The BIG divide!

Between  the last post of the Girls trip – Bahamas, I have been sorely absent from updating our blog.  Currently, May 7, 2020, we are sitting in our sailboat at IJdok City Marina, Amsterdam.   Our plan as it will be fully explained in later posts once we catch up, was to sail up to Norway starting mid-May.  With Coronavirus Pandemic, we are not able to proceed.  With that, we have plenty of time to get this website updated.  We have started with our sailing photos, and will then catch up (short versions) with the blog.   Thank you for your patience!!!

The Girls trip, Pre-Party adventure

Leslie, Jackie, Jenny, & Gina (Matt, Kristine & Ken) March 16-19

2. rail

Sunday, waiting for the girls to arrive, we cleaned the boat, filled the fuel tank and walked to Peace and Plenty to await the early partiers. Garrett’s family was already here and he moved in with them while the girls sailed.  John and Bonnie were also at Peace and Plenty and it was fun to catch up before we would get everyone onboard, and back on anchor for an early Monday AM departure for Long Island.

Monday 8AM, we sailed to Salt Pond in Long Island (about a 5 hour sail) and arrived near low tide so we had to maneuver some shoals and coral heads along the way. Finally found a nice place to anchor off near Long Island Breeze and the city dock.  Matt and the girls took the dingy in and found some food and alcohol replenishments.

4.St Pat's Recon

It was St. Pats Day and they were decked out in their green hats and necklaces.

They all had a good time onshore but we all agree, there wasn’t much there so Tuesday we headed across to Pigeon Cay (sailed most of the way with both sails up!) to meet up with Dwight who owns La Shante Resort and Restaurant.   We had met him the prior Sunday at Peace & Plenty and he invited us to come and he would cook us a lobster dinner if we called ahead.   His cove was just beautiful and he was ready for us to come ashore right away mid-afternoon for our Lobster.   Eating early turned out to be a blessing because the bugs came out with a vengeance as the sun was going down.

1. Crew

5. Pigeon Cay Lobster

Only eventful part of the afternoon was Jackie not quite making a graceful exit from the dingy when they got to shore!!!  And the required scrubbing off the suntan  lotion stains off the deck! Really yellow white gel coat!

3. scrubbin

Wednesday, we left early to motor up to Georgetown Harbor back to Peace & Plenty where we anchored off of the hotel.   Many coming to the party had arrived and it was fun to go ashore to meet up with them.   Scott Wanless (last year’s crew) was waiting and he and I picked up a rental car to help with the airport shuttles for the day.  The girls gathered their boat gear and collected the rest of their luggage at Peace & Plenty and moved into their “African” Suite there.

Return to Stella Maris for repairs – March 11, 2014

Our Manatee friend at Stella Maris

20140311_152534

Ken’s returned to Georgetown and the boat on Sunday, March 9th, and on Monday, I got a ride across Georgetown Harbor with Bob from Kevalli house to do some last minute provisions and beer.  We have made arrangements with Ian at Stella Maris Marina on Long Island to have some stainless work done on our anchor roller.  Plans would be to sail on Tuesday there by mid-afternoon, have the work done and then leave on Wednesday for Hawks nest on Cat Island.   All sounded good but when we got to Stella Maris, they were not ready to do our stainless work which was very disappointing.   Difference in opinions of the work order.

Bar game

We decided to make the most of our stop and  had a great time there at the Resort Restaurant where they played a silly card game with audience participation.  (you had to pay into the kitty to play, winner got the kitty).  I did not get far in the game.    Also had some evening entertainment with the Rake and Scrape band!Rake and Scrape band

When we got to Hawks nest Resort and Marina on Cat Island, we thought we would try to anchor in their small channel (Hawks nest Creek) leading into some salt flats, but the anchor would not hold so we decided to go into the marina.   This marina proved to be small but with loads of amenities.  I got laundry done, we swam in their pool, many times, they had bikes to borrow, and I got some fish (snapper) from our neighboring fishing Yacht.  The owners were gone and the caretakers gave us a tour of their beautiful vessel fit for a king!  We stayed two nights and while we were there, met Dave (solo sailor) on his Cat (Meow) who offered happy hour ceviche.    Dave eventually left when we did and followed us back to Georgetown.

5. Canal to Hawks Nest

Hawks Nest Creek and Hawks Nest Marina

Saturday, on our entrance to Georgetown Harbor, we lost engine power and had to finish the length of the Harbor with Jib alone, dropping the anchor just off Regatta Point near the Exuma Yacht club. While Ken and Garrett cleaned the fuel filter (totally clogged), I took the dingy into the dingy dock near Exuma Market to get to the liquor store before it closed at 5pm.  Sunday the girls would arrive for their 3 days of sailing and we would need to be fully stocked!

After several hours of trouble shooting and thinking our gas gauge was not working, the guys finally put some clean diesel into the tank and the boat ran just fine.   Must have gotten some dirty diesel somewhere and will require some regular cleaning of the fuel filter.