We woke up this morning at the crack of dawn....actually, I think it was just before. We were planning on heading to Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island bit the crew made a decision to do the entire crossing to Florida. This passage should take 30+ hours. We will go through the night arriving in Ft. Pierce late in the afternoon tomorrow. Losing cell coverage soon. :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
2016-05-10 - to Little Harbour Cay, Berry Islands
We left this morning around 11 to make the crossing to the Berry Islands. Before leaving you need to gain permission from the harbour control. Harbour control informed us that a cruise ship was about to enter the harbour. We bobbed up and down for 30 minutes and then it came into view. Huge ships these are! We waited until the pilot slid her in beside the Disney Dream. We were on our way. It was a very bumpy ride most of the day causing us to feel a bit queasy (not Kerry, of course). We were fishing (naturally) and caught a very big Mahi again. Dinner is served!
The fun of the evening was putting our fish remains in the water tied to our boat to attract shark friends. As the sun was setting, 3-4 small shadows appeared behind the boat circling in and out for the fish. The Sharks are so cautious - it took them 30 minutes to take one bite. Then, we finally turned off the cockpit lights and went to bed. In the morning, we pulled in our line. No fish and a frayed line remained. I am going to miss hanging out with sharks.
2016-05-07 - in Spanish Wells (last night)
This is our final day in Spanish wells. We pulled away from the dock late afternoon and anchored next to our dear friends on Tanda Malaika. We planned to get together in the evening for a chit chat and sing along with ukuleles. Mycah has a beautiful voice so I let her lead with the vocals. Dylan didn't give her that freedom. Once he heard a Beatles song....he piped in with full vigour! He loved it. Connor spent the night sleeping in their sailbag with his new friend - what an experience! We will be sad to finally say goodbye! ( until we meet again!) :)2016-05-06 - in Spanish Wells
Buddas bus shack
This was supposed to be our last night. We had decided to go out with the crew of Tanda Malaika for a dinner. We chose Buddas! It is a bus that it started as but now boasts a lovely covered patio in the back. It was a nice way to spend our 'last' evening together. Both families paid with credit cards. Unfortunately, only cash was accepted so Belinda (mom) and Kerry had to venture out to the closest/only bank machine. It was several blocks away. Once the waitress learned that they were walking, she sent out the manager who jumped on her golf cart and blasted out of there as if she was apprehending a no paying customer. She was on her way to pick up the parents. We late learned that this was her only speed that she knew. As she was rounded corners on the return, everyone had to hold on for dear life. I understand now that they rent the 'slow' carts to the tourists.
On our way to dinner we met 3 lovely couples who were on their way to dinner as well. They had invited all of us to drop by to the beach for a farewell bonfire. Connor ended up going with the Tanda Malaika crew and we took Dylan home. We always need to work in pairs as it is impossible to lift Dylan to the boat by one person. So, we stick together...
On our way home a pick up truck went by and the occupant yelled, 'Dylan!' It was captain Ron who we met the other night at his dock. He is such a nice man and is so good with Dylan. We will miss him when we leave.
2016-05-05 - in Spanish Wells...still
'Sitting at the dock of the bay'... Is starting to ring through my mind. We are still here at the boat yard. They were busy with a couple of other boats...one that was damaged in last nights storm. When we went to bed we could tell that there was some unsettled weather coming. Our hatches were opened and closed several times as the rains came and went. Then, at some point in the evening, the wind and rain picked up significantly. We later learned that they measured 50 knots just outside the channel. We were solid on the dock but our friends on Tanda Malaika were at anchor in the harbour. As we watched the horizontal rain out our back door, we were hoping that they were ok. I turned our radio on just in case they were having trouble. The boat next to us that was just brought out of the water was having a bit of trouble with their canvas. No one was on board but their canvas top decided to break a support and the whole until was flapping violently in the wind, braking a hole in the top and scratching the fibreglass. It's a large motor yacht and I had sized it up to see if I could secure it for them...but it was two stories
The mom from Tanda Malaika called Kerry in the morning to see is he could assist. Their anchor bridle had broken in the storm and they needed a hand. She was alone with 3 of her kids at the time. All was well, Kerry helped and the store in town is set to deliver brand new lines tomorrow. Her husband just went away...just in time for the storm.
We all joined once again for driveway ice cream and Papa Scoops. We are starting to become familiar in town. As we were walking the employee hollered from her golf cart...'are ya coming tonight?' Of course! We wouldn't miss it. It was a fun walk home. The kids enjoyed skateboarding down the hills. Dylan was even thrilled to have a go!
Friday, May 6, 2016
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
2016-05-04 - in Spanish Wells
We are still on the hard at R + B Boatyard but expected to be completed today.
I just spent the most of the morning gathering supplies to take to a Hatian refugee village on Eleuthera. We were told that several hundred people were living there and could use extra supplies. Our new friends from Tanda Malaika learned about this village yesterday and we planned to go together. We left at noon to make our trip over the channel to Eleuthera. Asking a few locals, we soon found the small path, behind a parked white van. It was dusty, still and very hot. I had noticed that the rocks on the way were worn indicating that this was a well-traversed path.
It led us on a winding rocky hike through the wooded grounds. Soon, the village opened up before us. The homes were small and modest. Several dogs and goats roamed freely and chased each other playfully. We were met by a lovely woman named Michelene who helped us find the person in charge of the village. Another gentleman later opened up the church so we could place our gathered supplies.
We were also hoping to help them with some building projects but, they just completed the project that day and there wasn't anything to help out with. We were hoping to lend a hand, but felt comforted in the fact that the village was being looked after and the residents were supported. We will continue to look for more ways to help out in the future.
After we returned, the crew at the boatyard worked hard to finish the job. They splashed us back into the water late afternoon. We will be on the dock here for one night as they didn't get the job all finished due to the storm moving towards us.
Here is the completed Hi5:
2016-05-01 - in Spanish Wells
Everyday now, we need to be off of the boat in the morning so that they can work on it. It makes for a long day. Days are very warm! We ended up renting another golf cart to whiz arounddmthe island exploring the streets and beaches. We ended up heading to the bridge where local children jump off. We were joined with our friends from Tanda Malaika a spent the afternoon floating in the canal for hours.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
2016-04-30 - to Spanish Wells
We headed back through the Devil's Backbone in the morning. Several other boats were doing the same. Each of them had a pilot to guide them through. The highlight was being greeted by the high speed veery that runs from Spanish Wells to Harbour Island. Luckily we were in a larger area, free of corals!
We landed at the Spanish Wells Yacht Haven for a couple of days of dock time. Laundry, showers, Internet, swimming (pool) are on the menu. We met a foursome of men on a large sport fish in front of us and we chatted about fishing...great to learn some tips from the pros. And...to end the evening we wandered down the road to 'Papa Scoops', a driveway soft serve establishment. Each nigh they boast two flavours. Tonight was fresh coconut and Oreo cookie. They have been doing this for 10 years or so. As we sat and enjoyed our treats several cars and golf carts streamed by the driveway to get their orders.
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