Strong south winds - 40mph
03/28/2010, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos

We are relaxing in our lovely protected Black Sound, and slowly getting ready for the end of our vacation. The strong winds has resulted in a full anchorage, as folks moving north hide from the winds.
Louise is spending hours and hours cleaning shelves, lockers, refrigerators, etc. and throwing out loads of spices, grains, cans of "stuff" which will not survive 8 months of high-temperature summer weather here in the Bahamas where inside boat temperatures reach 130F.

I've engineered the proper installation of two solar powered ventilation fans which are now installed on deck in the hope of ensuring good airflow over the hot summer months.

I also placed an advertisement for our guest cabin at the lake on craigslist in the hope of ensuring that we've got someone around while we wander across Canada this summer.
(http://ottawa.en.craigslist.ca/vac/1667029750.html)

Tomorrow will see a full frontal attack on floorboard lacquer followed by cold white wine with friends from Cape Breton.

Our son has sold his Westboro condo and decided to stay put in NYC, and I purchased a 150 year old Apple Cider Press on ebay this afternoon to add to the farm adventure.... another excuse to visit New Hampshire upon our return...

Lots of fun!

glen

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warm and raining!
03/26/2010, Green Turtle Cay

We sailed south yesterday in order to buy fresh vegetables and more beer on Green Turtle Cay and arrived at high tide so as to allow us to enter Black Sound and find a mooring... very easy as the area is quickly becoming empty with fewer and fewer boats.

There is now a steady stream of boats moving north on their way back to North America...... it reminds me of the car trip north from Florida last year with the snowbirds driving north in their RVs. The days are getting longer and warmer and the migratory birds are singing on their way north.

Lots of friends are having their boats hauled out of the water here in the Abacos and flying back to montreal, charleston, toronto, halifax, mt. tremblant, kitchener, norfolk, england, france, switzerland, etc....

A little sad to say goodbye to everyone, and start our own preparations for a return to Ottawa. Living on a boat for 4-5 months allows one to realize how simple things can be, and how quiet and peaceful it is in the Bahamas.
We're not looking forward to the city noise, traffic, and busy life.... but I'm sure Louise will enjoy the dishwasher, washing machine, and a return to her orchids and garden..... such is life....

With the long list of tasks required to properly put the boat to bed for 8 months, it will be a busy two weeks followed by an 18 hour aviation marathon from GTC to Ottawa via Treasure Island, Nassau, and Toronto.

Fortunately I still have a several good books to read, and a wonderful farmhouse to design and build this summer (not to mention the barn to straighten)...

The photo was taken yesterday at dawn.....

glen

Comments [1]

Completely overcast, grey and windy
03/23/2010, Manjack Cay

The weather behaved and we had a lovely birthday party on the beach with 20 new and old friends for a "potluck" dinner (Louise's rum cake was outstanding) and I managed to create another small "totem pole" which was installed on the beach front at Manjack.

A wonderful day (apart from the fact that I fell out of the dinghy on the way back to the boat...too much cake?).

The Rummikub tournament is scheduled for this evening, and it will be baked red snapper for dinner!

Still working on an easy way to remove lacquer from the floors.... never a dull moment...

glen

Comments [3]