Birthday in George Town

André’s birthday was on the 18th March and Neena, our friend on La Maitresse was on the 17th. As we were not all together on those days it was decided the birthday celebration would take place on the 20th in George Town.

At the anchorage were Aleycat, Shiloh, Panache, Island Khaya, Rat Catcher and a new South African friend Pieter on Aqua Viva. Both Alleycat and Shiloh had guests aboard so our party group grew to 16 people. The more the merrier.

We found a perfect little spot in ‘Flip Flop Beach’. it had a small boma with a fire area for the braai and perfect shallow shore for ‘Talking heads’. The party was on.

Key Lime pie

Le Maitresse made the most amazing ham and each boat brought salads and braai meat. We comissioned Brett on Panache to provide the pudding and he did not disappoint the birthday boy. He made a to die for ‘Heerlike Pudding’. A Malva type pudding with nuts and was totally delicious. Not to be outdone, Marieta and her friend and guest Liz from Alleycat baked Keylime Pie and Melktert.

Collecting Coconuts

Birthday boy was in his element and the rest of us joined in and pigged out.

Bretts Heerlike tert

André added to the mix a ‘Kop stamp’ drink of Gin, fresh coconut water; direct from coconuts he and the boys picked from the trees themselves; coconut milk and condensed milk. A dangerously delicious mix everyone enjoyed for the day.

Surprisingly no one had hang overs the next day, must have somthing to do with the coconut ;)

Valentine at Chub Cay

Finally the weather was in our favor and we managed to leave Bimini. We lifted anchor at 04h00 pulled up the sails and took off. Sunrise saw us hoisting our spinnaker and she flew the entire day. We doused her as we approached the anchorage at Chub Cay and 20 mins later we were at anchor. Not long later Alley Cat and Shiloh dropped their anchors and the three catamarans decorated the bay.

The sun rose on a beautiful Valentine's Day and we decided it would be celebrated on Rat Catcher. All would be required to wear something red. As usual Marita and Alan from Alley Cat outdid themselves. Alan in red tights he had wanted to wear like a dancer, uncovered, but Matita noticed far more than red tights were on display so he had his shorts on over them. His t shirt and bandanna completing the outfit. Marita looked gorgeous in red feather boa, red gloves and top with earring that flashed red light when turned on. John and Holly on Shiloh also looked great in their red we loved her shirt saying "My heart belongs at Sea". Of course Andre and I also were in red.

Marita had made dates stuffed with blue cheese wrapped in bacon and appropriate snack for 'date night'. 

As always we had a wonderful evening laughing chatting and shooting group selfies. 

A fine way to celebrate Valentines with good friends. 

Allan Cay 2016

Tucked inbetween two islands its a great anchorage and we discovered new snorkel sites.

Leaving Alleycat and Shiloh in Nassau with their visitors we headed for Allan Cay. Allan Cay is only accessable by boat and is well known for its iguana population. Boatloads of people arrive daily to see them from the cruise ships in Nassau.

We walked the beaches and explored the ruins, Stunning.

A few days later Alleycat, Shiloh and Le Maitresse joined us at the anchorage.

On one dive in strong current I peered down into the coral at about 5 meters. The biggest crayfish I have ever seen sitting quietly in the rocks searching for bits as he waves his feelers. Racing to the surface André says my eyes were like saucers as I stuttered, gesticulating the biggest Crayfish I have ever seen on snorkel. Right behind him in the rocks a second one.
Trying not to laugh he followed me down and couldnt believe his luck. Loading his Hawaiian sling he took aim and a perfect head shot. The crayfish didnt even wriggle but died instantly. He asked me to race over to Alan from Alleycat who was snorkeling a short way away and get him with his sling, which I did.


On return André was finding something very very amusing. He had gone down to check on his catch and discovered it was the empty fresh shell. Obviously the lobster had just shed and left his clean empty shell which was what we found. This meant he was even bigger and in the reef somewhere, but by this time the current had gotten even stronger and getting down to the reef and staying on it took every ounce of breath.

The shell took pride of place on our sugar scoop wowing everyone before the sea reclaimed it on the next journey.

Charleston road trip

We had heard about Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina and decided it was worth an quick road trip.
Our friends Brett and Gideon adore Lulu and agreed to babysit her (feed and visit her on our boat) while we were away. Lulu was very happy she loves Brett especially and Gideon.

Off we set off down highway I95, sadly this time we didn't get a Corvett upgrade from the car hire company.

For some reason hearing "Savannah, Georgia" said in a southern accent conjures up mental pictures of the old movie 'Gone with the Wind'. It includes the steriotypical mental images of slave worked flat dryish cotton farmlands and buffalo crowded plains typified in the old cowboy movies. In reality I found some of my images realistic in the beautiful old southern homes along our route. The southern twang to the accents easily identified in most contacts.
Our night stop was in the historical district of down-town Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston was founded in 1670 and is defined by its cobblestone streets and horse drawn carriages. The streets are edged with designers stores at designer prices.

Fort Sumter across the harbour from the waterfront park is where the first shots of the cival war rang out.

Wandering down to the waterfront we were delighted and amused to see what for us was the epitome of USA culture: a one foot deep pond with HUGE warning signs of "do not wade alone! No lifeguard on duty".

Our SA friends found it just as amusing, our American friends looked very puzzled by our amusement and pointed out that someone could fall while wading and if alone would have no one to save them. 😜 😆. Yes its true but do you really need to be told that?

On the way back we visited Savannah, Georgia; about an hour trip across the Savannah River. Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and was established in 1733. Wandering down the waterfront we discovered River Street Sweets, Salt Water Taffy! We watched it being made from scratch and hand pulled in their 80 year old Taffy machine. It is to die for. We also discovered their Chocolate nut Pralines. Can only say we are glad we dont live there so temptation is far away. Although you can order online!
We corrupted Brett and Gideon by getting them some from Lulu for loving and taking care of her. Thank you both.

Icebergs in Summer

So much for visiting St. John's in summer. The first weekend there Andre took me for a drive to Cape Spear to show me what he had seen while flying. Can you believe, a giant iceberg just off the coast. Easily 5 meters high by 15 to 20 meters long stuck out above the water. Bobbing along in the swell. As we watched it broke about a third of the way along with a loud cracking noise. The two pieces now rolled and tumbled as they righted themselves. The smaller piece pushed right to the shore in front of us.

St Johns 2015

I cannot believe it has been so long since I last blogged. Time has just flown by.

As I am sure you realize we did finally get to St. Johns after our delay in New York. It was a busy stay with studying to get my nursing registration and working as a Child minder. My heart was stolen while I worked and I have left a piece of it in the hands of a little boy named Elliott.

Firstly I needed to complete 4 courses in Pharmacology, Mental Health, Nursing Assessment and Health Challenges and the Nursing Interventions. Well pleased to say I managed to pass them all. Next visit I have to work 400 hours and then write my NCLEX exams, which are the final exams all nurses in USA and Canada write to qualify. Then FINALLY I hope to be able to get a job and earn some income.

Between studies I stared looking after a 1 year old little boy when his Mummy returned to work after her maternity leave. He totally stole my heart. He is so clever and I just loved teaching him something new each day I was there. Watching him learn things as he played. He adores music and his favourite thing was to play his toy guitar that has pre tuned tones. We had great fun getting as many musical things to play at the same time. One of my favourite times was when he was ready for his nap and would climb into my lap to have his tummy tickled as he fell asleep. I loved the time with him. A delightful child and a total charmer. A little Prince of Hearts. It is not hard to see the apple does not fall far from the tree. His Mum, Kate and Dad Chris crept into my heart too. I am looking forward to our return next year when there will be a little brother or sister in the family.

I also cared for another delightful little boy called Rilan for a short time. Lisa, his mum, was the one who introduced me to Kate to begin looking after Elliott.

As you know most of our time in St. Johns is during the summer months. Summer there is a little different to the long hot summers we know. For example the first weekend Andre took me out to Cape Spear rot view a HUGE iceberg floating just off the shore. As we watched it broke into two pieces and tumbled over. Large pieces washed right up to the shore.

The time flew by and snow started falling. Our sign its time to get out of town and head South. At least we had moved into an apartment during our stay so there was no snow shovelling this time.

During Andre's off time he was able to fly back to the boat and get things sorted out and even managed to visit South Africa. The timing didn't work for me as it was right in the middle of my exams.

Its always a joy to get back home to the boat. With Andre having worked on her on his off time there was less to do to get her ready to sail. Even so, our plans to join our friends In Cay West for New Year didn't happen. It turned out to be a blessing as they had horrible weather for the Cays. We finally met up with them in Miami before crossing to Bimini Bahamas.

New York in Pictures!

Twin Towers

The Survivor Tree

The Pit of Tears

View of Pond

We will always remember.

Soldier Memorial

Old and new side by side

Manhattan skyline

Visiting the Lady!

Wall Street Bull!

Maybe a ball rub will move market up?

 

New York Streets

On the Ferry

We were both there :)

Times Square

Take your Picture with me $20

Back or Front!

Just for the boys ;)

Nice bum!

Help Marilyn hold her skirt down!

This building is amazing my photo was too close to do it justice.
Its Triangle shaped!