Slamming to West Palm Beach

Thank goodness human nature allows you to forget the 'slammin times' until the next time you are slamming! If it didn't I don't think anyone would go to sea again after their first multi-hour slamming trip!

We set sail from Fort Pierce on a weather report which promised fine sailing and a following sea! They were good to their word until we reach the half way mark and then the wind and tide turned and we started slamming! As us and everything in the slaoon bounced and hovered before coming crashing down I tried to think how anyone could possible explain this 'phnomenon' to non sailers and mono hull sailors! :)

Finally I worked it out! 

Who of you remember the 'See-saw' of our childhoods! Sorry if the youngsters out there don't know what I am talking about they have probably been deemed as 'unsafe' and banned as have many of the everyday things of our youth! Anyway it was usually a solid plank of wood balanced on a fulcrum. At each end a small handlebar for holding onto as you sat straddling the plank! I doubt there is anyone out there who played on one of these that doesn't have a memory of feet, legs and even fingers being pinched under the plank when you were too slow to stop the motion and pull them out the way!

'Normal' kids usually took the weight on their legs as they came down for a softer turn just before your ass hit the floor and you pushed up into the air and the opposit kids weight together with your thrust lifted you into the air and him or her down on the other end! 

Well that's how it usually worked BUT there was always that ONE kid! He or she was usually bigger than you and despite your reluctance you agreed to ride the See-saw with them. As punishment for your 'good deed' (no good deed goes unpunished) they were the one who never put their legs down to cushion their descent! With them being bigger and heavier than you, the result as they lifted their legs and crashed into the ground was instead of slowly now starting to go down on your end you stopped with an abrupt SLAM and if you had not been holding on would have been bounced right off! You knew you were in trouble and started to get ready to jump off, but the fat little shit on the other end bounced harder so you never got a chance to jump as you touched the ground and were once again catapulted into the air as his fat little ass slammed into the ground! Him chortling with glee and you wide eyed with horror gripping onto the bars on the other end! 

Right, have you got the picture? Now slamming on the boat is kinda like that. With the sea being the bigger fatter kid and you being slammed almost off the end of the plank every time his fat ass hit the ground! Now imagine doing that for 3, 4, 8 hours!

Just maybe you understand slamming a little better and why we LOVE reaching an anchorage at the end of a slamming trip! Luckily, usually by the next morning with thanks to a good sleep and alcohol you have forgotten the see-saw ocean bully of the day before! 

The Saints!

The Saints have become a part of our lives this past year! After arriving in St. Augustine and being struck by lightening, TWICE! (Who said lightening doesn't strike twice in the same spot?) but to give the old folklore credit we were in different places when it struck! The first time up the ICW and the second time on the dock at St. Augustine Marine Center!

It was meant to be! Instead of hanging around waiting for our work permits to be renewed we ended up getting brand new intruments and meeting some wonderful new friends. 

We 'discovered' Rosaire in the local 'Sailors Exchange'. Here they buy and sell the unwanted treasures of the bilge of passing sailors and cruisers. We got a few good bargains but the absolute best was a friendship with an amazing couple! Rosaire Caron and Neena Parker! We just clicked and have had the best time hanging out mainly at 'Hurricane Patties' who serve the best chicken wings we have ever tasted and pitchers ( I confused the waitrons at first asking for a 'jug' of beer) 

Rosaire took care of Rat Catcher while she was in the hard and we were in St John's. The 'other' Saint in our lives! As I have told you all, we spent my first winter there! Andre has done a winter before! This trip yielded frustrations and jubilations!

I started the process of getting registered as Professional Nurse in Newfoundland with the intent of being able to work when Andre does in the hurricane season! It is not as straight forward as I hoped due to the difficulty of getting training information out of Africa and so while studying and doing various assessments I was keeping my eyes open for something else!

The ideal situation would, of course, be one where I could work when we are in St. John's and while we are sailing! Prayers are answered! I found a post on an old school friends wall and contacted him as to its credibility! He assured me the friend he posted for was a good friend and could be trusted!

That was my introduction to Rodan and Fields Dermatologist and a new business! I tend to be skeptical as you might have noticed and asked a multitude of questions! All were answered to my satisfaction! Rodan and Fields anti aging regimes were being launched in Canada and I was in! These are the same Doctors that developed 'Proactiv' an acne treatment that took American world by storm. They are now doing for Aging what they did for teenage acne! 

It's been a month and if all I get out of this is an amazing skin I will be happy! The results are incredible and speak for themselves! But of course the goal is to be able to support my captain in the manner he is accustomed to! So if you know of anyone who wants beautiful skin or would like to join my team in USA or Canada please refer me and help support our cruising life! I promise you will not be sorry!

March and our flying date arrived sooner than anticipated! Back to St. Augustine, splashing the boat ( launching her back in the water); a few small jobs we wanted done before we left and after a great last evening with Rosaire and Neena we said a sad to leave them goodbyes and yet delighted to be back on the water moving South! 

They have their sailing date in November this year to head South and we will be meeting up with them as they start their cruising life! Love you guys and we can't wait!