GaYa On The Move 2018-2019: January 2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

January 31 - February 2, 2019- Hatchet Bay

January 31, 2019- Hatchet Bay

7:30am- We left Royal Harbor on a gorgeous morning with our sail up. We thought we would take our time only because we only have 25 km to cover and we want to hit current cut at slack tide to avoid a 6 in current. There is another front coming and we thought that would be a great place to ride the winds.

8:30am-Steve put out his fishing rod. He caught a black fin tuna but released it because he wasn't sure what it was until we later text Brent, my son in law.

Steve's first catch this year

Going thru the Current cut, there was a 5 on current. Our bottom speed was 2 knots and our speed was 7 knots. That is at almost slack tides. Would want to get engine problems between this narrow cut. On our way to Hatchet Bay, I made us sandwiches for lunch and prepared a Sheppard's Pie.

You can see the caves as we entered Hatchet Bay

We arrived in Hatchet Bay. As we approached the entrance, we could see the entrance to some caves. It is very narrow to enter the channel.

This is one of the most protected anchorage. Steve made water and then we both took a well needed shower. He got ice for the cooler and his beer since my fridge was full. We relaxed and noticed a double sun dog in the sky. What a gorgeous evening.
As we were watching a movie around 8pm, the wind started picking up.
We plan on staying here for a couple of days because of the winds and hopefully we will be able to explore the island tomorrow.

February 1, 2019

After having breakfast, there was a little excitement.

Keeping the boat off the rocks

First, someone dinghy got detached from their boat and it floated away along the shoreline. By the time we noticed, someone else went to pick it up for them.

Then we noticed a boat dragging his anchor and no one was in it. Another couple feared their anchor lines would get tangled up so they hopped on the boat to see if they could at least start it but they couldn't. (No keys) Steve went to see if they needed help. They let out more rode and hoped for the best. Steve drove around the docks to see if they could find the owner. We saw their dinghy but no sign of them. Looks like the boat is rehooked. Steve said it was a heavy concrete boat. He was lucky people were around to take action otherwise it would have gotten all scratched up from the rocks along the shore. Glad we invested in a good anchor.

Walked the beach

All above graves but couldn't make out the names

Around 10:30am we went on shore and made reservations at a restaurant for tonight. We then walked around along the beach. We noticed a cemetery right by the beach. Funny how it seems all cemeteries are along the beach property. We couldn't make out any of the stones ages. It is at least sunny and hot but just windy.

Greeted by a friendly dog

The Front Porch restaurant

Thanks chef Frances for the best stone crabs

Perfect place to eat

6:00pm- We had to return to the Front Porch restaurant where Steve and I shared the best stone crab and 5 seasoned mahi mahi. Chef Frances prepared it especially just for us. Just like last year, we were the only ones there and he made sure to take his time and prepare just right. He never disappointed us. What a lovely evening.

February 2, 2019
It was so windy last night that the boat was rocking and a rolling every which way. Maybe that is why I woke up around 5am not feeling so good. Little touch of seasickness I guess. Seeing that I wasn't feel up to par, Steve volunteered to go do laundry. He said the facilities has 2 brand new washer and dryer which is rare to find. Also, it was the cheapest place where we have done laundry so far. Good to know.Electric boat photo
When Steve was doing laundry he talked to a couple who live on their boat.
They purchased an older boat with a seized motor and removed the motor to put in a battery from a Chevy volt to power an electric motor to drive the boat. He installed 2 300w solar panel on gimbals so that he can adjust them to the direction of the sun. Solar panels charge the batteries which powers the motor. If it Is a cloudy day, they have no power. They spent 2 years working on the boat to live on it. It is quite fascinating to see what others do.

Electric boat

We noticed a guy with his huge jab dog on a dinghy approaching our boat as if he knew us. It was Brad from London on boat named Abardarzy which we talked to in Man O War. Many boaters go to the same places.

As the day went on I felt better. It was pouring rain so Steve took advantage of collecting water in our tanks and also decided to shower in the rain. Too funny!

We ended up having a nice chicken dinner and watched movies for the rest of the evening..\

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019 _ Here we come Exumas

January 30, 2019 Heading Royal Harbour

5:30am- Woke up and had coffee before lifting our anchor and setting course across the ocean to Royal Harbour.

Sails are up

I woke up last night and what a spectacular view. Looking out the window, I thought the lights from the other boat masts where shining bright but soon I realize brights thousands of stars shining like I have never seen before. I am so blessed to be in a place of total darkness to observe such amazement.. I just can't believe how many stars we do not see due to city lights which surround us back home. Seeing sunsets and sunrises from the horizon are also treasured.It is the first time we have both our sails up. The sea is calm and Steve decided to fish.

On our path to Spanish Wells lies Royal Island which has a string bean of an island 430 square acres strung out 4.5 miles wide. There is a protected anchorage there at Royal Island Harbour.
2:30pm- We covered 54.93kn

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

January 29, 2019 - Marsh Harbour

January 29, 2019

The dinghy was full of provisions

Left Treasure Cay shortly after 7am on a gorgeous sunny morning heading to Marsh Harbour to provision our boat. 9:30am- Arrived at Marsh Habour after covering 15 km. We took our dinghy in to provision at Maxwell's grocery store. How funny because we ran into Margi and Chuck. Steve got diesel, gas and filled up our 5 gallon water jug.

Another gorgeous sunset

12:00pm- Off we go heading to Linear Cay mourn hoping to cross the ocean tomorrow. We noticed lots of boats taking advantage of the calm seas and heading the same direction.

3:30pm - Arrived at Linear Cay and put down our anchor. There were approximately 15 boats already anchored. Steve made water and then we brought up and tied the dinghy for our long journey tomorrow. It was turkey taco Tuesday night.

What a gorgeous sunset. Quick movie and then bed early. 6am will come early. We covered approximately 30km.

Saturday, January 26, 2019

January 26-28, 2019 Treasure Cay

January 26, 2019
Left Man O War after we got diesel in the boat around 9:30 and arrived in Treasure Cay around12:30pm . Steve tried to fish but no luck.

Cloudy and rainy

Steve fishing off the boat

Love Treasure Cay

There were a lot of moorings available.
This is the first time since we have been coming to the Bahamas where it has been rainy, dreary and damp for a couple of days. It is one of those days you want to curl up in bed and read a book. I even felt like putting on a pair of sock. Sure is cozy in the boat.
Rain, rain and more rain. It has been not stop raining so after watching a movie, I decided to serenade Steve with my guitar. All of a sudden he said you sound really good. I then noticed he has been pouring himself wine ....too funny. Anyways, we watched a few movies afterwards and went to bed.

January 27, 2019
I made us a great pancake breakfast and then we both went for a nice long walk on the beach to use up some of those calories. It was sunny most of the day.
We later went for a nice LONG hot shower at the marina.

Getting in shape

Talked to this guy who was beach fishing

At the Treasure Sands restaurant

We drove our electric scooters to go to one of our favorite restaurants in Treasure Cay named Treasure Sands and had lunch which was around 4 miles from the marina.As always, it was delicious.

We parked our scooters at the restaurant

Unfortunately, Steve didn't charge up his scooter 100% and had to walk half way until a woman picked him up on her golf cart.. I scooted all the way back.
Relaxed on the boat the rest of the afternoon.

Flying a kite off the boat

Steve tried flying his eagle kite again. Had a great pork chop dinner. Watched a movie before heading to bed.

January 28, 2019
Seeing that it was raining and windy, we decided to stay in Treasure Cay for another day. We attempted to hang around the pool several times. It was funny because every time we went, it would start drizzling. So we took a nice long hot shower then we went for margaritas.

It was too cold to swim in the pool

I went for a walk on the beach

Sat around the pool until it started drizzling

Looks like a small cemetery near the beach

Late afternoon, we went back to the boat where I did a little painting and Steve read, After a wonderful sausage meal, we decided to go back to the bar during happy hour. We met this couple Maggie and Jake Feldmeier from Syracuse. Small world...they started talking how they were involved in wrestling and we mention about our son in law who wrestled and that his dad was a coach at Drexdel. It was so funny when Jake said "Jack Childs". We were so surprise! They were renting a condo on Treasure Cay and we talked about all their travels. We exchanged information and parted our ways.

Maggie and Jake Feldmeir from Syracuse

Went back to the boat after 8pm and watched a movie.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

January 12-25, 2019 - Man O War

January 12, 2019

6:00am- Woke up this morning to a cloudy day. Finally got some exercise in although maintaining our balance on the boat and all the walking keeps us fit.

Went to Maxwell's to pick up a few groceries before heading out to Man O War. Anchor was lifted by 9:30am. We plan on meeting up with Margi and Chuck from V Twins whom we travelled with a couple of year ago. We are excited to see them again.

10:45- Didn't take long to arrive at Man O War mooring since we only covered 5.3kn.
As we were picking up the mooring, Steve got soak and wet since it started pouring.
Now we can dry off and relax once again.
Looks like we will be staying here for a week. Usually it cost $20 / night for a mooring but if you stay for a week, it is $80. What a deal. Guess it is even cheaper for a month. It is quite protected in this Harbour also.
Margi and Chuck came over to welcome us once it stopped raining. Weird how it just downpour as we were mooring and then the sun came out once we were all settled.

After lunch, Steve and I went into town and had an ice cream cone. I always remember how much I like their ice cream. Walked around a bit.

5:00pm- Margi and Chuck came over for a pulled porc dinner. It was nice catching up.
After they left, we started watching a Netflx series but soon realized we ran out of data. Guess we will have to go in town where they have wifi and top up tomorrow.
What a gorgeous night out. The smiley moon is shining so bright along with the stars.
We both decided to bunk down and read a book.

January 13, 2019

After listening to the Cruiser's net, Steve did a few repairs and then attempted to get the water maker going. After last year's issues, he got the water pump all refitted while we were in Canada. Yeah, we can make water again.

Coral Grave sight which is hand dug

I went to the marina to hook up to wifi while Steve stayed on the boat. For some reason we are having a difficult time with our BTC cellular hook up so I deceived to download some movies for tonight. We later went for a walk on the beach. It feels good to get our walking in. It sprinkled a little so we rushed back before getting wet. Once we realized it wasn't going to rain, we dinghies down in the bay to explore it. The water is crystal clear and I saw a huge turtle swimming and a huge fish. It is really nice in the way here.
We had an early dinner since we skipped lunch. Guess I goofed on the Netflix,downloads since one was in German and the other was a documentary which neither one of us liked. We decided to finish listening to Michelle Obama audible book and then I entertained Steve with a little of my guitar playing. It is sure pitched dark at night. We came inside the boat thinking it was 11ish but in reality it was only 9:30pm. We both went to bed anyways.

January 14, 2013
Woke up at 6:00am and did my routine exercise while waiting for the sunrise. It is going to be a gorgeous day. Didn't see much of a sunrise because of the trees.

After breakfast, while Steve worked on the heater element, I went kayaking. For some reason we were not getting hot water when we ran the generator. He quickly resolved the proble.

We then did a load of wash at the marina. $5.50 a load. While we were doing the laundry, we downloaded movies on the iPad since the wifi was good and free.

Steve taking advantage of free wifi

After changing our bedding, we stopped in Chuck and Margi's boat for a,quick drink.

Margi and Chuck from V Twin

Once back at our boat, we listened to music and enjoyed barbecued pork chops for dinner.

Steve noticed a bird on the mast spreaders.

Steve blowing the conch

We were in bed by 10:00pm after watching a movie. It was such a beautiful night.
Steve blew the conch at sunset

January 15, 2019

Went kayaking this morning before Steve woke up. He made water after breakfast and then went for a swim before going to the marina to check our mail

First swim in the Bahamas this year

I finished my audible book on Sally Field and then later did a little painting. Chuck and Margie invited us over for a wonderful dinner. She makes he own ricotta cheese, homemade bread and even yogurt. We had a wonderful evening. Steve and I came back to the boat to watch a crappy movie. Can't win them all.

January 16, 2019
Another calm morning so I went kayaking.
Steve cleaned one of the solar panel today while I went in the dinghy to explore. I want to go diving for Sea Biscuits but the water always seem a little bumpy by the time we go.
Relaxed and either read or played guitar. It was on and sprinkling all day.
A Canadian couple, Brad and Julia, from London area came by in their dinghy with their lab dog and their daughter Rachel. They sold everything and live on their boat.
As we ate our dinner, we noticed the sunset colors were illuminating gorgeous colors so we hurried in the dinghy and went outside the bay to see it. So beautiful.

The water was so clear that we could see the mooring

After watching a movie, we sat outside the boat and noticed how bright the half moon. It lit up all the boats and the water was so still. It is a picture you can't describe. You have to be here to see it. So calming. Funny thing is, everyone moored in the bay was already sleeping. Absolutely no lights were on in any of the boats.
We decided to go read a bit before bedtime.

January 17, 2019

Beautiful morning kayaking

Went kayaking early morning and enjoyed the peaceful still water. We talked to a couple, Judy and Mike Bornkoff, from Gibson, BC who have a tug boat Blue Yonder 111. They were on their way for coffee in town and stopped by on their dinghy.

At 11am, we met up with Chuck and Margi and they went snorkeling with Steve while I swam by the dinghies. Steve managed to get me half a dozen Sea biscuits. He knows what makes me happy.
We later made water and relaxed

Steve snorkeling

Margi and Chuck snokelling

I made a spaghetti meal and took the dinghy out to see another gorgeous sunset. Watch a few movie before going to bed.

The bright moon

January 18, 2019

Beautiful sun rise

What a gorgeous morning to go kayaking. It was so calm that I was able to kayak on the outside of the bay to see the sun rising. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. There was a gentlemen who was sculling on his sailboat with his sails up. We quietly waved to each other since we did not want to wake anybody with our voices.

Guy sculling

Around 9am, Steve and I decided to take our dinghy across to Hopetown. It only took us 15 minute since it was so calm.

We first stopped in to see John Barrows from the boat Mandalay. We then went for a nice long walk on the beach before meeting up with Debra John's wife) at the school. She volunteers at the school while she stays in Hopetown throughout the winter.

Hopetown School

After we had lunch with Debra, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Man O War around 2:15pm.
Around 5pm, Chuck and Margie came over for flatbread pizza. It was such a lovely night. We are really appreciating because we know that it is going to get rainy, cold and windy in the next couple of days.

January 19, 2019

We paid $80 for another week since high winds are on its way. Better than the snow storm they are now having at home.

We went out the Harbour to pump out our heads. Afterwards, Steve took the oven apart to clean it. The oven wasn't working efficiently last night when we made pizza. Now she is running beautifully. Went to the marina to take advantage of the good wifi to download movies. Getting ready to bundle up in the boat the next couple of days.
At 4:30pm, we met up with other boats with their dinghy and we were tied up in a circle while drifting with the current, drinking, passing hors d'oeuvres, listening to someone play mandolin and ukulele in honor of the full moon. What a gorgeous night.

Boater playing the Mandolin

January 20, 2019
As we expected, the rain storm and wind was upon us after lunch. I managed to go to the marina to Face time loved ones before getting rained on.
It was a great chance for me to keep listening to audible. I am really enjoying the book Chris Hadfield "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. I even made cookies which did not need an oven.

Yummy cookie

Gorgeous sunset

Sunset even with all the wind

Steve's famous steak meal

The moon is shining on the water

What a sight

Can't believe how the moon actually looked like the sun. It was so bright that it lit up the harbor. Steve enjoyed listening to football on the back of the boat while viewing the moon. Around 11:00pm we started viewing the most beautiful lunar blood eclipse from the bed hatch. I didn't get to sleep until 12:30am. Spectacular!

Lunar Blood Wolf Eclipse

January 21, 2019

After breakfast, went to the marina to take advantage of the wifi. It is amazing how high the tides are due to the full moon. It was sure easy to get out of the dinghy onto the dock. We went for a long walk and explored the East side of the island. Last year we walked the West side. We noticed there was a lot of homes and properties for sale. So beautiful.

Steve doing his pushups

Beautiful flower which attracts bees, butterflies & hummingbird

On our way back, we saw Chuck and Margi visiting a couple from Massachusetts on their lobster boat. They live on it during off season. We managed to get a tour. What a nice boat!

After our visit, we returned back to the boat to make water. I replaced the "Hamilton" logo on the back of our boat. It was pretty banged up and we had a spare while Steve polished the stainless steel on the topside.

Taco night and watched a movie. The moon was really still very bright. Ended up being a great day.

January 22, 2019

After breakfast, walked on the West side of Man O War today. At the end of the island was John & Sue's place which we met a couple of year ago. It was all closed up but Steve picked up 3 coconuts and chopped them up with his machete.

Found an old telephone booth

John & Terry were not home

Found an alligator on our walk

Yummy....3 coconuts

Steve chopping up coconut

After our walk, I painted while Steve read a book.
It is really windy tonight. Stir fry for dinner. The boat is rocking while we watch a Netflix series.

January 23, 2019

Bringing trash from the beach

After breakfast, we went for a walk on the beach. It was SO windy that we got sandblasted
On the beach we picked up plastic garbage and placed it in the bin provided as you left. What a great idea.

Eating a fresh orange from a tree

Cracking the coconut

Fresh coconut water

When we got back to the boat, Steve cracked open the 3 coconuts he picked up yesterday. He managed to fill up a container with the coconut water. What a treat!

At 5pm, we were invited over to Margi and Chuck's for heavy appetizers where we met Betty and Rob from Halifax who stay on their boat named Wonder. It was a nice evening. When we got back to the boat around 8pn, we barely could keep up to watch a series.

January 24, 2019
It was sure blowing last night. I woke up around 2:30am from the high winds. The boat was tossing and turning. Funny how the winds come and go. All day, the rain was on and off. Actually, just the odd sprinkle.

Carol's backyard

We went in town and walked around and for an ice cream. Carol, a local, took the time to talk to us as she was standing in front of her house with her dog. She explained how she came from Florida and after being widowed, she met her husband on line who lived in Man O War. She moved here 3 years ago. It is great living here, she explained, however as they are aging, they worry about the medical facility. The "so called" hospital in Marsh Harbor does not meet the care she would get in the States. We must of talked with her for an hour. She gave Steve 3 oranges from her tree as she showed us her backyard bearing also fruit such as bananas, papaya, avocado and melons.

Carol Weatherford who lives in Man O War

Steve petting Carol's dog

Carol lived beside a church and in front of the school who only has 13 students

When we returned to the boat, I made mini macaroni cheese for future meals. Hamburger for dinner tonight and then a movie.

January 25, 2019
it rained most of the night but at least the wind subsided. We did a load of laundry and as the washing machine started, the power went out. It is very common on these islands. Thankfully, they had a generator at the marina and we were able to continue with the wash.
In the meantime, we went to the local coffee shop across from the grocery store and had a cinnamon bun. She did not have a generator therefore could only make drip coffee and couldn't warm up the cinnamon buns. Not a problem since they went down quite well. If you spent more than $5, you can visit the on site museum.