Frustrations, Fire and Farewells

Robin and Marilyn reacting to the game.

New Year’s Day we had a lazy morning and then went for a long walk on the beach with First Edition and Sea Biscuit.  On the way back from our walk we decided to have lunch at a local resort called St. Francis.  Later that night we played Catch Phrase, which is a combination of hot potato and password with an electronic device, on First Edition with four couples.  It does get wild at times with women against the men. The women won although the men sent up a protest flag which is still flying!

We took Blue Heaven over to Kidd Cove near Georgetown so we could get water and try to see if we could use our Verizon Hot Spot with a Bahamian sim card to get internet on the boat.  The phone company said it would work and after paying for everything and installing it and loading the data plan, it did not.  A phone call to Verizon and another trip back to the phone company were to no avail.  How frustrating!!!  We are now waiting for a “stick” which we will put the sim card in and plug it into the computer for internet that we will get from cell towers to come in at the local computer guru’s shop.  This better work!

I got a response for my request on the VHF radio for use of a sewing machine to zigzag around the edge of my rug backing so I could start the finishing process.  A nice couple on a catamaran called Sea Spirit let me come to their boat to use the machine.  So I am on my way to do the edging!  The end is in sight!

Al with his ukelele.  He looks good at least!

First Edition and Sea Biscuit decided to move down to Monument Beach since stronger winds were forecasted.  We wanted to go into Volleyball Beach in the afternoon because a fellow cruiser told Al he could give him some help with his ukulele. 
 I went in to enjoy the beach and then got a refresher on how to do a basket.  I have continued to work on my basket but Al hasn’t pulled out his ukulele since then!

Afterward, we too moved to Monument Beach for which I was glad, because it was definitely smoother at the anchorage. 

Hiking to the ocean side.

The next day the trio of boats met on the beach early to walk across to the sound side for beach combing at low tide.  We found some treasures but not a lot. 

What a view!

Al, Peter and Michael enjoying some man talk!

 During lunch on the boat, a dolphin came close to the boat.  A guy from a nearby anchored boat jumped in the water with his snorkel and mask to swim nearby.  The dolphin stayed around playing and when the guy would dive down so would the dolphin.  It was so much fun watching them.  

Our neighborhood friend.

That night after happy hour on First Edition, we went into the beach for a bonfire and sing along.

Al and I hiked to the Monument the following day looking for the palm fronds needed for making baskets.  We found some and we also found some great views of the harbor from the top of the island. 

The view of our anchorage from the monument.

Al enjoying the view.

We had a rather lazy day but a wild game of Mexican Train onboard Blue Heaven that night with First Edition and Sea Biscuit.  Lynn won three out of the five games so she was the Mexican Train Queen!

Since they were calling for 20 knot winds, we planned to attend Beach Church which is a non-denominational church done by volunteer cruisers with choir and all on Volleyball Beach, rather than go across the harbor by dinghy to church.  I made some cherry/ cranberry scones for the social hour afterwards which turned out to be delicious, if I do say so myself.  At church we saw Pat and Tom on Suncat, friends we met two years ago in Georgetown.  

Big D;s

They were going in for a late lunch with some other cruisers at “Big D’s” on Hamburger Beach and invited us, and so we joined them. 

Here is how it started.

After an hour or two of rest we went back in for the dance and bonfire there.  Unfortunately, their generator wire caught fire so the bonfire was the main entertainment. 


 Do you think the Bahamians thought about the wind and where the sparks were going to fly?  Not until after they lit the fire.  

Then the wind started blowing.

 Then they thought they better throw water on the palm roof of the pavilion!  Eventually a cruiser then brought over a small portable generator, so the music started and so did the dancing.  By then unfortunately, “our generators” were running low after a few dances, so we went back to the boat to chill.

Now they think about dumping water on the roof!

The next day we said our farewells to First Edition and Sea Biscuit because they wanted to take this one day weather window to go to Long Island.  We could not blame them because it might be two weeks until the next one is available.  We are waiting for the internet stick from the local shop owner and so could not leave.   We hope to meet up with them in Long Island or the Jumenttos if the weather co-operates.  We certainly hope so.  Looks like we will be doing the Georgetown scene for a while. 

What a beauty!

I had to share Lynn's amaryllis on First Edition.  It has at least four more blooms to go!