March 2013 : Week 4

This was our last week with friends at Boat Harbour and there were lots of “farewell activities.” First we enjoyed a lovely dinner at Mangoes (Coconut Shrimp) with Margo and Dennis (Pizzazz) who had recently moved their boat over to Harbourview Marina for the month of April.  Then Brian and Lydia who are liveaboards on Luna Blue invited us for afternoon “tea” and a visit after which we showed them our slides from our days of trekking and building schools in Nepal.  And the next day Margaret and Ben invited us over for a farewell dinner of Shrimp Fettucini aboard “Diva.”  “Alesto” had recently arrived from a season in the Exumas and we arranged to meet with them at Wally’s for lunch.  The day before they had leased a car for the day and unexpectedly experienced a harrowing drive through a wildfire with flames leaping up on either side of the road as they made their way south to Sandy Point!  These uncontrollable wildfires happen here all the time with the Bahamians completely unequipped to deal with them.  Local hunters apparently light small fires to flush wild pigs from the bush but these fires almost always get out of control with smoke and flames a constant threat during the 3 years we’ve been here.

On  March 28th, we enjoyed a final breakfast with Ben and Margaret at “Anglers,” said goodbye to our friends on Dock 4 and headed north toward Spoil Island where I hoped to spend a final afternoon collecting shells. But once outside of the harbour, Tom and Diane on “Minden” spotted our boat and suggested that if conditions were “right” we should attempt to cross the “The Whale” together instead.  So that is what we did!  The tide was running out and the Atlantic confused and choppy but the winds were 12knots out of the north with waves only 4’ and once we left the southern Whale Passage and began rounding The Whale itself the waters settled down into predictable swells and it wasn’t all that uncomfortable.  Although another boat travelling with us thought “otherwise” and ended up turning back after saying “This isn’t what we signed up for--it’s supposed to be fun--we’ll try another day!”  I guess after all these years, we’re becoming hardened “old salts” used to rough conditions. When we reached the relative calm of the northern side, we headed for the anchorage at Manjack where we anchored for the night along with 16 other boats.  When Mike and Georgie on “Alcyon” saw us leave that morning, they suddenly decided to go to--but we had an almost 2 hour head start on them and so they ended up crossing without us.  About 4:00 however, they too arrived at Manjack and dinghied over to our boat to invite us aboard for drinks and dinner.  The lasagne was good, the company great and the wine cold--another very happy ending to an almost perfect day.

The next morning however, was anything BUT perfect!  After waving goodbye to Alcyon and watching them sail away towards Great Sale and the USA, we began hoisting our own anchor. However, once we were “free” and I was in control of the boat, I discovered to my horror that I had no control over the gearshift whatsoever--something was terribly wrong with the transmission.  Vince quickly dropped our anchor back overboard and we prayed for an instant “catch.”  With so many other boats around us in the anchorage, we didn’t want to run into one.  When the engine was inspected, he found that the shaft had pulled free from the engine and therefore the gears could not engage. Had this happened the day before, on a passage round the Whale, it could’ve been disastrous for us.  As it was we were in a safe anchorage, only a few miles away from Abaco Yacht Services and we had sails on our boat to get us where we wanted to be.  Wind conditions were also ideal.  And so we sailed off the anchor and slowly made our way to Green Turtle anchoring--again under sail--just off the beach at Bluff House where we decided to spend Easter Weekend.

March - Week 3

Valerie Arden under tow. A true sailboat - no engine

After we all recovered from “Margarita Madness” and the really beautiful weather was back for good (we hope!) once again, everyone was anxious to “get out!” Despite the good times together, as cruisers, we were all suffering from “cabin fever” and desperate to set sail.  Everybody left!  A weather window had opened up to safely cross the gulf stream back to America which lured several boats away, and a big convoy set off for the annual “Barefoot Man” drunken party and rock concert on Guana.  We were one of only a handful of boats that stayed behind because Vince had been asked to help a fellow cruiser.

The boat “Valerie Arden” had been crippled earlier in the season when her engine was dismounted and a hole pieced her hull.  Now she had to get back to the US solely under sail with no engine controls.  And she was afraid to cross around the “Whale” in those conditions.  Bob on “Shade-Mor” promised to help and he asked Vince and Jim on “Ilsa La” to join him in a towing operation.  Early Saturday morning the little group left in two dinghies, tied on either side of Valerie Arden, and motored out of the harbour.  Once safely away, they tied a strong 100’ line to the stricken vessel and one of the dinghies--actually it was more than just a dinghy--it was really a small motoring tender with two big engines--and towed the sailboat out into the Atlantic and around “The Whale.”  The voyage was a success and once back into the safety of the Bahamian Banks at Green Turtle Cay, Valerie Arden hoisted her sails and jib and began her slow “safe” sail to Memory Rock.  Here, Boat US was scheduled to meet them and tow her back across the gulf stream to the USA.  If this engine problem had happened in the Exumas, the boat would’ve been stranded “on its own,” with no possibility of rescue.  Another example of why we like being here, relatively safe, in the Abacos.  Vince, Jim and Bob arrived back later in the afternoon and the next morning, we too took off in our boat leaving the marina virtually  deserted.

We spent the next few glorious days with “Diva” at Hopetown in Elbow Cay.  We were lucky to arrive in time to pick up two mooring balls in the harbour and the place was packed!  We loved being “out” bobbing comfortably in our boat surrounded by life and activity--so different than sitting safely in our slip at Boat Harbour with nothing to look at except other boats sitting quietly in their slips too.  Here there was always something “new” to look at--pretty pink cottages, a lush shoreline, and busy commercial activity--whenever the wind shifted the boats position.  At night cool breezes filled our berth as the boat rocked us to sleep--Bliss!  It was a really short dinghy ride to  shore where we spent a whole morning exploring the many interesting shops, cafes, and little twisting lanes that run through the village.  We had a magnificent Rib-Eye dinner at the old establishment “Harbour Inn” the first evening and the next morning I was up bright and early on a “shelling expedition” with my friend  Muffin and her dog Lucy from “Antares.”

We found lots of wonderful treasures on the beach and the water was glorious--all green and turquoise with lots of wind and waves--a really exhilarating experience. We made new friends--Jane and Ron aboard “Rachel” and were invited on yet another yacht for drinks and happy hour along with “Diva”.  On our final day Vince and I rose early and set out of the harbour in our dinghy which we got “up on a plane” zooming along at a very fast pace toward our special shelling destination.  We arrived in under 10 minutes, and while I collected even more shells, Vince read his novel in an Adirondack chair under a palm tree.  We met up later for breakfast at Seaview Marina and then headed on back to Hopetown.  We left on a high tide about noon and were safely back at Boat Harbour about an hour later--just in time for Mahjongg and showers.  We REALLY loved being here at Hopetown.  It is SO different and better in many ways than Boat Harbour.  But we love the people at Boat Harbour.  If only we could transport the whole club to Hopetown, it would be absolutely perfect.  But we will seriously consider spending at least a month here next season.  And maybe a few of the RMHYC boats will do the same thing.  But if that doesn’t happen, we’ll start another Bocci and Mahjongg group in Hopetown, if one doesn’t already exist.

Dinghy drift in Hopetown Harbour

FORTNIGHT in Hopetown Harbour

March - Week 2

Cheer leaders at bocce ball finals

This week was for us the culmination of all wonderful things.  It began with two special events for the both of us.  Bocci season came to an end and Vince was involved organizing the final playoff day that ended up involving most of the club.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather.  The sun was shining, the temperature “just right” for an afternoon out of doors and spectators turned up in droves to enjoy the fun.  Brian from “Roving Seas” made punch all afternoon which was served “free of charge” to everyone.  And at the end, when the prizes of two bottles of rum were presented to this years tournament winners, they were empty--the crowd having drunk everything they could lay their hands on.  What a hoot!  The old girls even showed up as cheerleaders with home-made red “pom-poms”!  It was a very memorable afternoon and deeply satisfying for Vince who was instrumental in organizing  Bocci this season.

The next day was my day to be happiest.  I had been playing bridge with the club group this year and was invited by Brenda from the yacht “Brenda J” to accompany her to a bridge year end luncheon at the Jib Room.  This in itself was something I was looking forward to doing, but it ended up actually being something else entirely--and so much more wonderful.  Because when we arrived, I was stunned to find the place filled with over 30 friends--most of them club members I had taught to paint-- all shouting  “SURPRISE!!” when we walked in.  It was a special luncheon held in my honour for teaching water colour again this year!  After our lunch there was a presentation of a gift certificate of dinners at “Wally’s” restaurant--my favourite place, photographs and lots of good wishes from many friends.  They had also arranged for a picture album of photos taken this year during the classes, to be sent to my home so I’m really looking forward to getting back and seeing that.  And I will treasure it always--something to look through and “remember” when I eventually get to an old age home.  

The next day I met with Fran (Tourelou) and Diane (Minden) for more water colour lessons and that was the day that I finally decided to start my own painting.  I haven’t actually done a painting myself for more than 35 years, so this was a real break through for me.  The week ended with another celebration:  “Margarita Madness” on the beach.

190 tickets were sold to this event and the beach at Boat Harbour and when we arrived the venue was already filled with cruisers and “dirt dwellers” having a good time.  The fun began at 3:30 with an open bar in the thatched Tiki Hut serving unlimited free liqour, wine and margaritas.  I downed 3 glasses of Pinot in quick succession and after that was a VERY happy camper for several hours, just sitting back comfortably with friends and enjoying watching everything unfold all around me.  There were silly games on the beach--water balloon tosses and sand skiing--and a simple dinner of hamburgers, sausages, cole slaw, potato salad and gigantic cookies afterwards.  When the sun went down a huge bonfire was lit on the sand and there were s’mores and even more fun.  I left early however.  After the meal and all of that wine, I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed--still very happy.  Vince stayed for the bonfire and joined me a few hours later.  This was a really great week.

Standing room only at bocce finals

March - Week 1

Linda's water colour class

The cold continued this week, with added rain.  Ugh!  So when it was at it’s worse we escaped from the outside and went “in,” heading off to Mangoes for a wonderful coconut shrimp dinner with Margo and Dennis from Pizzazz--their treat--even better!!  Dennis was having trouble with his engine--so he thought--very sluggish, and they were preparing themselves to spend thousands on an overhaul until Vince showed up.  He donned diving gear and inspected their prop which was covered with several inches of barnacles and other nasty growth.  After spending the better part of an hour cleaning it off for them, the engine roared to life once again and they were most grateful.  So that was added cause for our celebration at Mangoes.  

We “holed up” during the worst of the weather this week with DVD’s lent to us by other cruisers and enjoyed watching “Argo” and “Impossible”.  We also viewed lots of home renovation programs on HGTV--a perverse activity that I’m addicted too.  I think in my next life I’ll come back as an architect or building contractor instead of a teacher!  It’s something that Vince and I always seem to be involved in each summer of our life together.  The cold fronts finally left us towards the end of the week and the sun came out once again along with seasonal temperatures just in time for this years RMHYC Arts and Craft Show.

We began “set up” for the show March 6th and it was a lot fun getting everything ready for the big event.  That night, Ellen and Woody on “Double SS” invited us over for dinner with Sue and Ron on TK3 and we all spent a wonderful evening together in anticipation of the next day.  This years “show” ended up being the best yet! The displays were marvellous, we had hundreds of spectators, the bar was open all afternoon and everyone spent a great afternoon viewing the art, talking to the exhibitors, and enjoying their drinks in the sunshine on the terrace outside the venue. One whole wall was covered with the lovely water colours that my “students” had produced this year and both Susan and I were interviewed about the event and our parts in making it happen, by a reporter from the “Abaconian,” the Island newspaper.   After the show we all went over to Anglers where they had prepared a “special dinner” for the club as the final climax to a memorable day.  

Class work displayed at RMHYC craft show

February - Week 4

I have been really “bad” at keeping up this blog.  Because even though it “says” Week4, it’s actually March 21st today!!  We have been SO busy having fun and doing things that I’ve completely neglected my writing. So--I can either write a very long blog describing many events that happened over the past 4 weeks, or actually try to write 4 individual blogs from memory.  I will attempt the latter, but they will be uncharacteristically short.  So here goes:

After we left Legacy we returned to Boat Harbour just in time for “Fish Tasting!”  The RMHYC “fleet” had been out in full force and were so successful that the days haul was BBQ’ed up for the whole club to enjoy.  We all brought hors d’oeuvres and drinks up to the tent at dock 5 and spend a wonderful few hours together eating fish and getting smashed.  And the next day, with sanity prevailing once again, it was all about walking, water aerobics, mahjongg and bocci.  On the 26th we attended the annual club outing for “Meatloaf Dinner at Jamies”--a local Bahamian dive with great food at reasonable prices.  We should’ve asked for “doggie bags” and split up our meal, but we didn’t think of that until it was too late and we were completely stuffed with meatloat, mac ‘n cheese,  peas ‘n rice, salad and too much drink.  Oh well.  Maybe next time.  The next day there was more Mahjongg, Bocci and cocktails at 5.  And then Legacy showed up again.  They had guests arriving from Kansas City and we all spent some time together at the Abaco Beach Resort the first day they were here.  Unfortunately, I think they brought the horribly cold northern weather with them and we actually had to wear long-sleeved tops or jackets for the next few days.  It wasn’t actually all that cold--maybe high 60’s.  But there were overcast skies and howling winds that made it feel much worse.  The weather here this year has been really strange--but still much better than if we were either back home or anywhere else in the USA so we’re not complaining.  And we have all the comforts of home here on the boat  plus we are surrounded by good friends.  When it comes right down to it, at this time in our lives it’s all about health, comfort and friends. And this year, at Boat Harbour in the Bahamas, we are blessed to have all three.

February - week 3

Commodors Ball

This week the skies cleared, the sun shone, the temperature rose and all was right, once again in this part of the world--paradise found!  This too was the week of the greatly anticipated “Commodores Ball”.  And this year, Heather, Sue and the ladies from dock 5 went all out to make this the most spectacular event of the season.  The theme was “The Sands” (as in the Sands nightclub in Vegas during the Rat Pack era) and everyone was dressed to the nines.  The venue was aglow with hundreds of tea lights, tables elegantly draped with white and red cloths and chairs festooned with ivory covers tied back with lengths of red chiffon. There were tall calla lilies as centre-pieces on each table and life-sized “cut-outs” of “ole blue eyes Sinatra” and Dean Martin.  Guests were greeted with free glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres (stuffed mushrooms and mini quiches) followed by a main course which featured lobster topped chicken and a stuffed beef roll. There were salads, rolls, and creme brullee for dessert followed by coffee, liquor and wine which flowed all night long.  After dinner we danced to the sounds of the 60’s and everyone enjoyed an evening that we will never forget. 

The next day we rose bright and early and after a quick coffee and cocoa cast off our lines and headed out for a few days of adventure. Our friends Ron and Pam aboard “Legacy” had recently returned from a season of sailing through the Exumas and we were eager to get together again and share news and good times.  Both of our boats arrived at Guana at about the same time and after setting our anchors in the protected Fisher’s Bay waters, the four of us set off in “Scout”--”Legacy’s” tender--to collect shells on “Spoil Cay”.  By noon we had bagged more than enough “treasures” to last us a while and decided to dinghy over to the restaurant at “tony” Baker’s Bay” resort for lunch.  We enjoyed drinks (Kaliks for Ron& Pam, white wine for me and coke per usual for Vince--some things just don’t change!) pizza, and grilled steak crostinis dockside where we watched guests coming and going and enjoyed the 80 degree weather in the shade  outside at the bar.  Perfect!  We returned to our mother ships mid-afternoon and, after a “nap” Ron stopped by to pick us up for a dinner aboard Legacy.  We dined on Wahoo which Ron had caught and cinnamon crumb cake (which I had prepared--compliments Betty Crocker.)

Over the next two days the sun continued to shine and temperatures remained in the 80’s.  We walked the long expanse of Guana Cay beach, enjoyed burgers and fries for lunch, spent another blissful night rocking at anchor and then left for Matt Lowes Cay where we trespassed on this absolutely exquisite private island--playing bocci ball at the high tide mark, collecting shells and lolling in the shallow turquoise water along the shoreline.  Nothing “bad” happened--nobody came rushing out of the bushes with dogs to scare us off, so we’ll probably do this again some day, since it was so beautiful there.  I also began water colour lessons with Pam and Ron who both produced two lovely paintings during our time together.  Our last night at anchor we celebrated with a rib dinner aboard Legacy--payback for the painting lessons--and polished off two or three bottles of wine.  And Vince went through 2 whole cans of coke!  We returned to Boat Harbour Sunday morning, and did very little but kick back in the cockpit for the rest of the day reminiscing about the wonderful week we had just enjoyed.

                                           Linda getting ready for the ball.

                                           On the way to the Ball.

Ron and Pam's boat LEGACY

February 2013 - week 1 - BEACHES resort in Turks and Caicos

                                           Italian village pool at Beaches

                                          French village pool

                                           French village

                                            French village restaurant

Not many people get to enjoy a holiday within a holiday.  But that’s exactly what we did this week when we left our winter holidaying place in the Abacos for a week of pampering at “Beaches Turks & Caicos”.  Despite being only about 350 miles away as the crow flies, it was a long day getting there.  We had to be up before 6:00am to catch the Bahamasair flight from Marsh Harbour to Nassau where we had breakfast followed by a 4 hour wait at the airport before boarding “Air Turks & Caicos” for the flight into Providentiales, the capital.  From there it was a short taxi ride to the “Caribbean Paradise Inn” where we had reservations for the first night.  Our arrangements with “Beaches” was for a week from Sat--Sat., but since there were no flights to/from Nassau over weekends, we had to make bookings at an alternate hotel for nights on each end of the week.  Bummer.  But it DID mean a longer holiday in a new place away from the boat--so it was all good.

On Saturday morning after enjoying a good breakfast at the Caribbean Paradise Inn, we      took a taxi over to Beaches.  This place is indescribably gorgeous!!  Pictures can never do it justice--although we have included a few at the end of this blog to give just a taste of what we experienced.  The resort is comprised of three integrated “villages’’--French, Italian, and Caribbean--each with it’s own distinctive architecture and restaurants.  The landscaping, which ties it all together with lush greenery, masses of flowers and cobblestoned walkways is absolutely incredible.  Three luxurious swimming pools form centrepieces in each village (see photos) and there is a beautiful crescent shaped beach of thick white sand dotted with thatched palapas, and  comfortable loungers facing out towards clear turquoise water.

The Beaches Resort is all-inclusive which means that after you pay the very hefty price-tag which comes with staying there, you need never open your wallet again. Gourmet meals (your choice of 10 themed restaurants), drinks, snorkelling, scuba, sailing, kayaking, water slides, surfboarding (plus lessons) floor shows, nightclub, games, childrens day-camp, you name it--it’s all included!

Last year when we stayed here with Julie, Dan and the grandchildren, we all booked into separate rooms at one of the large complexes.  But after seeing the oceanside “villas” complete with round the clock butlering service available to a “select few,” Dan & Julie decided to “do it in style” this year and reserved one for their family.  (You only live once).  We were invited to join them--and were given our own massive room featuring a kingsized 4 poster bed and sunken tub--within the villa, and asked only to contribute the cost of what we would’ve paid had we reserved the same room as last year.  So it was win/win for us all.  Dan got the villa subsidized by us and we got to stay in accommodations we could only dream about.

Our butler provided us with cell phones and was only a “call” away at all times.  He anticipated our every need, stocking our refrigerator with our favourite soft drinks, wines and spirits and surprising us with platters of shrimp, hot lobsters with drawn butter, fruit and cheese trays, and plates of assorted pastries at all hours of the day!  He also arranged for us to have our own private covered cabana poolside, complete with loungers, dining area, and a cooler stocked with ice and drinks.  Similar arrangements were made when we wished to lounge around the beach and we felt like royalty being pampered within these luxurious “set-ups” while everyone else walked the beach looking for empty loungers on which to sit. The butler also made all of our dinner reservations, and actually accompanied us to the restaurants of our choice, taking us right into the dining room and seating us at special tables that he had “set up” with floral arrangements in advance of our arrival so we never had to “wait.”

When we weren’t being pampered by butler service we spent a lot of quality time with our little family.  There were long walks on the beach, snorkelling along the reef, sailing with the kids in small boats, swimming the pools and off the beach, building sandcastles, geo-cashing, looking for shells, watching the evening “shows” together, as well as quiet times with just the two of us enjoying a fabulous dinner together or curled up with books on one of the “beach beds”. Matthew even got to parasailing and deep sea fishing with Dan.  This was a really unbelieveable week and we all had so much fun together that we booked it again for next year.

But all good things must eventually come to an end and on Saturday morning Feb. 9th we said goodbye to our family--the Saryas--as they headed off by taxi to the airport.  We spent the rest of the day enjoying the delights of “Beaches” and then left in our own taxi for another 2 nights at the Caribbean Paradise Inn.  When we arrived we were so exhausted from having too much to eat, drink and “do” the previous week that Vince opted to take a nap while I lounged out on the terrace with my novel and a glass of champagne.  I had just settled comfortably into my chaise when I heard voices shouting “surprise!!” which I thought was coming from the room next to ours.  It wasn’t.  It was coming from OUR room.  And when the faces of Julie and Lilly suddenly appeared outside our sliding glass door, I really WAS surprised!!  Apparently their flight had been cancelled due to mechanical problems and everyone on board was given a free nights stay at a hotel plus meals.  Luckily Dan had remembered the name of the Inn where we were staying and requested to go there to join us.  (And we had thought we were in for a relatively boring 2 more days!)  Instead, we joined them as they settled into their room and then we all walked the relatively short distance to “downtown” where we bought ice cream, and browsed through the boutiques and island grocery store.  Then it was back to the Inn for a leisurely dinner a good visit and finally, into bed.  

We saw them off early the next morning for a second time and spent the rest of the day walking along the beach and reading our novels.  On Monday morning we finally headed back to the Bahamas, leaving the hotel at 7:00am and arriving back at Boat Harbour just before 5:00.  Another very long travelling day!  But this one too had a surprise ending when Fran and Tony welcomed us back with an invitation to join them along with Margaret and Ben from “Diva” for dinner aboard their yacht “Tourelou”--the perfect ending to a perfect holiday.

                                                                  Carrabean village pool

                                                                 Our villa in the Carabean village

                                                                  Some of the toys along the beach

                                                                  The family at lunch

                                 Linda with Brenda and her painting.

                                  A day at the races at Abaco Beach Resort.

JANUARY 2013 - week 4

This was another busy week of fun-filled activities starting off with a delicious steak dinner at the “Jib Room” with 119 RMHYC members in attendance!!  Wanting to be assured of comfortable seating INSIDE--it can get cool and breezy in the evenings--I came up with a scheme to guarantee that we’d get the best tables in the house.  This involved heading off extra early with 3 friends and a Mahjongg game which we then set up at a centrally located inside table for 8.  After ordering drinks, the 4 of us then played Mahjongg for a few hours until our husbands, along with everyone else began arriving.  We had wonderful seats, a pleasant afternoon of Mahjongg, and lots to drink followed by  great dinner and the comraderie of all of our friends well into the evening hours.  

The next day it was back to the watercolour classes and breakfast out at the Abaco Beach Resort with Margaret and Ben from Diva--their treat.  Over the weekend we were invited to a wonderful brunch aboard “Magnum Opus” with Rita, Bob, and John and Diane from “Duetto”. Then it was off to a “Day at the Races!”--another club event where we all dress up in fancy hats--like the English at “Ascot”--and bet on toy horses which compete with each other after a roll of the dice.  This sounds really silly but it’s actually a lot of fun--especially after a few drinks.  (You have to BE there to appreciate this).

The week ended on a very satisfying note with 5 more painters completing and matting their water colours.  Now virtually everyone has finished their pictures and they ALL turned out beautifully.  It was a real “slog” this month but I actually loved every minute of it. Now it’s over--been there, done that!  And the club produced 18 lovely paintings and I have ended up with several more bottles of wine that were given to me by grateful artists.  So we all win!

On our last night of the week--tomorrow we leave for the Turks & Caicos--”Diva” invited us over to their boat for dinner.  Since we have to unplug our refrigeration system while we’re gone, we’d been eating all the “odds & ends” (aka more fish!!) during the past week and the cupboard was literally bare.  So we were very thankful for their thoughtfulness.  Needless to say, we enjoyed yet another wonderful evening of pampering with this great couple which was then topped off with the happy anticipation that always comes the night before we leave on another adventure.  And tomorrow, bright and early, we look forward to flying off to the luxurious “Beaches Resort” where we’ll meet with Julie, Dan and the grandchildren for even more fun.

January 2013 - WEEK 3

                              RMHYC chefs getting ready for SOUPER BOWL

This week was all about Water Colour Lessons, Bocci Ball, Mahjongg and good times with RMHYC friends.  And by the end of the week 8 painters had completed and matted their pieces with several artists beginning a second painting.  I have been working with everyone each morning from 8-12 Monday to Friday and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and it has really paid off.  Every painting completed to date is wonderful and each artist happy, and proud and what they have produced. So it’s all good.  Even Vince has joined the classes this year.  And he too is almost finished his first water colour.  Most afternoons and on weekends, we just kick back and enjoy our “games” with friends.

The absolute highlight of this week had to be the “Souper Bowl” Tuesday Jan.15th.  This was SO much fun!  Earlier in the year the men were challenged to a competition involving their prowess as chefs.  Everyone was invited to prepare their very best soups to share with the club at a special “gala” event.  Sixteen of our members rose to the challenge cooking up a storm all afternoon and really “wowed” us with the results that evening.  When we entered the party tent, the first thing we saw was a long table at one end behind which was a line of 16 proud chefs all wearing tall white “bakers” hats with ladles in hand and standing in front of 16 large steaming crocks of amazing soups!  Additional tables at either end held bowls of salads and an assortment of specialty breads.  For dessert there were “tastings” of cheesecake, brownies and bread pudding--with 3 samples of each in small dessert plates.  Strands of sparkling “icicles lights festooned the walls and each dining table was draped with a colourful tableclo and seashore themed centre piece.  Beautiful!  After drinks at the bar, we were all invited to sample as many soups as we could handle with each chef ladling his specialty into small sampling cups which we then collected and took back to our tables.  My favourites were the fish chowders--incredible!  Afterwards there were awards given to the winners in each soup category, and then coffee and lots of music and dancing.  And we all went home thoroughly stuffed with too much to eat and some of us “pickled” with too much to drink.  This was the first year the club tried this type of event, and unexpectedly, it was so much fun that I’m sure we’ll be doing it again in future years.

On Sunday Jan 20th, Judy and Bob invited 44 of us to join them aboard their luxurious yacht “Shade Mor” for a day trip to Guana Cay.  They couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful day!  The sun was shining, a soft breeze blowing and the temperature a warm 78 degrees.  Everyone brought drinks and either an hors d’oeuvre or dessert to share with the group.  And the trip with absolutely delightful!  It took just under an hour to travel over to Guana and back with several hours ashore to explore the island and arrange for lunch.  We went over to “Grabbers” to dine with Magnum Opus, Brenda J and a couple who have a villa on Great Abaco and then I left the group to go shelling off by myself while Vince soaked up the sun and scenery in an armchair at “Pirates Cove.”  We arrived back at Boat Harbour just after 5:00 and although cocktail hour was scheduled for 5:30 we were all too satiated and tired to bother--preferring instead to simply relax on our own boats after a day of intense but gratifying socializing with friends.

Later in the week conditions calmed right down and a couple of boats ventured out into the Atlantic to fish.  They returned with a huge catch and we were offered a share of the bounty.  Jack on “Sea Food Searcher” brought us some Grouper fillets and the next day Jim from “Fennders” came with Wahoo.  Then there was even MORE from Jack--this time thick Mahi Mahi steaks which “Pizzazz” offered to freeze for us.  It’s been fish, fish, fish! for dinner all week except for last night when the club gathered once again--this time for steak at the Jib Room.  How different this all is from what we’d be doing back in Canada at this time of year.  We are really blessed!

January 2013 WEEK 2

This week started off with disturbing news.  A young couple registered as guests here at the Abaco Beach Resort--of which Boat Harbour is a part--had simply vanished without a trace!  They had arrived, rented a 26’ “Wave Runner’’ shortly after settling in, and had not been heard from since.  All of their belongings were still in their room--but they never returned and were presumed lost at sea.  The coast guard was called in to help in the search and everyone in the Abacos was told to keep a sharp lookout for their boat.  After 4 days, there was still nothing.  But I--ever the skeptic--was not completely convinced.  And although everyone else was feeling sympathy and sorrow, I voiced the possibility that it “could” be a scam.  Maybe they had simply stollen the boat and motored away happily into the sunset.  I was soundly chastised by Vince for thinking so pessimistically, but we’ll see.

This was also the week that I began “water colour” lessons to any members of the RMHYC interested in learned how to paint.  We had a great turn-out with 12 new “students” and a handful of “old” ones that I worked with last year.  I scheduled  three formal lessons involving 1.drawing, 2. mixing colours, and 3.painting techniques and by the end of the week everyone was ready to start their individual pieces.  I’ll be working one-on-one for the next 2 weeks and hopefully we’ll be ready for a “show by the end of the month.

On Wednesday Vince and I walked over to the “Jib Room” where we met Muffin and Will from Antares for drinks and a Rib dinner.  We had a really wonderful evening with those two old friends with way too much to drink--lots of fun!  And then, at the end of the week we cast off our lines and set sail for 3 days “out and about.”  We anchored just off Man O’ War Cay the first day and, after dinghying in to the marina, explored the island and poked around our favourite haunts.  We bought a lovely handmade toiletry bag at the Sail Shop, had lunch at “Dock & Dine” and then dropped in at a cottage on Dickie’s Cay to pay a visit with Marsha and Barry on “Troubador” who had just arrived from their home in Annapolis.  We knew that these two leased a cottage here for the winter season each year, but we hadn’t seen them since Nov. 2007 and it was great to make contact once again.  They gave us several “leads” on properties that might be available to rent for guests visiting from Canada and we look forward to both following up on these and making arrangements to get together with them again sometime over the next few months.

The next day it was off to Hopetown.  We got a very early start--leaving at the crack of dawn in order to make the “skinny passage” over to an anchorage just off “Fire Fly” and in time to enjoy breakfast at “Sea Spray”--one of our favourite restaurants. We then dinghied into Hopetown Harbour and spent the rest of the morning poking about the town and investigating potential rental properties.  It was a very long day and by early afternoon we were completely zonked, choosing to have a nap onboard--rocked to sleep by gentle waves and a soft breeze.  Utter bliss!  On Sunday--our last day away--we were once again forced to hoist our anchor early in order to sail out on a rising tide.  Had we chosen to stay later than our 8:00am departure we would’ve found ourselves trapped in shallow water for the next 24 hours, and unable to return to Boat Harbour until Monday morning.  This time we chose to spend the day just north of Tilloo Cay.  This really is our very favourite anchoring spot.  The scenery is spectacular with islands completely surrounding the boat and the water is a gorgeous shade of turquoise.  This anchorage is protected from every direction (except west) and is an easy dinghy ride to 3 restaurant/resorts, good shelling areas and Tahiti Beach--easily the prettiest spot in the Abacos.  After a very good lunch at the Abaco Inn--which is now under new management and decidedly more “upscale” than before--I left Vince in a comfortable arm chair with a good book “The Outliers”, while I scoured the beach for shells.  Then it was a fast dinghy ride back to the boat and a frantic sail out of the anchorage on a falling tide with only 6” under the keel!

We arrived back with lots of time to relax before dinner and enjoy end of day drinks with RMHYC friends at the end of dock 5. Apparently there was lots of excitement here while we were gone lolly-gagging around the islands.  The “Wave Runner” that had gone missing earlier in the week had at last been found--abandoned--in West Palm Beach!!  But there was still no sign of the young couple who had taken it out.  Did they in fact meet up with “foul play” or was my skepticism justified after all?  Perhaps we’ll never know.  And that was not all that happened while we were way.  A Haitian boat with 80 immigrants on board was shipwrecked just off Little Harbour, a few miles away--there were 59 survivors--the rest drowned at sea.  And our friends from Boat Harbour--Sherri and Frank on “Lucky Star” lost their boat off Whale Cay!  But I’ll save THAT story for the next blog.  Stay posted!

SHIPWRECKED !!!

Last week at Boat Harbour, we set off in our dinghys with 3 other couples--"Oasis," "Indemnity," and "Lucky Star."  After a delightful lunch at the new marina in Hopetown (and perhaps a little too much to drink!) we lashed our tiny vessels together and enjoyed a memorable "dinghy drift" back to our "mother ships" securely tied up in their slips at ABR.  Sherri and Frank aboard "Lucky Star" had guests the next day.  As a special Christmas present, Frank had invited his son to bring his girlfriend along for a week of boating adventures in the Bahamas. But last Friday, after a successful day of fishing out in the Atlantic aboard "Lucky Star," tragedy struck. About 4 o'clock, as the little group was returning home and approaching the south Whale Passage, the prop of their boat became hopelessly entangled in the hauser of an humongous 1,000lb plus derelict anchor--just waiting to ensnare unsuspecting boats--off the coast of Whale Cay.  There is a beached freighter not far away, just off Baker's Bay.  And it is believed that this anchor was originally part of that wreckage.

"Lucky Star" had been travelling at 25knots along the recommended route when this "entanglement" caused her to stop dead in her tracks knocking everyone aboard off their feet.  Thankfully no one was hurt, including Frank's son who had been riding 30' up on the fishing perch.  How easily he could've been thrown out and into the waves!  And it was a miracle that he was not.  Frank's mind went completely blank. All he could think of over and over again was "What Happened?!  I was ON the route, there are NO reefs, what happened!!"  But Sherri knew instinctively what had happened.  The gut-wrenching sound of their prop and struts being torn out of their boat was like nothing she had ever heard aboard this vessel before--she knew they were sinking!  And when the floorboards were hastily lifted out and water was seen gushing into the bilge, their worst fears were confirmed.

Frank is a very careful man. Before they had set out that morning he had gone over emergency procedures with his "crew" and given everyone a role to play should their lives ever be in peril.  And thank god for that!  At this point about 20 seconds had passed and now their careful preparations kicked into gear.  Frank's son ran up on deck as he had been instructed to do, and deployed the life raft making sure it was securely tied to the boat so it wouldn't float away.  He then rushed back downstairs, grabbed his (and the girlfriends) bags with passports and other essentials, tossed them into the life raft which he then untied and held onto for dear life while everyone else got their acts together.  His girlfriend grabbed the epirb and, unable to think for herself, stood numbly by waiting for someone to tell her what to do and where to go.  Sherri grabbed the lifejackets putting hers on first and then making sure that Oliver the dog was safely secured into his before distributing the others to the crew all the while hysterical shouting "Where's the ditch bag!  where's the ditch bag!"  not realizing that it was hooked onto her arm.  Meanwhile Frank was still in a state of shock--his mind blank of everything except "What happened?"  Sherri, hysterical, shouts for him to call for help.  This brings him back to reality and he sends out a frantic "Mayday! Mayday!" on channel 16 which is picked up by Dive Guana and another boater just off Bakers Bay. But he is still so numb with disbelief that he is unable to speak or think.  And when asked where he is, can't readily reply.  In his confusion he chokes out something about Whale Cay and Green  Turtle--which is all wrong.  Hysterical Sherri then grabs the mike while Frank rushes up on deck to check on Frank and the life raft. 

Two minutes have now passed and Sherri is shocked to realize she's ankle deep in water.  When asked for her co-ordinates she realizes that it's too late to give them!  The screen is blank and the electronics are out!  She is frantic!  "Help us!!  We're sinking!! she shrieks into the mike.  "We're off Whale Cay and Guana!!"  Again wrong.  She finally garbles something about the big wreck.  "I can see the big wreck off Whale Cay!" And then the would-be rescuers finally know where they are. The boat is now sinking fast. They have a hand held radio, epirb, satellite phone, ditchbag and the dog in the life raft.  And everyone but Frank climbs in.  At the last minute he realizes he has nothing of value and decides to go back for his wallet and cash.  When he finally leaves "Lucky Star" which is now listing horribly, he is waist deep in water, in danger of getting tangled up in rigging and forced to swim out to the life raft.  Sherri is still hysterically screaming for help--this time from the hand-held aboard the life raft.  Dive Guana assures her they can be there in 10 minutes.  But when the boater at Baker's Bay replies back with "I see you!  I see you!" relief is immediate.  Those words Sherri says, were the sweetest she had ever heard!  Instantly everything changes.  They watched their boat sink from the relative safety of their life raft all the while taking pictures of the event on their cell phone.  Less than 5 minutes had elapsed from beginning to end. Five minutes!!  And then the boater from Bakers Bay is bumping up against the life raft and everyone is exquisitely happy.  "Lucky Star" is gone--unlucky today.  But before vanishing completely, perhaps its "Luck" was transferred to it's crew, who were very lucky indeed to have survived unharmed, safe, and able to tell their tale of harrowing adventure and brush with death.

BOAT HARBOUR ABACOS JANUARY 2013

The trip back to the Bahamas from Canada was uneventful but too long!  We were up at 4:30am, departed from Toronto on Air Canada shortly after 8:00am and arrived in Nassau at 11:00.  But after that we had a long 6 hour wait in the dingy airport--the “new” facility STILL under construction--until boarding the half hour Bahamas Air flight out to Marsh Harbour at 5:00.  There must be a better way to get here!  We hate leaving in the dark and arriving in the dark  when it’s really such a short hop from here to Toronto.  In April, we’ll check out flights flying directly from Marsh Harbour to North America cutting out Nassau directly.  Hopefully eventually something better will turn up.  But until then--it’s whatever it takes.

Our first week back was phenomenal, weather-wise.  Sunny and warm--77 degrees--every day, winds virtually non-existent and water smooth as glass.  After spending a day provisioning and settling in, we met with Jeff and Sandy on “Oasis” to organize a dinghy convoy over to Hopetown for lunch. What a hoot!  Seven boats made it over in the record time of 15 minutes skimming across the glassy surface at full speed.  But after a great lunch and more than a few drinks later, 8 of us decided to take the “slow boat” home, lashing 4 dinghys together and doing a “slow drift” across the Sea of Abaco to our slips on the other side.  This took considerably longer--almost 2 hours.  But it was two hours of laughter, conversation, and  gorgeous views--we could see the entire sea floor through the still, turquoise water all the way back!  It was virtually snorkelling without the snorkels.

The new marina complex at Hopetown was unbelievable.  When we were last here it was all rubble, concrete and sand.  But what a transformation!  A great little outdoor restaurant forms the centrepiece of the facility and is flanked by a small but exquisitely designed pool (two of them actually, linked with a little waterfall) on one side, and state of the art marina facilities on the other.  There is a range of accommodations for guests as well.  These include rooms with 2 double or 1 kingsize bed plus inroom refrigerator to  spacious 1 & 2 bedroomed apartments with beautiful furnishings, and an expansive upper level deck overlooking the harbour and village. Landscaping and outdoor lounging areas are superb.  We were given a “tour” of the entire facilities and will certainly return-- hopefully with friends and relatives from Canada--at some point in the future. 

We had such a fun time on our day-trip over to Hopetown, that we decided to do it all again the next day to Man ‘O War.  But we awoke to worsening symtoms of a “flu” that we had picked up when home, and had to give it a pass and choose rest & relaxation for the day instead.  Bummer!!  There was even a bigger convoy to Man ‘O War and, once again, a good time was had by all.  We thought that our sore throats and coughs were a result of the drastic temperature change and drop in humidity we experienced back in Canada.  Not!  This same thing happened to us last year too--but it was almost a full week of quarantine then.  It wasn’t so bad this year--only 3 days.  But they were 3 glorious days here--no wind and waves--so rare!  And it was so maddening not to be able to take advantage of them all.  But we DID have Hopetown. (And we are SO spoiled here!)

BOAT HARBOUR - week 1

One of the first things we did after tying up at our slip and registering in at the office, was to check our e-mail.  We had been out of Wi-Fi range for some time and had over 35 unread messages waiting for us--the first of which was confirmation of space “on the hard” at Abaco Yacht Services for this year!  yea!!  We will now be able to leave our boat in the Bahamas every summer and simply fly in for the winter.  No more long drives to Florida, slogging through the ICW, waiting for weeks on end for a “weather window”, dodging thunderstorms and hurricanes, or making the long stressful trip across the gulf stream.  Been there, done that!  And the icing on the cake is the fact that it’s going to cost us half the price that we were paying at our marina in Florida. How good is that?!

Over the next few days, more boats began trickling into Boat Harbour.  The benign weather that we had waited for to cross the Whale had also allowed the many boats trapped in Florida to scoot across to the Islands in relative comfort and at last count there were about 24 RMHYC vessels tied up in their slips--less than half the membership.  But this is normal, as many Bahamian cruisers choose to spend Christmas and New Years back home and cross over in January.  After meeting and greeting with friends we hadn’t seen for over 6 months, we caught up on news and began once again settling into life at Boat Harbour.  We contacted “Clement”--a legitimate refrigeration specialist who spent several days working on our boat problem.  And while Fortnight was “torn to pieces”--cluttered up with tools, tanks of freon, and soldering torches with Vince and Clement toiling over the fridge, I joined the ladies in pool aerobics, walking, rummicube and mahjongg.  We both spent a morning at the Jib Room visiting Muffin and Will on Antares, and later that evening met up with a big group of club members at Mangoes for half price drinks and dinner. 

The next day I joined the girls from Dock 7 at the clubhouse to see what, if any  damage the Hurricane had done to the clubs “Regalia” items.  When we unlocked the storeroom door, we were greeted with a distinctly musty smell and were almost afraid to open the many boxes that held our club T-shirts, jackets, cookbooks, totes, hats etc.  It took us most of the day to drag out all of the boxes of inventory, hang everything up to “air out” in the sunshine and breeze, check for damage, and then put it all away again!  Amazingly everything was in really good shape and plans are now underway for a Christmas sale next weekend to sell off as many of these items as possible to re-stock the clubs “treasury.” Plans are also in the works for our annual “Christmas Gala” with menu details being finalized and party favours created. (And I get to wear a gorgeous new outfit I bought in Florida as a reward for having lost over 50lbs this summer!)

 The sun is shining once again, breezes are dying down and with the weather warming up, life here is almost back to normal.  We’ve really only “just arrived.”  And it’s hard to believe that a week from now we’ll be heading back home to celebrate Christmas with our friends and family.  We are so lucky.  Life is good!

                                   Guana Cay anchorage in the early morning                            

 Hurricane Sandy damage to the beach at Guana Cay.The beach used to be a 1/4 as wide.

               Our good friends Pam and Ron from LEGACY ( taken at NIPPERS)

BACK TO BOAT HARBOUR

On Thursday November 22nd, Vince and I joined “Diva,” “Legacy,” Duetto,” “Argonaut,” and “Tai Chi” for cocktails followed by Thanksgiving Dinner at the Green Turtle Club.  None of us chose traditional “turkey.”  Instead, we all opted for a lobster dish of one sort or another followed by pecan or pumpkin pie--another memorable meal in a wonderful place that we all gave “thanks” for.

The next morning however, it was still too windy to attempt to cross around the “Whale.”  November of 2012 has exhibited completely uncharacteristic weather patterns.  After the hurricane which hit the Bahamas quite late in the season, there have only really been 2 opportunities to comfortably cross the gulf stream to these islands. And temperatures here have been lower than usual--60’s-70’s--with brisk winds adding an additional “chill factor.” Many days have been cloudy with sudden squalls.  Not great vacationing weather.  But still better than staying home.  And cooler temperatures making sleeping on board extremely pleasant. So, over the next few days we continued our regime of socializing, walking the beaches and enjoying breakfast “out” until finally, on Monday the 26th, conditions were acceptable for the “Whale” passage.

We were 2nd in a convoy of 5 boats which left White Sound on the rising tide just after dawn.  There was virtually no wind, swells were 4’- 7’ and it was a very comfortable crossing.  Once over to the other side, we made our way to “Spoil Island” where Legacy was already anchored and collecting shells on the beach.  The sun shone brightly, the water was crystal clear, and we spent a blissful day both on the beach and rocking at anchor enjoying the gorgeous scenery over lunch.  Later in the afternoon we followed Legacy over to Fishers Bay at Guana Cay where we spent the night.

The next morning we were up bright and early to walk the beach and were absolutely shocked to see the changes brought about by the hurricane.  A huge swathe of sand cliff had been swept away for over a mile south of Nippers, and spread along into the surf creating a new landscape of completely flat beach--triple the size it once was!  Million dollar homes are now perched high above the Atlantic at the very edge of the newly formed cliff and all of the wooden stairs that used to connect them to the beach have been swept away.  Before the beach sloped so that at high tide half of the sand on the steep side always remained exposed and a buffer for the water.  Now, with the new “flat” beach, water laps right up to the base of the cliff at high tide.  And the next storm will surely bring down even more of the cliff and eventually the houses that are now sitting perilously close to its edge.  On the up-side, the beach is drop-dead gorgeous and now, for the first time ever, it’s possible to find shells here.

We met up with Pam, Ron, and their boat guest Bill from Legacy while returning to Nippers and played a few games of Bocci Ball with them before returning to our boats.  Later that evening we dinghyed over to Legacy where we enjoyed dinner together.  But the next morning we parted ways.  Another big blow was expected which they planned to sit out at Treasure Cay, while we opted to make our way to our slip at Boat Harbour and meet up with our RMHYC friends.  We tied up here mid-morning--just ahead of the cold front. Only about a dozen boats had made it in so far this season but we received a warm welcome and it felt good to be back at our “Winter Home” once again.

GREEN TURTLE CAY - week 2

  We are still at Green Turtle Cay with a contingent of fellow RMHYC members--all people we really enjoy--Diva, Duetto, Argonaut and Legacy--so even though we haven't been able to get around The Whale yet (6'-10' waves with short intervals all week) we've been having fun nonetheless.  Today there will be 11 of us for dinner at the newly refurbished/reopened Green Turtle Club and we're all eating lobsters! Yum!!  

But all is not "sweetness and light."  Everyone seems to have "boat issues" this year--yours truly included.  We had planned to be around The Whale through a weather window last week shortly after Ben and Margaret on “Diva” arrived.  But those plans were scotched when our refrigeration went on the blink!  No power to the freezer, no cold in the fridge, meat beginning to thaw.  Bluff House took our frozen things into their kitchen and suggested two locals come out and take a look.  Unfortunately that's all they did--spent a few hours "looking" and then leaving with their hefty fee.  The one said we'd just have to "live with it".  The other said he'd come back tomorrow with soldering tools to "fix it".  But after waiting all day on the boat, he never showed.  The next day we called him at 9 and he said he was on his way.  At 11 he said he was just getting his tools together. At 2 we got a similar response.  And then at 5 we just gave up waiting and wasting yet another day on the boat for naught.  We now have blocks of ice in our freezer compartment which, although things don't stay actually frozen, then do stay very cold.  

We then got an e-mail from "Legacy", our friends on the de Fever who were still stuck at Lake Worth.  When then heard of our refrigeration dilemma they leased a car and went from place to place until they were able to find a 12volt cooler for us.  They then loaded it aboard their boat and promised to get it to us ASAP.  As luck (or unluck) would have it, they arrived at Powell the very night we were staging at Manjack for an early passage around the Whale the next morning.  So we passed on that one and met up with them instead. The cooler is now installed and working well.  We'll make another attempt at getting the freezer fixed at Marsh Harbour.  Hopefully there will be someone there who actually knows how these systems work.  

It was great seeing Pam and Ron on Legacy again and we spent several days with them anchored out at Manjack and Powell exploring beaches and enjoying dinner and drinks on their gorgeous yacht.  Then it was back to Green Turtle and on to "Diva" to help fix Ben's boat.  Talk about problems!!  For some reason Ben had taken the fuse out of the battery bank before he left last year and all of the batteries had died--with no chance of resusitation!  Consequently nothing was working on his boat--no refrigeration, no electric toilets, no communications, nada!!  Plus his GPS had also died last year and the new one was waiting for him at Boat Harbour--where he couldn't get to.  Finally, (we think this is the final faux-pax--we hope there are no more) when he hooked up his de-humidifier to drain into his sink over the summer he neglected to open the sea cock so water filled the sink and the weight of the water pulled the sink away from it's supports.  Fun times guys!!  So for the past few days Vince, John, David and Ben have had their hands full to say the least while Margaret, Diane, and I have been playing Mahjonng.  Thank god we're girls!And then Brian and Jan--friends on “Roving Seas” who were still staging at Lake Worth, called Ben on skype and said those fateful words:  "What can we do to help?”  Ben HAD managed to buy one battery here at a cost of $1,000.  And he needs 6 more--but not at those prices.  So now Brian is off to West Marine in North Palm to see if he can get the batteries shipped over to Old Port Cove Marina where John and Cathie Conly on “Fanta-Sea” are also waiting for a window.  And if they both can hoist 3 batteries apiece onto their boats, and cross over without serious "mishap" (you can only imagine!) perhaps Ben "will have his bacon pulled from the fire" after all.  We can only hope.  

While waiting for the next window around the Whale, the guys have in fact managed to get Ben's GPS sent to Green Turtle and installed but the sink problem will have to wait.  Ben and Margaret continue to eat from tins and traipse up to the "loo" at all hours of the day and night at Leeward.  And we ALL want to get the heck out of here ASAP and settle safely and securely into the relative comfort of Boat Harbour.  Until then, we continue to enjoy long walks on the beach and the wonderfully comraderie that is only possible with like-minded friends.

Linda on Manjack Cay - Looking for treasures

Force of hurricane Sandy brought stones and logs up on the beach.

Vince resting while Linda wonders.