Glad we live on a boat

I am certainly glad we live on a boat. I was beginning to think we were going to have to start loading the animals on the boat. We had rain every day for over a week. I am really not complaining because it was much needed here. The cisterns on the island were getting low. Also the flowers are so beautiful after all the rain. Looks like we were not alone with the rain. Florida got hit much harder than we did. Funny I was watching the NASCAR race and after cancelling yesterday because of rain it was shortened today because of rain -- Guess it is the rainy season.
I have taken advantage of the rain and being here at Pappy's Land to sew. I finished my curtains for the salon. If I do say so my self they look pretty good - excellent if you apply the 10 foot viewing rule.
We have had several dinners and a happy hour with our Friends Barb & Barry on Beach Cruiser and Donna & Jimmy on Christian. BUT they have decided it is time for them to head back to Florida so they are leaving tomorrow.
We have enjoyed 2 baby birds. The first we saw them about 2 weeks ago they were still very furry. We did not see them yesterday or today and I am afraid they have finally gotten big enough to move on. I have taken over 100 pictures of them.

I have included a picture of an Albury Ferry aground -- we don't see that very often.

Happy Birthday to me

Yes today is my birthday -- another 29.
Barbara from Beach Cruiser has been helping me all week on my new curtains for the salon. We have them all cut out and today I finished up curtain #1. Now Paul has decided maybe they are too wide -- 4 days I have worked on ONE curtain.
I have been running everyday.
Tuesday we invited Pastor Randy and his wife Paula from the New Life Bible Church for dinner. We had a very pleasant evening. They are wonderful people.
Wednesday Paul & I went to Marsh Harbour for the day. I went to Ladies Lunch at the Jib room. It is fun to see my friends.
That's about it for this week.

Happy Mother's Day

I went to Church here in Man O War -nice people nice church great Pastor. He and his wife are coming for dinner here on the boat Tuesday.
Janet called soon after I got home. It is so nice to talk to her.
Later in the day Paul called his Mom and I called my Mom.
I also talked to my sister Becky. SKYPE is wonderful.
Update
Last week Paul & I went snorkeling --actually I just swam, off Pappy's Land. Lots of fish and the water was perfect.
Thursday we went to Tahiti Beach.I had a great day. Packed a picnic lunch and the shelling was good.
Friday I went for a short run then we took the dinghy to Marsh Harbour. Paul wanted to check the dinghy motor on Semper Fi. We did some grocery shopping then had lunch with Susan ( Susan's Cove).
Got home in time to cook dinner for our company. Barb & Barry (Beach Cruiser) and Donna & Jim (Christian). I fixed a roast, mashed potatoes,gravy, salad, asparagus, my Italian bread and then a cheese cake for dessert. I thought everything turned out good. They seemed to enjoy it and we had a good time.
Saturday I just sort of frittered away the day. The NASCAR race was another bust for my Carl. I hope he is not as depressed about it as I am.

Tuesday May 5

Jim & Josh at the festival entrance

Wednesday 4/29 Paul took the dinghy to Marsh Harbour. He needed to check on Semper Fi and Spoonbill. He took our grill propane tank and got it filled. He did some grocery shopping.


Thursday 4/30 We left Pappy's Land at 11 to go to Green Turtle Cay for Heritage Days. We planned our departure to arrive at Don't Rock, a passage that can be bad if the waves and or winds are high, soon after high tide. Part of the area is very shallow.
We had a good trip. Don't Rock was no problem.

Don't Rock


We went to The Other Shore Club in Black Sound.
Jim & Josh Jerele from Columbus Ohio were due to come into New Plymouth on the 5:00 ferry. They flew into Treasurer Cay.
Paul & I walked down to the ferry dock. They were not on the ferry. We were a little concerned. Soon after we got back to the boat they came to the boat. They caught an earlier ferry.
They invited us to dinner at the Villa where they are staying with Jim's brother Jerry, his friend Darlene and several cousins.


Villa Pasha



Green Turtle



A look at New Plymouth as we are coming into Green Turtle



Paul waiting for the ferry to come in.


The ferry coming in from Treasurer Cay

I got up Friday and went to run.
Paul & I went to a great lecture on the Blue Holes of Abaco.

Jim & Josh went diving with Brendle on Saturday then they took us to dinner at Laura's kitchen. I had great conch.



Jim "posing"


We saw this Water spout -- or what's left of it, on Saturday. It looked like it was near Treasure Cay. Paul saw it first and by the time he called me and I got my camera it had started to disappear into the clouds.

There was somewhat of a damper on the festival. A 37 year young mother of 5 who helped organize the festival died of a heart attack earlier in the week. Her funeral was Friday at 1. The festival started at 12. They put the activities of the festival on hold for 2 hours during the funeral. She was the wife of the drummer for The Gulley Roosters. They were suppose to perform Friday evening but their performance was cancelled. Kevin, the dock master at The Other Shore Club is the lead singer and we were looking forward to his show.

This is a boat that Joe and Hartley Albury built in Man O War. They had it at Green Turtle for a demonstration.


The Royal Bahamian Police Force Band is always a treat. They put on quite a show.



There were a number of people dressed in period costumes

There was a golf cart parade with about 7 different little princess. ( No Debbie they did not invite me to participate)


This is the conch "cracking" contest. They had to get the conch from the shell and clean it. There was a container they had to fill with conch. The first one to fill his with clean conch won. Willis won.



This is the junior conch horn blowing contest. I have no pictures of the senior because Dave Ralph the editor of the local newspaper here in Abaco was a participant. He was at Green Turtle covering the event and ask me to take his camera to get the pictures of the senior event. I tried to talk Paul into taking our horns. We would have won easily -- yes believe it or not I am better than the woman who won. Paul is much better than all the men.


There was a mini Junkanoo-- it was probably smaller because the lady who died was the head of, among many other things, the local Junkanoo


This is Willis. He was our "chef" at the villa Thursday night, he won the conch cracking contest and he was in the Junkanoo -- he really gets around


We went to a very nice community Church service held on the festival grounds on Sunday. Jim, Josh, and some of their cousins came back to the boat after the service.
We all went out to lunch at McIntosh's.
Jim & Josh brought us back to the boat. We said our farewells and they helped us off with our lines. We timed our departure to go through Don't Rock near high tide.
We went into Marsh Harbour. I called Susan ( Susan's Cove) on the radio and she invited us for dinner. Roger from Agosy and Bob from Pleadies (?) were there also.
We stayed in Marsh Harbour so I could go to Stitch and Bitch on Monday. I did another sea horse painting. I think it is my best yet.
Susan invited us for dinner and games so we stayed another night.
We left a little after 6AM Tuesday morning to come into Pappy's Land soon after high tide.
Barry from Beach Cruiser came by today and set up my Internet. It is working great.

Tuesday April 28

Just a little update.
We are still at Pappy's Land in Man O War and loving it.
We heard from the big group that crossed back to the US last Thursday. They had an OK crossing. I think there are 2 boats from this past season left in Boat Harbour.
I have been running almost every day and enjoying it.
I had lunch at Hibiscus Cafe. Neil is back cooking again and it was wonderful-- except I brought home enough for 2 more meals and a BIG piece of strawberry banana Tort -- fabulous.
Last Thursday was my Mom's 95 birthday. I called her on SKYPE and The satellite phone and both calls had poor connections but I did get to say Happy Birthday. Janet & Ken went to visit her. I called while they were there.
Paul spent 2 days scraping the props. He used the Hooka and was down over an hour both times. They were really crusty.
I went shelling yesterday. It was a very low tide and I found more sand dollars than I have ever found -- my bucket, dag gum I took a small bucket, was full and there were still more left. I also found 16 little sea biscuits -- I passed by the big ones because I have so many. I use the little ones to decorate my sand dollars.
The wind has been blowing 20-30 Knots with higher gust for over a week but the temperatures have been nice and warm and the wind cools things down for good sleeping.
I cut some palm leaves and made a basket -- Paul said it probably would not pass for even a good children's basket but I had fun.
I am posting some pictures I copied from Fred's (Amarse) blog.
Paul is going to Marsh Harbour tomorrow in the dinghy. I decided not to go since the winds are still blowing 20k. He will not take the big boat -- so he can bounce himself around -- not me. He wants to check the charter boats and run some errands. He can probably save enough on groceries to pay for the fuel. Everything here cost a little more than in Marsh Harbour.
We are planning to leave here Thursday -- in the big boat-- to go to Green Turtle Cay Heritage Festival. Our friend Jim Jerele is coming from Columbus Ohio. His great Grandfather was born in Green Turtle. Jim has other family coming also.
I guess that's about it for now.

Pictures continued

Susan has been talking about taking a trip to Fox Town. She organized everything and a large group (18)turned out for trip. She arranged for transportation for everyone.
We are going to stop at a Black Hole on the way up and a Blue Hole on the way back.
Paul & I took the dinghy to Marsh Harbour from Man O War.
We loaded in the cars at 10AM. Paul drove Susan's car. He doesn't drive a car very often any more -- guess he can handle it.
We arrive at the road to the Black Hole. It is just south of Treasurer Cay



We start up the "road"


And the path gets narrower


And REALLY narrow -- are you sure there is a path here? Where are you leading us?


Hey there really is something at the end of that path and well worth the walk


Everybody trying to get pictures


Paul at the Black Hole




Little flowers were growing out of rocks around the edges


This is "the entrance" to the Black Hole. Guess you won't find me going down there.


The Black Hole





We arrive at Fox Town --our lunch destination
Fox Town has a population of nearly 600 but we did not see very many people. As far as I could see this was the only place to eat -- The Shell service station.




Paul & Bob checking out the bar


My guy


Susan called several days ago to tell them there would be 18 for lunch. They were well prepared.


This conch ranked on par with my very favorite at The Hibiscus Cafe in Man O War - Outstanding!


The group finishing lunch


Roberta & Steve


Paul & Pat


We are having a fun time


Next stop Crown Point the farthest point north by road in Abaco




Roberta walked over to this beach and picked up a beautiful helmut conch


Paul being silly


This is the ferry to Freeport. It is about a 45 mile trip and some times with about 30 people -- no thanks, I'll pass


We had to stop for a pictures here.


We made several stops along the way to pick "bean pods". Several girls have been doing nice paintings on them. Betty from the sailboat Tarheel, painted one for us with Odyssey on it. I love it.


Our next stop was the Blue Hole


The water is beautiful and warm




Paul checking out the far side.


The water was so pretty and clear -- next time we will bring our swim suits.


Our last stop on the way home was at Treasurer Cay for a drink and potty stop.


Paul at Treasurer Cay. He did a great job with driving.

We arrived safe and sound back at Marsh Harbour.
The Sea of Abaco was really kicking up. We had a "rough" dinghy ride back to Man O War -- at least it was not dark. Last week end we were in Marsh Harbour to get ready for the charters. Ron & Akie ( Sun N A Beach) invited us for dinner. We did not leave Marsh Harbour until after 9 -- of course that is after dark. Paul said we have done this trip many times and we will be OK -- no moon up yet and boy do things look different after dark. Thank goodness the water was not very rough. We made it home --somehow. Someday I "MAY" learn to trust Paul -- but I am not sure he trusted himself completely. We made it safe & sound

We had a busy weekend with two charters coming back in at the same time and some over night guests coming to stay on Spoonbill -- not our guest but friends of Mirage.
We stayed in Marsh Harbour for the weekend. We stayed at Susan's Condo. We did have fun playing Rummy cubes with Susan.
Today- Tuesday several more of our Boat Harbour friends left to go back to the states. I had an email from one group that left about 2 weeks ago and are in Port Lucaya waiting a crossing window. They are all looking at a possible window on Thursday. Don't know what has happened, some say this is Global Warming but the good crossing windows are now nearly as often as they should be this time of year.