White (Sand) Christmas

Hello from the Bahamas. I hear a nice storm rolled up the east coast of the US this past week, and everyone will, no doubt, have a White Christmas. Can’t say that will happen here. Lowest high temperature was one day at around 67F, mostly it remains in the mid to upper 70s, with some days in the 80s, like today. I sit here on Christmas day, and it is windy, gusting to 30 earlier this morning, now settling into 20-25 pretty steady. When have had about an inch of rain already today (through 1 PM). Expecting more this evening. But that’s OK, temperatures are still 76, so can’t really complain. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. I miss not spending Christmas with my brother, sister, son and his girl friend in Rhode Island at my sister’s house, but don’t miss the snow they must have.

I have been doing some snorkeling recently. Been to Man of War Cay, and Mermaid Reef, just off the shore of peninsula that forms the north shore of Marsh Harbor (this is outside the harbor, on the other side of the peninsula). Always cleaning and small jobs to do on the boat, that keeps me busy. Also have met some nice people in Marsh Harbor, but they are always coming and going, so don’t get to see them for too long. Have had several couples over for dinner on and off, and on occasion have gone to dinner at others boats. Once in a great while I splurge and eat out at one of the restaurants in the Abacos. Right now, I am dong one of the more mundane things in life, laundry. One of those necessary evils, but the coin laundry here at the marina I am in while the storm blows through at Man of War Cay is clean, and seems to work well. At least that will be out of the way for a week or two. I have not tried baking bread yet, as there are a couple of good bakeries in Marsh Harbor where I can get a loaf of fresh baked bread for $2.50. Compared to the price of other food, it is a bargain.

Well nothing else really exciting, so I wish every a Happy New Year, and if you are lonely for the sun and warm weather, come on down! And please keep the e-mails coming, I love to read about what you are doing, and how nuts you think I am.

Cliff
S/V Navigator

Accustomed to "Island Time"

Weather has been great, 80s most days, 70s at night. Rather humid right now, but sunny and warm none the less. A couple of fronts have gone through the Abacos since my last update, but they just bring winds of about 25 knots, and a little rain, although the one last Saturday night and Sunday had a fair amount of rain in it. It rained most of Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Washed the salt off of Navigator. But then its back to sunny, sunny, sunny.

I have become accustomed to “Island Time”, no worries mon. As such, I have been reading books again, puttering around the boat fixing things (or at least trying) that seem to continually break or stop working. I haven’t played tourist in over a week, but may go to a place called Little Harbor, which has, surprises, surprise, a Tiki Bar right on the beach. But I need high tide to get into the harbor, so the trip will depend on when the tide is high there. If it doesn’t happen this week, it will next week. I also want to do some snorkeling on the way down to Little Harbor. There is a beautiful reef with lots of coral and fish that is well protected, so am looking forward to that.

I have become a member of the Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club, and attended their Christmas Dinner last night. Met lots of cruisers that are wintering in the Bahamas, and had lots of fun. Also met several of the people on boats also anchored in Marsh Harbor. At least half of them are Canadian. It seems Canadians will outnumber Americans this winter down here, unless we get an influx of Americans after the holidays. All have been very nice, so it should be a pleasant winter here. I also went to the Marsh Harbor’s Christmas fair last Saturday. The highlight was the Bahamas Defense Force Marching Band. They were really good, both in the active marching, and their music. Then there was also the usual arts and crafts, and food at the fair. And lots of people, including a lot of boaters.

As I have not been playing tourist this week, that is about all I have to tell you about. It has been nice to just kind of sit back and ply retiree for a week. I look forward to being ore active next week, though, so should have m ore to report.

Hope all are enjoying the winter, and snow!

Cliff
S/V Navigator

My Home for the Winter

I am now sitting in my home for the winter, Navigator anchored in Marsh Harbor. (Click the image to the right for a close-up view.) It is Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the weather is a light breeze from the southeast, temperature 79 degrees, and the sun is shining brightly. I have been very lucky with the weather so far, really nice days, not too breezy, and warm, warm, warm. Loving it, for some reason I am not missing the cold temperatures of the north!

Last Saturday, Nov 28, I went to Man of War Cay for the night with friends on NJORD (Dennis and Georgia Ojard and two of their friends Fred and Lavonne). It is a quaint little town, very clean, with properties well kept, even though there is not a lot of money in the town. Some of the waterfront places are something else though. And like all over Abaco, the water is startlingly clear. On Sunday, motored over to Hopetown on Elbow Cay, about an hour and a half away. No wind for sailing. Walked around town here also. If it is possible, this town was even neater than Man of War. And it has more people. And a lighthouse that is still lit using an old kerosene technique. Had lunch at the Harbor Inn, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean before heading back to Marsh Harbor.

All is not fun and playing tourists. I obtained an internet connection, but it is very frustrating to get hooked up and send e-mails. Part of the out island culture I guess. Spent an afternoon cleaning the outside of the boat. There were barnacles growing just above the waterline, because the waterline is below the water level because of all the “stuff” on the boat needed to live for 5 months. So got those scraped off. Did a repair on the raw water strainer that prevents garbage from being sucked into the engine with the cooling water. Also replaced a bolt, that had been bent somehow, the anchor rolls on as it goes up and down. The latest task is the anchor windlass, that little electrical thing that raises and lowers the anchor. It has decided not to work, which means my back has to do all the work, and hauling in a 55 pound anchor is no easy task, especially as it is attached to chain, not rope. That one I probably will not be able to fix, so my back will get lots of exercise.

I have been eating well, trying not to get out to eat too often because it is quite expensive. Two nights ago I had loin lamb chops, sweat potato, and peas for dinner on the boat. It was a good meal, and fun to cook. Last night, it was frozen, left over Jambalaya. Yesterday I also refilled my water tank, as the forecast is for deteriorating weather this weekend, and I didn’t want to get caught short. No problem though, I am using much less water than I anticipated. Took 40 gallons after a weeks use, and that is for showers every day, drinking and cooking water (although some of that is taken up by liquor, beer, and wine!), dish water, etc. At that rate I could go at least 4 weeks without a refill, as the tank holds 200 gallons. The only problem is water is $0.20 per gallon.

Well, life is good (though busy at times), a little lonely all by myself (so come on down to visit!), and there is much to do (from work to playing tourist). I appreciate you e-mails, so please keep them coming.

Cliff
S/V Navigator