William was born in London, where Don bought him from a Rastafarian in the projects who was on the dole and sold kittens, puppies and ganja. Certainly an auspicious beginning. He did exhibit a British stiff upper lip and Cat-itude.
Over the years whenever Don met people who showed an interest in cats, he would proudly show them William's baby picture. He was a beautiful baby (kitten)! And turned into a handsome Tuxedo cat.
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Hi, this is Maryann writing because Don is just not ready to write right now.
During a passage this morning, both William and Velcro came up into the cockpit to sleep/keep watch as they typically do. After breakfast, William sat between us on the settee. At 8:40 AM he lifted his head up, let out a small squawk and dropped over dead.
We are devastated to say the least. Anyone who met William will agree he was a coooool cat. He was very smart----sometimes I thought he was smarter than me for sure. He turned just 12 years old and had an adventurous and well-traveled life.
He was a sea cat and was quite comfortable living a life aboard a sailing vessel. He had more sea miles than many humans we know! he circumnavigated the United Kingdom, sailed from the Chesapeake to Florida, to the Bahamas, to Maine and back to Florida. Then he sailed from Clear Lake, Texas to the Bahamas again.
Truly a remarkable pet and companion who will be sorely missed by the remaining 3 crew members.
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We wanted to get to Eleuthera and thought we would jump up the outer island chain through Cat Island but the winds were better for sailing if we went to the Exumas. So we went 76 nautical miles from Simms, Long Island to Black Point, Exumas. It was a long day but a gorgeous one. We got to use the Code Zero sail and after we had to strike that we sailed with the main and jib. We arrived before dark and the best part--Velcro did NOT get sick!
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After a few days, we meandered north to the settlement of Simms. Simms is the government center for the northern half of the 80 mile long Long Island. The settlement is tiny and quite poor. There is no dinghy dock/landing and you have to climb up a concrete dock to get to land (more on that later).
There is one restaurant in town that was written up in a guide book we have. So the crews of DreamCatcher and Heart thought why not? After dinghying ashore and walking up the single lane road we came upon the Blue Chip Bar and Restaurant. It appeared to be an older home with a beautiful banyon tree out front. Several men were sitting under the tree playing dominos, drinking and smoking pot. They welcomed us and directed us around to the side of the building to the restaurant part of the building. The other part was sort of a bar.
Mario, we think is the owner, was as surprised to see us as we were him! After he recovered from his surprise at meeting people from "away" he welcomed us inside and seated us at the only table in the restaurant side of the building. There was also a kitchen counter to sit at but a gentleman was sleeping across two stools so we chose the table.
Mario cooked us what he had in his coolers which was fried chicken, fried conch, rice and corn. It was a plentiful meal served family style in old pie plates and chipped serving bowls but it was gooood home cooking. Price for dinner for four with several drinks: $40. Priceless.
The people watching was definitely worth more than the price of admission: the numerous men sort of came alive after we got there, were talking/shouting to us and still smoking their dubes out in the open. We never felt in jeopardy and the crowd was friendly and was full of advice for us.
At the end of the afternoon the tide had gone out and it was difficult to get into the dinghy, especially for short-legged Maryann. So she walked to a nearby sand beach and Don came around the point and retrieved her there. You have to be flexible in this lifestyle.
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We left the relative hustle-bustle of Georgetown and headed southeast for Long Island. We had wanted to get there for many years and a promise of uncrowded anchorages, great ocean beaches and genuinely friendly islanders called to us. After a good day of motor sailing we arrived in Thompson's Bay and were the only boat to anchor in this 2 mile wide bay with an inviting white sand bottom.
We thought crossing the Tropic of Cancer would be similar to crossing the Equator----where you toast Neptune and pour your alcohol of choice overboard in a tribute to the Gods and get your ear pierced, or something like that. Something magical should occur. Well, we were not disappointed.
Just as Columbus had, we discovered the beautiful and captivating Long Island.
Our friends, Bruce and Gina on DreamCatcher arrived a few hours after us to the anchorage. Since both boats caught fish on the passage, we decided to share the catch on Heart. Yes, dear readers, you read that right! Don caught a nice size snapper and the 'no fish' curse is officially broken! Yeahhhhhh!
The anchorage was quiet and peaceful. Since we arrived late Saturday everything was closed on Sunday. And then Monday was the national election day. Elections happen once every five years and Bahamians are VERY passionate about their choices. So, by law, restaurants are closed on election day so alcohol does not get in the way of celebrating the results.
We truly enjoyed the peacefulness, the friendly people and the beauty of Long Island.
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The crews of DreamCatcher and Heart went to the ocean side beach for a little R & R on election day. After about a mile walk up over the spiny ridge of the island we were rewarded with a spectacular beach and outstanding view. We beach combed and Maryann searched for beach glass and shells to make jewelry. But, no luck in that regard. However, Bruce won the beach comber's prize: he dragged back a partial fuselage to a small plane. Love to know that story.......
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