We left Georgetown 18 days ago and went to the outback. The Crooked/Acklind District, as it's called, has been a learning experience. The remoteness of the vast area makes us remember the degree of self-reliance necessary for this type lifestyle. No "help" to call, no services to access, hell..the phones didn't even work on most of Acklins Island. It was over a month between mailboat deliveries but that's OK, once the boat did arrive, the islanders took the crates off the boat and sold their contents right there on the jetty.

We knew how long it had been since the islanders were able to get fresh food so we let them buy first, even after their urging that we should go first, as guests. We scored 4 bananas, 2 onions, a cabbage and a couple pieces of fruit. It was like christmas!

We rented a car one day with our friends on DreamCatcher and HoldFast. Well, actually the school bus driver "loaned" us his wife's car while she was off island. There are no rental cars here. We had a fun day seeing the beautiful coast line, reefs, abandoned salt ponds and a few tiny settlements. We went to the one grocery but they were out of anything fresh and many canned goods.

At last we found theone restaurant on Acklins: Club Rollex. I think we surprised the few people in the restaurant when 6 Yankees walked through the door. But they warmly welcomed us and made a fine lunch. The picture here is of our lunch bill, who needs a real sales ticket when you have a napkin....6 lunches, a few beers, waters and sodas: $70. Having lunch at Club Rollex on Acklins Island: priceless.

The most difficult part of being here has been too much time on the boat. It may sound funny since we live on a boat but not being able to get off the boat but twice in 18 days has been difficult. The wind and squalls just kept coming day after day. Add to that no internet, until today! Anyway, we have enjoyed our time here with our friends but now it is getting near time to split up and go our separate ways. We will stage off Long Cay and leave for the Turks & Caicos by the end of the week....hopefully.