Bahamas Crossing November 2018

11/20/18, Our Crossing was one of the nicest yet. 2-3’ seas and winds NE 10-15  We made it on the bank in 10 hours. Once on the bank for about an hour I notice lightning of in the distance. Kevin stated no worries it just heat lightning, because nothing is showing on the radar. He kept repeating that until one of them let out a big boom about 40 minutes later. Then he check the radar and yup, here comes this massive storm developing and moving rather quickly 10 miles away. I finally got him to at least take down the main, and we continued on. It was all talk at not much action when it passed over us, with lighting and rain, but no change in wind speed.  So once it passed we anchored for the night, around 2230 (1030 pm).
11/21/18 0630, we have pulled anchor and now heading to Crab Cay.  At this speed we will make Green Turtle by Thursday.
11/22/18 We have anchored off the settlement at Green Turtle at noon, then cleared customs and of course went to Ms Emily’s Blue Bee Bar and had a gumbay smash
Friday morning, at 6am,  we rode out a squall with 30+ wind gust.  The anchor held great and no dragging. So at 8am we got a call that our slip is ready so by 1030 we were all tied up at Donny’s Marine for the next two months.  The sun is shining and we are safely in the Bahamas, all is good. Safe journeys and fair winds my friends. Until next time, Serena Rose signing off.

Fall update

Thursday, September 27th,

I know it has been awhile since my last blog update, but my knee recovery has be a very slow, and unsuccessful journey.  Stating that, I do have slightly more range of motion and will be getting two knee braces for flexion and extension. The braces are worn three time a day for an hour in each direction.  This may help me gain some range of motion, but definitely keep me from losing any more than I already have. The month of September has been very tiring and emotional for both Kevin and I.  Coming back on board has been quite the challenge and then Kevin had a hernia that became a much more serious issue than originally thought. His surgery was moved up, after a trip to the ER with the hernia doubling in size and causing severe pain with in a few hours.  Two days later, he had surgery. That was a week ago and he is just able today to get a shower and walk the length of the boat without a pain level of 8 or 9/10. I will save all the details, but he will be at least another week or two before he can even manage walking down the dock. His manhood has grown to the size of a grapefruit and the color of a plum. I will leave it at that.

On a more spirited note.  We will be leaving this wonderful marina in Ft. Pierce, in mid November and then crossing to the Bahamas.  Our original plan was for the first of December, but our slip was reserved for the 15th of November , prior to us coming in.  Hopefully the captain and crew will be up for the voyage. As our time grows closer to the departure date we will be posting more frequent blog entries.  Until then Fair winds, my friends and smooth sailing.

Trip to West Palm Beach

June 25th, Monday

Making our way to West Palm Beach

Yesterday Kevin picked me up at the Rehab Center around 11:00 am, from there we went to 3 different pharmacies looking for one that would carry or order the oxycodone (no such luck). Then we went to publix and did a small amount of shopping for me, plus buying a new cane. My old cane needs to be sent to Davie Jones Locker, the handle is all sticking from being in the sun and the shaft has rust on it, from being in the water so much.  I used it everywhere we went in the Bahamas, including the beach. By the time we finished our errands and had lunch it was about 2:00 pm and I was done in. Time to get home and get some sleep. As for the oxycodone, luckily I have some from last year so this will get me by until we find a pharmacy that will fill it. Our Neighbor told us to try Walgreens, so that is first on the agenda for today. Getting on board the boat was a little scary and tricky.  We purchased a medical stool that is very sturdy and has a 38” high grab handle, it was most helpful. There is not much space for me to walk around and I do a lot of pacing, specially when the medication is starting to wear off and I still have an hour to go before taking any more. So today we will be heading down the West Palm Beach and stay at my brother Bill’s condo for the next month. This will be a big help in the healing process. I need to walk, a lot and can’t do that on the boats.

We left just as a rain cloud came over us and got soaked walking down the dock. Next we found the Walgreens and got my prescription filled, with an hour wait. That gave us plenty time for a nice lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. While at lunch we get a call from the marine that an amazon package came in, so headed back there and then picked up meds. It’s now 1:30 and we are finally on the road. I had to take off the wet shoes and change to a dry shirt, then cover with the blue fuzzy blanket I got while at Health South. We arrived at the condo around 2:30 and unloaded the car, then relaxed for a while before unpacking and making a grocery list for food and supplies.  We have some food for the next day or so, but need a few spices, rice, butter eggs, etc. shopping is on tomorrow’s list, as well as finding a outpatient PT facility.

Rehab Update

June 23, 2018

Saturday

Rehab update.

I have been here at Health South for almost a week and a half.  The therapist and most of the nurses are great. I’ve had a few Nurse Kratchet types. But most of them are great. If I had any other rehab or a family member that needed to be in a rehab facility, I would send them here.  My rehab (PT and OT) have been 3 hours a day, let’s just say my pain level is no longer zero and I take cat naps between sessions, it is intense. I have been able to keep my extension and now walk with the cane, unless it is for a long distance or in a crowd (like walking through publix).  The flexsion or bending is still a challenge and I know it will take a while since those muscles have not been used for the past year or so. The journey home will be one night on the boat and then down to WPB to stay in my brothers condo(thank you Bill). That is where I will continue my outpatient rehab.  

So long for now and as alway Fair winds and safe sailing my friends.

Knee Rehab update

June 17th, 2018

Surgery update

I had my full knee replacement on Monday the 11th, at Sebastian hospital.  Coming out of surgery my pain level was about a 2 on a scale of 0-10. Through the next few days in was usually a level of zero, except after rehab.  The next 4 days were spend in the hospital, waiting for an authorization from the insurance company to be moved to a rehab facility. Finally Thursday midday we got the authorization and I was on my way to Health South Rehab in Vero Beach.  The reason for the rehab facility, as you know I leave on a sailboat, this is to get me strong enough and have the mobility to be able to get on and off the boat, safely.

I arrived at Health South via Stellar Medical Transport.  This is a very nice, clean and professional company. My room is 105B if you care to visit, and I have a lovely view of the garden area.  The schedule for an average day here is rise at 6 am, breakfast at 8am and rehab (PT/OT) start around 9am. I have a total of 3 hours each day, some session an hour some a half hour with breaks in between. Lunch break is 12 until 1:30 or 2pm, then usually finish no later the 3:30pm.  So the best time to visit is in the late afternoon between 4-8pm or Sundays after 1pm. My pain level on average now with all this therapy ranges between 2-7/10. I usually have to take a half oxi after rehab and then the rest of the time its just Tylenol . The surgical bandage comes of on Weds. at my doctors appointment.

The facility and staff here at Health South Rehab is wonderful and clean. For those of you who use to work with me at TBC Dr. Kalman is one of the staff Doctors, I literally ran into him, on my early morning walk today. It’s nice to see a friendly face.  Well tata for now. Safe journey and fair winds my friends.

June 5th, 2018

June 5th, 2018

Well it has been a little over a month since returning home from the Bahamas. We have had a lot of changes and finished up a few projects plus more planned out in the near future.

Our new home for the next several months is a lovely, peaceful, and well protected marina in Ft. Pierce area on Hutchinson Island, Harbor Isle Marina. The main docks and finger piers are floating concrete docks with 60’ finger piers. This has been very easy getting on and of the boat with just one long step and the use of a stool. The area offers some nice restaurants and a great movie/dinner theater. Most shopping we do in Vero Beach. We have finally gotten used to the town without having to use google maps.

As for completed projects, we have; a new washer/dryer, all the canvas cover for the sails are new, the dinghy chaps have been patched, the main refrigeration heat exchange is replaced, all engine maintenance is done and over 10 boxes of personal items moved off the boat into storage (for putting her on the market next month).

My surgery to redo the right knee replacement is scheduled for the 11th of June. Once I have surgery, I will be staying at a rehab facility for probably 6 weeks. This will allow me to get daily therapy treatments and not have to deal with maneuvering around the boat with the many sets of stairs and steps. Once I’ve had surgery and started rehab, I will post on my recovery status.

Sorry this is not as exciting as some of the other post but not much happening at this time. Until next time, fair winds and happy sailing my friends.

April 7th

April 7th, 2018

We have been in GTC for the last two days.  Our friend Tom on board Happy Healer is back and now we are going to head north to island hop.  If the weather holds we will be snorkeling and exploring; Powell Cay, Crab Cay, Cash Cay, Double Breasted and also Grand Cay, before heading home.  

This past week we were able to go snorkeling several times in and around Man Jack.  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate for us to go on the reef at the ocean side. We did found several conch, but only one big enough to keep, and lost of small kings and and queens.  This is a good sign of an increase of wildlife.  With all our snorkeling we have seen several; Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Nurse Sharks, conch, small hermit crabs, lots of different corals, fan, brain, etc.  The small reef areas in the Sea of Abacos has a lot to offer, but nothing like the reefs just off shore on the Atlantic side.  We are hoping for much calmer winds in the next few weeks or atleast west winds so we can venture out into the Atlantic.  This will probably be my last blog post before leaving, as we may not have good coverage as we go farther NW.  The last main cell tower in this area is off Cooper Town.  So fair winds and safe sailing my friends.

It comes in threes

March 30th, 2018.

It comes in threes.

You know the old saying that it comes in threes, well that definitely holds true for us.  We have been hanging out at Man Jack doing a lot of deep spring cleaning. Not much else to do with the high winds and cool weather, keeping the water temps to rough and cold for snorkeling.  We started in the V-berth and made our way to the back over about a seven day period.  We are even starting to get rid of old unwanted stuff, like stained old pillows, clothes that don’t fit, etc. Things have been going along just wonderful in our little world here, until today.  Friday morning, we started the generator, got the refrigerator and laundry going, had breakfast and then BAHM. NO WATER.  We already changed out our fresh water pump back in January and now the spare stopped working.  So we shut everything down and after about two hours of repairing the first pump, Kevin finally got a working pump.  Let’s pray it keeps working until we get home.  Then once he finished and the water was working, he turned on the generator, started the wash load again and the refrigerator and the BAHM NO GENERATOR.  So he goes back into the engine room and starts the usual check list.  The first item was possibly the fuel pump, change that.  Nope not that, the pump just keep sucking air through the line. Ok lets change the Raycor filter. Nope not that, still sucking air and no fuel.  So then he came out had a beer and we discussed all the possibilities.  He goes back in, puts the old fuel pump on. Nope. So maybe we are low in the tanks.  Go put 10 gallons in the tank, and some fuel to the pump. She starts up, then dies as soon as the fuel in the pump runs out.  WELL, he then traced the hoses and found one of the welded elbow in the main assembly system to allow us to switch from one tank to the other was lose.  Kevin then bye passed the valve and hooked the fuel pump up directly to the line running to the tank. After five hours in the engine room, everything is working. The following day my washing machine bit the dust.  The inner drum has completely come lose from the machine, so I have a load washed, not rinsed or spinned. This is definitely the worse week every.   Welcome to the life of boating, there is never a dull moment.

On the up side, we should have some warmer weather and calmer seas over the next few day and maybe get some snorkeling in.  Our friend Tom will be back next week and then we are going exploring to some of the islands we have never been to.  Until next time, happy sailing and fair winds my friends

Happy St. Patricks Day

March 17th, 2018

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Life goes on here in our little world of sailing the Abacos. We did cross back through the Whale pass with no issues, and we have been in Man Jack since then except for three trips to GTC (Green Turtle Cay).  Our first sail down was to renew our visa’s on the 6th, for another 90 day.  We are good until June 6th, then they will kick us out.  Just kidding, we will be back state side by then.  The weather that day was very calm, we anchored outside New Plymouth settlement and took the ferry to Treasure Cay and then a taxi to the immigration office and back again.  We were tempted to just dinghy over, but didn’t know if the winds would hold till we returned.  So this was my first ferry ride, very uneventful.  After immigration we did some shopping and then headed back to Man Jack, after checking on Tom’s boat.  While in Man Jack this past two week we have seen many beautiful and odd sights.  I have to say the oddest was a large catamaran (Place to Be) coming back from GTC towing two very large black drums.  Then once anchored two dinghy’s came out and retrieved the drums and towed them to the beach.  One of the dinghy companions, decided it would be fun to ride on top of the drums.  Both drums were black plastic for water storage, one was 1,000 gallons and the other was 500 gallons. It was quite entertaining for about an hour.  No one fell in.  Since then we have been snorkeling and finding new reefs that are just starting to develop.  The first trip out the water was to murky for photos. We hope this afternoon or tomorrow we can go back and get some photos.  On Man Jack there are six homes and two new ones being build.  We have met most of the owners and what a bunch of characters they are.  Several from Canada, one from Africa, England and two are natives.  Life here is much simpler and basically off the grid.  There is WiFi but all power and water is self made.  Lots of solar power and solar hot water sources, water is collected from the rains. So this time of year is very dry, and we have been trading water (that we make) for things like using a table saw to cut wood.  Everyone helps everyone. No backstabbing, complaining or negative gossip.  We even have movie night.  We load into Bill and Leslie’s center console and go to GTC, where one of the locals has a big projector screen outside and everyone comes by dinghy with chairs to sit on or golf carts.  We all bring our own drinks and popcorn and watch a movie.  

The down side is the high pressure systems that blow through about once a week and everyone scatters to there little holes and marina’s , then they all come back when its calm.  One of the locals here is taking Kevin diving/snorkeling after this next front passes and they are going out on the reef to show him how to spear fish and lobster.

Life is grand here and we will hate to leave at the end of April.  But we have definitely made this our second home.  Until next time.  Fair winds and happy sailing my friends

Hope Town

February 28th, 2018

Hope Town, Abacos

We left Guana Cay anchorage on Friday the 2nd and headed south to Hope Town.  For us to get anywhere near Hope Town, we have to coming on a rising  tide.  Most of the area waters just outside of the cove is between 5-6’ and inside the cove is about the same with a few 4’ areas on the approach.  So with that in mind we have to anchor on the outside.  Just south about a mile from the entrance to the cove is a nice 10’ deep area which has good holding.  The draw back of anchoring on the outside of the cove is you are subject to a lot of wave action from all the small rental boat flying by all hours of the day and night.  This is one anchorage that we definitely keep a few cabin lights on, as well our outside stern blue lights.  Besides the anchorage, we had a great time this past week.  The first night there we met up with our friends Kim and Les on board Willamena (which we have not seen for 3 years).  It was so nice to see them.  Saturday we went into town and spend the day with Claude and Margaret on board Compass Rose.  We had a wicked game of dominoes in the afternoon and the boys went on a hike to climb the lighthouse.  The Elbow Reef lighthouse is the only lighthouse still running on oil in the world.  Sunday and Monday we worked on the boat. Sunday was so calm that we could see all around us and found a sunken small sailboat under our keel.  It was a nice little heaven for some beautiful fish.  I was there wasn’t as much boat traffic bussing by us or we would have gone snorkeling.   Well today we are making our way back to Guana Cay and then cross the Whale tomorrow.  We need to be at the airport in Marsh Harbor on the 6th to renew our Visa. So on we go. Until next time fairwinds, calm seas and happy sailing my friends.

Made it threw the Whale

February 15,2018

First Happy Valentine’s Day to all.  The past to weeks have had there ups and down.

After being anchored in Manjack Cay for 9 days and not having contact with anyone, I got the flu.  We have no idea where it blew in from, doing much better now.  Kevin finished doing all the hurricane repairs to the outside bull works so that’s is a huge plus. Then we started to play, once I was up to it.

Our first adventure was to snorkel around the barge wreck by Crab Cay. I would have attached photos, but can only load them on the computer and it will not play nicely with my iPad or New Samsung phone.  The snorkeling was awesome and this was my first time since me knee replacement.  Needless to say, I have some very sore muscles now. The next day we hiked the trail to the ocean (already posted photos on Facebook). Yesterday we ventured through the Whale Cay Passage with NE swells, 4-5’ rollers and about 10 knots of wind. It was a Little Rock and rolling, but doable. We are currently anchored at Guana Cay and moving to Lynyard Cay tomorrow then hopefully cross down to the Eluthras on Saturday. Wind should be mild till Monday. All plans subject to change due to weather and Captains mood. This is my last post for a few days as internet will be very spotty if any.  For winds and happy sailing my friends.

The waiting game

February 4th, 2018,

We had a wonderful time in Green Turtle, Abacos and made a lot of new friends now is the time to move on.  It may seem like we are not moving on, but yes people we are.  On Thursday the first, we left the marina and made our way to Man Jack for about a week.  Our dear friend Tom on board Happy Healer is coming to buddy boat with us for awhile.  He has done a lot of shopping for food and supplies, which are much cheaper stateside.  At this moment he is waiting in West Palm to cross the Gulf Stream.  We are hoping for a good window this morning and if that doesn’t work for him, then the next window is around Tuesday.  Once he has arrived, refueled and got some well needed sleep. We will all be waiting for another weather window to make the crossing of “Whale Cay Pass”. It is a very small section in the Atlantic but a very dangerous one.  The seas need to be calm and not out of the NE.  So the next destination is just on the south side of the pass at Guana Cay, Hope Town, Lynyard Cay and on to the Eluthras after that.  

Most of our projects are done and we will be able to play soon.  Our last little projects was a costly one.  We went in the back stateroom to touch up any varnish runs from two weeks before.  Once Kevin had finished sanding the spots, I went for a shower.  Just prior to my shower I took off my glasses and set them on the bed.  The counter area was covered with sandpaper, varnish, paint brush, hammer, acetone, etc.  So I thought the glasses would be safer on the bed.  This required telling Kevin the glasses were on the bed and to be careful.  I proceeded with my shower, stepped out and there set my glasses on the counter, with one of the arm pieces broke off.  Now mind you, this all happen in about a five minute span.  So he spend the next three days trying to fix them with, tape, super glue, epoxy, West system filler, solder and the final try was drilling a hole in the side of the glasses and the arm piece.  So now my glasses have a screw sticking out the side with solder around the hing, and part of the lense melted.  The best part is I have to be very careful putting them on and can not fold the arm pieces in or it will all fall apart.  Now if you have transition lenses like I do, they have to be in just the right spot on your nose, well mine are at a slant and keep sliding down my nose.  Life is good.  I am trying to contact my optometrist to have a new pair shipped.  

So this is enough excitement for me.  I was told that my blogs were not coming fast enough, Rich, this blogs for you.

Fair winds and happy sailing my friends

The Dreaded List

January 17th, 2018

We have been very busy since taking a slip here at Donny’s Marina in Black Sound at Green Turtle, Abacos.  There have been a few big items we were able to knock off the list.  Ah yes The Dreaded LIST, every boater has one or two, maybe even three.  Now on those list are things; to do, repair, replace, move, rebuild, strip, varnish, sand, fill. It just goes on and on.  When you take one item off the list, at least two more items are added, because while fixing, the one item, you find two things with in that item or next to it that also need repair or replacement.  

Well this past two week we have managed to take 3 items off the list, add one and then take it off.  We spend this past rainy, windy, cold week working on the Stateroom, Davitt Bases, washing machine and oil pump.

The stateroom was the biggest job, of sanding for 3 days, masking off ,varnishing for 2 days and polishing every piece of brass, for another 2 days.  In between this the washing machine stopped working so that was added to the list.  The interim between coats of varnish and a few days with some sunshine or atleast no rain.  Kevin would also work on repairing the bullworks behind the davitt bases. Item number 1 and 2 taken off.

Next project was to see what happen to the washing machine.  It decided to spaz out one day and all the lights kept flashing with errors.  This is not an easy fixed.  To get to the machine and work on it, you first have to take everything out of the cabinet behind it and then tear apart the whole cabinet.  That job alone takes about 2 hours.  Thankfully the machine only had a lose connection that was on top and only took about 30 minutes to fixed, then yes 2 hours of putting it back together .  Number 3 off the list.  

The last item we are working on is a greasy, nasty, just down right gross job.  I do not have to do this one, just occasionally hand the captain a tool or whatever.  He replaced the impeller to the external oil pump that is used to change the oil in the main engine and the generator.  This job only took about 2 hours, and another 45 minutes to clean up all the greasy, Yuckkkkkkkk. Number 4 off the list.  

We are hoping that the weather will start to warm up some so we can have a little fun and possible go snorkeling for lobster.

Fair winds and safe sailing my friends. Until the next blog.

Happy New Years 2018

January 8th, 2018
Happy New Year to all
We have had a great December.  During our stay here in Green Turtle and Man Jack.  We have met a lot of the seasonal cruiser that are here every year between November and January.  The nice thing is they know most of the locals, the schedules of what to do and where to shop, snorkel and so on.  We seem to have melded with a small group of about 10 boats, where they are mostly from Nova Scotia.  I have to say that in all my years of sailing (which is a lot), I have never met a nicer group of people.  I’m sorry we missed the Christmas potluck dinner at Sundowners bar, but we did not know about it in time to put something together to bring.  We did however met many cruisers at the Friday night crews gathering at Dave's Liquor store.  This gathering start at the liquor store/bar and then migrates down to “2 Shorties” (it's a takeout restaurant and you sit on picnic benches outside).  Their food is great and very reasonable prices.  The gang then works its way to Pineapples and finishes the night there.  Needless to say, we didn’t make it past 2 Shorties and headed home.
New Year’s Eve we stayed home, anchored outside of New Plymouth.  This was a great spot to watch the fireworks and we could still hear all the music, without dealing with the crowds.  Kevin was in bed early, but I stayed up till after midnight.  January 1st was Junkanoo, most of you have seen all the photos posted on facebook.  The parade was all locals and they make their costumes here.  Each year is a different theme and they have already started working on next year.  This year was candy land.  The kids were so cute in their outfits and dancing and singing.  New Years evening there was another firework display off the park and we were able to watch it sitting on the back deck at our marina.  I have to say, it was better than anything I have seen stateside.
Since we have been having such high winds and fronts coming through, we have taken a slip in black sound at Donny’s Marina.  Donny is a very nice man, who is concerned about all the boats docked and moored.  He is out there checking them every time we have high winds.  This is one place we will definitely come to next year. Well I have you up to date so very winds and happy sailing my friends.