters clean & clear, magnificent turquoise colour, but making this passage feared my many for very good reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church was put on hold & we up anchored at 0700 & made the passage with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 0930 we passed Whale Cay, followed the rusted channel markers between Great Guana Cay & Spoil Cay where we dropped the hook for several hours & snorkeled, watched the stingrays, walked the beach & shelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch we moved over to Baker’s Bay on Great Guana Cay (14.5nm) & partook in some partying up at Nipper’s Bar, which is located at a high point of the island, where one can sit & watch the Atlantic rolling in, & if it is calm enough even go in swimming here or simply walk the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hit 2 more bars on the way down back to the boat & watched a picture perfect sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather overnight predicted to deteriorate, but that did not materialize; in fact the moon was full, the skies clear with abundant stars, no threatening clouds, some mist/fog over a very calm Sea of Abaco.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 12<sup>th</sup>( Week 17, Day 114):</i></b> Sun<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& light winds from SE to start the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deteriorating weather predicted so motored the 8.3nm across to Marsh Harbor before noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up with fellow cruisers (Sandcastle) that had made the crossing from Florida to the Bahamas before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was off to do badly needed laundry in the laundromat;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>washer= $2.50, dryer= $0.25 per minute!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder many boaters dry their laundry on their lifelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that was not possible today;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the skies opened up while doing the laundry, flooding some streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Hour at Sandcastle, dinner, no internet access again so read instead, then bedtime.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Jan. 13<sup>th: </sup></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunny but very humid.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We walked around the bay into town, getting a feel for the place, & shopping along the way.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got invited to a Chili Contest at the Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club; for $20.00 per person we ate as much of & an assortment of chili, salad, roll, dessert & all the booze you wanted.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We met many fellow Canadian cruisers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 14<sup>th</sup>: </i></b>The routine every morning that we have been in Marsh Harbor is to listen to the Cruiser’s Net on VHF 68, where you get weather,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what’s happening in the vicinity, abbreviated world news, sports, new arrivals & departures, trivia question of the day, people who are leaving & willing to take mail to USA, Canada, & U.K., ability to ask questions & others call in with helpful answers etc., while we are having breakfast, doing the dishes, or bathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Into town this am & bought a week of unlimited WiFi;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked for 5 hours catching up with emails, etc. in the café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social at Jib Room at 1600hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wind is gusty & the humidity is decreasing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.15<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Sunny, but cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the am we walked around the area of town where the locals do their shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some internet work while on the boat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 16<sup>th</sup></i></b>: After early am routine, to the internet café, only to discover on email that my Dad has been deteriorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost went into a panic mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to get home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I almost did not know where to start to research online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We celebrated Sharon’s birthday by having lunch at the Jib Room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I went to a local travel agency who gave me some prices & stirred me in the right direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the internet<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>café I did more research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday is the only day there is a direct flight from Nassau to Ottawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise the daily flights are from Nassau to Toronto with a 7-hour wait in Nassau + a 4-hour wait in TO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cool & breezy today with some chop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was to deteriorate tomorrow with high winds & chop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please Dad, hold on!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried all night long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>17<sup>th</sup></i></b>: More unpleasant news from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunny but cool & breezy today, although winds did not amount to predictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet Chariot hosted Happy Hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 18<sup>th: </sup></i></b>A school bus picked a group of us up to attend<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mass at St. Francis de Sales RC Church; a magnificent upbeat church service in a beautiful setting; why did I not bring my camera?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the bus broke down when bring us back into town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No hardship;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the locals in their cars, vans & trucks picked us up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a calm & absolutely lovely day so we up anchored & motored over to Hope Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No mooring balls available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cold front & gale force winds coming tomorrow & to remain so for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More bad news from home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>19<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Martin Luther King Day in USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did laundry & made my reservations to fly home on Wed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spoke with the Palliative doctor who<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thought that would be O.K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved the boat into Mangoes Marina in preparation for my leaving Wed. & Graeme to fly home when Dad passes away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said they will give us a bit of a deal under the circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to clean out the fridge & leave Graeme with instructions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winds mounting as the day went on to gale force strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praying & crying for my Dad.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>20<sup>th: </sup></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obama Inauguration.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All is ready for my departure.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My bag has been packed for days.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wind continues to howl today & it is getting colder (high 50’s only).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please make the weather cooperate that I get home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>21<sup>st</sup></i></b>: Up very early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is cold & still very windy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to get home!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leave Marsh Harbor at 0745 & make it to Ottawa at 1830.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am rushed to my Dad’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is comatose!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damn!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe he knows I’m at his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must remember that the two of us had a number of good conversations at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not have much time to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleep is hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>22<sup>nd</sup></i></b>: Palliative doctor has been in everyday not only for my Dad but for my Mom as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An emotionally hard day arranging plot & funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think Dad is going to make it through the night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>23<sup>rd:</sup></i></b> Dad dies at 0340 hrs. oh, how we will miss you Dad!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funeral arrangements confirmed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 24<sup>th: </sup></i></b>Greame flies in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church funeral arrangements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>25<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Visitation Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many relatives & friends pay their respects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How wonderful to see & speak with all of them!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>26<sup>th</sup></i></b>: Funeral Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jan. 27<sup>th</sup>-Feb. 4<sup>th</sup></i></b>: I will be assisting Mom with the aftermath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am sorry that this email is ending on such a sad note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I am devastatingly sad,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> on a positive note</span> I had a chance to tell my Dad how much he meant to me, how much I love him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a chance to say ‘good-bye’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not want to see him suffering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know he is in a better place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that he will pray for us to have continued strength & guide us through the rest of our lives!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ciao!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Laura</span></div>
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Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-50996674746232315152008-10-03T15:30:00.000-04:002008-10-03T16:14:24.693-04:00Wed. Sept. 24- Fri. Sept. 26I am forced to change the posts of my blog because of the lack of time to due each day & the limited frequency of internet connections. Graeme & I checked into WiFi antenna before we left Ottawa & every possible spot during this journey, but to no avail. Some sailors we have met got their's through the internet. This is one suggestion I would make to increase the ability to connect to the internet.<br /><br />Sept. 24-- leaving Castleton-on-Hudson today at noon. We had some excitement at the masting crane just before we were ot leave; a gentleman who was masting his boat may have been having a heart attack when my services were called for. Parameds were called & I did convince him to go with them to hospital. Another gorgeous day, sunny & the tide is going with us. Destination is Athens (15.1nm), a shallow anchorage, but protected. It is sure different anchoring with tide & current opposite the wind direction.<br /><br /><br /><br />Sept. 25--heavy fog in the am but soon dissipated, then sunny with a light cloud cover, but by eve rain clouds, & increased winds & river chop at are destination Newburgh-Beacon. Distance travelled today was a long 51.4nm. Anchoring again tricky because of high tide & current opposite the wind . A rock 'n rolling night.<br /><br /><br /><br />Sept. 26--grey & rainy (+++ at times), & gusty winds & heavy river chop which made up-anchoring difficult. We tried upping sails today, but good for only short time. Motored past West Point, a US Military Academy, past some spectacular Appalachian Mountains to our night anchorage destination, Haverstraw Bay, a distance of 18.2nm.<br /><br /><br /><br />Sorry, but pictures will need to be posted at another time when I have time to learn & the connection to do so.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-22533379517116604282008-09-23T22:23:00.000-04:002008-10-03T15:29:02.889-04:00Tues. Sept. 23, 2008I'm starting to sound redundant--prefect day for the jobs at hand. I got a powerwalk in before the last masting started. Everyone for the rest of the day were busy rigging, tuning installing sails & all those jobs we take weeks to do at each Spring. That's right, all must be done in less than 24 hrs. 'Sweet Chariot' must feel she has been through a 'haulout' shortly followed by a 'launch' in a matter of 6 week period. I got to thinking how much nicer it is to see our boats look like sailboats again. When I look at others waiting to mast today, I thought we must have looked like chuckwagons on water for 10 days. It also was laundry day today as well. That's right, we are at Castleton-on-Hudson for one more night. We will be pushing on towards The Big Apple tomorrow.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-80340016821642813782008-09-23T20:54:00.000-04:002008-10-03T15:28:49.479-04:00Mon. Sept. 22, 2008It's a beautiful morning, ah, ha! Beach Boys' song right. Truly, it is & an early one at that. All 4 of us ( Sweet Chariot, Waterparke, Celtic Cross & Sandcastle) are on the move at 0700. We are approaching Lock 1 which is a Federal Lock; no one knows why. There is no charge. We enter tha lock at 0750 & are out at 0805, & motor on down the Hudson passing Troy on the east bank & Watervleit on the west. Soon Albany is in sight & down at the harbourfront we see a tall ship & naval destroyer. The river depth is 20-45 ft. Water temp. is 20C. At about 1130 we are at Castleton-on-Hudson, a distance of 16.2nm where we plan to step the mast, lower the dinghy from the bow deck, put on sails & tune the rigging. A very busy spot; there were 3 other boats that had use of the crane before us. Three of us got done by dusk; the 4th will be done the next am at 0800. At this location you can mast yourself fo $50.00. We also pumped out for the first time (free) & fuelled up (diesel-$5.00 per gallon x 14 gallons); mooring out on balls on the west side of the river is $5.00 per night, were as we decided to tie up at dockside (space was very limited) for $49.50 taxes in; this will probably be our last time for a while so we are taking advantage of this kind of luxury.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-3920232378657270052008-09-21T18:02:00.000-04:002008-10-03T15:28:38.944-04:00Sun. Sept. 21, 2008Control yourselves; another quiet day with the Parkinsons; this excerpt should be short. I attended a nice R.C. Mass at 0800 at the corner on Broad St. & Fifth; lovely organ music & good choir. I treated us to making a bacon, eggs & toast breakfast. I must admit though, we certainly are not suffering because of meals. Sure it takes almost all day to do meals, dishes & laundry. But whose in a hurry, right?! My third shower in a row. But I think that is coming to an end. A small market is set up on the walk along dockside each Sunday until October from 1000 till 1400. Walked for 11/2 hrs. over the bridge from Waterford to Troy , back, & down to the library which actually is open on Sun. from 1300 to 1600. On returning to the boat worked on more emails & my blog until 1800; I am caught up except for the picture attachments! Still need to learn how to do that.<br /><br /><br />We are moving on tomorrow to Castleton-on-Hudson when we will be masting, setting up the boom & sails & sticking the dinghy in the water. I won't know what to do with all that deck room! Karen & Warren from 'Sandcastle' ( a couple from T.O. we met at Brewerton) will be joining our 3-some as long as possible; I personally welcome that. We handed in our shower key & said 'good-bye' to the gentleman we have seen frequently volunteering at the Welcome Centre. That's it for now!Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-51204223743800132692008-09-21T17:44:00.000-04:002008-10-03T15:28:21.463-04:00Sat. Sept. 20, 2008A morning to sleep in; but who wants to miss the sight of the mist on the water at dawn! Another magnificent, sunny day with little breeze. I did my weight & stretch program today & had yet another shower--2 in a row! We walked to Hannaford for a few groceries especially fruit, then along Broad St., there main street, on over to the west side of the canal & back to the boat. I did some laundry at the Laundromat (on Fourth & Broad St.); believe it or not that is my first experience. There are front load & top load washers + dryers opened from 0600 till 2200. This is a day to do some emailing & start my blog if that is possible & while I have internet access.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-32610100214635577302008-09-21T17:15:00.000-04:002013-08-20T17:44:59.363-04:00Fri. Sept. 19, 2008<b><i>Fri. Sept. 19, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
The sun was just showing its radiant face at about 0615 & mist was rising off the water when I did my powerwalk along the Canalway Trail. The temp is only 36F, no wind & again another brilliant sunny & cloudless, blue sky. Through Lock 8 (Scotia) at 0750 to 0805, then ENE & then SE. Lock 8 to 7 (Niskayuna-28 ft.) 11 mi. at 0945 to 0955<br />
<br />
Lock 7 to 6 (Waterford-33 ft.) 11 mi. at 1135 to 1150 through Guard Gate #2 then #1<br />
<br />
Lock 6 to 5 (Waterford-33.25 ft.) .23 mi. at 1153 to 1210<br />
<br />
Lock 5 to 4 (Waterford-34.5 ft.) .16 mi. at 1212 to 1233<br />
<br />
Lock 4 to 3 (Waterford-35 ft.) .6 mi. at 1243 to 1255<br />
<br />
Lock 3 to 2 (Waterford-33 ft.) .28 mi. at 1305 to 1315-- this is our destination till Mon. am. Busy location on a Friday.<br />
<br />
Welcome Centre is right at dockside. They have WiFi access, Captain Bob Cruise Books, but none left at this time of the year for the one's we need for the Oswego & Erie Canals & a second book through to Florida. You register at the desk & you purchase a key for the shower for $5.00 that is refundable on returning. There is free 48 hr. dockage then $10.00 per day, washrooms, free shore power, free water, & pump out for ?$1.00. There are lots of facilities at this location--grocery shopping at Hannaford (best) & Price Chopper, Shop Rite Pharmacy, restaurants, laundry facilities with internet access, library, Churches. Boy that for real shower felt good!Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-53283883804936131602008-09-21T16:43:00.000-04:002013-08-20T17:44:05.102-04:00Thurs. Sept. 18, 2008<b><i>Thurs. Sept. 18, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
It was another cool night & early am mist on the water at dawn. I will intersperse my workouts to include weights & stretches starting this am. On through Lock 15 (8ft) at 0740 to 0755. The Erie Canal runs along a major highway & through the Adirondacks in a mostly SE direction. We meant to bring a road map to follow our course in relation to the surrounding area.<br />
<br />
Lock 15 to 14 (Canajoharie-8ft.) 7 mi. at 0830 to 0840<br />
<br />
Lock 14 to 13 (Randall) 4 mi. at 0955 to 1010<br />
<br />
Lock 13 to 12 (Tribes Hill) 10 mi. at 1145 to 1205; Lock Master is a stickler. The very first lock master who sold us our pass put the '7' month instead of '9' & this guy was making a big deal of it. We were warned about him by the previous lock master. We nearly took out our GPS antenna because he did not stop the lock lowering & would not hold on any lines but insisted on the boat's registration #.<br />
<br />
Lock 12 to 11 (Amsterdam-12ft.) 5 mi. at 1250 to 1305<br />
<br />
Lock 11 to 10 (Cranesville) 4 mi. at 1340 to 1350<br />
<br />
Lock 10 to 9 (Rotterdam-15 ft.) 6 mi. at 1450 to 1510<br />
<br />
Lock 9 to 8 (Scotia) 5 mi. at 1600; staying there the night. No facilities here. No interrnet connection. Another cool night predicted with frost in some areas.<br />
<br />
Distance:35.3 mi. Canal depth: 14-18 ft.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-76627749053126920212008-09-21T15:54:00.000-04:002013-08-20T17:39:21.142-04:00Wed. Sept. 17, 2008Happy 59th Anninversary to my parents! Also it<span style="font-family: arial;">'s my birthday. It seems though that this is a very melancholy day for me. Although I am happy to be doing this trip, I have a lot of sadness in my heart. For one, I am not with my family on this occasion. In fact, usually at this time of the year we are celebrating 3 anniversaries & 4 birthdays. Secondly, respect for one another, their knowledge & even their inadequacies is imperative & essential. This holds true in everyday life, not just for an event as this. This adventure is a further test though. I believe & try to live everyday as the old cliche says: do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Wed. Sept. 17, 2008</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;">It's a cool 50F am; so donned a long-sleeve T, tights & a track suit for my powerwalk along the Canalway Trail. There is extensive fog also; I hope I capture the fog rolling off the water in my photos. We pass through Lock 20 from 0835 to 0855. Including this lock, all the locks become 'down' locks. Once again today the scenery is same as yesterday-- miles of trees & shrubs that are showing their Fall colours; mostly the Fall shade of green, but some reds & golds. The sky is absolutely cloudless, brilliant blue; & the sun is glowing. Lock 20 (Whitesboro) -- 0835 to 0855 . </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 20 to Lock 19 (Frankfort) 10 mi.-- 1025 to 1055</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 19 to 18 (Jacksonburg) 12 mi.--1255 to1310</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 18 to 17 (Little Falls) 4 mi.--1340 to 1410; very warm temp now</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 17 to 16 (Fort Plain) 7 mi.--1650; not enough time to make next lock</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Distance: 34.7 mi. Canal depth: 10-18 ft.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Good facilities in little town of Fort Plain walking via the Canalway Trail-- library, grocerystore, Family Dollar, hardware store, restaurants, & laundry facilities.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-82970636480191519082008-09-21T14:34:00.000-04:002013-08-20T17:35:05.334-04:00Tues. Sept. 16, 2008<b><i>Tues. Sept. 16, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
Well we are bound to have a longer day; this is it. We left Brewerton at 0745 & entered the Erie Canal System at Lock 23, then onto Lake Oneida, a crossing of 29 mi. to Sylvan Beach at 5.5knots x 31/2 hrs. in a ESE direction. The Lake is calm; there is no chop, no wind. It is sunny with a few clouds in the am & increasing clouds late in the pm. There is some pretty impressive homes at Sylvan Beach where we pass Lock 22 at 1215, then 1 mi. further through Lock 21 (both New London, N.Y.); zebra mussels are covering the concrete wall & as we are being lowered the mussels are squirting liquid out at us. We push on 18 mi. past Rome & Utica to Lock 20 (Whitesboro) stopping there at 1600; all along this stretch we can see a cleaning up operation of fallen trees & a bike path (all part of the 260mi. of the N.Y. Canalway Trail). I could have biked this faster than motoring! In fact I could have biked from lock to lock. We tied up on the west side concrete wall just before Lock 20. On the east side there are floating docks, but the tie up are to mean-looking steel posts; also sheltered picnic tables, washrooms, & garbage cans (not always present). Distance covered=40.9 nm. Canal depth: 12-19 ft. I feel that I'm starting to get into a groove & a routine; I actually powerwalked at 0650 when the sun was poking its head up. Now to keep the discipline & keep it up.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-11161301933518162212008-09-20T21:12:00.000-04:002013-08-20T17:32:42.045-04:00Mon. Sept. 15, 2008<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Mon. Sept. 15, 2008</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;">Despite the weather, Sweet Chariot slept well. Others up during the night taking or lashing 'things' down, adding more lines to tie down. While having breakfast & listening to the radio, learnt that 'Ike' peaked at 0300 & caused damage in some areas, downed trees & power outages; many schools closed; winds had gusted to 60 mph. We were moored on the east wall immediately after Lock 2 & seemed to have been blown onto the wall. We did discover in the am that we were all covered with leaves & twigs; the humidity of the previous day brought out these small, round bodied bugs that left purple stains on the fiberglass & the boat cushions, some of which we haven't been able to remove. The morning is grey & cloudy, & light rain, but the winds have died right down; the humidity has dissipated. At 0930 we are on our 10 mi. trek to Lock 1-- the last of the Oswego Canal & enter the Erie Canal System at Lock 23 at Onondaga, close to Syracuse. Again saw huge beautiful homes with nicely landscaped lawns right down to the water's edge; some downed & uprooted trees after Lock 23 & lots of herons, ducks, jumping fish, hence quite a few fishermen. Electricity out at some spots on the east shore. Breeze remains light; day is still cloudy & grey with on & off misty light rain. Canal water temp is 23C; depth= 16-19 ft. At Brewerton Boatyard (westside) we fuelled up, watered up (free) & facilities to pump out, then proceeded to tie up on the concrete wall just passed the bridge on the west shore; a short day (7.9 mi.) Met an number of Canadian boaters at this location. There is a library 1 block away where I did some internetting ie contacting my family for the first time; also adequate shopping facilities. Brewerton is at the mouth of Lake Oneida; apparently it is quite choppy today, but better weather is predicted for tomorrow & the next few days; here's hoping.</span>Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-16893396090699152482008-09-20T20:27:00.002-04:002013-08-20T17:29:45.958-04:00Sun. Sept. 14, 2008<b><i>Sun. Sept. 14, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
Wow! A good night sleep! There is nothing better than being rocked to sleep in a sailboat. This is not a joke; I'm serious. After a simple breakfast we entered eastbound Lock 8 of the Oswego Canal System at 0830. We purchased a 10-day pass at the price of $37.50 for a vessel > 29 ft. but under 40 ft. from the Lock Master. We learnt with some difficulty how to handle locking; went sideways for a bit, but quickly corrected ourselves; good thing we were the only boat in the lock. Each lock takes approx. 20 minutes to clear; most are weighted ropes while some are pipes. We improved with each lock. Once we met up with the other travellers, we continued for 1/2 mi. to Lock 7, then 4 mi. to Lock 6 (all Oswego), on to Lock 5 (Minetto), no Lock 4, 6 mi. to Lock 3, & finally 1/2 mi. to Lock 2 (both Fulton, N.Y.) at 1315 where we tied up for the night; canal depth about 14-19ft.; these are all 'up' locks. This part of the canal is lined with lots of open greenspace, beautiful large expensive well-manicured lawned homes to RV homes & cottages. The cloud cover burnt off & the day became very sunny, humid & hot (90F)! We took the idea from local teens & had a very refreshing swim & wash up in the canal. The water according to a local is clean. High winds & rain predicted for tonight because of 'Ike'; one wouldn't imagine after such a fine day. Sure enough, at 2400 the winds picked up considerably; gusty & rain associated with the weather system.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-77931929848894232862008-09-20T15:25:00.007-04:002013-08-20T17:47:23.469-04:00Week 1: Sat. Sept. 13, 2008 to Fri. Sept. 19, 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pr3LxPEjxqSmNjzaEYQ6kzq22XoAOt0y28JV9EJyw1AEIhax1uK-04CJfPTwTDedCoIXjLpUxYrOg3qwwkOd7Ulkx7zNOpPtCMnnxrG6rlKYnOauQZXJ2r_tdyg_C0RwzsoxnWl86RU4/s1600/Ottawa-Bahamas,+2008-2009+024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521410171310828754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pr3LxPEjxqSmNjzaEYQ6kzq22XoAOt0y28JV9EJyw1AEIhax1uK-04CJfPTwTDedCoIXjLpUxYrOg3qwwkOd7Ulkx7zNOpPtCMnnxrG6rlKYnOauQZXJ2r_tdyg_C0RwzsoxnWl86RU4/s320/Ottawa-Bahamas,+2008-2009+024.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div>
<b><i>Sat. Sept. 13, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
It's 0100 & <span style="font-family: arial;">we are now leaving Ottawa again for Collin's Bay. But this is it --- our departure day. Shannon, our house sitter, arrived Fri. night & we had a few hours of chatting & last minute instructions & question period. Graeme caught a couple of hours sleep, but I had to keep going as I still had last minute preparations. I'm still uptight about leaving; I'm terribly worried about my Dad & Mom. As we are driving to Collin's Bay, I'm still downloading photos onto CD's just in case I lose them somewhere along the way because of circumstances I have no control over.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We got to Collin's Bay at 0330; if has been raining; it's warm, foggy. Our 0500 departure is delayed as the visibility out the channel is poor. I catch a few winks until 0625. Dawn is breaking, the fine, misty rain has stopped, & Cherry & Doug escort 'Sweet Chariot', 'Celtic Cross' & 'Waterparke' out as far as about the middle of Lake Ontario. The wind is light but enough for Doug to put his sails up on his Cal '38. We are jealous as we have mast, boom, dinghy, water jugs, fuel jugs & tank on deck. Moving from stern to bow is some feat. There is a little rolling action of the Lake as the sun was rising; took Gravol 25mg just to be safe, then the rest of the day was very calm, slight breeze from the NE, sunny with a very thin cover of cloud (the kind that can foul you & you get a terrible sunburn. The house flies are numerous & biting & very annoying. Water temp is 21.5C. Lake depth >500 ft. Motoring along at 5.5 knots, arriving at Oswego at 1530 -- the last to arrive & clear customs via a video telephone. Instructions from the customs officer is that we do not need a cruising permit because Graeme is American, but we need a 'Decal'. Two phone numbers & website given proved ineffective so decided to forget it until someone asks. At 1655 we hailed the Oswego Canal Lock Master of Lock 8 but the lock closes at 1700 so no locking today. We tied up at the Muncipal D</span>ock on the east side where there is a $20.00 fee to be paid at a self-serve kiosk; we could not find this kiosk so did not bother. We walked around to just passed Lock 8 where Ian & Parke were tied up, had a celebratory champagne drink compliments of the Godfrey's. Maureen, I'm saving my bottle for that appropriate sunset experience as you said. It was an early night when we hit the sack since neither of us had little to no sleep.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Sun. Sept. 14, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
Wow! A good night sleep! There is nothing better than being rocked to sleep in a sailboat. This is not a joke; I'm serious. After a simple breakfast we entered eastbound Lock 8 of the Oswego Canal System at 0830. We purchased a 10-day pass at the price of $37.50 for a vessel > 29 ft. but under 40 ft. from the Lock Master. We learnt with some difficulty how to handle locking; went sideways for a bit, but quickly corrected ourselves; good thing we were the only boat in the lock. Each lock takes approx. 20 minutes to clear; most are weighted ropes while some are pipes. We improved with each lock. Once we met up with the other travellers, we continued for 1/2 mi. to Lock 7, then 4 mi. to Lock 6 (all Oswego), on to Lock 5 (Minetto), no Lock 4, 6 mi. to Lock 3, & finally 1/2 mi. to Lock 2 (both Fulton, N.Y.) at 1315 where we tied up for the night; canal depth about 14-19ft.; these are all 'up' locks. This part of the canal is lined with lots of open greenspace, beautiful large expensive well-manicured lawned homes to RV homes & cottages. The cloud cover burnt off & the day became very sunny, humid & hot (90F)! We took the idea from local teens & had a very refreshing swim & wash up in the canal. The water according to a local is clean. High winds & rain predicted for tonight because of 'Ike'; one wouldn't imagine after such a fine day. Sure enough, at 2400 the winds picked up considerably; gusty & rain associated with the weather system.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Mon. Sept. 15, 2008</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<span style="font-family: arial;">Despite the weather, Sweet Chariot slept well. Others up during the night taking or lashing 'things' down, adding more lines to tie down. While having breakfast & listening to the radio, learnt that 'Ike' peaked at 0300 & caused damage in some areas, downed trees & power outages; many schools closed; winds had gusted to 60 mph. We were moored on the east wall immediately after Lock 2 & seemed to have been blown onto the wall. We did discover in the am that we were all covered with leaves & twigs; the humidity of the previous day brought out these small, round bodied bugs that left purple stains on the fiberglass & the boat cushions, some of which we haven't been able to remove. The morning is grey & cloudy, & light rain, but the winds have died right down; the humidity has dissipated. At 0930 we are on our 10 mi. trek to Lock 1-- the last of the Oswego Canal & enter the Erie Canal System at Lock 23 at Onondaga, close to Syracuse. Again saw huge beautiful homes with nicely landscaped lawns right down to the water's edge; some downed & uprooted trees after Lock 23 & lots of herons, ducks, jumping fish, hence quite a few fishermen. Electricity out at some spots on the east shore. Breeze remains light; day is still cloudy & grey with on & off misty light rain. Canal water temp is 23C; depth= 16-19 ft. At Brewerton Boatyard (westside) we fuelled up, watered up (free) & facilities to pump out, then proceeded to tie up on the concrete wall just passed the bridge on the west shore; a short day (7.9 mi.) Met an number of Canadian boaters at this location. There is a library 1 block away where I did some internetting ie contacting my family for the first time; also adequate shopping facilities. Brewerton is at the mouth of Lake Oneida; apparently it is quite choppy today, but better weather is predicted for tomorrow & the next few days; here's hoping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<b><i>Tues. Sept. 16, 2008</i></b><br />
<br />
Well we are bound to have a longer day; this is it. We left Brewerton at 0745 & entered the Erie Canal System at Lock 23, then onto Lake Oneida, a crossing of 29 mi. to Sylvan Beach at 5.5knots x 31/2 hrs. in a ESE direction. The Lake is calm; there is no chop, no wind. It is sunny with a few clouds in the am & increasing clouds late in the pm. There is some pretty impressive homes at Sylvan Beach where we pass Lock 22 at 1215, then 1 mi. further through Lock 21 (both New London, N.Y.); zebra mussels are covering the concrete wall & as we are being lowered the mussels are squirting liquid out at us. We push on 18 mi. past Rome & Utica to Lock 20 (Whitesboro) stopping there at 1600; all along this stretch we can see a cleaning up operation of fallen trees & a bike path (all part of the 260mi. of the N.Y. Canalway Trail). I could have biked this faster than motoring! In fact I could have biked from lock to lock. We tied up on the west side concrete wall just before Lock 20. On the east side there are floating docks, but the tie up are to mean-looking steel posts; also sheltered picnic tables, washrooms, & garbage cans (not always present). Distance covered=40.9 nm. Canal depth: 12-19 ft. I feel that I'm starting to get into a groove & a routine; I actually powerwalked at 0650 when the sun was poking its head up. Now to keep the discipline & keep it up.<br />
<b style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Wed. Sept. 17, 2008</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a cool 50F am; so donned a long-sleeve T, tights & a track suit for my powerwalk along the Canalway Trail. There is extensive fog also; I hope I capture the fog rolling off the water in my photos. We pass through Lock 20 from 0835 to 0855. Including this lock, all the locks become 'down' locks. Once again today the scenery is same as yesterday-- miles of trees & shrubs that are showing their Fall colours; mostly the Fall shade of green, but some reds & golds. The sky is absolutely cloudless, brilliant blue; & the sun is glowing. Lock 20 (Whitesboro) -- 0835 to 0855 .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 20 to Lock 19 (Frankfort) 10 mi.-- 1025 to 1055</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 19 to 18 (Jacksonburg) 12 mi.--1255 to1310</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 18 to 17 (Little Falls) 4 mi.--1340 to 1410; very warm temp now</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lock 17 to 16 (Fort Plain) 7 mi.--1650; not enough time to make next lock</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Distance: 34.7 mi. Canal depth: 10-18 ft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Good facilities in little town of Fort Plain walking via the Canalway Trail-- library, grocerystore, Family Dollar, hardware store, restaurants, & laundry facilities.</span><br />
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<b><i>Thurs. Sept. 18, 2008</i></b><br />
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It was another cool night & early am mist on the water at dawn. I will intersperse my workouts to include weights & stretches starting this am. On through Lock 15 (8ft) at 0740 to 0755. The Erie Canal runs along a major highway & through the Adirondacks in a mostly SE direction. We meant to bring a road map to follow our course in relation to the surrounding area.<br />
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Lock 15 to 14 (Canajoharie-8ft.) 7 mi. at 0830 to 0840<br />
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Lock 14 to 13 (Randall) 4 mi. at 0955 to 1010<br />
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Lock 13 to 12 (Tribes Hill) 10 mi. at 1145 to 1205; Lock Master is a stickler. The very first lock master who sold us our pass put the '7' month instead of '9' & this guy was making a big deal of it. We were warned about him by the previous lock master. We nearly took out our GPS antenna because he did not stop the lock lowering & would not hold on any lines but insisted on the boat's registration #.<br />
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Lock 12 to 11 (Amsterdam-12ft.) 5 mi. at 1250 to 1305<br />
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Lock 11 to 10 (Cranesville) 4 mi. at 1340 to 1350<br />
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Lock 10 to 9 (Rotterdam-15 ft.) 6 mi. at 1450 to 1510<br />
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Lock 9 to 8 (Scotia) 5 mi. at 1600; staying there the night. No facilities here. No interrnet connection. Another cool night predicted with frost in some areas.<br />
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Distance:35.3 mi. Canal depth: 14-18 ft.<br />
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<b><i>Fri. Sept. 19, 2008</i></b><br />
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The sun was just showing its radiant face at about 0615 & mist was rising off the water when I did my powerwalk along the Canalway Trail. The temp is only 36F, no wind & again another brilliant sunny & cloudless, blue sky. Through Lock 8 (Scotia) at 0750 to 0805, then ENE & then SE. Lock 8 to 7 (Niskayuna-28 ft.) 11 mi. at 0945 to 0955<br />
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Lock 7 to 6 (Waterford-33 ft.) 11 mi. at 1135 to 1150 through Guard Gate #2 then #1<br />
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Lock 6 to 5 (Waterford-33.25 ft.) .23 mi. at 1153 to 1210<br />
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Lock 5 to 4 (Waterford-34.5 ft.) .16 mi. at 1212 to 1233<br />
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Lock 4 to 3 (Waterford-35 ft.) .6 mi. at 1243 to 1255<br />
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Lock 3 to 2 (Waterford-33 ft.) .28 mi. at 1305 to 1315-- this is our destination till Mon. am. Busy location on a Friday.<br />
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Welcome Centre is right at dockside. They have WiFi access, Captain Bob Cruise Books, but none left at this time of the year for the one's we need for the Oswego & Erie Canals & a second book through to Florida. You register at the desk & you purchase a key for the shower for $5.00 that is refundable on returning. There is free 48 hr. dockage then $10.00 per day, washrooms, free shore power, free water, & pump out for ?$1.00. There are lots of facilities at this location--grocery shopping at Hannaford (best) & Price Chopper, Shop Rite Pharmacy, restaurants, laundry facilities with internet access, library, Churches. Boy that for real shower felt good!<br />
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Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456667321417762975.post-78911517145412202672008-07-31T14:53:00.000-04:002012-08-04T19:55:26.138-04:00The Parkinsons---From Ottawa to the Bahamas 2008This part of my blog has yet to be composed. See at a later time.Graeme & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15525276505074520086noreply@blogger.com0