Sunny and windy- 40mph
12/20/2009, New Plymouth, GTC

Another day spent relaxing while I continue to ignore the instrument installation.

With the wind blowing hard from the NW we cycled over to the south end of the island and had a great walk along Gillam Bay, yet another spectacular white sand beach without a soul in sight.

I managed to knock down two large coconuts from a palm tree (not without falling down several times), so we''ll try to find some coconut rum and prepare some special drinks when Anne-Marie arrives in a couple of days.

Louise spent the day polishing chrome fittings, and attacking the ever present black mold that wants to grow on every available surface. We've been very fortunate with how clean everything is on board here in the Bahamas, but one still needs to be very vigilant about mold in such a humid environment. Floorboards, hinges, walls, cupboards, everything needs a little wax and polish to eliminate the ever present threat. Yes, it's true... Louise is developing a bit of a fetish..... oh well.........

The north west wind is a dry cool wind so our boat is decorated with towels, duvets, sheets, shorts, etc.... even the cushions from the salon are on deck enjoying the sunshine and breeze! I have my long pants on with a sweater, but still barefoot (and fancy free!).

The christmas lights are lovely in the evening, I'll try to take a photo of the boat this evening....

glen

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Winds from the north (Canada)
12/19/2009, New Plymouth, GTC

With the water tanks completely full (to overflowing) we relaxed and watched a movie last night while the wind & rain howled outside from the north. It is interesting to realize that a 3/8" small, rusty chain is all that separates our 30,000 lb boat from the rocky shore, and/or the other boats in the harbour.

Dawn arrives with the wind still blowing, but a beautiful blue sky with lovely sunshine..... the temperature is 70F.

With four marinas on Green Turtle Cay, it happens that everyone is completely out of gas. You can easily buy diesel fuel, but no-one has any gas (for the dinghy). The locals blame the dramatic rise in automobiles on the island (this is an island 7km long by .5 km wide) who routinely fill up at the marinas.

We are very fortunate that one of our neighbours (and new friend) is commuting to Treasure Cay for work ( a 30 minute boat ride) and graciously picks up 2 gallons of "petrol" (they are from South Africa) to solve the "no gas" problem on GTC. An evening stroll to the Sundowner Bar and Grill reveals that the NOGAS problem should be solved within the next two-three weeks maybe..... so it goes.... we are now on Bahamas time!

The photo I attach was taken by Louise and shows the incredible clarity of the water.... if you look carefully you can see the shadow of the fish on the sand bottom.....

The small town of New Plymouth (pop. 200) is covered with Christmas lights and it is quite magical to walk through the narrow streets with the 200 year old buildings, a spectacular star filled sky above, and to appreciate this very special time of the year.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

glen

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70F and lots of wind and rain!
12/18/2009, New Plymouth, GTC

Wonderful time!

From our mooring, we can dinghy to the public dock where we have chained our two bicycles to a nearby tree, and cycle into he beautiful village of New Plymouth to explore new places and re-stock the pantry.

We have visited old friends, met new sailors from Nova Scotia, and cycled the entire island on our wonderful bicycles...

Today we cycled north to have a wonderful lunch at The Green Turtle Club, and relaxed as the rain poured down. Cycling in the rain is a liberating experience! After three weeks of washing in salt water, it was refreshing to be completely soaked in wonderful. clean rainwater.

Yet another project begins....

With the winds at 30 mph + and the rain pounding down onto the deck of our lovely sailboat, we open two of the three water tank inlets, and create some simple dams to stop the water and create puddles, so we can dam the water and have it flow into the tanks...........

Success! With the quantity of rain, both Louise and I (in bathingsuits) are playing in the puddles, splashing, laughing, collecting.... it's like springtime in Ottawa when you want to get rid of the ice melt....

By 5pm, all of the fresh water tanks are completely full. Louise is running water, showering, filling sinks... even I has to have a shower!

She is frustrated that all this wonderful clean fresh water is simply running off the boat into the salty ocean.... such is life!

With the lightning flashing and the thunder booming, i hope the mooring ball we are attached to survives the gale force winds expected this evening...

never a dull moment!

glen

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