Blue Heaven Rendezvous: Regatta and Son Arrive!

I displayed my rugs and explained rug hooking.

The Monday before Christopher arrived, I organized an Art and Craft Show, Bake Sale and Used Clothing Sale on Chat 'n Chill Beach. I had help of course, with Pam on Dejarlo, chair of the bake sale and Donna on Prima Donna, chair of the gently used clothing sale.

Paintings and jewelry were for sale.

It was well attended and we earned $1,160.64 for the newly formed Exuma Red Cross, headed by Cordell Thompson, a local historian. After hurricane Joaquine, they decided they needed to be better prepared to deal with disasters, and our donation will help them prepare for that.

All that was left at the end of the sale. Bake sale raised $507!

Harry on Escape Velocity playing Kubbe.

We once again had some happy hours on Sand Dollar beach and a new game was introduced by Russ and Lisa on Uproar, called Kubbe. It is a game from some Scandinavian country which is played on the beach made up of wooden blocks. Al got into it with great finesse!

What throwing form!

Near this time it was close to a full moon which came out even before it got dark one day

Full moon from Kidd Cove.

and the next night it shone so bright on the water it was like a giant spot light! It was gorgeous!

On Wednesday our son, Christopher, arrived from Lancaster. You can tell he came from the north because I hadn't seen blue jeans and long sleeves in ages! We got him on the boat for an immediate change of clothes so that we could participate in a pre-regatta event called “The Poker Run.” They do it on a calm weather day due to the fact you have to use your dinghy to get around to six bars and restaurants across the harbor to enjoy their specials and to pick up a playing card. The group with the best poker hand wins. We were not able to participate in the whole run but Christopher had a great time meeting our friends and getting the lay of the land while enjoying a sampling of Bahamian beer and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Enjoying a beverage looking at this from Latitudes near Palm Bay!

At our second venue,Shirley's, at the Fish Fry. Chris is looking more like a cruiser!

Termite nest #1.

Several times we took Chris on some of the various trails, up to the Monument,

Getting a perspective of Monument size!

and over to the ocean side beach. He loved the trails and seeing his first termite nest. He also got into searching for small shells on the beach

Searching for sea treasures.

and sand dollars on the sound side beaches. At one spot where the ocean hits the rocks and sprays water in the indentations, we found little salt ponds. They dried up so you could scrape the salt and use it if you could get the dirt particles out!

Sea salt made by nature.

Once again he was amazed at the rocks and scenery.

Beautiful country.

On Friday registration for all the regatta events took place. I signed up for kayak race, bocci and the poker tournament. Al signed up for beach golf. Unfortunately, all the things Chris wanted to participate in were after he had to leave except bocci but then it ended up getting switched to the afternoon after he left due to a change in race days due to wind. Chris was able to race with us Uproar for the around the harbor race. There were us, Russ and Lisa, our very calm captains of the boat with their jack russell, Sophie and two other couples.

Our captain Russ and Al.

We had a great time. Al was on the main winch, Chris passed the genoa over the life lines, and I was the photographer and sometimes dog holder. We took first place in our division but unfortunately, Chris was not in the picture because the awards were given out the evening he left.

The winning team for Around the Harbor Race in our class less Christopher.

Uproar also came in second for around the island race with the same crew minus us because Chris wanted to do other things.

Enjoying the easy down wind sail.

Regatta flags flying.

Men trimming the sail.

The fellow in yellow, one of the girls husband, held up some signs while we danced.

The true start of Regatta was on Saturday with the Talent Show. Yours truly was in a skit with six other ladies who danced to “These Boots Are Made For Walking” while we wore our foul weather boots.

The audience.

We had a great time and the crowd enjoyed it. There were local Bahamians in the show as well as cruisers.

What great dancers!

We especially enjoyed watching the Bahamian children dancing.

Christopher participated in the tug of war which was also great fun with humor antics added in.

Chris in white giving it his all!

Our cruiser's cheerleaders.

On Sunday we had a softball game with cruisers against the Bahamians under the lights. The Bahamians always slaughter us, but it is always great fun with the Bahamians having to bat with the other end of the bat, or swing with the opposite hands. We had cheerleaders for our team and when they were about 10 runs ahead, our whole team ran the bases to even the score. Crazy antics for a crazy night. It was the coolest evening we ever had in the Bahamas. I wore jeans, a fleece vest under a foul weather jacket and still was a little cold!

Fortunately it warmed up the rest of the week with the least amount wind we have had all winter. Our friends on Bristol Cream had their son come in, so we went snorkeling. I should say we took Chris so he could snorkel with them. ( With my ear problems, I am trying not to get my ears in the water and for Al once a year is enough.) Chris got some great pics of some fish and some coral, while I took the shots of them.

A reef with the fins and legs of Joann.

Coral, tiny fish and the edges of a lion fish under the yellow coral,

Always lots of Sargent Majors.

That evening we all went to play“Texas Holdem Poker.” Christopher and I held in for the last two tables but within three minutes of each other we were out. However, Jason, George and Joann's son, won second place for $75!

The week had flown by and it was time for Christopher to leave. You can see he is leaving in much different clothing than he came in.
After saying our goodbyes, it was back over to Stocking Island side so I could play in the bocci tournament.

Throwing that ball isn't as easy as you think!

I got paired with Jason, Bristol Cream's son. We made it through 3 rounds but then lost. In a way I was glad, because the sun was blazing on the beach and I was getting dehydrated. That evening we once again danced the night away on Chat'n Chill's deck.

The next day was a full one!

Trying my best!

I was in the kayak race but unfortunately placed fourth for which there was no prize but it was fun.

Men's division going all out.

There were all sorts of small boat races besides kayaks, paddle boards, blind dinghy row, downwind dinghies made into sail boats and high performance small boats like sunfish and such.

Getting ready for blind rowing race.

These kids were getting ready for the blind rowing race with the adults. They did not do to bad! And the boy with the wrapped foot was bit by a creature from the sea along the beach at Chat'n Chill. Luckily it wasn't too bad. The doctors think it was a small shark, some think perhaps a barracuda.

After lunch came our favorite event to watch and that is the Coconut Challenge. You can see all the boats entered.

Lots of participants for Coconut Challenge

Collecting the coconuts.

Four to a boat, only allowed swim fin propulsion or hands and they try to collect the most coconuts thrown into the cove. There are two golden coconuts which are worth more points.

One boat collected around 150. They say there are at least 1000 coconuts put into the harbor. Then the teams move over to the next event at the volleyball court.
Each member of the team gets two coconuts and they all throw them within 15 secs over the volleyball net into three circles like a bulls eye. Points are given to were they land in the bulls eye. Finally the last team event is the backwards coconut toss.

Backwards coconut toss.

One member stands backwards, one member hands the coconuts to that person to toss and the other two members have helmets on and a trash bag between them to catch them without going across the line. They count up the number of coconuts bagged and add that to their score. It is loads of fun to watch.

Then the day ended with another happy hour gathering at Hamburger Beach. Needless to say, we were glad to get back to the boat to lay down! I did lay down in this hammock just a minute to get a picture. I could not resist. It is usually filled with someone when we go by.