Jennifer - Hot
03/27/2011, Stuart, Sunset Bay Marina

This photo is for my siblings. I remember this being the first brand new car our parents ever purchased. When I saw it I thought I was warped at 6 years old again.

I.C.W

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Jennifer - Hot and Sunny
03/25/2011, Stuart, Sunset Bay Marina

Breakfast of Champions

Yesterday I made Bagels. It wasn't hard, just time consuming and I swear Murphys Law came into play. Not only did the temperature go up to over 80 when I wanted to use the oven, but the wind came up and the boat was rolly when the hot water came to a boil. Anyway I successfully created 6 sesame seed bagels and this morning we had egg and bacon on one.

Yesterday, Al installed a string of LED lights under our swim platform, they are way cool. I just know my dad would have called them "sex lights". My dad had a great sense of humor. Al hopes they will attract fish and possibly shrimp. Last night it was too windy for anything to hover around them but they did look borderline sexy.

I.C.W

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Jennifer - Hot and Sunny
03/25/2011, Stuart, Sunset Bay Marina

Gin anyone?

While I was finishing a beverage on the aft deck two nights ago I saw two men in a skiff racing from boat to boat. They spotted me and darted my way. Within hollering range they asked if I was the lady who had ordered the gin. I said No but if the had any Chinese food I'd take it. They laughed and sped off in pursuit of who ever put in the order. Gee who knew there was THAT service.

I do not even try to pretend I understand power on this boat. What I do know is that we seem to be doing some kind of Amp dance that has Alistair flipping switches on what I do know is our AC panel, It appears we are sucking up lots of juice from our house bank, It is tracked down to the 110V Fridge & 110v Freezer. We cleaned(defrosted) both yesterday & ran them until we went to bed & then turned them off, 9 hours later in the morning both Fridge & freezer were still cold & the house bank was steady at 12.4 instead of the 12.1 it usually is in the morning. Al has been researching Solar alternatives.

Bobbing around at anchor and a mooring ball really forces one to become frugal with consuming, energy, water, toilet paper. I have a new self imposed rule. When I was in Grade 1 one finger indicated to Mrs. Eaton we had to pee, 2 fingers.....well you get the idea. In keeping with that I have imposed, 1 square of toilet paper for number 1 and 2 squares....well, you get the idea. Al insists on doing the dishes as I likely use too much water. I purchased some Ponds cleansing towelettes for some quick personal freshing up. No water needed. Just a tip for the women out there. And they come in lovely fragrances.

I.C.W

Comments [2]

Jennifer - Hot and Sunny
03/23/2011, Stuart, Sunset Bay Marina

We DID bust Velcro Beach

We said our goodbyes to s/v Island Moon after filling up with fuel and water on Monday moanin'. We had a lovely traveling day except for some wind and being waked by sport fishermen. I had forgotten to put the security lock on the fridge so when we were waked, fridge contents were air borne. I was holding Bridget at the time and I tossed her on the settee while I tried to catch myself before smashing into the table. I have bruises to show for it but otherwise we are none the worse for wear. We arrived in Stuart at Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage around 3 pm. I was able to easily pick up ball 29. It was the first time on CK. Although it was choppy with wind it proved easy. After we were properly secured we dinghy in to do the paperwork, this was Bridget's first Dinghy ride. She wasn't super impressed but she did enjoy her land legs. We zipped over to say G'day to Tim and Gina s/v In His Time, friends we had made while in Palm Coast. They invited us to join them for supper along with another cruiser Skip, we walked to Luna for an Italian dinner. We like Stuart, the amenities are super, there is a courtesy bus Wednesdays and Saturdays with drops to all the important plazas, Publix, West marine, Great Balls of Yarn, Home Depot, Walmart with other places dotted along the route. There is one Publix within walking distance (1 mile, that's within my walking distance, Not Al's).

There are many social things posted around here, we didn't make it to yesterday's happy hour but there is an Aloha on Saturday for departing cruisers, we plan to attend that. I enjoyed visiting the yarn store here this a.m. and may go back on Saturday or next Wednesday for the sit n'knit especially since I was seduced into a scarf pattern with very cool fibre and I may need some assistance getting started.

We have decided to book ourselves in here for a month because it suits our current needs and because I will be in Canada from April 5 - 12. An issue has arisen that needs me to go back, its nothing serious, just a necessity. Al will be comfortable here and he will have Tim & Gina for company and Miss B of course.

Yesterday when it was calm Gina invited me to try kayaking with her on their spare kayak. I donned my life jacket and was pleasantly surprised that I was able to manage to paddle. Their kayaks are a design for stability and fishing so I did remarkably well and really enjoyed the outing.

I.C.W

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Jennifer - Hot and Sunny
03/20/2011, Vero beach City Marina

Friday dawned another sunshiny day on the Space Coast. With little groveling the Captain let me make one more fast trip to Knit & Stitch. I had a very specific and short list of wants. Despite having been there the day before and acquiring the needles I needed, I decided I must return for yarn. I got some blue and green alpaca to make another pair of baby snUGG boots, and red and cream 3 ply for a stranded pair of Spilly Janes Camilla mitts. My eye was caught by the project the clerk was working on. The magic was in the yarn itself. A quick lesson, the pattern and a ball of RIZZO and I was out the door, with just enough time to pop into the bakery and get the Captain a hot buttery croissant. It was my gift in return for his gift of one more trip to the knit shop. Oh but I am a lucky woman. We were off the dock before 11 with a very smooth exit. The day was a beautiful trip. We met several sailboats heading north 2 Canadian. We put up our new, brighter Canadian Flag last night. Al uses passing other Canadians as a good excuse to toot (show off) his new horn.

We settled in for the night at MM925 tucked in between two islands. A family was camping on the biggest of the two. It was treed with about a 500 foot sand bar. (During the night the lingering smell of their campfire was in the air) When the anchor was set we relaxed with drinks on the aft deck before having a supper of left over lasagna, pork tenderloin and salad. After supper was cleared we sat on the aft deck to watch the sun set, truly a beautiful sight. This is a very pretty anchorage. After sunset we retired inside to watch one of the many old John Wayne movies Al decided we should watch. It was a cute movie (Donovan's Reef)and a welcomed change from the horrible picks we had watched for three nights previous. Al had loaded up our external hard drive with many movies before we left Palm Coast so we would have entertainment. The first three nights we watched these movies because they showed up first in the queue but We don't recommend them, 127 hours, The Black Swan and Buried. They all left me mildly traumatized and unable to have a fitful sleep.

At the time of this writing (8:12 am Saturday) we have been on the move almost an hour. Al was up early so he made the decision to pull anchor and get moving, letting me sleep in. Bridget, being confused by any deviation to the routine made it her business to jump on top of me and lick my face and nudge me with her cold moist nose. Al tried to encourage me to go back to bed, but the sun was so beautiful and the smell of coffee was too inviting to pass up. So here I sit, with coffee, the warmth of the sun on my face as it pours in the bow window, Bridget wrapped warmly against my back, and my lovee doodle at the helm. Life doesn't get much better than this.

We hope to make Vero Beach by noon and the plan is to hook up with Bill & Karen of S/V Island Moon, They just returned from the Bahamas so we will be interested to hear their adventure story

I.C.W

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Al & Jennifer - Hot
03/17/2011, Cocoa Village

Well we arrived in Cocoa Village Anchorage in good time & proceeded to launch the dinghy, attach the engine & fired it up for our trip from the anchorage to the shore.... Woops we went nowhere. Turned out we had sheared the pin in the prop & no spare (dummy). So a quick call to Al who put me in touch with Scotty (Marine Motor). He is sending 2 pins via UPS to Vero Beach for us to pick up on Saturday, where will spend Sat/Sun & hook up with our friends Bill & Karen. With no way to get to the village, (Jennifer wanted to go to the Knitting store & I wanted to go to the hardware store) we pulled up the anchor & pulled into Cocoa Village Marina, nice clean marina & a discount for Boat US. Jennifer took Miss B to visit the grass, a HAPPY DOG & then we went shopping & went for a nice meal out. Tomorrow a short trip to MM 925 Rock Point to anchor out, & then arrive in Vero Beach lunch time Saturday.

I.C.W

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