Went to Spanish Wells but then back to Royal Island for the night but not after first going thru current cut with full sail at 10 knots during which we jibed and temporarily lost steering from a wicked, we think, counter current that spun us around and created much excitement for a few minutes. From there we did the dreaded Devils Backbone pilotless to Harbour Island all with excellent light, calm seas and without incident. Still traveling with Neverbored and currently prepping for a 6:30 AM shotgun start outta here and 60 miles north to Little Harbour, Southern Abacoes and with hopes to zoom on a brisk S-SW wind and arrive prior to front and the wind flip to NW at 25-30. Thawing out our squid and ready to catch some big fish on the way. Dunmoretown on Harbour Island is really unlike most places here in the Bahamas and we had fun walking all over town seeing the immaculately dressed locals on Palm Sunday and lollygagged by several churches that were rockin revival arm waving dance-o-ramas for Jesus. The beach on the Atlantic side is about the nicest and biggest anywhere, all pink. More from Pete?s Pub, Little Harbour after today?s long sail. There we hope to grab a mooring in the tiny cove to wait out the strong front coming. If no balls, then perhaps we can hunker right up to shore, throw out 2 anchors and raft up. There should be some good protection from the cliff with the big bat filled cave where Pete originally lived in the 50?s, had son of Pete, and both became well known sculptures in bronze with a gallery, killer sand floored pub and tasty Bilge Blasters. Cheers

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We?re baaack! And will now be much better posting to the blog as we have reliable e-mail thru a pactor modem and the SSB radio. Currently we are sitting in Governors Harbor, Eluthra having crossed the Exuma Sound after 5 nights in glorious Norman?s Pond, a tricky spot to enter but wonderful if you make it, at Norman?s Cay northern Exumas. We ended up there kinda by accident after an aborted attempt to cross Exuma Sound with too much wind and big waves right on the nose. We could have made it but once the wine bottles began tipping over we realized the risk and did an about face. Somehow we skinnied our way into the pond an hour before low tide along with our friends Chris and Sheila on Neverbored, an Admiral 40 cat just like ours. We are hull #1, they #6. And now for a brief recap of the last month or so. Coming south from Nassau back in January, we, and our buddy boat Kokapelli, lollygagged and gunkholed thru the whole wonderful Exuma chain taking 3 weeks hiking, snorkeling and hunting lobsters and conch. Liz and Allen taught us how to find lobsters in 10-15 ft. of water and also the art of getting the slimy stubborn conch out of their fortress like shells. Upon arrival in Georgetown, our first time ever there, we quickly adapted to the huge well knit fabric of the cruising community making new friends, playing volleyball, watching skits, developing radio skills to ?lurk??where you listen in on everyone else?s conversations sort of like Clara and Abner Cravits from Bewitched, and dancing to the boater band called White Folks on Boats. Friends Rick and Cindy visited and then Ron came for a stay. Unfortunately for Ron, who was looking forward to some out island sailing, our generator broke and the week was spent watching and helping Lisa finally prevail in what could only be described as the ?repair bout of the century?, a 5 round fight with the generator chalking up decisive wins in rounds 1, 3, Lisa clearly dominating rounds 2 and 4 and round five was too close to call till the bell rang. Suffice to say that when Lisa got on the radio during the morning net and asked if anyone had a 2-Jaw Puller and metric die set she earned the respect of all mechanics and is welcomed in on any fix it project. After the victory in round five, Ron, Lisa and me all went to the weekly ?ARG? meeting (which we at first thought was an AA meeting and discovered it is actually the Alcohol Research Group) where Lisa was crowned ?Master of the Universe). And all of this was happily happened while we cruise with 2 dogs Rosti and newcomer George, one very black cocker and one very small snow white Maltese. Rosti, our 6 year old has accepted graciously the annoying prancing, jumping, and ear chewing habits of the new puppy. Rosti doesn?t have much to say except ?hey!, don?t pet the white dog, pet me me me? This morning we will get ship shape for a run up the western side of Eluthra aiming foe Spanish Wells to wait out a front and then hop over the ocean on a 50 mile run north into the Abacoes, still with buddy boat Neverbored. As I type I listen to the wonderful sound of the water maker that now works cuz the generator is fixed. Lisa and I are both sending positive thoughts right to Brian, Katie and all those concerned for the speedy recovery of their mom fighting it out at St. Joe?s hospital in Buffalo. Keep the faith. More later.

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Merry Christmas from the New River. In the heart of downtown, very cosmo, great place to ride our folding bikes. All repairs finally completed and we left Beaufort last week and motored 350 mn. to W. Palm. where we replaced a water pump and got the water maker running. Tried the outside run to here but it was rough and we did not like a shroud the seemed too loose. Back in, tighten shroud and then did the intercoastal and the 21 bridges between W. Palm and Lauderdale. It did take longer (9 hrs) but the good news was we got to do the last leg at night and saw the best Christmas decorations along the water. Rosti the dog is a hit squished into the little basket on front of my folding bike. Bought some smaller fishin poles for the inland fishing and got Lisa picked out a nice strap on rod holder to fight the big ones. We had a hard time last year reeling with big fish on.
Merry Christmas too all.

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