February 1-8, 2022 Still in George Town

February 1, 2022

Can’t believe it is already February. We have been away from home for 2 months now. Time flies 

We are still in George Town and staying put until the winds calm down a bit. It is not a bad place to be with all the activities offered on the island. 

Bread making day 

9:30am-  We decided to go buy yogurt seeing that the ship came in yesterday. We knew we would get wet. Or I should say Steve would get wet. Knowing how wet you can get when you cross the bay, especially on a windy day today, I made a vinyl cover which fits over me with a clear plastic window. It works perfect since I never get wet. Steve wore his all weather gear. 

We managed to get yogurt and a few other provisions. We even picked up yogurt for Gunter and Sue to save them one wet trip. 

11:30pm-  Steve ran the boat to heat up the water. We both took a nice HOT well needed shower. Our hair gets so salty and stiff. 

Most of the day was playing my ukulele and Steve reading. The winds gusted all day. 

4:30pm-  We decided to go for a walk on the beach. We are always amazed by the view. Walking back we ran into a couple who gave us directions to see the “butt tree.” It was too funny. 

A real full moon in the woods. 

Not sure if you remember me writing GaYa with rocks at the bottom of the Monument hill. We decided to go look at it. It was under water due to high tide. At least it hasn’t been washed out yet. 

5:55pm- For the first time this year, I blew the conch horn at sunset. My sister asked if I blew the conch and I did it just for her. She was a good conch blower when she visited us in the Bahamas. 

6:00pm- Dinner tonight is sausage, sweet potatoes, asparagus and peppers and zucchini. 

Afterwards, we watched a couple of series before going to bed. As I am laying in bed, it feels like the boat is on a heel. Lots of gusty winds. 

February 2, 2022

6:45am-  Woke up to rain this morning and continuing gusty winds. Followed by a rainbow. 

8:00am- Had our coffee and breakfast while listening to the Cruiser’s Net. 

9:30am- Picked up Sue and we went for a walk along the beach. 

The waves were high today. 

11:45am- Steve made water when we returned and I painted. 

Sue took a nice photo of us. 

3:00pm- Steve and Sue went snorkeling in the hole while Gunter and I stayed on our dinghies. 

We went and hung around at Chat N Chill 

6:00pm- Had leftover Buffalo chicken broccoli casserole for dinner. 

Watched series before bedtime. 

February 3, 2022

8:00am-- Listened to The Cruiser’s Net during coffee and breakfast. Winds are still gusting 20-21mph. 

9:30am-  Can’t believe it but Steve and I both tried water aerobics on Monument beach for the first time in our lives. We were surprise to see what a good workout it was.

I wore my wetsuit since I always get cold. They give classes every Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday for free. 

1:00am- Went to ChatN Chill beach for free ukulele lessons and jamming. It was lots of fun. 

Came back to the boat around 3:15pm after a couple of beers while chatting with different boaters. Had a little siesta before dinner. 

February 4, 2022 

8:00am- Listened to the morning Cruisers Net while having breakfast and coffee. They announced the power was out on the island which is very common. They all have huge generation to compensate. 

I called the local laundromat to see if they weee still operating and told us the power was back on. 

9:30an-  Off we went across the bay. Steve kept saying this was a mistake as a wave would hit him and he was soaked   We dropped off our laundry and they said it would be ready at 1pm. We decided to stay on the island until it was done..  

Sue and Gunter were already checking out at the grocery store. We watch them leave while they were going under the bridge. 

We dropped off our garbage. I think it is time to empty the truck. You can always tell when the weather is too bad to cross the bay. 

We went to Kahari cafe shop and had a donut with coffee

Steve filled up the dinghy tank with fuel. He checked out prices at two liquor stores to compare prices with home. 

11:30- We decided to have French fries at Island Boy Cafe while hanging around town. So funny because Ruth Ann and Fred showed up for lunch. Also people from vessel TNT and another couple from Toronto. 

12:45- Picked up our laundry and then went grocery shopping since they were unloading provisions. Amazing how excited I get when laundry is picked up and we have fresh produce. 

After unloading our laundry and provisions, Steve read and I practiced my ukulele.  After an hour, he got up and said he was going for diesel and propane. Off he went.

 3:30-  As I was practising my ukulele, I noticed this catamaran anchoring beside us. There is a huge increase in catamarans this year. Steve went swimming when he returned. 

5:00pm- We heated up pizza for dinner. Ruth Ann and Fred dropped by with charts for us to go over. She also told us about the Aqua map app to download on our iPad. Funny how everyone brings their own drinks and some even snacks when visiting knowing that provisions are not readily available like at home. Everyone portions their drinks so that it last at least 5 months since it is so expensive in the Bahamas. 

8:00pm- After Ruth Ann and Fred left, we watched a couple of series before bed. 

February 5, 2022

What a beautiful calm morning. 

8:00am- Coffee and breakfast while listening to the Cruiser’s Net.

10:00am- Went to Chat N Chill beach where they had a cruiser’s yard sale. Anything people wanted to get rid of you just placed it in the picnic table and bargained. I got a few CD for free. 

As we were leaving, this boater asked Steve if he wanted to go fishing on his fishing boat, Parlay. Are you kidding !!! AW YEA!  Gunter went also. Steve was so excited. 

11:30am. Off they went. In the meantime, I took Sue snorkelling on the reef by Sand Dollar. 

Later came back for a swim, hot shower and did some art work. 

4:30pm- Steve came back with Mark Mills and Gunter with fish.  

Steve left the big snapper with Mark since he was so kind to take them fishing however kept the smaller ones which where still plenty. 

Clean up time. 

5:45pm-  We were invited over Gunter and Sue for a wonderful fajita meal so the fish will have to wait another day. 

It was a great meal along with brownies. 

7:30pm- Came back to the boat just in time befor it started to rain. 

Watched  a couple of series before going to bed. 

February 6, 2022

Happy 5th Birthday to my grandson, Cooper. 8:00am- We had breakfast and coffee while listening to Cruiser’s net.

 9:30am-  We had another great workout at water aerobics with Kelly. There was approximately 30 participants.  I think Steve was one of a few not wearing  wet suits. I get cold with my full wetsuit.  Good thing we also brought our water shoes. It is amazing what a good workout it is. 

11:00am-  After our shower, we made water. 

1:30pm-  Went to Sand Dollar Beach to walk the art trail. There really wasn’t as much as there used to be. 

The good thing is Steve and Gunter found shade to hide from the hot sun. 

Astve and I went across the bay to see if there was onions. The bins were totally empty. I did manage to buy Balsamic vinegar and Baking powder which I forgot to pack unless it is somewhere on this boat. Who knows!  I looked everywhere and couldn’t find it. 

3:00pm- Got back to the boat and had a little siesta. 

4:00pm-  I went for a swim off the boat and then took a cold shower while Steve read. We then contacted  Cooper to wish him a Happy Birthday. 

5:30pm- We had our fresh fish meal. It was so good. 

We cooked it up with onions, peppers, capers accompanied by asparagus., cabbage, rice and broccoli. Watched a couple of series before going to bed.  

February 7, 2022

2:45am- Woke up to rain so I got up to make sure all the windows were shut. 

6:30- A little breeze this morning and a few clouds as I watch the sun come up and do my exercise. I am still stiff from the water aerobics. 

8:00am- Had our coffee and breakfast as we listened to the Cruiser’s net. They announced that there was presently 304 boats in the George Town harbour. 

9:00am- Steve checked the engine oil and made sure the engine ran properly since we will probably be moving on from George Town on Wednesday. Of course, it is all weather related. 

12:00- We went across the bay for lunch at Island Boys Cafe with Gunter and Sue. It was pretty bumpy along the way. We looked in the grocery store but the shelves were empty. We will try again tomorrow. 

1:30pm-  Went to Chat N Chill to watch the kids Olympic events. Some parents organized a three day event for kids. Today the events were spear fishing pole throwing, sand castle building, water jug races and paddle board racing. It was fun to watch. 

We all got to touch stingrays which were swimming on the water by the hut where a guy makes conch salad. 

2:30pn- Steve played volleyball for over an hour with the adults. It was so entertaining. We noticed how many young parents now live on their boats and home school their kids. It used to be just retired folks able to get away but we think since Covid, people figure they could do both. Interesting. 

4:00pm-  Came back to the boat and relaxed until I made a stir fry for dinner as the sun was setting. 

Watched a couple of series. I practiced my ukulele until bedtime while Steve went to bed to read. 

February 8, 2022

6:30am- Enjoyed watching the sunrise. Bread making day. 

8:00am- Listened to the Cruiser’s net while having breakfast and coffee. 

8:45am- After the net, we took a run across the bay to get groceries since it was so calm. Unfortunately, nothing was on the shelves yet so we will have to come back in the afternoon. We forget it is Bahamian time.  

9:30am- We made it back just in time for water aerobics. We said goodbye temporarily  to Ruth Ann and Fred from S/V Shooting Star. They will be going to a different island however returning to George Town on Saturday due to predicted winds again. 
We will be leaving tomorrow for Long Island and also plan to be back for Saturday. 

11:30am- Steve read while I did some painting. 

12:30pm-  Went back across the bay hoping they had the provisions we needed. Bingo!  We got everything we needed. 

Confession time! We ended up buying ice cream for lunch. It is rare to find places to go for an ice cream cone. 

I spent all afternoon painting while Steve read. 

4:00pm- Went for a swim around the boat and Steve scrubbed a few places on the bottom of the boat. 

5:00pm-  We sat out on the bow of the boat while the sun set. It is a peaceful moment. 

6:00pm- Dinner tonight is pasta. 

6:30pm- I serenaded Steve with my guitar. 

7:30pm- watched a couple of series before going to bed.