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.