Yes, we did sail last winter. However, we are now using a smart phone with data for e-mail rarely using the lap top and got rather lazy updating our blog. We did the usual November drill in Florida; getting the boat ready, unexpected problems to be resolved and later departure. Celebrated Xmas in the Abacos with friends and then headed south through the Exuma Cays. We stayed on the west side going directly to Ragged Island and had an enjoyable January and February in the southern Jumentos avoiding most of the cold fronts experienced further north. Easterly trades were stronger than normal so we spent a lot of time on the lee side of the cays. Worked with the locals building a Tiki Hut for the Valentine Party was a lot of fun. Construction here has a whole different time dimension. In early March we traveled north overnight to Black Point bypassing Georgetown altogether this year. Neil, Cathy's Dad joined us for 3 weeks; flew into Staniel and flew out of Marsh Harbour just after Meghann and Vic arrived for a few days in the Abacos.

We finally bit the bullet and sold our northern boat in May since we barely used it over the last three summers. Picture is with the boat ready for shipment to the new owner. Grand kids were disappointed since they always looked forward to their sailing vacation.

We missed the boat as well when the good weather came. So in addition to visiting friends and family our main task was to focus on gardening which was showing signs of neglect. Its amazing how fast weeds take over; even new tree growth in the wooded areas. All things considered I'd rather be sailing.

Cape Breton summer or lack there of. Cool and wet right into mid August. Had to deal with the awful but the humane task of putting down our 13 1/2 year old golden retriever. Now we are back to one dog who has nevered been alone in 8 years - attached tighter than Velcro.
Launched Cxo(north boat) at the end of May but didn't use it until the Holiday weekend at the Stan Rodger's Folk Festival. It was a great time and enjoyed especially by Cathy's 83 year old Dad.
We did a little sailing by ourselves and with the Grandkids but hardly enough to warrant a boat in the north.
Travelled to Winnipeg for a family wedding. It gives you an appreciation of Canada's size in that it was a longer trip than going south for the winter. Time wise a little faster - we flew. Great to see siblings and family again.

Now it's September and time to start preparing for the next winter sailing season. The days have been nice but there nights are cooling down quickly. Even after three years the list does not get shorter- just slightly different. Still looking forward to it though.

After a rough night on the banks we had a quiet crossing across the gulf stream to Fort Pierce. After clearing in and having dinner we settled in south og the FP Bridge. The next morning we planned on heading up the waterway to Titusville. Then "sh-- happens". The boat would not start. After troubleshooting it appeared to a be a starter problem with insufficient torque to turn over the engine. By late afternoon following recharging and with the gen set running it caught we decided to move up the waterway as time day light allowed. Then more "sh--". By Vero the engine started to overheat so we headed back to a wider area of the waterway and anchor. No luck in starting again after that. The starter had to be removed and now our timeline for return to Canada was getting critical with an unknown timeline on repairs so we decided to haul in Fort Pierce. The starter was removed and overhauled( turned out to be broken spring brushes). However, no direct cause found for the overheating. More "sh--". The prop shaft was bent on haul out from the sling dragging in the mud and lifting too far aft. While we were laying the boat up for summer the shaft was repaired but not intstalled. Just added to our list of jobs for the fall before launch. Extremely hot and humid now - not ideal for cold weather Canucks. Time running out so we buttoned up and headed north. Along the way we visited Deltaville. Saw Discovery but not Carl and Marilyn.
Headed on to Annapolis to visit Uncle John and then to NY city to visit Meghann. Grandma was suffering from severe GDS( grandkid deficiency syndrome) so we booted right through to Saint John. Cured immediately and no recurrance since.

Following the Ragged Island Valentines Party we headed north to Georgetown so Fred could write his Ham exams and to meet Carol Anne and Jim. We spent the next two weeks gunkholing between GT and Cambridge Cay until Carol Anne and Jim built up sufficient courage to return to a colder climate. We then headed north through the Exumas and unto Eleuthera. From there we headed to the Abacos where Bill and Donna were visiting for a week. After punishing them on their first day with a 50 knot cold front we spent a leisurely 5 days visiting various cays throughout the Sea of Abaco. Unfortunately after Bill and Donna left it was time to head back to Florida.

Jan. 28 - Feb. 3
To avoid having a coral build on our anchor we decided to explore some local islands. We went north to Beunavista Cay to do some fishing and beach combing( lots of beans and sea glass). We visited George on Lady Marie, a fishing vessel out of Spanish Wells, who gave us some conch; already cleaned. My kind of fishing!!!!!!. After two days we moved south to Racoon Cay and anchored south of Pimlico; Only boat in a beautiful area. Racoon was once inhabited and had a commerical salt operation because of the adjacent deep channel. However, trade in this area was primarily with Cuba and Hatti which disappeared the the change of government in the 1960s. With pending strong easterlies we moved back to Hog Cay; did some line fishing and got something for the pot ( a grey snapper, a yellow tail snapper and a squirrel fish; all nice light eating that are great grilled or pan fried. We'll probably hang out here until after the Super Bowel party at the Bonefish Lodge and then do a little more exploring.

Jan 27, 2011
We spent most of the time since Jan 9 at Hog Cay. There are a lot more boaters here this year. Lots of beach walks with Kokomo and dominos are a night activity. Lot of fun. There have been a few beach get togethers with appes and drinks and afire. Fred and Roland rebuilt the firepit and both with help from Jo on Free Bird enlarged the firewood inventory. Fred got the watermaker installed and operational. Our water consumption is up but my it is nice to have lots of drinking water and SHOWERS!! We make 10 gallons in an hour. We did manage to borrow a blade for the wind generator from Sam the Skull (boatyard mates from Titusville). There have been days when there has been little to no generation though. The Honda is getting some time this year. We make water when it has to run. Unsure of our timeline here as we await word from CarolAnn on the timing of visit. We have met new fellow boaters and met others from previous years. It is a busy schedule with beach walks, boce and sundowners or dominos most nights.