Day at the beach......

This morning started off with Jon making calls and cleaning up the engine area, while I started new exterior boat cushions.
By noon we had decided to wrap things up and head to the beach by dinghy. The weather is wonderful right now with very little wind and sunny sky's so off we went out the narrow channel and to the south. We could spot a beach early this week down that side of the island so asked around and found that the very small beach was called Bardot beach after Brigitte Bardot who liked this setting back in the 60s to nude sunbath(we like it too). later in the day we packed up and did a little exploring in the dink before heading back to the boat.

Last week of the year

Our Christmas was filled with lots of fun and sun, we went to the beach after breakfast and did a lot of walking, so much that the doggies had to be carried on the way back. For dinner we had a potluck with some other boats that were anchored out in the small cove. Jon made some conch fritters that were the best I have had so far in the Islands.

On Sunday the winds picked up to around 35 and one by one the anchored boats took up some empty slips at the dock. Not that we want to be at a dock spending all our kitty money but it was nice knowing we were OK in the huge two day blow.

Jon is still trying to get the parts for the engine, the good news is that the mechanic helping Jon with it finally came and carted the engine off and will get with Jon today to start pulling it apart to see exactly what needs to be replaced.

Christmas Eve in The Bahamas

Christmas Eve in the Bahamas is filled with highs and lows and here they are.
The motor is out of the boat, so we can’t go anywhere; the block and head appear at this time to be ok and we only need pistons, rings and gaskets to put it together (It actually looks like it’s in good shape and hadn’t been abused through it’s life so far). The parts are in the USA in the warehouse; which is closed till the 3rd of January. We’re the only boat in the marina; but the owner has given us a huge break on the cost per day. We have a good local mechanic who can help with the rebuild at a more than fair cost; but we haven’t seen him in 3 days. We haven’t given him any money yet; maybe I should have. Everyone here says he is the best. The dingy ride and walk to the little village isn’t bad at all; but there isn’t much there. The marina has Christmas music playing all the time; but it’s Alvin and The Chipmunks, Michael Jackson, Carol Carpenter, Bruce Springsteen, oh and the Muppets 12 Days of Christmas, and then it starts over again. (They have toned it down today, thank you). We have met other Cruisers and will get together tonight for a Christmas Eve Thing and hit the Beach tomorrow. They are sitting at anchor a short ways from where we are for several days because of a huge blow and storm that will be here till at least Tuesday, so no motor makes us feel a little better that we can’t move either. WE do miss our family; but and are very glad that they are spending time together. Amy, Jeremy and Jill are with Grammie and Poppy in CT and have hit the Casino again (Nice going Jill, Jeremy I can predict what your luck was) We do have the Internet and are able to Skype with everyone from time to time. We have enough food and other stores onboard to live to tell the tale of this engine rebuild. I’ve talked with other cruisers who’ve had the same thing happen to them or worst, like losing their boat altogether on a reef, and we all get thru it. So I have come up with our new statement for my Facebook Profile; We work during the Summer at a Marine in Upstate New York on other peoples boats to make enough money so we can spend our Winters in the Bahamas working on our Friggin Boat. HA HA

We hope and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Peaceful and Joyful Time to spend with loved ones and Friends.
Jon and Arline, Sarah and Blue

A day of Exploring

We made our way around the island and found some excellent beaches, then went out in the dink to visit with Hejire. There are a couple manatee in the cove and they come over every day to have a sip of fresh water.

















I think i need to be creative and come up with a new item to sell to make money for all these breakdowns. So here's my first idea "dogie Tail bobbers" please send requests :)






Still looking for engine parts, Jon has the engine ready to be pulled out so this will be the fun part of the day. The manager here at the marina is great, he understands whats going on with us and is helping in every way possible.

Beach Party at Great Harbour Cay Marina

The marina invited all of us to a beach party and even had island transportation for us. This was a great time and the people here are so friendly and happy to help everyone. I am so amazed that the marina and bay in front is not jammed pack....This place is great for check in, exploring, beaches and snorkeling and dock rates are more than fair. The manager Joe behind the bar in the photo was great at putting the party on and making us feel right at home, The food and drinks were none stop and fantastic. We got to meet most of the officials of the island (police officer picking up his first person of the night, The customs officer that checked us in, all the guys that work the small boats to entertain the many cruise ships that anchor offshore and some of the home owners.
As the night went on things got a little crazy and funny. At the end of the night we had about ten people to get back to the marina and thought it would take a few trips, till we looked up at the ride and realized it was a truck so we piled in the back and headed for the marina to call it "one great party in paradise"