Black Friday

Today is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day in the USA. We split into 2 teams, Jim and I were in Walmart by 5:05 grabbing up all kinds of bargains while Marg and Lois went to Staples and Walgreens. I was amazed at how many workers were actually in the store, all with smiles on their faces, being very helpful. Got everything we went in for and if it wasn't for the line up to get a camera would have been out of there in 20 minutes. It's time to go back to bed.

Sailing the Cat and on the beach

Marg & Jim’s friends Ann and Jack have a gorgeous 45’ cat which we had the opportunity to sail on Sunday. But honestly, is pushing a button to raise the mainsail not cheating?


On the beach with my friend John.

A lot of people were catching baby hammerheads - not sure what they do with them - eat 'em???

Punta Gorda Florida

I've come to visit Marg and Jim in Punta Gorda as Gerry has a guest on the boat and 3 is a crowd. It seems that the same curse that follows me to Saskatoon has followed me here. I show up and the weather turns cold – happens every time. Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining, the sun is shining and there is no snow! Fisherman’s Village had their Christmas open house – free food, entertainment and the stores had some sales. Even with the sale price most of the merchandise was very expensive. I sat on Santa’s lap and told him what I wanted for Christmas – he said he’d do his best.

The Beach - Bahamas

The poor tree in the next photo is trying to survive in the salt water. There's about 6 inches of water, so clear you can barely see it.

Up the Mast Again

This is TB (from Romania) from Coffee Club. He volunteered to try to get the mast/sail problem fixed not realizing he would have to go up 3 days in a row. He finally managed it, they went through a whole pile of different drills, saws etc. but finally the furling plus sail was freed of the mast. It's the long skinny white thing going from the mast, across the boat and on to the dock across the middle of the bottom photo. It still needs fixing but at least now they know what's wrong.

Road crew

Grand Bahama Island has miles of deserted beaches, the trick is knowing where they are and how to get to them. There is a road (unpaved) that was carved out of the underbrush years ago that runs along these beaches but is inaccessible by normal car. If you have a jeep or motorcycle you can get there but then it's a harrowing ride. Evergreens hit you in the face and thistles grab at your legs. We thought we'd do a public service and drive the jeep through, dragging a 2 x 4 with chains attached, and pruning as we go. I thought it was fun but Jimmy (from Ontario) whined the whole time and wouldn't get out of the jeep - what a girl!!!

Now don't you think it's worth the effort, just look at that white sand, turquoise water. The photo does not do it justice.

But for chivalry that would be me

There is always something to fix on boats and sometimes what needs fixing is not in a convenient place. Dulcinea's mainsail is furled into the mast and it refuses to come out. One theory was it just needed lubricating so I was volunteered, being the lightest, to go up the mast and apply said lubricant. So there I was, shaking like a leaf, but game to give it a try when Gary stepped in and said he would go up, but he was mightily impressed that I was willing to do it. So this is Gary up the mast of Gerry's boat (last week). As it turned out someone else would have needed to go up anyway - there was a major problem up there which Gary couldn't fix at the time. It now requires power tools so the next calm day someone needs to go up. I can't use power tools - that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm Back in the Bahamas and Florida

I'm in the Bahamas again, just can't resist that turquoise water. On my way I made a surprise visit to daughter Sally and family to see my precious granddaughter Abby - just turned one! She just keeps getting cuter and cuter.

Things haven't changed much on the island, the water is still blue, the sand is still white, the sun is still shining...... paradise. Last week I had my first overnight sail. Can't say the trip to Fort Lauderdale was fun. The wind was directly behind us so the boat wallowed all the way there. The trip back (fastest on record for this boat) was much better, only rocked in 2 directions instead of 8. Had my iPod all charged up so my turns at watch went pretty quick (photo is sunrise on return trip). Freighters and cruise ships don't get out of the way of small sailboats so someone has to be awake at all times.

Attended Fantasy Fest in Key West again (thanks for the hospitality Norm and Ginny). Shopped till we dropped for provisions that are expensive in Freeport and things that you just can't get there.

Went to a beach in Miami where this friendly fellow came to welcome us. Seems it was a clothing optional beach - heaven's to Betsy!!!!