Transitions

Tuesday, March 5

It is amazing how time flies. Apparently we have lapsed into the Bahamian
lifestyle. Recent visitors asked us about our typical routine. The best answer
we had was, "you'll see, the days slip by, there are few plans. We plan the next
few hours, not the next few days". Much time is spent getting to know new
friends, we are less project oriented, a big change for both of us "productive
people".
We spent ten days up around the northern end of the Abacos, visiting Green
Turtle Cay which we had enjoyed when arriving in December. We had an
enjoyable time, even though we got weathered in for a week. We had intended
to anchor at some of the small deserted islands up here but the weather didn't
cooperate. Instead we took a dock for five days and got acquainted with some
great people staying here at The Bluff House Marina. This is one of our favorite
marinas, with a great, friendly staff and good prices right now.
From Green Turtle we headed up to Manjack Cay to anchor in a protected bay
and were joined by four other boats we had befriended in Green Turtle. We
invited the other four couples to our boat for Happy Hour and a potluck dinner.
"Last Waltz" provided fish that had been caught by Jason, the dockmaster at
Bluff House and I grilled the mutton snapper which was fabulous and enjoyed
by all. The evening was one of the highlights of the trip for us. Of the five couples
present we had two Canadian couples, an Australian couple, a Texan couple and
us. What a great group.
Carol and I were discussing what makes the cruisers we've met so enjoyable
and we figured it is the fact they are doers not just talkers, they are positive in
their outlook, don't gossip and realize how special it is to be doing this. Nearly
all have them have had to deal with maintenance issues with things on their boat
but take it all in stride.
Our friends, Doug and Pat Reichenbach spent a week with us and it was fun
visiting some of our favorite spots with them. The weather dictates the itinerary
but we had fun. Pat got to experience snorkeling for the first time as we snorkeled
off of Nippers on Guana Cay. We saw a few fish and a lot of beautiful fan and
brain coral.
We recently become aware of a serious broken weld on the arch of our boat,
which carries the heavy loads of the sail and needed to address its repair so we
decided to stay at Mangoes Marina in Marsh Harbour to find a welder to repair
it. We nwere fortunate and blessed to be able to take care of it qickly with help
from some of the staff, one of which had a truck to carry the 12 foot, 150 pound
arch in the bed with four of us sitting on it to hold it down. CJ's Welding
graciously welded it the day we called them, fitting us in, and we had it remounted
by dark.  The disassembly and remounting required me to crawl into a very
small compartment to access the backing plates and nuts. Glad to have that
done!
While at Mangoes we enjoyed the daily fresh donuts made by the new chef. I
got spoiled quickly and have been suffering withdrawal since leaving.
Presently we have traveled around the Whale Passage and will enjoya few days
of anchoring at small islands waiting for a weather window to cross back over
to Florida. We plan on crossing with Kankita from Great Sale Cay maybe Monday
night and Tuesday. It will be a 20 hour crossing. When we get back to Florida
communication should be easier.

Crawling in to attach the arch

 

Broken weld at base of arch.

 

Desmond going under a lit limbo bar. How's

that for low, he's in his 40's.