Mike
01/01/2010, Happy New Year from Big Majors Spot

December 31st, 2009 Big Majors Spot, Exumas
After breakfast we headed in to the Yacht Club to watch the C-Class Regatta. We found Steve and Kim who had come over earlier for the drawing. Cruisers sign up to race on the Bahamian sailboats and Steve was drawn as crew on the second race. Kim, Kathy and I took the dinghy out and bounced around as the first race was run and then returned to the dock for the start of the second. We went back out again to watch Steve's race but with the wind going down and Steve's captain losing momentum running to close to the wind... the race was a letdown with "Slaughter" coming in dead last.
We returned to the boat for a late lunch... (I made potato soup with some milk that needed to be used) and spent some time reading in the cockpit.
Later Kathy needed some fronds so we went ashore and picked enough for her to weave for a few days. We stopped by "Tilt" for a minute on the way back to chat and then ended up on "Fine Lion" for cocktails. We played "Rummy Cube" into the evening with Kim winning all three games.
Before bed we watched an episode of CSI and read for a while... no staying up until midnight for we old folks.

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Mike
01/01/2010, Big Majors Spot, Exumas

December 30th, 2009 Big Majors Spot, Exumas
We headed for shore before noon to pick up a package that we had delivered on the Captain C (the mail boat) It wasn't to be found on the government dock but one of the guys that was fishing there told us that all unclaimed parcels were taken to Isles General... one of the grocery stores here. We motored over and sure enough our package was on the porch. Since we were there we picked up some groceries before leaving.
Then it was back to the Yacht club for come lunch and an internet connection. I had forgotten to bring cash so I ran back out to the boat to put deliver our stuff and pick up some money.
The Yacht Club was hopping ... there was an auction scheduled for this afternoon and the Regatta committee was offering free food and drink at 4pm. Some of the local artisans set up tables with their stuff for sale as well. It was quite the festive atmosphere with folks preparing fish to fry or grill as well as conch for salad. The docks were full...primarily with mega-yachts. One came in with an actor aboard that Steve recognized but he looked a little non-descript to me.
Kathy worked on the internet checking the bank and contacting her friends on face book. The blog entries weren't edited so they will have to wait.
As four o'clock approached, we positioned ourselves outside near the grill where we anticipated the line for food to form. Before they were serving I walked up and asked to test the conch salad and got a nice cup full. That sort of started the action as people followed my lead and formed a line. The fish on the grill were wrapped in tinfoil with a large spoonful of diced vegetables and citrus. I had to wait a few minutes as they finished steaming but was able to get one of the first off the grill. It was excellent.
There was a huge vat of rum punch ... slightly watered down with ice, but tasty, and a complete bar set up.
Kathy, Kim, Steve and I sat on the dock and had a picnic with folks milling around everywhere and nurse sharks swimming just below our feet.

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Mike
01/01/2010, Big Majors Spot, Exumas

December 27th, 28th, 29th...2009 Big Majors Spot, Exumas
I have been a little delinquent recently about getting things typed up... sorry but our days here seem to run into one another. In the last three days we I have been working on our house water system. Our house pump gave up the ghost and, although we had a spare, the fittings were different and so getting things operational took more than that a simple change out. We have a foot pump so were never without water, but we are used to warm showers once and a while.
I have been to Sampson's Cay a couple of times with Steve and Kim. Once for lunch, and another time to check out vegetables for conch salad. We found a good conch spot this week and have a few bags in the freezer. I made a huge batch of conch salad which we ate for two days.
On Tuesday there was a "Pirate's Party" at the Yacht Club. We got dressed up and went in but...only lasted until about 9pm. Steve and Kim lasted until after midnight and said that things picked up after we left. Steve won best costume and $50 from his bar tab.... unfortunately it was still a net loss.
On Wednesday, we returned to the Yacht Club for their internet connection and stayed most of the day. There was an auction for some charity and a kick off for the regatta. Free food and drink is always a good draw. The food included conch salad, fried fish.... fish grilled in packets with vegetables soaked in citrus and vegetables. It was wonderful food and the docks were hopping.
Our friends Craig and Kris from "Tilt" arrived a couple of days ago and we had a small beach party in their honor. They are from Grand Rapids... and spend their winters here in the Bahamas.
Other than that, we have been reading, weaving and making water with our new water maker. Kathy has been paying more and more attention to our solar array since we have the Blue Sky Controller and monitor, and spends lots of time adjusting the panels to optimize their production.
In the evenings we read and watch video...attempting to plan tomorrows activities and tasks.

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