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
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