December 1, 2009
Tuesday
85* and sunny again
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DECEMBER BABIES!!!!!!!!!
We were up early again and attacked the eisenglass. The water spots were so bad we had to rewash and dry and then apply the 210 polish. Ah…nice and clean again. We also emptied the dock box on the aft and cleaned and organized the whole mess that it had become. Basil has evidently become a big attraction! Today’s trade off was basil for a huge Wahoo steak fillet. I will take it! Barry grilled the Wahoo donated by Dick, a tourist, and I made risotto for a side. I am thinking of putting a sign on the plant!!! Wow! Maybe we should hit Marsh Harbour again and make a few more plants…everyone seems to want some, and the trade offs cannot be beat. Another beautiful day with the know fact of another norther coming thru to cool things off and bring lots of wind. Soon, very soon.
December 2, 2009
Wednesday
80*
Wonderful day! Shawn Nixon finally showed to repair the aft AC to the tune of $250, but it is complete. It turns out the problem was a factory defect!!! Augh…and warranty has expired, of course. But, bottom line is there was a leak in the high pressure side of the coil and it took 1200 hours of use for it to appear…what a wonderful thing. Shawn did a bit of soldering and it was corrected. We spent the rest of the day continuing our cleaning spree by finishing up waxing that was not completed in Marsh Harbour and a thorough bilge cleaning (done by Barry, not me.) But all is good. We had a wonderful dinner with lobster and creamy pesto pasta created by the Captain….all is good! Love to all and, yes, we do have AC in the aft.
December 3, 2009
Thursday
Low 80’s and very breezy
Water temp…a chilly 74*
Today was pretty much a slug day…gotta have one every now and then since we are now “working” again. We sat on the aft, read, and enjoyed the wonderful weather. Our sights are set on renting a car, which we did, and heading to Marsh Harbour Saturday for attending a Christmas craft show, re-provisioning the boat and a very, very much needed mane clipping. I cannot wait until we get home for this. I can no longer stand hair hanging down the middle of my back! Way to freaking long for my liking. I am also having big time Chinese food cravings and hoping we can find something that somewhat resembles that in Marsh! We shall see!
December 4, 2009
Friday
Low 80’s again
It was a gorgeous day. Larry the lizard is back, as is the one out on the dock living in Basil. I finally broke down and killed three flies, that were annoying me anyway, and fed
Larry. He loved, loved the flies. They were gone in a heart beat! I suppose as long as he stays on the aft and does not enter the salon….he can stay. And, again, not much was accomplished except for computer stuff and reading. We headed up to the dive shop to inquire about possible wet suits for sale but it was closed. That is another mission we have. I would at least like to try one on to get fit for size prior to ordering online. We may luck out and be able to buy used equipment at the dive shop. Another thought for tomorrow is to check out the dive shop in Marsh to see what is available there. We have a long list of things we need to purchase in Marsh tomorrow. I also want to hit the nursery to see what other herbs may be available that we can add to our forest of goods!
December 5, 2009
Friday
Warm and Sunny
After a bit of disappointment at the car rental place not having the wagon we requested we opted for the Avalon with the right-hand steering column… but it had to do. Stuff like this is always a happening here. One hand never knows what the other is doing and our reservation was given to another. We arrived in MH about 11:30 and started shopping, first for boat stuff. We stopped at Ace Hardware and grabbed a couple of things and then off to the other hardware stores to find them both closing a noon…AUGH! If we had only known we would have started out earlier! From there we went to Mandarin Restaurant for Chinese!!! It was good, but nothing compares to Number 1 in Swansea, MA. Prior to hair cuts we stopped at the nursery to find there were no herbs available that we already have and passed on what they did have. Off to Fruits and Vegetables Market to find they have everything one could possibly want in the way of produce, but since it would have had to sit in the hot car all day we only picked up some limes (of course) and a huge avocado. Laine’s was our next stop for tresses trimming! Yeah, I feel human again. Not as good as Jack, but I could not stand my mane any longer. The Christmas Festival was next on our “to do” list and found the usual booth after booth of Bahamian food…all good and very fattening…the smells were wonderful. There were a few arts and crafts booths, but I only wished there was more. A lot of the booths were more like flea market items and not what I had hoped to see. The grounds reminded me of church festivals we used to attend. Dirt ground, the stage for a band, and lots and lots of food offerings…minus the rides. Rides are not a happening here. Unfortunately, we had to miss the Bahamian Defense Marching Band as it was getting late and the market and liquor stores close by 6 PM and we needed to finish our shopping. We ran around like maniacs trying to get things done as quickly as possible so we could return to the
festival. There were other bands and competitions we wanted to see. There was a drumming and belling contest for the kids…very cute, and another stage band that was great. Also, a fashion show…really, a fashion show at a festival?? But it was there! At 9:30 the Bahamian Defense Stage Band began and they were really, really good, but really, really loud! We stayed for close to an hour as they performed, but I could not take the show going on right in front of me any longer. There were 3 Haitian or Bahamian women dancing up a storm with a baby that was no more than 2 months old that they passed to and from each other while shaking the life out of this little girl! Evidently, they have never heard of “shaken baby syndrome!” Let’s not forget the loud music…OMG. They baby looked like she was in shock! Never a whimper out of her! I wanted so badly to ask to coddle that little bundle while they were having the time of the lives, but just could not get up the nerve. Idiots…they are everywhere!!! Aside from these beauties it was a pretty productive and fun-filled day. Just a week and a half and we will be home celebrating with family and friends…can’t wait!!! Love to all.
December 6, 2009
Sunday
Lousy weather today!
70*
When we got home last night it started to rain so we opted to leave all of our good in the car to unload today. We were up early, unloaded and returned the car and restocked with all of our purchases. It was down-right cold! Not much to do on a day like today, but Barry managed to find something to do in cleaning our and reorganizing the storage closet in the aft cabin…he is such a good organizer and it is back to its original state of wonderful! He pulled out the 2nd computer to find it is not working…and why would it be??? That would make life too simple. It seems to need the start up disk, of course, that we don’t have. Hopefully a call to the manufacturer will aid him in his plight. We need that computer as a back up. It is always, always something. We finally settled in to a couple of movies with dinner. A must see movie…Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood. It was a wonderful movie….rent it if it is not available on TV!! Till tomorrow…hugs and kisses to all!
December 7, 2009
Monday
Warm and Sunny
83*
Ah….the gorgeous weather returns! I am wishing Freedom and Blue Blaze great sailing as today is the day they cross over from Florida to the West End. They will make their way south and we will be reunited once again! Safe sailing to them!!! It turned out be a hot day…wrong day to do laundry but it had to be done. Now we are having problems with our “other computer”….this one! AUGH. I can only hope it is an internet problem and not a computer problem. Only time will tell. Tonight I received a message from Laura on Blue Blaze…bad weather detained their crossing, but they will attempt again tonight. Can’t wait to meet up with them.
December 8, 2009
Tuesday
Hot and sunny at 84*
84* may not seem too hot, but for whatever reason it is hot today. Most of the day was spent fighting trying to get the HP computer up and running again… bottom line…it needs a new hard drive and supposedly someone is coming here to replace that….we are not holding our breath! The autopilot is still MIA…I cannot believe this. The manufacturer is working diligently to help us. I can only hope for the best. Now they think perhaps it was received and sent to their “fix it” place from Tulsa to somewhere in California. OMG….help us! The customer service rep has been wonderful and advised she will continue to search for it….what a cluster “thing.” I am trying to be nice! Our only saving grace for the day is Barry pizza tonight! Comfort food! Wish us luck! Nine more days and we will be home….shivering. Love to all.
December 9, 2009
Wednesday
85* and sunny
Oh my, snow at home! So not a good thing….I am not looking forward to traveling about in snow. We did not do too much today because…right…it was too HOT! We did get to the dive shop to speak with Brent about wet suits as we want to purchase them but not too sure of the sizes we would need. We were also hoping to buy used ones from the shop but they will not be available until the end of March and we cannot wait till then. He suggested we try his on for size and we can order them online…and that is what we will do tomorrow.
December 10, 2009
Thursday
79* at 7:30 AM
I can already see it is going to be another hot one. It turned out to be a beautiful, but hot, day. Sunshine all day long. The dive shop was closed when we went up there…everyone is on Bahamian time! He will reopen at 6 PM..smart move on his part as tonight is pizza night and perhaps he can get some business from the tourists. So tomorrow is another day and we shall try again then. Reading and relaxing all day. Blue Blaze and Freedom finally made the crossing and are in West End. Does not look like we will get to meet up with them until we come back after Christmas. Anxiously awaiting their arrival!
December 11, 2009
Friday
73* and dismal
We had quite the rain storm overnight. We failed to close up the aft and everything was soaked this morning…duh! It is very overcast today, but nice and cool. Maybe we can accomplish a few things around the boat today. I have found we are getting very lazy from just sitting around during our long, hot fall days here. We must get our act in gear! I spent a good part of the morning trying to get online! Pat, the manager, evidently is trying to deter stragglers from using the internet. Too many users makes for a very
difficult time getting online and it is effecting us big time. Not sure what is going on but it is not good for us….the paying customers. Tonight as we were relaxing and watching a bit of TV we could smell something burning to discover one of the big ‘ol batteries Barry replaced in Ft. Lauderdale less than a year ago has crapped out. AUGH! AUGH! This is ridiculous. Getting a battery here is not going to be a fun thing to do, and probably very expensive. Also, the autopilot is still MIA! Not such a wonderful day in the neighborhood!
December 12, 2009
Saturday
Warm, cloudy
77*
Not such a great day, again. Cloudy and rain on and off all day. Bill’s boss Gary and wife Kim have been detained from getting here due to plane mechanical difficulties…scheduled to get in tomorrow instead. Again, the internet is painful! We have been told there are some issues with the tower and God only know when that will be repaired. So we continue with on again, off again! Good day to continue with cleaning as there is always something to do. Barry spoke with Brent at the dive shop regarding the battery and it seems a boat will be coming over from Ft. Lauderdale and he will contact them to see if they won’t mind bringing one over for us. That will be a Godsend. One nice thing that has happened was a dolphin sighting in the harbor. It does not happen too often here, but when they take a cruise through it is always a wonderful thing to behold.
December 13, 2009
Sunday
77* with sun and clouds
Gary and Kim arrived….I swear she brings the bad weather with her. Although, it is quite comfortable with the clouds….so I guess not such a bad thing. The internet continues to stress us to the max. Barry managed to get on for a while in search of a receiver for Serius Satellite as it will be a very nice thing to have aboard. Larry also continues to be a live aboard. It seems now that he is here there are less and less flies around….go figure! Bill invited us to a pot luck dock dinner. We brought the home made pasta and clam sauce we were planning for dinner and Bill made lobster salad (delish) and pulled pork. Great dinner, aside from listening to Kim’s woes. OMG she is such a drama queen! Too funny.
December 14, 2009
Monday
Warm and sunny
Barry spent a good part of the day online search for batteries and such. I read by the pool trying to tweak my tan so I won’t be a pale face going home. We have our list of “chores” ready to close up the boat for our return home. I think the highlight of the day was speaking with Robert from Freedom who has entered Green Turtle Cay and just a stone’s throw away from us now, but we will still have to wait to hook up with them and Blue Blaze after our return from vacation and Christmas.
December 15, 2009
Tuesday
85* hot and sunny
We proceeded with closing up the boat. The bikes came in, snuba was put away and all the instruments removed from the bridge. It took us pretty much no time at all and we are ready for cruising once we return from home. An email from the manufacturer of the autopilot advised it has been received…finally…and they have put it on an immediate attention list…a wonderful thing. Hopefully we will receive it when we are home and one problem will be resolved. Barry spoke with the service manager that the batteries were purchased from and he indicated that the battery fault was probably within manufacturing the battery and offered to replace it but that is not a happening since we would have to get it back to Ft. Lauderdale. We are hoping that a defect was the problem that it died and can only wish it is true. Another will be ordered from Marsh Harbour and picked up upon our return.
December 16, 2009
Wednesday
Hot and sunny and 85*
What a gorgeous day…I headed to do laundry and we finished off the day by getting gas for the dinghy and enjoying the last of a wonderful, warm day…only looking forward to cold in RI. Still, I can not wait to visit family and friends. We will endure the cold! We enjoyed dinner at Bill’s boat and said our good byes for now. Heading home very early tomorrow…See you all soon! Love to all.
December 29, 2009
Tuesday
We have returned!
Laura and Jason met us at the pool when we arrived….only to be joined by Roberta and John and, our now new friends, David and Cheryl along with Ollie…the Taco Bell dog! We soon headed out to Freedom for an impromptu dinner…delish as always. What a wonderful homecoming! Our only disappointment was Theresa (our cabbie) not being able to pick up the new battery from NAPA…as NAPA claimed they knew nothing of the battery purchase. Evidently…we are back in the Bahamas and the crazy happenings that always happen here. We will deal with it.
December 30, 2009
Wednesday
73*
We unpacked for a good part of the day and got the watermaker back on track! Sea Fox is back to normal and we hooked up with our cruising friends for dinner. Yummy lobster dinner with accompaniments, and very much partying throughout the evening….a very late evening not ending until 2 am. This was OUR true New Years Eve party. Typsy Seagull was busier than we had ever experienced! Great music and mega people like we have never seem before. It was soooo much fun! We are back on track and we are loving it! So great to see our cruising buddies once again.
December 31, 2009
Thursday
76* and gorgeous
Barry rented a van and the troop, minus Jason and David who chose to go bone fishing instead, hopped in and headed to Marsh Harbor. First stop was NAPA to scoop up the battery and then on to a shopping excursion. Liquor store, market, nursery, etc., along with lunch at The Jib Room. Lunch was great at the Jib Room was delish, with a wonderful view of the harbor. The van was packed to the max capacity! Everyone shopping and stuffing items into the van with the thought of provisioning our boats to move on soon. Once we returned to Treasure Cay we unloaded our goods and John returned to Sea Fox and assisted Barry in the exchange of the dead to new battery! Gotta love John! He needs a big thank you for his assistance! Ahhh…all is good.
Our New Years Eve dinner was Mexican by choice and, as usual, very good. Typsy Seagull was jammin’ on till the wee morning hours. I was very disappointed that the internet was not working to my expectations and could not call my beloved children and family to wish them a happy New Year….but one must take the good with the bad, and will try again in the morning.
