tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43971335781371765022024-03-05T17:38:35.708+00:00The Yacht SeraphimNewsletters from a 40 something couple with two children who left the rat-race to join the cruising life and sail around the world.John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-91303604595939107212021-09-18T20:26:00.000+01:002021-09-18T20:26:07.293+01:00<p> ...and for 2021 we now have "Seraphim IV".</p><p>Is a big trip on the horizon again?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhDwp609twzELjAGRrpYqjXutynvuC2tDesDsCXM5A8hoIutzEEnv-37BI2IgAg3Ve-ZLb8hc3Ihbx0Wj0RR7CmCM1r-982EflRgbGX8h3afegFv8BsriXAsJakOX7_E7m-_WOkFKRZRd/s2048/IMG_3951.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhDwp609twzELjAGRrpYqjXutynvuC2tDesDsCXM5A8hoIutzEEnv-37BI2IgAg3Ve-ZLb8hc3Ihbx0Wj0RR7CmCM1r-982EflRgbGX8h3afegFv8BsriXAsJakOX7_E7m-_WOkFKRZRd/s320/IMG_3951.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-32568817926993302132019-12-23T13:07:00.001+00:002019-12-23T13:07:16.692+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVLyHOfSZ22eps9k9LSqrQyFNZQu87BSZxbgbv5R8YFwCExVOp3uRrLUA4XknBwtu8x0PoiHgpgXI-qWqUv_BBAhrND-YjdsAwwFhz89CNdciQe1zdfVMfpfx7WGBfja-xpAgkx7d_GSB/s1600/Seraphim+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVLyHOfSZ22eps9k9LSqrQyFNZQu87BSZxbgbv5R8YFwCExVOp3uRrLUA4XknBwtu8x0PoiHgpgXI-qWqUv_BBAhrND-YjdsAwwFhz89CNdciQe1zdfVMfpfx7WGBfja-xpAgkx7d_GSB/s320/Seraphim+III.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The blog has been very quite as we have been living a shore based life.<br />
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But look what we have just bought...John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-47389635995116014362015-08-26T22:11:00.001+01:002015-08-26T22:11:22.182+01:00A new yacht<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The blog has been quite for a while (well a few years!) as we settled into shore life.<br />
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But we now have a new yacht - a completely re-fitted Contest 36.<br />
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What next......John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-8614858639254128392012-02-21T08:07:00.001+00:002012-02-21T08:07:39.205+00:00We've moved again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After eighteen months of shore based life, we have moved again to another lovely thatched cottage, near Fordingbridge on the edge of The New Forest. It has taken at least this long to settle down after almost eight years of cruising and it has not been an easy transition. However things are beginning to get onto an even keel and we have achieved a great deal since our return.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.jryachts.com/">brokerage</a> has gone from strength to strength, the children are doing extremely well at school and the book <a href="http://www.sailawaybook.com/"><i>Sailaway</i></a> has been a great success. Seraphim now has a new berth at the top of the Hamble and she will get some well deserved attention this spring. Time to start planning the next trip....John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-41373269246253730572011-10-25T10:18:00.003+01:002011-12-30T20:36:11.266+00:00Sail Away. A book by Nicola Rodriguez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhKZ8dFN5JivWb6DP3JoAm-3YulEr04s9mhNeeGejGFzRAYmfuojRiBzAOwRDBRlp82sKkydqGSf4xzWrO0ZY5rdhHkWa9bPnOGZKy2YnMVIo3WXAGol-RU7iwNfE39Jzc5CwFcl-qnu0/s1600/Sail+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhKZ8dFN5JivWb6DP3JoAm-3YulEr04s9mhNeeGejGFzRAYmfuojRiBzAOwRDBRlp82sKkydqGSf4xzWrO0ZY5rdhHkWa9bPnOGZKy2YnMVIo3WXAGol-RU7iwNfE39Jzc5CwFcl-qnu0/s320/Sail+away.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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My book Sail Away published by Wiley Nautical is now available on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470979763/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=latestnewsfro-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0470979763">Amazon.</a><br />
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<i>′A must for all aspiring ocean adventurers.′ </i>(Yachting Monthly)<br />
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<b></b>Author Nicola Rodriguez dared to dream the impossible—seeing the world with her family of four. With careful planning (and the gift of yachting equipment), her dream came true, allowing her to travel by yacht for four years while raising her family. In <i>Sail Away,</i> she offers practical guidance for the would–be adventurer—including choosing a boat, planning a round–the–world route, as well as a realistic look at the pros and cons of living on a boat. With information on safety, communications, children, insurance, and budgeting, this helpful guide will show anyone how to start their once in a lifetime journey. <br />
With careful guidance on each step of the preparation process, the book also includes extensive information on routes and destinations around Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and beyond. <br />
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<li>Includes only tried–and–tested advice–based on the author′s own experience as well as many others she met in her travels</li>
<li>Offers advice on coping with life ashore at the end of your adventure</li>
<li>The author is a respected yachting journalist, who contributes to <i>Yachting Monthly, Yachting World,</i> and <i>Sail</i> magazines</li>
<li>Illustrated with beautiful photographs taken by Nicola′s husband, John</li>
</ul>
Whether you′re opting to cash in your savings, making use of your pension, or taking a sabbatical from your daily routine, this inspirational, practical guide shows you how to take the plunge and <i>Sail Away."</i><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_828118417"><br />
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<b>Order your copy direct from Amazon<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470979763/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=latestnewsfro-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0470979763"> here</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1173632853"><br />
</a></b>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-18597077274167128882011-05-17T22:05:00.000+01:002011-05-17T22:05:04.598+01:00Back afloat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WAbzod2KAcMq2nsvfr90SaBH4B1lJX1SDpIFfpmOWCmmbfUxcnfC25U9cpuwYJophI4kS3Ib1TWHt0I59TnCTpXfV3FyE9FLIsp8egItutAk1NlExIupQo3HBgQIoi-vjYDa5GRwqsV4/s1600/P1000592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WAbzod2KAcMq2nsvfr90SaBH4B1lJX1SDpIFfpmOWCmmbfUxcnfC25U9cpuwYJophI4kS3Ib1TWHt0I59TnCTpXfV3FyE9FLIsp8egItutAk1NlExIupQo3HBgQIoi-vjYDa5GRwqsV4/s320/P1000592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Well sort of.<br />
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We have moved Seraphim to a swinging mooring in Poole and this is her new view.<br />
Its peaceful and reminds us of our travels. John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-7027561105106924152010-12-19T14:00:00.002+00:002010-12-19T14:00:57.301+00:00Happy Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE06pelKis18wsQsmrTZzUUxtm05P1ELxGLWl0RMLHfC9dUuNtG-zYRFSLPlCLYMX_uYKGifDMaGgmkqKYQbk_9CXKM0ArYZ8hV4ejmtHrunWICPzC_QFJkUjn4dZFzFwxRs6wYagZwD8-/s1600/Christmas+card+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE06pelKis18wsQsmrTZzUUxtm05P1ELxGLWl0RMLHfC9dUuNtG-zYRFSLPlCLYMX_uYKGifDMaGgmkqKYQbk_9CXKM0ArYZ8hV4ejmtHrunWICPzC_QFJkUjn4dZFzFwxRs6wYagZwD8-/s400/Christmas+card+2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-24249778877187785162010-08-28T00:15:00.001+01:002010-08-28T00:16:10.764+01:00All’s Well in Well House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSci1Xrcwri9kziyAOfXYtc45dHOMFGGd6lxa4BTsnNHKGsDcFZ05YmUgJIJgj8OUn0QjdZqc6QZ-jshcIwESl5L8ZMbZLRZozZJv4C8YddemwA4Dilrbn0ih2idma5wVQ_Ta3NUrELms/s1600/Well+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSci1Xrcwri9kziyAOfXYtc45dHOMFGGd6lxa4BTsnNHKGsDcFZ05YmUgJIJgj8OUn0QjdZqc6QZ-jshcIwESl5L8ZMbZLRZozZJv4C8YddemwA4Dilrbn0ih2idma5wVQ_Ta3NUrELms/s320/Well+house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The blog has been quiet over the last two months because we have been way too stretched.<br />
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The Rodriguez family sailed into Southampton, England at 6.30am on June 14th. The two months since we arrived have been a time of stress and change. Re-entry is a transitional experience, and it is a shake up.<br />
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John has set up his yacht brokerage John Rodriguez Yachts. <a href="http://www.jryachts.com/">www.jryachts.com</a>. He is specializing in Blue water yachts. Within the first weeks he sold a Hallberg Rassy 46 as well as listing some other ocean capable yachts and has been assured work at the Southampton Boat Show.<br />
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We initially stayed at a friends house and then with my mother whom we call Shore support (Sure Support). Just before we arrived home my mother had a hip operation, and just after we returned her cat needed an operation. Two patients in the house, I was glad the boys ran off their energies in Granny’s large garden.<br />
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The boys have met new friends from their new school, Salisbury Cathedral School and enjoyed numerous play dates with old pals. I was surprised how emotional I found buying the boys school uniform. It has been time of emotional swings as we adapt to life ashore.<br />
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In addition to all this we found and bought a house. The final negotiations for our 17th Century thatched cottage took place as we stood on the deck of the ship delivering Seraphim, our home away from home. Seraphim is now safe in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton.<br />
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We intend growing roses around Well House in Downton near Salisbury, Wiltshire in the south of England. We love this enchanting “dollshouse” where we shall take a few years out of the cruising life.<br />
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The next update will be full of pictures of our crossing on the Queen Mary II, Seraphims arrival and a few tales on Local Motion.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-75331880527681690082010-07-27T00:40:00.000+01:002010-07-27T00:40:59.788+01:00Back in the UK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PxLjXMBmdOB94JGPaltJvP7LLBrkkKGPGtUSiTFuASLv_-rgiwhX8X-95CFmUyR6FrrguKH0ZLdwkWkyb2EadL-dhNVuKZRb1cabqvR1ljDppu1Q36PCxeJX5mWAaDSv1ShcFsdwlLEP/s1600/IMG_2109+%281024x768%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PxLjXMBmdOB94JGPaltJvP7LLBrkkKGPGtUSiTFuASLv_-rgiwhX8X-95CFmUyR6FrrguKH0ZLdwkWkyb2EadL-dhNVuKZRb1cabqvR1ljDppu1Q36PCxeJX5mWAaDSv1ShcFsdwlLEP/s320/IMG_2109+%281024x768%29.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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We are back in the UK after a truly wonderful Trans-Atlantic voyage from New-York aboard the Queen Mary2.<br />
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It's been such a whirlwind of things to organise that writing a Blog update has taken a back seat but it's coming soon..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkWyS4xee9r37E5N0B1vsUs0At6o3SsPhrXw0ud5dKjDCn-MwqMr81la-egDocUD7DZovkm214-Eby5-YHh69h39qySVmSWg8RxypC1z7UUAMzGWV1bdugY5zJD0nA1dm7X7lQeVMZ6bJ/s1600/IMG_2105+%281024x768%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkWyS4xee9r37E5N0B1vsUs0At6o3SsPhrXw0ud5dKjDCn-MwqMr81la-egDocUD7DZovkm214-Eby5-YHh69h39qySVmSWg8RxypC1z7UUAMzGWV1bdugY5zJD0nA1dm7X7lQeVMZ6bJ/s320/IMG_2105+%281024x768%29.jpg" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-71760683212072978992010-06-06T04:09:00.004+01:002010-06-06T04:18:52.228+01:00Amtrak- Florida to New York City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEohYLutqrmz512WFmsnX_WzlnBG_8OyxDMvGeLGtN3l-Y2N4vwAMa4noNVCKGBlq4H3FnHOwU-HLvcVlujVPdmfujG3fgpzZb4oXC-j3L2IPbbSf-lAP5BH4KrMUz-urBmuHcc23ux07V/s1600/IMG_5523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEohYLutqrmz512WFmsnX_WzlnBG_8OyxDMvGeLGtN3l-Y2N4vwAMa4noNVCKGBlq4H3FnHOwU-HLvcVlujVPdmfujG3fgpzZb4oXC-j3L2IPbbSf-lAP5BH4KrMUz-urBmuHcc23ux07V/s320/IMG_5523.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Midnight Train to Georgia.<br />
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Technically it was through the Carolinas at midnight but we still hummed the tune waiting for train 98, the Silver Meteor. A thousand miles of changing landscapes: swamps, woods, forests, rivers, shacks, villages and cities.<br />
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Twenty five hours from West Palm Beach along the East Coast to New York City via Orlando, Jessup, Savannah, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Passing over a bridge entering Washington DC we waved at the Potomac and Washington Channel anchorage, and rememberd our sweltering time in the city in July. It was a fascinating trip tracking our previous sailing along the eastern seaboard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1vsjO1klrFxDKGyx5L-HRrFAK2aABa82m9erSu8Nk6PqN16pgarDX_Zo2nqxKzT4nxNaqHXIwGhYR2KS2LMbyrwRbU_eSJhPDBiPoUSEVeaPgrjlALKFwGKgEEn9Lcu62yX2w7-M5j6K/s1600/IMG_5526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1vsjO1klrFxDKGyx5L-HRrFAK2aABa82m9erSu8Nk6PqN16pgarDX_Zo2nqxKzT4nxNaqHXIwGhYR2KS2LMbyrwRbU_eSJhPDBiPoUSEVeaPgrjlALKFwGKgEEn9Lcu62yX2w7-M5j6K/s320/IMG_5526.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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No 8 and No 7, the two roomettes, one for us and one for the boys were worth the $300 each extra. They gave privacy and some time out from the boys. The food included in the ticket, served in the Dinning Car, was surprisingly good.<br />
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The train was a great experience, and a great way to ease us off Seraphim. For eight years, since we married, exploring on our boat has been our focus which expanded to include Jack, and then James. The last three weeks have been a difficult time with high temperatures and emotions. Thankfully the Seawalkers, with whom we travelled extensively last year, arrived in Palm Harbour Marina on the same day. Their help and support was invaluable as we prepared Seraphim and ourselves for the Journey. Whilst President Obama gave a press conference on the increasingly serious situation in the Gulf of Mexico I cleaned out the oily bilge, I felt for the folks in Louisiana.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hH2p6myMrLh9-7oRn4aLtbET9a6J_0_sFA1tNJs2mfcG9P6WNpkJKWWJodFWyrbWs6QfnRaQWAYSPnrSesm42nv6fh54U1KYrblJlgZ06pigD-FixAHKEjOz61rOkCGO7bubWRIOFR4M/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hH2p6myMrLh9-7oRn4aLtbET9a6J_0_sFA1tNJs2mfcG9P6WNpkJKWWJodFWyrbWs6QfnRaQWAYSPnrSesm42nv6fh54U1KYrblJlgZ06pigD-FixAHKEjOz61rOkCGO7bubWRIOFR4M/s320/IMG_5525.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Saying farewell to Seraphim, even for a few weeks, was a poignant moment. I shed a tear and John had “dust” in his eyes. Our floating home has sailed us through rough and smooth seas, physically and metaphorically. We look forward to seeing her again in Southampton.<br />
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Tomorrow we have a day in New York, and on Monday we embark on our voyage to the UK aboard the Queen Mary 2.John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-29677108487234781102010-05-31T00:43:00.023+01:002010-05-31T22:10:56.578+01:00Yachts, Trains and Ocean going liners.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhzVg8dyXJ7Y4fwA8PWB603s4xtTMLan7c3H_bXy0r5qwfeZZsmVnv5c-umzsne3F0hchyVWCCs2_l3DWEyJKCms0Mty4lwc4jwP92ME5tPm4W4com8ZxOoqzlbnI9r7P0rBbQ__ksRef/s1600/IMG_1923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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The Garden of the Groves in Grand Bahama is a beautiful and tranquil garden with waterfalls, peaceful glades and a labyrinth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn4Tahp8oS_iO55FifYbcAkMBddQIqmcm06brW02ZSjObebkUz3UHAtupZf7yxAXQN4CRDlRbHslITPjcelZcBEADSNR5OMsylRWB-8bEqMeLltkDtbFsLfRHCzTxEbU9dIIJPPBtzZTd/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn4Tahp8oS_iO55FifYbcAkMBddQIqmcm06brW02ZSjObebkUz3UHAtupZf7yxAXQN4CRDlRbHslITPjcelZcBEADSNR5OMsylRWB-8bEqMeLltkDtbFsLfRHCzTxEbU9dIIJPPBtzZTd/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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It is a magical place with a super playground and an excellent café run by Julie and Yvonne with chef Stephan, where the boys gave me American Mothering Sunday lunch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnRtVWqfuD-XJ2iQNDq2P1BtHOn1I9PBZS5nFmLyUwcFpAdzHmBsZ38gduNgK-x_vld0c4-qrcHJ9Ct7weNiJ_6uNr3pL2nfMboJcO53V02zniMCqqUkKNGfW0XdKmu58wUlj179oSbak/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnRtVWqfuD-XJ2iQNDq2P1BtHOn1I9PBZS5nFmLyUwcFpAdzHmBsZ38gduNgK-x_vld0c4-qrcHJ9Ct7weNiJ_6uNr3pL2nfMboJcO53V02zniMCqqUkKNGfW0XdKmu58wUlj179oSbak/s320/IMG_1964.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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My card was made from fresh flowers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlqH8rnDcIGVCtvaPvEKDwCCHQwrlcp8bF4OvfCslcumcrTSywLEzACcTN9dH1Fup1uRZLIr1MjZXb8cXa_3RB2FQcuPpzCHBiVwIt7cMei6PKz6carO5e_zn3vVof9Z9lrOgJnCQYWhM/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlqH8rnDcIGVCtvaPvEKDwCCHQwrlcp8bF4OvfCslcumcrTSywLEzACcTN9dH1Fup1uRZLIr1MjZXb8cXa_3RB2FQcuPpzCHBiVwIt7cMei6PKz6carO5e_zn3vVof9Z9lrOgJnCQYWhM/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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It is also a good place for reflecting on big decisions.<br />
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After chewing, debating and vacillating we have decided to ship, yes ship Seraphim to Southampton and explore homeland horizons. It was a hard decision which we have ground on for months. With hurricane season fast approaching the decision was pushed and shoved. South is out of the question. Chavez‘s Venezuela is no longer safe. Piracy has become a serious problem in the Rea Sea and Indian Ocean which blocks our way home if we go via the Pacific. Even before these dangerous waters we feel the boys are too young for the long hauls of the Pacific. <br />
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So, we were faced with heading north and then back south, along the US Eastern seaboard for the third time. This did not appeal. Since Palma in November 2008 we have sailed 4,700 miles and kept watch for eighteen months, 24/7, over two hyper boys under five. Cruising unexplored home waters will give us a much needed break before completing our circumnavigation when the boys are 9 and 7.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHThl0eOU-6gS_F44q6_IhIkN49LVt1iCWQ8kTn1juKBi9MDjKx7lx97MAo5WCn3GXVoVakWNKYhvLobB8Vrbv2kxz63RDK3RjzvrHGgDvHmiW_KvSifd89zyqsV4VDpWjdrBZ2JXVHNP/s1600/Route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHThl0eOU-6gS_F44q6_IhIkN49LVt1iCWQ8kTn1juKBi9MDjKx7lx97MAo5WCn3GXVoVakWNKYhvLobB8Vrbv2kxz63RDK3RjzvrHGgDvHmiW_KvSifd89zyqsV4VDpWjdrBZ2JXVHNP/s320/Route.jpg" /></a><br />
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From July 2002 to June 2010 with two years off for babies, we have covered over 24,000 miles in total from the Hamble in the UK, down the western coast of Europe, across the Atlantic, north through the Caribbean and the Bahamas to the Chesapeake in the USA and back to Grenada. We, then the Moonshiners, survived two hurricanes. Sadly Moonshine only made it through one and she was lost in 2004.<br />
In July 05 we set off on Seraphim through the French Canals with eight month old baby Jack. After three years in Spain and another baby, we returned to the Caribbean in November 08 where we voyaged from Martinique to Barbados, up the Caribbean chain to Florida then north to New York City and Long Island Sound, with a 100 mile side trip up the Hudson River, escaping Hurricane Bill, and back south via Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas.<br />
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What Next?<br />
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It has been an extraordinary, improbable and priceless experience of which we are very proud. The last few weeks have been a time of stress and change but it is a time of new opportunities and new dreams to fulfil.<br />
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Coming to a Marina Near You<br />
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Seraphim will be shipped from West Palm Beach to Southampton, where she will be berthed in Ocean Village opposite the berth from which we left on 7th July 05 for France. In July this year we shall start a Home Coming tour of the marinas of the south of England. <br />
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Arrive Inspired Not Dog Tired….<br />
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And if all this news has not been exciting enough? We’re catching the Amtrak Silver Meteor overnight train from Florida to New York. Followed by two nights in a secret gem, the Wall Street Inn, a new and enchanting hotel near the South Street Seaport in Manhattan.<br />
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And then … what next? <br />
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Port Out, Starboard Home!<br />
We are Sailing to our home port Southampton in a starboard cabin on the Queen Mary 2.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1wnNmnG2y1SbGV2w70sM9_B5XrOBf_x9ajsHkgFxVdQ78ujJvW9eG7ULDXc7juv3_0H7u0xN6eHrd2jKr6LFRfeOAyIIxg5Fyl3MH2Pf2TggkhU_EP4bzEsagDlNXuaqrrPRenkQ-vDD/s1600/Queen-Mary-2-New+York-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1wnNmnG2y1SbGV2w70sM9_B5XrOBf_x9ajsHkgFxVdQ78ujJvW9eG7ULDXc7juv3_0H7u0xN6eHrd2jKr6LFRfeOAyIIxg5Fyl3MH2Pf2TggkhU_EP4bzEsagDlNXuaqrrPRenkQ-vDD/s320/Queen-Mary-2-New+York-600x400.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit P&O</span><br />
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We’re bubbling over with excitement. Flying Virgin from Miami to London was the same price as a cabin on the QM2. No brainer which way to go. We set sail on 7th June from New York and arrive in Southampton 7 days later. <br />
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Our last western Atlantic offshore voyage on Seraphim, for now, was from Grand Bahama to the USA. Seraphim slipped through a narrow weather window for a twelve hour crossing of the Gulf Stream back to West Palm Beach.<br />
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En route John caught a huge Mahi Mahi, the size of Jack, who was keen to land him and eat him. John and I did not have the heart or stomach to kill such a magnificent creature.<br />
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Reeling it in had been a Hemmingway-esque struggle, let alone landing it. Jack and James were deeply disappointed and “upset” that their “sushi” was released. <br />
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The first time we saw America on the horizon in May 03 in Moonshine we were victorious, we had discovered the New World. This time it was a bitter sweet moment full of memories and hopes for the future.John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-44325391770104440522010-05-18T03:48:00.004+01:002010-05-30T21:40:54.640+01:00Discover Scuba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSvAgYXoeZj4_TwMg5kEO9_9cJZYmlY4KdzqfGU_o2jwgM81g1hIwdjr-IiS28XYae-E1focTuCGXDFM_vzXXV2IWzCwr0op2qni74e-s1ieP0wKxeeiJ4SVJQNXxcT5Ev10YUAENsqOO/s1600/IMG_1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSvAgYXoeZj4_TwMg5kEO9_9cJZYmlY4KdzqfGU_o2jwgM81g1hIwdjr-IiS28XYae-E1focTuCGXDFM_vzXXV2IWzCwr0op2qni74e-s1ieP0wKxeeiJ4SVJQNXxcT5Ev10YUAENsqOO/s320/IMG_1971.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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A week in Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama even at a discount was expensive, and too full of sports fisherman and tourists for us. It had been a fun stop but it was time to head to the Abacos. But first, we had to find somewhere with a cheap laundry. With that intention we headed to Ocean Reef Yacht Club for a stop before the two day trip across the Bahama Banks.<br />
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Coming into Ocean Reef was another heart in mouth experience with rock outcrops on both sides. I shouted instructions and full speed aheads from the bow and John steered us through the shallow, narrow, uninviting entrance.<br />
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<span id="goog_1433242012"></span><span id="goog_1433242013"></span><span id="goog_1433242017"></span><span id="goog_1433242018"></span><br />
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It's small and friendly and it suits us. Two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, beaches, a laundry, a gym, cheap hire car and resort scuba classes.<br />
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Having seen me learn to scuba Jack was keen to learn. John gave him a special lesson.<br />
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Other resort activities include bingo of which Jack is a big fan, and, karaoke night - another Jack favourite. But most fun is the cruisers singalong.<br />
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I find the astanga yoga classes a real stretch but love them. It’s easy here and with John and I empty of energy, and our boys full of it, that’s important. Two weeks has gone quickly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxyFkOmzXhhtc1Z-jLtOsBAGC5LUjtLsNwzvyzfnwTp5rCJqProVfhqup0FqWPXrZzaB-nqVvTwwYemiPPQAnl85WqYziX_7jhqfqSl38REVpsdAatdclwfxkScN7kszxXtuexU9Pkpg-/s1600/IMG_5408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxyFkOmzXhhtc1Z-jLtOsBAGC5LUjtLsNwzvyzfnwTp5rCJqProVfhqup0FqWPXrZzaB-nqVvTwwYemiPPQAnl85WqYziX_7jhqfqSl38REVpsdAatdclwfxkScN7kszxXtuexU9Pkpg-/s320/IMG_5408.JPG" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-51349857830480447842010-04-29T04:05:00.000+01:002010-04-29T04:05:02.551+01:00Lucayan National ParkToday we went to the <a href="http://www.geographia.com/grandbahama/lucayan.htm">Lucayan National Park</a> where they claim to have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world... they may be right.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73sCbb3Qt3zvOUHLcdLHTUEpUu8UOTAfZ_ErnS13_L2Z6j-pYsaTnP01q3lWZIYzukUyoaG0enYlBKFDjYbpt5DV8QI4v0oqw2oII1gbST1qPxYTpAEfJiSJCqMtZlhzDOuR-Lh4xSuot/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73sCbb3Qt3zvOUHLcdLHTUEpUu8UOTAfZ_ErnS13_L2Z6j-pYsaTnP01q3lWZIYzukUyoaG0enYlBKFDjYbpt5DV8QI4v0oqw2oII1gbST1qPxYTpAEfJiSJCqMtZlhzDOuR-Lh4xSuot/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-16692732858860931412010-04-26T22:19:00.012+01:002010-05-17T03:17:08.323+01:00Browns Marina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are now in Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Our attempt to sail south east to Nassau and the Exumas was cancelled because this year's El Nino weather has caused constant, unstable weather. All set to go, we had eased cautiously out of Bimini Sands and anchored in the South Bimini anchorage. It didn’t look good and it got worse. After ten minutes of rocking and rolling it was anchors up. Even at high tide, it’s a tricky entry up the channel into North Bimini where we returned and tied up on Browns Marina dock.<br />
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</div>The forecast was good for our second attempt to leave Bimini. this time heading north. John had plotted way points on the chart plotter for a night exit as we came through the Channel after our first attempt to leave. When we arrived a month ago there were no channel markers and a large boat was grounded. Now only some of the markers were back, even so it is still tricky in day light let alone at night. Mid afternoon we anchored at Paradise Point, off Bimini Bay in the north of the north island. At 3am with the children asleep we set off. John skippered. I kipped ready to mother watch which started at 6am.<br />
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</div>It was a testing 62 miles with testing squally conditions and children.<br />
However, now we are here in Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama, somewhere completely different. A change, it’s fun and easy. The marina we had hoped for is closed so we are at the Marketplace Marina where John secured a discount rate.<br />
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Thanks to the Our Lucaya Resort five minutes from the boat we have been indulging in five star beaches and swimming pools. A sales company corporate shin dig provided elaborate sand sculptures, a band and pirate party. Although watching from the back the boys were loaded up with treasure.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp2NbqM_Jgu1J0rM3bU5wd7wp8UGVIkjkBH6bHbfBeijJznZhzIKQrsCpcV-54880HozgnXPJUTwSZ7Hq1Dfn3Q_Pp1hJHdhfry88y8_YcPCvXMnfeBIAFwlyWHF_aPBc76kAc7FieCDi/s1600/AMX_loop.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp2NbqM_Jgu1J0rM3bU5wd7wp8UGVIkjkBH6bHbfBeijJznZhzIKQrsCpcV-54880HozgnXPJUTwSZ7Hq1Dfn3Q_Pp1hJHdhfry88y8_YcPCvXMnfeBIAFwlyWHF_aPBc76kAc7FieCDi/s320/AMX_loop.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Abacos are on our horizon after a huge storm system passes over. For now a little reminisce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><b>Browns Marina, North Bimini.</b><br />
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Browns Marina is next to the Government dock, both mentioned in Hemmingway’s Islands in the Stream. From the cockpit we watch the loading and unloading of the large ferries and boats, and the local water taxi. It’s quiet now, after the influx during the Easter celebrations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFMmQKPDMqenNhh5BGuC5F1wODQhLl__0fNZPDp2Hogk_V2nBpRaCGKTSJGqwHNv-vwjgBz8i319YRr3vDSNMXXfDSrxAG6RhTL0AA7fnUECVEHcb0MpWq0KgO2R6kp-J43E3-b4BozSV/s1600/IMG_5277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFMmQKPDMqenNhh5BGuC5F1wODQhLl__0fNZPDp2Hogk_V2nBpRaCGKTSJGqwHNv-vwjgBz8i319YRr3vDSNMXXfDSrxAG6RhTL0AA7fnUECVEHcb0MpWq0KgO2R6kp-J43E3-b4BozSV/s320/IMG_5277.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Ashley Saunders writes books on Bimini. His house near the Government dock-The Dolphin House has a small museum and displays his inventive mosaics.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbFx3fuTuUEl78SmsjOHJl72G9d0EAhyphenhyphenSlELU4Q2b9ptvKdmWatSdIEVYVmucFhG858VsRlhDSPXY0HfAjN0jtUli2Ax8zwTPwdvc9CvN_7REMzWKY08JqklT6ijALRnRzYI2u_VPWw4i/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbFx3fuTuUEl78SmsjOHJl72G9d0EAhyphenhyphenSlELU4Q2b9ptvKdmWatSdIEVYVmucFhG858VsRlhDSPXY0HfAjN0jtUli2Ax8zwTPwdvc9CvN_7REMzWKY08JqklT6ijALRnRzYI2u_VPWw4i/s320/IMG_5279.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Boat building has been in his family for generations. His brother Ansil builds the Bimini Bonefisher, an exquisite craft made from various woods including horse flesh wood and mahogany. It is almost too beautiful to launch in sea water.<br />
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On Dr Martin Luther King’s first visit to the island he wrote his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize. His second visit to the island was at a more sober time. Saunders felt King knew the end was near, and, spoke movingly of his experience with King whom he took to a tranquil place in the mangroves to write his final speech, three days before his death. Whilst out on Saunders boat, fatigued King asked Ansil to talk saying he was tired of talking. Saunders recited a Psalm he had written. We were blown away when Ansil gave an impassioned recital of some of the poem. The air stood still. High energies surrounded him.<br />
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Still wowed by Saunders, en route home I met both Phillipa of Brown's Marina and Tammy, the baker at Taste of Heaven. I booked four guava duffs, all time melt in the mouth favourites. Locals call the bakery “Tammy Souse Souse” because of the lunch time souse (pickled) dishes she serves. Walking past the long wall of the Big Game Resort with a sea painting by Bennet Davis on the wall, past Jontras – my grocery, past our first marina the Bimini Blue Water Marina, the Anchorage Hotel and back to Browns, several locals greeted us and chatted. Bimini was becoming home and more and more difficult to leave.<br />
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</div>Who Dat?<br />
In the Second World War pilots flying over the Bahamas amused themselves by radio-ing “Who dat?”, and replying“Who dat sayin’ who dat?”...etc etc. The Bimini Carnival over the Easter Weekend is the “Who Dat Homecoming”. <br />
This reminded me of Fort Lauderdale in February which went Superbowl crazy. Miami was the venue. All America celebrated when the underdogs from New Orleans, whose nick name is the “Who Dat Nation”, won.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>April was ebbing and the weather looked good to head north to Grand Bahama. Armed with four guava’ duffs we bid farewell to Tamy in Taste of Heaven, Jontra’s the local grocery, and all those we knew walking down the Kings Highway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlTZJlg6TwluXvcIHd-TpMayrBRD5LefhQTJOCs1wl3NDX8L5HT1FYb-xNapn8sOCySBtoZJxwQfXNZqjYZHU7xCzzkyV6eQr9bdYJo2cXM933tyAwpQooqGvgOcfSTLuER74ZfO6_jfI/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlTZJlg6TwluXvcIHd-TpMayrBRD5LefhQTJOCs1wl3NDX8L5HT1FYb-xNapn8sOCySBtoZJxwQfXNZqjYZHU7xCzzkyV6eQr9bdYJo2cXM933tyAwpQooqGvgOcfSTLuER74ZfO6_jfI/s200/IMG_5299.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-63329906362604332912010-04-18T06:56:00.009+01:002010-04-18T14:55:57.952+01:00Shark Encounter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLPy8uELCrAhBSd3bPrNKc3NsONCBIPGF896mzgc2Ky1MJpj0uIPH7CC-WwYv0fvgbyH43IW4tvqRa417GoLvZBnaMT0Ho9l5b-Rr3alKJ6UwZhJRoOMpi0Q2VdLV-3QzJfRl9sWnhBb/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLPy8uELCrAhBSd3bPrNKc3NsONCBIPGF896mzgc2Ky1MJpj0uIPH7CC-WwYv0fvgbyH43IW4tvqRa417GoLvZBnaMT0Ho9l5b-Rr3alKJ6UwZhJRoOMpi0Q2VdLV-3QzJfRl9sWnhBb/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLPy8uELCrAhBSd3bPrNKc3NsONCBIPGF896mzgc2Ky1MJpj0uIPH7CC-WwYv0fvgbyH43IW4tvqRa417GoLvZBnaMT0Ho9l5b-Rr3alKJ6UwZhJRoOMpi0Q2VdLV-3QzJfRl9sWnhBb/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLPy8uELCrAhBSd3bPrNKc3NsONCBIPGF896mzgc2Ky1MJpj0uIPH7CC-WwYv0fvgbyH43IW4tvqRa417GoLvZBnaMT0Ho9l5b-Rr3alKJ6UwZhJRoOMpi0Q2VdLV-3QzJfRl9sWnhBb/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLPy8uELCrAhBSd3bPrNKc3NsONCBIPGF896mzgc2Ky1MJpj0uIPH7CC-WwYv0fvgbyH43IW4tvqRa417GoLvZBnaMT0Ho9l5b-Rr3alKJ6UwZhJRoOMpi0Q2VdLV-3QzJfRl9sWnhBb/s400/IMG_1833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Bimini’s proximity to the Gulf stream and the Bahama Banks provides a unique habitat for marine wildlife. Sharks thrive here. Grant, who had introduced us to the Bimini Boa, runs the Bimini Sands Recreation and Activities Team with his partner Katie. One of their ventures is a Shark Encounter. Out near a reef on South Bimini, Jack and James, and their parents were enthralled as Grant fed Caribbean Reef sharks and a Black Tip shark from the boat. <br />
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In his fascinating commentary Grant described the shark’s feeding and breeding, and how safe it is to swim with them. The previous week when Jim was showing us the baby lemon sharks James wanted to swim with them. This time both boys were safely clipped into Grant’s boat. Still, James wanted to touch the sharks. <br />
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There are 450 varieties of shark some of which have been here for 450 million years – The dinosaurs appeared 230 million years ago.<br />
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Watch a video of our shark feed below.<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NPYGhji1OBM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NPYGhji1OBM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-63329454765156482972010-04-13T03:36:00.007+01:002010-04-18T14:59:30.385+01:00South Bimini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8-W6opdqDr1AvEG2z5ocgmI8hvVkyG_MX1Dq36BOU2_VK3XHZg0wu2PXSgsqgzuHwT0x0VYjLzi8BIGFBi4MayOWnQRDEKIqSyOSA_1Wd_3OSY0t2pgJukU59NTG5UIh0O_wEJSc4ViG/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8-W6opdqDr1AvEG2z5ocgmI8hvVkyG_MX1Dq36BOU2_VK3XHZg0wu2PXSgsqgzuHwT0x0VYjLzi8BIGFBi4MayOWnQRDEKIqSyOSA_1Wd_3OSY0t2pgJukU59NTG5UIh0O_wEJSc4ViG/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8-W6opdqDr1AvEG2z5ocgmI8hvVkyG_MX1Dq36BOU2_VK3XHZg0wu2PXSgsqgzuHwT0x0VYjLzi8BIGFBi4MayOWnQRDEKIqSyOSA_1Wd_3OSY0t2pgJukU59NTG5UIh0O_wEJSc4ViG/s320/IMG_1596.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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“Ain’t no time zone here”, smiled a Bimini local. It’s true. This place is really special and we’re falling more in love every day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfVyS_JxiZF2bKt8BsyqWKhcwyc6Xx2H5qDfUNsejVmW2t2rGYV47LNpaHy98oHHqYLpJga7vo3avlz7XL_O6sfeYUMl36h4ayOtNyjU-Nxn-ym-vKTPir6LRhx0buTZ9pxnSYYZSxHn3/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfVyS_JxiZF2bKt8BsyqWKhcwyc6Xx2H5qDfUNsejVmW2t2rGYV47LNpaHy98oHHqYLpJga7vo3avlz7XL_O6sfeYUMl36h4ayOtNyjU-Nxn-ym-vKTPir6LRhx0buTZ9pxnSYYZSxHn3/s320/IMG_5156.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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An excursion from North Bimini to South Bimini introduced us to the tranquility and magic of the south island. Eco-tour guide Grant met us at the dock.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-nOCfo3AtzGPhAOj_MgICv9JTW7sXuZi22A-zvkgKsnalUSUlcTjnc9-KeflDLmVa55xDQDXpd69vmOP02GPRaKwR5bMBk39qx8cjgQF0N92MmIE85FIHaOPCvobPAWt0ZoseSMNJzDb/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-nOCfo3AtzGPhAOj_MgICv9JTW7sXuZi22A-zvkgKsnalUSUlcTjnc9-KeflDLmVa55xDQDXpd69vmOP02GPRaKwR5bMBk39qx8cjgQF0N92MmIE85FIHaOPCvobPAWt0ZoseSMNJzDb/s320/IMG_1642.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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He and his girlfriend Katie have established an Activity Centre at the Bimini Sands Resort encouraging eco-explorations and a Nature Trail introducing tourists and locals to wildlife of the island including the Bimini Boa, a rare and beautiful snake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJEnp2W9-c_r5QutSjKSl7G5dn1I6LasMRhLO2ndyodP3TqhEAuCKhmTjbsN08UAndymbpXKcMyrELTKgnZs29lslLunyaN-57itHR9g2A3-Cmg04y4MJLKxVi4Qrn9V6qBhrZdNM6Pk0/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJEnp2W9-c_r5QutSjKSl7G5dn1I6LasMRhLO2ndyodP3TqhEAuCKhmTjbsN08UAndymbpXKcMyrELTKgnZs29lslLunyaN-57itHR9g2A3-Cmg04y4MJLKxVi4Qrn9V6qBhrZdNM6Pk0/s320/IMG_1603.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Later that afternoon, Sean, the manager of the Bimini Biological Station, or, “Sharklab”, explained the work of the centre.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYPVu0SGc6yQd6k_aEzOvC4D4bTEj-SrFfuePupNSMbm_wlTUNMnAcYUDns3QmeVUr8_HYCSAol4b_GNKAeJ-jtfY_DlTO0LrHyg26cowYF0SQJLR1da5fKAx6aEjoNLaWdjj1qTI76e/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYPVu0SGc6yQd6k_aEzOvC4D4bTEj-SrFfuePupNSMbm_wlTUNMnAcYUDns3QmeVUr8_HYCSAol4b_GNKAeJ-jtfY_DlTO0LrHyg26cowYF0SQJLR1da5fKAx6aEjoNLaWdjj1qTI76e/s320/IMG_1632.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Their research includes tagging lemon sharks and studies of the Bimini shark population by marine academics assisted by a team of volunteers.<br />
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The next day Seraphim motored down to South Bimini. <br />
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After leaving the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina we learnt of the destruction building the resort had wrought upon the mangroves, essential nurseries for marine life. When the dredgers fail to use “curtains”, silt from the construction clogs up the sea grass beds, home to juvenile fish, shrimp, lobster and conch so important to Bimini fisherman and restaurants. Bahamian politicians with incentives from the developers allowed the original site to grow almost out of control until pressure from international environmentalists forced a preservation order on East Bimini which means no resort golf course but the survival of indigenous wild life.<br />
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Even at high tide with slow rolling three foot waves, the shifting sand bars make the entrance to the Bimini Sands marina on South Bimini, a heart-in-mouth experience.<br />
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But once in, it’s great. Fishing off the dock, a swimming pool two minutes from the boat, a stunning beach five minutes away plus the other resort site the Bimini Beach Club and Mackey’s Bar.<br />
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It is a marina for cruisers rather than a boat park for weekend hoppers from Miami. First on the to-do list was laundry, epic laundry.<br />
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The scores of nappies loaded in Fort Lauderdale for James were running low. Small’s, the only grocery on South Bimini did not carry them. The supply boats bringing goods from Fort Lauderdale and Nassau arrive on Thursday. So Friday morning was a good time to cross back to North Bimini on the water taxi for essentials. Brown bread and parmesan rolls ordered from Tammy at Taste of Heaven Bakery, re-victualed and nappied up, we headed back to the ferry/water taxi. I was relieved that new friends Linda and Chrissie golf carted us to and from the dock. It’s a comparatively short walk but in 90 degrees on a dusty road with children it can become a task. Especially after one of my meltdowns when I sob that it’s all too much and want to go home. John ducks and dives through these monthly crises til an hour or so later the sun is shining in paradise, physically and metaphorically.<br />
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The mundane was forgotten when Jim the assistant manager of the Shark Lab waded out with us to the pen where young sharks were swimming. Jim fished out a lemon and then a nurse shark describing their characteristics, life style and idiosyncrasies. Touching these creatures was thrill for Jack and James. When John commented that they felt like sandpaper, Jim told that “back in the day”, sailors used their skins to sand the decks. Jim has worked, voluntarily, at the lab for almost three years since he graduated.<br />
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On Saturday, Jim was fishing for bone fish off the beach, on his day off, at the Bimini Beach Club. On the horizon is the wreck of the Sapona, on the edge of the Bahama Banks. She was a concrete vessel used for hooch. Numerous schooners were sunk on the Banks in the hurricane of 1926.<br />
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Inside Mackey’s Sand Bar there is sand on the floor and on the wall photographs of Bimini in the 20s – 50s including the harbor full of schooners, proof that the island thrived during Prohibition.<br />
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The phrase the Real McCoy comes from those spirited days when Bill McCoy was known for his undiluted liquor. Predictably there are photos of the famous writer and big game fisher with quotes from his work. Being on a Hemingway Island I messed with long sentences linked by “and” with the odd comma but after a few breathless goes, let it go.<br />
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It’s a bus or taxi to the Bimni Beach. Tony who sometimes drives a bus for the Bimini Sands, has eight children from four girlfriends. He looks after the children during the day and escapes to the bus in the evening and Sundays.<br />
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On our trips into Alice Town we met various taxi drivers. The tram was not as reliable as we had hoped so we spent more than we had hoped on taxis. $20 return. The best taxi is Milton or Scooper Taxi. Someone smashed one of the other taxi drivers windows. Our concern over a taxi war turned to amusement when we heard from a South Bimini taxi that our windowless friend is a “lover”. It was probably the fury of a scorned girlfriend. The taxi driver grinned over the “lover”. “I tell him man you got to slow down, but he don’t do dat”.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHaMg-gPLTKDwZHNiC9o1GNtHPuFUEMRvO1tjj81OWio5S5C5jZnkoZ1k6IjwGaNZPWzDNckmRqlD5MbzTN_AOiDxR7Sszgbk9_N_lGFrGMBcm5dg5qAhf7B5DKob8-rH_HcFThrtQn9F/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHaMg-gPLTKDwZHNiC9o1GNtHPuFUEMRvO1tjj81OWio5S5C5jZnkoZ1k6IjwGaNZPWzDNckmRqlD5MbzTN_AOiDxR7Sszgbk9_N_lGFrGMBcm5dg5qAhf7B5DKob8-rH_HcFThrtQn9F/s400/IMG_1781.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-88955742061914351242010-04-09T02:51:00.002+01:002010-04-09T03:02:23.770+01:00Easter in Bimini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAGJVQWCKEwCUgm4eJcUwyPJQliKz5a7d4Ug8pw_BofL2BlWGYzQsZFZhkJohv61eZkc0uIGjRZOuhu8Mk4R2cWd_403zhyl5EcSKVNEMYx6QvjxKwrz380aI49ZFYOyrU5czczjfiHsd/s1600/IMG_1487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAGJVQWCKEwCUgm4eJcUwyPJQliKz5a7d4Ug8pw_BofL2BlWGYzQsZFZhkJohv61eZkc0uIGjRZOuhu8Mk4R2cWd_403zhyl5EcSKVNEMYx6QvjxKwrz380aI49ZFYOyrU5czczjfiHsd/s1600/IMG_1487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAGJVQWCKEwCUgm4eJcUwyPJQliKz5a7d4Ug8pw_BofL2BlWGYzQsZFZhkJohv61eZkc0uIGjRZOuhu8Mk4R2cWd_403zhyl5EcSKVNEMYx6QvjxKwrz380aI49ZFYOyrU5czczjfiHsd/s320/IMG_1487.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Bimini celebrated Easter with song and dance. Jack’s first Easter egg hunt of three was around the large swimming pool in the marina. In Alice Town there was a Junkanoo Carnival. The tourist officer at the Ministry of Tourism told me Junkanoo was on Friday and Saturday, and pointedly, church on Sunday.<br />
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The Anglican Church is one of eight on this seven mile long by half mile wide island. The congregation turned out in their Easter Service Best.<br />
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After a two hour Easter Service (a stretch for us let alone James), the children were given Easter baskets for a sedate egg hunt around the Church yard.<br />
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Later new cruising friends from <a href="http://sansan.livesaildie.com/">San San </a>joined Jack and James for a crazier egg scamper around the marina playground followed by lunch beside the infinity pool whilst the children splashed in the cold water. A delightful day.<br />
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On the beach and the boat we marvel at the colours of the sea. From palest turquoise it moves through the spectrum to azul and cyan in the deeper water of the Gulf stream. A phenomena known as the Bimini Colour Change. It’s how I imagine the stairway to heaven.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNyPtUKxUj8hasO4AHrlQdM-TGpNe3XyR3HWWL52T3PyBac_Ar4I1xohpnTuh5M6NeKBnozdtRRGO00zyDG8n2654ggrBgaNnEy-ja-UP1VKA7vpOlotB63GzGVCvV12tsDIi5gmLE4RZ/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNyPtUKxUj8hasO4AHrlQdM-TGpNe3XyR3HWWL52T3PyBac_Ar4I1xohpnTuh5M6NeKBnozdtRRGO00zyDG8n2654ggrBgaNnEy-ja-UP1VKA7vpOlotB63GzGVCvV12tsDIi5gmLE4RZ/s320/IMG_1601.JPG" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-3663377760213834932010-04-03T05:00:00.006+01:002010-04-09T03:12:22.923+01:00Islands in the streamBIMINI, Bahamas<br />
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The Bahamas are so close and yet utterly different to the States in all ways. Less than 50 miles from Florida across the Gulfstream, Bimini has a strange captivating charm.<br />
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Bimini claims to be the sports fishing capital of the world. These tiny islands on the edge of the Gulfstream and The Bahama Banks have attracted sports fisherman for decades.<br />
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Six hundred pound fish which fight for hours such as Marlin and Sailfish team just off these “Islands in the Stream”. Ernest Hemingway’s book was based on his three seasons here between 1935 – 37. The house he first describes, The Anchorage, still exists as a hotel attached to the Bimini Blue Water Marina where we stayed on our arrival to the “Gateway of the Bahamas”.<br />
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Two days later another cold front passed through providing a good opportunity to catch rain water to fill the tanks, one of Jack’s favourite games.<br />
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The small Bimini museum is a fascinating guide to the colourful history of the island. There are pictures of the rich Americans who made homes here and attracted royal, wealthy and famous guests. Hemingway and one of his four wives, Pauline, are photographed with Baron and Baroness von Blixen of “Out of Africa” notoriety. The photographs taken in the 1930s show fit hunters and their ladies who have no hips and long legs. The real boom time was during Prohibition when Bimini harbour was littered with liquor cases. The ultimate booze cruise, when schooners from Europe loaded with alcohol anchored in the harbour, unloaded and fast boats (rum runners) sped the illegal drink across to the US.<br />
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The north island is seven miles long and almost a half a mile wide at one point. A beach runs along the Atlantic side. Jack and James played with new friends during a cruisers gathering outside Shelley’s beach bar in Alice Town.<br />
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An evening of indulging in Shelly’s conch fritters, up-and-down island banter, the magnificent sunset and driftwood bonfire. CJ’s, next door was John’s breakfast sandwich venue.<br />
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Bimini’s main islands are North and South Bimini. North Bimini has two faces, the village of Alice Town for island life, and at the other end of the island Bimini Bay Resort and Marina.<br />
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As with many islands golf carts are the vehicle of choice. During our $40 worth of golf cart rental we discovered the Resort and Marina. John’s careful questioning elicited the useful information that although it is $3 a foot per day, it is $1.20 per foot if you stay a week, not many people know that.<br />
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Even though it is a minimum of 40 feet, it was still the same price as Alice Town but includes restaurants, (selling grouper fingers – mmm), an infinity pool, uber pool, children’s pool (pee pool), children’s playground, children’s play room and non-stop WIFI. We headed up the new deep channel cut through the shallows for a week on Wahoo Pontoon. Now we have the best of both worlds. A $6 tram driven by Humphrey or $10 taxi with Max takes us back to Alice Town, through the villages of Porgy Bay and Bailey Town. I window shop at the expensive Bimini Bay shop fronts but we head to Alice Town to shop.<br />
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Tamy runs the Taste of Home bakery, a green building where she sells many goodies. Our favourite are her Parmesan and Garlic rolls.<br />
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Just before Easter the local school sold hot cross buns. A pupil, Paulette showed us through the school grounds to the Bimini mummies working hard over the buns.<br />
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They were delicious, and literally hot.<br />
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One of our most charming father and sons moments occurred when John made a coconut sailboat for the boys, and accompanied by happy squeals set it afloat.<br />
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This Easter weekend our tranquil resort has become Miami in the Stream. One of scores of sports fishing boasts powering into the marina was 900 horse power Down Time. It took just 1 hour 20 minutes to reach Bimini from Miami, top speed is 55 knots with a cruising speed of 33 knots. Seraphim’s 50 horse power and sail took eight hours with our cruising speed of 7 knots. Sleigh riding down a big wave our top speed is 12 knots.<br />
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We’re off to see Junkanoo, the local Carnival in Alice Town.<br />
There are at least eight churches to choose from. Wishing you all a Happy Easter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLlXbQQDVSf3_4TX4HQqKQNi6vd22DxoHRyvy4uK4urbSLcfxyc2MYD8RhTl9UzQbkeC1jfpvV5sTM5PRObAClX0WdRddhyphenhyphenepvUXtuOfAOmJJeRxYdG7kb6WQaZwmgwrR7nsukBioh9bS/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLlXbQQDVSf3_4TX4HQqKQNi6vd22DxoHRyvy4uK4urbSLcfxyc2MYD8RhTl9UzQbkeC1jfpvV5sTM5PRObAClX0WdRddhyphenhyphenepvUXtuOfAOmJJeRxYdG7kb6WQaZwmgwrR7nsukBioh9bS/s320/084.JPG" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-67551074334572817372010-03-29T01:21:00.001+01:002010-03-29T02:52:24.844+01:00In the Bahamas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVC3uzj0aI7nH8AsxfpCQlRERaorU8bKPBROFy6ux1ukNj9Z5eO1iI5tNKWpzcS0N6p_WHP8tsnJJi3kVTCRppwY3l3HxHuFhLV0c0O7luDzHg6SDm50mXObtmv2f0Hp7otwt0UKC-zFp/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVC3uzj0aI7nH8AsxfpCQlRERaorU8bKPBROFy6ux1ukNj9Z5eO1iI5tNKWpzcS0N6p_WHP8tsnJJi3kVTCRppwY3l3HxHuFhLV0c0O7luDzHg6SDm50mXObtmv2f0Hp7otwt0UKC-zFp/s320/IMG_1417.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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After a long, long wait for the right weather, and more waiting we crossed the Gulf stream to Bimini in the Bahamas. Two small islands famous for big game fishing and Hemingway. We are loving it here. More of Bimini sunsets and bonfires soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlRIMuyu1OhW-S8SH-dkGqcpbTA_84gl6WrMnggbPtM3Yz2LthBqgjbNxd3H36zKYaAoqyjJr_0wHClB0q5uW3NJk8phjcSjCjizlCMrvuJo80AIMqKFdC5bikYJ22HQXnrUhFGIAvbF7/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlRIMuyu1OhW-S8SH-dkGqcpbTA_84gl6WrMnggbPtM3Yz2LthBqgjbNxd3H36zKYaAoqyjJr_0wHClB0q5uW3NJk8phjcSjCjizlCMrvuJo80AIMqKFdC5bikYJ22HQXnrUhFGIAvbF7/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM186qn8sI5cgUnswECMRs2mYUafdebDgyk6IZ3XvvV4J1OjQ_-NPYEL8U3xOUZ0hUr7as3uR57wP21LIdGki3uZhq1sWf0w3V5Y6TT7JOWl-L8yYIpKcovqbKYCV_ZlDTlQ_UpxElWVBE/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM186qn8sI5cgUnswECMRs2mYUafdebDgyk6IZ3XvvV4J1OjQ_-NPYEL8U3xOUZ0hUr7as3uR57wP21LIdGki3uZhq1sWf0w3V5Y6TT7JOWl-L8yYIpKcovqbKYCV_ZlDTlQ_UpxElWVBE/s320/IMG_1416.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlRIMuyu1OhW-S8SH-dkGqcpbTA_84gl6WrMnggbPtM3Yz2LthBqgjbNxd3H36zKYaAoqyjJr_0wHClB0q5uW3NJk8phjcSjCjizlCMrvuJo80AIMqKFdC5bikYJ22HQXnrUhFGIAvbF7/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlRIMuyu1OhW-S8SH-dkGqcpbTA_84gl6WrMnggbPtM3Yz2LthBqgjbNxd3H36zKYaAoqyjJr_0wHClB0q5uW3NJk8phjcSjCjizlCMrvuJo80AIMqKFdC5bikYJ22HQXnrUhFGIAvbF7/s320/IMG_1420.JPG" /></a>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-80520125773605573362010-02-03T05:16:00.007+00:002010-02-05T04:33:10.387+00:00Florida part 3...still on the dock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9hR41VoUtruiztP0rJQVrzWgyRXPRPOoxuIvYg88JkEOJfzn5wRCO2jgisHP89wh9WDI3IGI_eHssB23VEEbbR711Bdtray24bf5qg1CD2NZ7SkD4kR5ZxwutQOynGhgCQwWmIzJMe-6/s1600-h/IMG_4565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9hR41VoUtruiztP0rJQVrzWgyRXPRPOoxuIvYg88JkEOJfzn5wRCO2jgisHP89wh9WDI3IGI_eHssB23VEEbbR711Bdtray24bf5qg1CD2NZ7SkD4kR5ZxwutQOynGhgCQwWmIzJMe-6/s1600-h/IMG_4565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9hR41VoUtruiztP0rJQVrzWgyRXPRPOoxuIvYg88JkEOJfzn5wRCO2jgisHP89wh9WDI3IGI_eHssB23VEEbbR711Bdtray24bf5qg1CD2NZ7SkD4kR5ZxwutQOynGhgCQwWmIzJMe-6/s320/IMG_4565.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><br />
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Here we are still on the dock at the New River Marina<br />
Fort Lauderdale, on Riverwalk, one of the most picturesque<br />
spots in the area.<br />
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Now we have dock fever. Three weeks longer than we intended,<br />
seven weeks since we arrived. But it’s been an eventful time…<br />
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On Sunday 17th January a day of high winds and strong current on the New River saw the Jungle Queen crash and scrape down the side of a luxury yacht.<br />
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I was taking photos of the boys playing on the dock when I saw the large tourist boat coming towards us. Seraphim is on the curve into the river bend. The Jungle Queen misjudged the wind and current, just missed us, lost it on the bend and crashed down the side of the next yacht. Massive fenders burst. The Jungle Queen then crunched a smaller cruising yacht before pushing off from it and heading down river. I renamed her the “Bungle Queen“. Even ho hummed new lyrics to Abba’s Dancing Queen, for all of a minute. “Bungle Queen crashing its way down New River, Watch that Queen, smash that boat flying around the bend ….”<br />
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Another out of the ordinary experience fell on a night late in December as we arrived home with two sleeping children. The police were out in force with a helicopter, boats and cars, and were joined by the Coastguard launch who caused a massive wake. All hunting a “dead guy”. Ooo’rah. Just what I wanted for a late bed time - the noise of a helicopter, glaring floodlights and Seraphim bouncing on the dock. A fight between two hobos had gone bad. One flipped the other over a bridge further up stream and the swift current disposed of him.<br />
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Lets back up to December 26th when we had a Wonderful Life moment. A fire hydrant. An empty pavement, and a young man kneeling, holding a girl’s ring finger. Can only mean one thing. “He’s proposing”, I squealed. John spun the car and we caught up just outside the Church by the Sea. Yes, Will had indeed just proposed to Tiffany. I asked why there, on the pavement? Will shrugged colouring from pink to puce. The “joy-full” couple were not surprisingly bemused by these eccentric Brits curious about spontaneous gestures which would change their lives. We wish them well.<br />
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Boxing Day was a day to hit the sales in the Malls. Fort Lauderdale’s upmarket Galleria Mall with Macys and Neiman Marcus, (otherwise known as Needless Mark Up) was a far more pleasant experience than the heaving scrum we encountered at Sawrgrass Mills, designer discount shops.<br />
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Excursions with Eileen, John’s mother visiting during the Holidays, included our beach playground near Eileen‘s hotel, the playground at the Church by the sea, Miami South Beach and the Miami Sea Aquarium with an orca, dolphins, manatees, a pirate playground and a fair ground. The Ferris wheel gave an excellent view of downtown Miami..<br />
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After Eileen returned to the UK we returned from our time out to the life of fixing Seraphim, and what a lot there is to do. The cockpit tent was taken off making us feel like a yacht again, not a caravan. <br />
Part of the reason the Seraphims are burning savings on the dock is that another and another and another thing needs fixing, also, it’s easy. The tenacious rootlets start growing as the lines are tied to the dock. No in and out of dinghy, just onto the dock. No life jackets on and off. No bags of rubbish, bags of stuff, in and out of the dinghy, just into a rubbish bin onshore. Electricity and easy access is conducive to landlubberly-ness. Also, although the outside temperatures were cold in mid January, the water was 70 degrees. It is warmer up the river because it is shallow and not open to the ocean.<br />
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Balancing boat maintenance, yacht broking, writing articles, oh, and everyday domestics including children and school is a real stretch for us. If the children are more naughty than usual we threaten them with “Dockwise home”. The most workable childcare arrangement is when John and I take turns, as at home. However, 24/7 childcare for over a year is wearing.<br />
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Fortunately we have some excellent playgrounds nearby plus the Museum of Science and Discovery which after 5 hours of non-stop play is reasonable at $29 for an adult and two children. I also saw the spectacular James Cameron blockbuster, “Avatar” at the AutoNation IMAX cinema next to the Museum. On the other end of the cinematic scale was the family outing to “Alvin and the Chipmunks” at the fifteen screen drive In.<br />
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On a literally freezing Saturday casting around for warm child friendly fun, John headed for the local movie house and Alvin, again. The boys literally danced in the aisles. (We avoid attractions and museums at weekends, too full, too mad.) The Riverfront flea pit rescued us again with “The Tooth Fairy“.<br />
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Whilst John had a day of WIFI and electronic nitty gritty, the excellent Miami Children’s Museum and I, entertained the boys. $36, £12 each was steep but you pays-for what-you-gets, and six hours of top quality “play”, was worth it. Miami and Port Discovery in Baltimore come joint first out of ten for children’s museums on the US east coast. In our order of preference: Wilmington North Carolina, Fort Lauderdale (2 visits) Charleston, Portsmouth, Manhattan, Annapolis and South Myrtle Beach.<br />
Young At Art, in Davie near Fort Lauderdale, provided a palate (sic) of arts and crafts for children.<br />
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It’s not just the comfortable dock, it’s the city. Marina Mile provides all kind of facilities such as West Marine, the vast Sailorman New and Used Marine Store, WIFI experts, Diesel experts, and all kinds of experts to do with all kinds of boats. <br />
Then there are the cinemas, shopping malls, Starbucks and Publix all in the area. All things lovely but lubberly. Enough already, it was time to get off the dock. <br />
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Returning the hire car is the best way to re-focus on setting off. We have returned four hire cars so far. I have provisioned for the Bahamas six times, so far. <br />
Some hours when John is up to his elbows in grease, oil and/or ugly bilge gunge I watch the boys play fire trucks or trains or just let off steam, on the dock. Ditto, if John is working on “topsides“, (the deck), they play beside him, on the dock. Several locals walking their dogs or toddlers stop to chat “forcing” John to take a break.<br />
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And we were ready to go. When yet another !?!!ing thing needed fixing. <br />
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31st January. And another, and another. Seven false starts. <br />
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Re-commissioning the watermaker involved waiting for a new part to be couriered from Trinidad. It arrived. It broke. John searched out another in Marina Mile. <br />
Then it was the loo pump out system which five years ago, we now discovered, had been installed back to front, and required new parts and contortionist tricks by John. <br />
The wind generator and the stereo both died on the same day. It was not just a matter of buying a new wind generator. John checked three times with the sales guy that the new generator would fit on our existing pole. Yes, three times he said it would. No, after wasting an evening try to make it fit it did not. A great deal of time (and hire car costs) is wasted in such buy, fit, not fit, return exercises.<br />
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And whilst John was extending our US Cruising Permit the customs officer pointed out that the Ship’s Register Certificate for Seraphim is up in May. Phone calls and Fedex to the Register of Ships in the UK, and a wait. It did not help that the receptionist at the Registry of Ships left the $55 Fedex envelope gathering dust when it arrived in UK.<br />
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I wonder if we’ll ever ever get off this dock. But, as ever with these times of stress and challenge an angel is sent. This time in the form of Jennifer who lives in the huge apartment block next to the boat. Jennifer used to live on a boat and understands our travails in the valley of boat maintenance, and children, and etc ….. So she, her washing machine, top floor swimming pool and games with her little boy Andrew and husband Paul have saved us. That and the odd outing such as the deafening ride on an airboat over the Everglades at the Sawgrass Recreation Area. It is home to various creatures such as black panthers, wolves, a cougar and alligators.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJWoTo1Lf7_PpqqdGwnPzBcsqc2kwv-RK7tnB0K2kLtRXkyb66Gc_qZ6cHVZyylYOsjCN7EKW7rRSM9TaeL8iWAM2_8CYM2UVxxhHBTsEUWV2QgNBkV2d4z6I7J2kwl0XppuhOtMPViz7/s1600-h/IMG_4563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJWoTo1Lf7_PpqqdGwnPzBcsqc2kwv-RK7tnB0K2kLtRXkyb66Gc_qZ6cHVZyylYOsjCN7EKW7rRSM9TaeL8iWAM2_8CYM2UVxxhHBTsEUWV2QgNBkV2d4z6I7J2kwl0XppuhOtMPViz7/s320/IMG_4563.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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A trip down memory lane took us to lunch at the Seawatch in Lauderdale on Sea, a fine restaurant where John had dined with his father seventeen years ago. After an outstanding seafood lunch the boys played on the beach away from the water line which was littered with Portuguese Men of War.<br />
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The Result of the Week was found in the Annual Nautical Flea Market (think a small Beaulieu Boat Jumble) in the form of a fold up bicycle to replace one of ours which had given up to rust. <br />
So, we wait for the return of our Ships Register Certificate, say goodbye to our wedding present wind generator, fit the second new wind generator and see what next.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2XCgN_nOWEJ2oKTwuGI5Jknoexd8NZo5LTkvCo5TNLBe5mn6SkJF5MX3AVgIotMqrAY8WJRkMgAVP6LjvNgKMrvgRjBmY-qptBKELKYIDBvr4gqBRVWkDfQm99qPTpmbqjJhuOuyiywS/s1600-h/IMG_4571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2XCgN_nOWEJ2oKTwuGI5Jknoexd8NZo5LTkvCo5TNLBe5mn6SkJF5MX3AVgIotMqrAY8WJRkMgAVP6LjvNgKMrvgRjBmY-qptBKELKYIDBvr4gqBRVWkDfQm99qPTpmbqjJhuOuyiywS/s320/IMG_4571.JPG" /></a></div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-80075643734572628082010-01-15T01:25:00.006+00:002010-02-03T05:12:42.610+00:00Florida part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qGt82heDy0newChl6MFUCMF8Ea9IdoChiC8QF_SqNygWLzdBt2RM4r5MzN6Mzt-E07hS1rWL0uL9awamH6mazq5-fdzqSTuc0vBCFp0Etrv5lFWiqKqp2ITGimBuBOTzDHhxYlz0jPwT/s1600-h/IMG_4104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qGt82heDy0newChl6MFUCMF8Ea9IdoChiC8QF_SqNygWLzdBt2RM4r5MzN6Mzt-E07hS1rWL0uL9awamH6mazq5-fdzqSTuc0vBCFp0Etrv5lFWiqKqp2ITGimBuBOTzDHhxYlz0jPwT/s200/IMG_4104.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America where waterways are lined with amazing residences. Here is a look back at our time there in December.<br />
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12th December. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHeACjqaaZ1FyhdKPHxEFBzForH9-qC-0mG7_q17yni3I5TWDFIRbWmQ0ZeVpP30yKX5M87NOUFpL-ccxiAt1dT9X826V5smpymvjaTZkSQfit6-xG_R81LzX6F3KQl-DIEAQo793fiCS/s1600-h/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHeACjqaaZ1FyhdKPHxEFBzForH9-qC-0mG7_q17yni3I5TWDFIRbWmQ0ZeVpP30yKX5M87NOUFpL-ccxiAt1dT9X826V5smpymvjaTZkSQfit6-xG_R81LzX6F3KQl-DIEAQo793fiCS/s200/IMG_1325.JPG" /></a><br />
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Las Olas Marina mooring field. Seraphim was in prime position for the Winterfest Boat parade. Over one hundred brightly lit and loudly blaring competitors of all sizes sailed right on past in front of us. It was magnificent.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI3rAa5cpy-ovah6qQQzg31uBIWnTPvWANpn_1sbK5K45AmDjRSdI_OqYMHNJboe0y4F1RnF2A0rVKjNuJZv6un89M25lTAJBKUau_RwucekU9AhqDpq20XEbQxRP5YBIzp-IJrYECWQ3/s1600-h/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI3rAa5cpy-ovah6qQQzg31uBIWnTPvWANpn_1sbK5K45AmDjRSdI_OqYMHNJboe0y4F1RnF2A0rVKjNuJZv6un89M25lTAJBKUau_RwucekU9AhqDpq20XEbQxRP5YBIzp-IJrYECWQ3/s200/IMG_1172.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr_Ydk0jJgFbqp3iX_1H-EUB705GZZM-yRvloYoazvw71U2YYK4EoEH_7M-BngjzBQlw_9fCD7Z7ngiV2LfeWU6PqeT4GCBvgurtQYRHwJzEY5CUx2RM7SuHROao6b2fYyStfFC_fEfy8/s1600-h/Christmas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr_Ydk0jJgFbqp3iX_1H-EUB705GZZM-yRvloYoazvw71U2YYK4EoEH_7M-BngjzBQlw_9fCD7Z7ngiV2LfeWU6PqeT4GCBvgurtQYRHwJzEY5CUx2RM7SuHROao6b2fYyStfFC_fEfy8/s200/Christmas+1.jpg" /></a><br />
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An extra treat was catching up with Pat and Walt on Centime with whom we sailed from the Bahamas to Puerto Rico in Winter 04 when I was newly pregnant with Jack.<br />
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On Sunday 13th December Seraphim headed along the ICW and up the New River to a marina. I was singing “Electricidad”, my version of the Spanish song, “Felice Navidad” in anticipation at being able to plug into a dock for a while.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLmuV3ED4kqbkQc5ZGHRo2rDJhz3NDPlIdWUSulCkXdaZuqXbnqBuGEwzz0cDypUImAOfLmileI1FVtdgcPu4rGRXbP3xGobxnhcYx1aSnudSTXZb2FxpfivLnQxZqKxMBnju-STPvCoK/s1600-h/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLmuV3ED4kqbkQc5ZGHRo2rDJhz3NDPlIdWUSulCkXdaZuqXbnqBuGEwzz0cDypUImAOfLmileI1FVtdgcPu4rGRXbP3xGobxnhcYx1aSnudSTXZb2FxpfivLnQxZqKxMBnju-STPvCoK/s200/IMG_1271.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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The New River Marina was also the start point of the Winterfest parade. Half dressed and unlit Winterfest boats headed down river, as we headed up. Matt, the dockmaster gave us an excellent spot alongside the re-developed Riverwalk, next to a park. It was to be our home for two weeks, which has stretched to five.<br />
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December 14th<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpJWC3P3deihdha9PbiW8d1LpARFe98jrwSM9UgbjPalMOSapM8Ckjh5e23y7zwIsVgSvXpZctT9VXmBhMeNkt_p-D2YFP2uLqL4WqqeO3nNXajpIWw2c-JsG8f0TUR1gFhMCNyuK7eef/s1600-h/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpJWC3P3deihdha9PbiW8d1LpARFe98jrwSM9UgbjPalMOSapM8Ckjh5e23y7zwIsVgSvXpZctT9VXmBhMeNkt_p-D2YFP2uLqL4WqqeO3nNXajpIWw2c-JsG8f0TUR1gFhMCNyuK7eef/s200/IMG_1222.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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I would never have guessed it was a special day if James had not bounced on my head before dawn singing “Birthday”. Later I was awoken from a doze in with champagne, yummies, and “Happy Birthday” sung by my boys. (It hardly seemed a year since Rastafarian Adrian accompanied by his steel drum sang on the dock in St Lucia.) A day full of treats ensued including brunch at the Floridian Restaurant on Las Olas Boulevard, a Fort Lauderdale tradition. Highly Recommend.<br />
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Eileen, John’s mother, visited for two weeks over Christmas staying in a Best Western Oceanside Inn tucked between the Harbor Beach Marriott and Sheraton. Three minutes to the beach it was great value in a top location.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXtEa-1CB2V2B9QI8Ttn23hlRc5jIx4muHBokkPFxs2ax5kxC0doKoei7rG7w5aSxDA85SyUclGa8Q0wDBBbyXX21lYy08l5hDnPBs44n6Sb-2UdqkULFHujnJQwwVOjitVKrdELNYb_/s1600-h/IMG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXtEa-1CB2V2B9QI8Ttn23hlRc5jIx4muHBokkPFxs2ax5kxC0doKoei7rG7w5aSxDA85SyUclGa8Q0wDBBbyXX21lYy08l5hDnPBs44n6Sb-2UdqkULFHujnJQwwVOjitVKrdELNYb_/s200/IMG_4207.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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An explore by car through Rio Vista (River View) wowed us. The waterfront homes are as dazzling on the land facing side.<br />
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On Christmas Eve we attended the family Service at the Church by the Sea which included a heart warming Nativity Play. I was intrigued that the Service sheet announced who had sponsored the Poinsettias. It was the most fashionable congregation we’d come across. Supper was sorted by Tokyo Sushi, a Rodriguez celebration tradition (e.g. our arrival in the USA in May and my Birthday dinner).<br />
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On Christmas day after a present opening frenzy in Eileen‘s room, Christmas lunch on Seraphim was rounded off with a cruise of the ICW Christmas lights, aboard “Tropical Adventures“, a family run tourist boat. Father Christmas had first given us a flyer whilst we walked down Las Olas Boulevard admiring the Christmas decorations.<br />
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Florida part three comes up soon. Marriage proposal on the pavement, drive ins, dive ins, and police helicopters at bedtime….John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-18435637887056163522010-01-11T04:34:00.002+00:002010-01-11T08:09:06.453+00:00Florida part oneGreetings from an extra-ordinary cold Fort Lauderdale. Avocado, strawberry and citrus farmers of central Florida are distraught. Me too, fresh, fresh, fresh strawberries we feasted on last week were the best ever. This week the crop froze.<br />
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But, for now, back to early December in Vero Beach, Florida. The Gods read my smug blog - “waterproofs away”, and cracked their cheeks. Torrential winds and rain with the spin of tornado warnings. The inclement conditions forced us to dig deep under the pilot berth (a six foot by two foot sloping “garage“) and drag out the cockpit tent. Wintering in Gibraltar (05) and Palma (07) it provided an extra, upstairs room, an excellent anti claustrophobic device. <br />
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Vero Beach’s nickname is Velcro Beach. Cruisers get stuck there. During the week, free buses provide transport to Publix, (my favourite supermarket), West Marine, (chandlery), Pocahontas Playground (9/10) and pretty much anything else. The mooring price includes showers and laundry. The place was literally packed to the rafters, arf! Arf!, boats were rafting two or three abreast on buoys. A charming couple thankfully experienced with Grandchildren rafted onto us. We eyed their immaculate craft remembering pre-children chic.<br />
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In Vero we spent time with our friend Greg Von Zeilinski whom we originally met in Solomon’s island (Maryland) during Hurricane Isabel in September 03. <a href="http://www.theyachtmoonshine.com/previousletters.html">(See archives, Hurricane Isabel on our main website here).</a> Greg had been kind enough to let us use his address for mail. It is so exciting collecting post. Genuine jumping up and down, excitement. Even in this email centric age, cards and presents from home make a big difference to Birthdays and Christmas. I immediately hid large parcels in the pilot berth, (“garage”), making a mental note from whence I should exhume them on Christmas Eve. Curious and determined small hands can discover even the deepest crannies. (It worse than John and chocolate!) Vero Beach Community put on a Christmas Parade. The boys soon learnt that waving their flags manically attracted more candy canes.<br />
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Greg a vicar who cares for his elderly parents, ferried us everywhere and gave his expert assistance helping John fixing the stern gland. Interestingly, Moonshine’s stern gland gave up on the ICW as well.<br />
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With 11th December, the date for our arrival at New River Municipal Marina on the horizon, we un-stuck from Vero and headed south. At our new gentle, stopping for playgrounds pace it would take 4 days to cover the 163 miles. (Pushing hard we could do it in 2 ½). On the first day south of Jensen Bridge we stopped at a BTN (Better Than Nothing) playground on the pier under the bridge. We have learnt from bitter experience that the children have to be run out once a day.<br />
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From Hobe Sound to Jupiter, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach the homes become more palatial and surreal. All realms of taste, or not, are catered for. The most overt display of wealth is a mansion one block back from the water, with the precious waterside plot given over to an immaculate lawn. Thousands of dollars of real estate for serfs and turf, with fountains with running water like in ancient Rome.<br />
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The picturesque anchorage beside the ICW in Lantana had a playground. Time was against us. Fifteen bridges from Lantana to Fort Lauderdale. Most sail in the ocean to avoid waiting for bridges. John and I think this is one of the most spectacular parts of the ICW.<br />
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The pressure cranked up when with five bridges to go, and the afternoon waning, the Atlantic Boulevard bridge broke down. Whilst waiting for the electrician to fix the bridge and free the waterway we tied up to a bar with a dock, or dock with a bar, depending on your priorities. The boys swam in the bar pool. Finally the electrician fixed the bridge. The barmaid cursed. Half the bridge opened. Better than nothing. Powering ahead of other yachts, charging for bridge openings, we made it to Las Olas (The Waves) Marina mooring buoys field in time to secure one of the last buoys.<br />
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</div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-66263429247797318752009-12-16T18:40:00.000+00:002009-12-16T18:40:29.731+00:00Happy Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fort Lauderdale Christmas Boat Parade<br />
</div>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-88685754432418403722009-12-04T04:37:00.022+00:002009-12-04T16:33:59.873+00:001000 miles south. Arghh!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxL7r3Bpy31Ag0aE4Q-lYiP0xDiJwnuvFsb50Cp9NF_O9w_i4J4PZCbPciQ-7S8BEGY_o7bqkma7WyZ7oX3XKPjIuSZ-f3cc9RNkN2swFobQu5LqwNWX_c4MO1ZA0wFgCIhn37dGXzhuT/s1600-h/IMG_3789.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxL7r3Bpy31Ag0aE4Q-lYiP0xDiJwnuvFsb50Cp9NF_O9w_i4J4PZCbPciQ-7S8BEGY_o7bqkma7WyZ7oX3XKPjIuSZ-f3cc9RNkN2swFobQu5LqwNWX_c4MO1ZA0wFgCIhn37dGXzhuT/s200/IMG_3789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411239990360887266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The blog has not been updated recently as our four week, 1000 mile journey south with children has been a tiring experience. But now we are in Florida and can slow down, here is a review of the last month.<br /><br />Travelling by car through the Fall from the Thousand Islands in Canada south to the Chesapeake Bay we were awed by the golds, reds and oranges of the autumn.<br />Back on Seraphim in Pleasure Cove Marina, Bodkin Creek near Baltimore we experienced an unexpected series of gear failures. Travis, the Dockmaster sympathised, “The hits keep coming.” Without Travis and Geoff (the boat yard manager’s) help and kindnesses I think we would have given up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD6Im2CqQMaydiPD_kFCKK2eQKgLG4xP7Gj0t49OKgLor7Kmq9dyvPCX9WjL9F72eEPUQYuKXq1SKk-av_jze3AbeCACVWTVFHmu4hcKEnmxIIpmoTG4raessCW2Sn618w-7Gmb08fMV4/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD6Im2CqQMaydiPD_kFCKK2eQKgLG4xP7Gj0t49OKgLor7Kmq9dyvPCX9WjL9F72eEPUQYuKXq1SKk-av_jze3AbeCACVWTVFHmu4hcKEnmxIIpmoTG4raessCW2Sn618w-7Gmb08fMV4/s200/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411237221870596722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After ten days of all kinds of yacht work including the main sail re-re-re mended and the bottom anti-fouled, (plus a re-newed passport for Jack,) we set off on a three day spin from the north of the Chesapeake Bay to the south, via Deltaville, where we bought charts for the Pacific from British yacht Foxglove. For months we have been chewing the debate on whether to go through the Panama Canal, or not.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hyperthermia and Hot Water Bottles.</span><br /><br />Next a brief stop at Norfolk to visit friends our Ocean Cruising Club “parents” Greta and Gary, and new friends Ronnie and Frank. Four other Ocean Cruising Boats were on the dock, all going our way. The cold drove us on fast through Great Bridge to Buck Island, from Virginia into North Carolina and Albemarle Sound into Alligator River.<br /><br />Most of the first two weeks John spent on the verge of hyperthermia. Marty, a pilot friend complained of the atrocious weather he had endured running south, nevertheless, his email concluded that the next day it had improved, sunny and clear, at 37,000 feet.<br /><br />Heading back down the route we had come up in May and June, we motored with a fleet of over twenty boats across Albemarle Sound, with the odd optimistic sail up in Pamlico Sound.<br /><br />In 03 we had spent weeks in Belhaven fixing Moonshine in Axon’s boatyard where we’d met Larry and Jean. Larry had just retired from a high profile Government position. Also, six years ago Rob’s Marina was an abandoned, run down shell where we sheltered during a storm. Now it’s condominiums hoping they’ll sell before the first paint peels. In June this year we had missed Belhaven, In early November, with time and tide against us, I insisted we stop to see Larry and Jean again. Skipper was grumpy. This half day stop meant a re-work of his meticulous tide and passage plan for the next three days. His mood was dispelled when Larry and Jean treated us to a picnic lunch, after which Larry drove us to a supermarket. Supermarkets and laundries on the ICW can be a challenge, so we were grateful. (The Museum in Beaufort, NC no longer offers a free car for two hours to cruisers. Few marinas now have courtesy cars because of the insurance.)<br /><br />Larry’s good deeds were rewarded by the boys locking him out of his car which was parked in the Pungo District Hospital car park. Larry was up against the clock, students would be filling his lecture hall in one hour. John dinghy-ed Larry back to his water front home. Meanwhile, I ran to the Hospital Emergency Room . James was hunting through piles of shopping. In quick succession, a fire ant stung his wrist, and then a wasp had stung his neck. Ice and pain-killed, he was fine but it rattled me. Clambering and stunts on the yacht, we are alert to the dangerous, and contain them, but the sundry perils of land lubber life are limitless. A few days later John nearly rattled when James chewed through the sacred DVD power cable (which luckily fused, phew!) And the other notch in James incident belt? John had to unbolt the companion way ladder to release James’ trapped leg …well, maybe we’re not so savvy about all yacht japes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn08Tn65g6UhCcGanEGfgB7fXmO-ivjO4YEFEfoax5AiHuDML_AU7stKkUntZ8boGsRHtEysoh4kdk4JSip6dFldeA2FtWDgVc9XPYp2gy1-3Doj86Zb8zr7MEIzMPrTjyUGTEkgwEv7pZ/s1600-h/IMG_0974.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn08Tn65g6UhCcGanEGfgB7fXmO-ivjO4YEFEfoax5AiHuDML_AU7stKkUntZ8boGsRHtEysoh4kdk4JSip6dFldeA2FtWDgVc9XPYp2gy1-3Doj86Zb8zr7MEIzMPrTjyUGTEkgwEv7pZ/s200/IMG_0974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411239180724858978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blackbeard’s Backyard</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspv0N15DDcza66zS46D1dtDGtOWHSFDJRJ8acghpyrketJ0EqJviMA66WGW4uMjJZPumlXnYOoHO_j4VpLYem27_WfVqJyCjESZVOAbbWnxP_mDc2V9VG-balFyiIq8Ng4Y0Kj6cAK9XQ/s1600-h/IMG_3793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspv0N15DDcza66zS46D1dtDGtOWHSFDJRJ8acghpyrketJ0EqJviMA66WGW4uMjJZPumlXnYOoHO_j4VpLYem27_WfVqJyCjESZVOAbbWnxP_mDc2V9VG-balFyiIq8Ng4Y0Kj6cAK9XQ/s200/IMG_3793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411239899001966226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jack was 5years old on 7th November and James 3 on 15th. On Jack’s Birthday the Seraphim crew set off on a Treasure Hunt with Captain Manley. He and the boys were in full regalia. Captain Manley conducts three hunts a day in the summer, but on this November afternoon we had him exclusively.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1AsXisdHObKHNm4Sm9glfy47w0FCkPH5rgA3BGfxQrN-lZuDHAavJ-QPzk6a1TwJsdSy4ao7f0s06XibalGu1nN-XWDGfTRbLQt3NLsH3jyfpeBO8ZgPW0QIt1kn3cMB0T_70ff3ZXbX/s1600-h/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1AsXisdHObKHNm4Sm9glfy47w0FCkPH5rgA3BGfxQrN-lZuDHAavJ-QPzk6a1TwJsdSy4ao7f0s06XibalGu1nN-XWDGfTRbLQt3NLsH3jyfpeBO8ZgPW0QIt1kn3cMB0T_70ff3ZXbX/s200/IMG_0988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411240942825563330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW9ubSIKA2WXmHucDJSO7TK5xrkWh1NAhCK96cNNszDzZovqqwH582sQAgnXd2xaK4GKwJdHgRWLwD1fzYr2fr2HitVcncWejKvtAkgQ_GlC7NnOmM5Kbeb-oSvHKvISg8BkuPJXAzoTY/s1600-h/IMG_0994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW9ubSIKA2WXmHucDJSO7TK5xrkWh1NAhCK96cNNszDzZovqqwH582sQAgnXd2xaK4GKwJdHgRWLwD1fzYr2fr2HitVcncWejKvtAkgQ_GlC7NnOmM5Kbeb-oSvHKvISg8BkuPJXAzoTY/s200/IMG_0994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411241795918175954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The boys armed with detailed, and historically researched treasure maps were led by Manley 40 steps north, and 21 south, (90 Jack steps) to discover numerous clues such as a noose, an arrow, a mallet, a logbook, and finally a large X in the sand under which they dug for … a chest with treasures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMsPXZhXCQWb0Q-lUBevgKmfWVRcunSeeGo77Lq6IXhnGZUv_hytBw0CdMf2Vg3yQ6-v8_Vz_xnJAdd6Ng_Ik_4FTOcVTHX8mitrj3p1lKS4Lt1OGZxK1RVkebdoTr8DPXUHzba69HkuE/s1600-h/IMG_0996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMsPXZhXCQWb0Q-lUBevgKmfWVRcunSeeGo77Lq6IXhnGZUv_hytBw0CdMf2Vg3yQ6-v8_Vz_xnJAdd6Ng_Ik_4FTOcVTHX8mitrj3p1lKS4Lt1OGZxK1RVkebdoTr8DPXUHzba69HkuE/s200/IMG_0996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411241801096417058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4_Uwkv75m3p9IH2sRQdJ2DshlMxvIKKoOLJunbadUJ7bPnOfmv0XOYC1_aRJTeHjjkNkpvmMLtPG-nWbiRJ-KJPVL61jPIxuROVWLJLPnQNJrLATx0dbxstOhHW9npreclzDz3F6nmFr/s1600-h/IMG_1005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4_Uwkv75m3p9IH2sRQdJ2DshlMxvIKKoOLJunbadUJ7bPnOfmv0XOYC1_aRJTeHjjkNkpvmMLtPG-nWbiRJ-KJPVL61jPIxuROVWLJLPnQNJrLATx0dbxstOhHW9npreclzDz3F6nmFr/s200/IMG_1005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411243701014912898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Double dibs, Manley entertained Mummy and Daddy with his extensive knowledge of Edward Teach, Anne Bonny et al. Highly recommend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_4zdcqR6SigAxq-WzBxMOQnt0kOeSyh9Xo3Bjsr0iDB9usFtLE5B4a-ehm-wWpWyhF1VQEA1LL2Wo8VkUzWWmU2IcHJq7OzXJQpJzuIhuTtfh38ac6gk2p9ecSq3fwoYzDwWsoIz5tbW/s1600-h/IMG_1058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_4zdcqR6SigAxq-WzBxMOQnt0kOeSyh9Xo3Bjsr0iDB9usFtLE5B4a-ehm-wWpWyhF1VQEA1LL2Wo8VkUzWWmU2IcHJq7OzXJQpJzuIhuTtfh38ac6gk2p9ecSq3fwoYzDwWsoIz5tbW/s200/IMG_1058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411244745290036802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And the treats played on. Three days after Jack’s Hunt we were holed up in South Habour Village Marina, North Carolina sheltering from Tropical Storm Ida which thankfully stormed north of us to Norfolk. It was reported as a “perfect storm“, clashing with another system.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPiVE8qJqfJ4n7wI6Y7uWS4CcvBMRJqLG3neX1TwFWpGu8kelmM050UjqaJAUE45k57v-9okCy_GBaCZuBBJQpvTCbJz1L5EphiHGbD8FsGJgojGAiUuTLB-PN7266fBeF0xn1t_Dt_HE/s1600-h/IMG_1060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPiVE8qJqfJ4n7wI6Y7uWS4CcvBMRJqLG3neX1TwFWpGu8kelmM050UjqaJAUE45k57v-9okCy_GBaCZuBBJQpvTCbJz1L5EphiHGbD8FsGJgojGAiUuTLB-PN7266fBeF0xn1t_Dt_HE/s200/IMG_1060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411245563951970162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A very wet playtime came together with the location, two children’s museums. Just north of us the excellent Wilmington Children’s Museum, and south the not so special Myrtle Beach Children Museum. Outstanding hamburgers and chocolate brownie sundae at Fuddruckers made up for the underwhelming museum.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Planes Trains and Fire Truck</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKlHYPas8wHge1AuzFZG6jO9G6xHyxBLELONyFCwvxjGmUthuxUx1iIxEHIhFlgfYL7AWsKn_aHjEOXwz5g1PS-eJ-l3tRGQzdIspWtVRA6Bjq5WR3y9nqVX88RLClI1LepAb0XuiTxaF/s1600-h/IMG_3762.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKlHYPas8wHge1AuzFZG6jO9G6xHyxBLELONyFCwvxjGmUthuxUx1iIxEHIhFlgfYL7AWsKn_aHjEOXwz5g1PS-eJ-l3tRGQzdIspWtVRA6Bjq5WR3y9nqVX88RLClI1LepAb0XuiTxaF/s200/IMG_3762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411246416334122946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB0L7pj160hmKGHG56WXtqwu0zRlFCiZXp2sShsbPEBr329xF9pJo6HJoEdmA_bRj2h01cNeAlBl61huq9ZTyoSHUm0vZO4N3IfnxuoqfNwATilcTrJq4e3obJfvhdaEUClra102_G92V/s1600-h/IMG_1082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB0L7pj160hmKGHG56WXtqwu0zRlFCiZXp2sShsbPEBr329xF9pJo6HJoEdmA_bRj2h01cNeAlBl61huq9ZTyoSHUm0vZO4N3IfnxuoqfNwATilcTrJq4e3obJfvhdaEUClra102_G92V/s200/IMG_1082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411246283613111538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As requested, (insisted) for their Birthdays Jack had a chocolate airplane with chocolate icing, and James a yellow cake (orange flavour) fire truck with yellow icing. Made by me, decorated by the skipper, undiscovered talent, don’t you think? A new Melissa and Doug train set and Playmobil kits kept them engrossed for miles, and miles. With no space and ambitious young train drivers John and I have to be highly inventive train track creators. Toys are best when they come in big boxes, but pack into a small space, such as train tracks, DVDs and the Play Mobil airplane and submarine.<br /><br />On we motored to Barefoot Landing, Charleston, Fenwick Island and Beaufort pronounced Bewfort in South Carolina. Both towns were named in the early 1700s after the same aristo, Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">“Where Ever You’re Going, I’m Going Your Way”</span><br /><br />The100th Anniversary of lyricist/sing Johnny Mercer’s death saw us by passing Georgia and “Moon River”, the first dance at our Wedding. We sailed past Georgia overnight - out of the Beaufort SC inlet and in at the St Johns, down to St Augustine.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Accentuate The Positive Eliminate the Negative</span><br /><br />Was one of Mercer’s most popular songs. We had to hold that mind in the cold, damp grey days when the engine noise hour after hour, and children’s noise hour after hour became wearing and caused war-ing. Cooped up because it was too cold and wet for them to play on deck, the cabin seems to shrink by the hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Survey of the Playgrounds of the East USA, (specialising in swings and slides)</span><br /><br /><br />Southern Spain, the Caribbean, north east America, and now the south east. Nil points to Beaufort NC but bonus points to Beaufort SC’s ICW-side playground which was highly inventive and five minutes from the anchorage.<br /><br />Whereas on our first trip we could sit and relax taking in the breathtaking marshlands and winding rivers of Georgia, not so with children. Playgrounds became our focus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Florida. Yeaha!</span><br /><br />After three days on the boat, the boys were bouncing off the decks. Hence a half hour stop at New Smyrna, on a dock alongside an excellent castle playground made from wood, and of course being near NASCAR town Daytona, tyres. A whistle stop to vent steam.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvsE6oAftV7qkpA-3Nts7eGVw_7MgBX4gTwfc-wY8XP5hzE-91vpa2s_EHKfGRu56eYm9SId-LzWj-Cc5iu8J8IDY0T7KpGJkYoSKEKt8rkosfXh4Upe4NF2qQ_IYaEhmUILGmsgBKV2i/s1600-h/IMG_3880.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvsE6oAftV7qkpA-3Nts7eGVw_7MgBX4gTwfc-wY8XP5hzE-91vpa2s_EHKfGRu56eYm9SId-LzWj-Cc5iu8J8IDY0T7KpGJkYoSKEKt8rkosfXh4Upe4NF2qQ_IYaEhmUILGmsgBKV2i/s200/IMG_3880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411247396525859362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And on south to Titusville where the playground was above average, but the players less so.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next. </span><br /><br />If not quite our rainbows end, it was a good stop. Near Cocoa Village Marina there is a quaint area of shops including a vast hardware shop (Travis and Co.) and a park with a playground. Who needs more?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAmwFd-AG2jebJYHWgv-0fOHbPjhVExvFq_ARh7vdNKJPsBemmpK1VixE7BpXdsm5Fwp2nAv0wmdWSd-uLLWOQmldulHAG5oB0W-kPpNfdSvA19L1lLjXCAmXNmQeq7nN5oq1X8hRLFjP/s1600-h/IMG_3925.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAmwFd-AG2jebJYHWgv-0fOHbPjhVExvFq_ARh7vdNKJPsBemmpK1VixE7BpXdsm5Fwp2nAv0wmdWSd-uLLWOQmldulHAG5oB0W-kPpNfdSvA19L1lLjXCAmXNmQeq7nN5oq1X8hRLFjP/s200/IMG_3925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411248388069720066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5PuHGJ42UKDxfzMKx3fubWJJ3cUgxJHypSZ3bFQlEjIN62nKWPEi8Eie5AIpXSm8eKd5ag3yjadaZLN5hcR39dJVKQkqCgBYFZDfJ8ilcJ7nskU7M9XmN1pFA3njQ-kCD7-NfOzRK2xC/s1600-h/IMG_3911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5PuHGJ42UKDxfzMKx3fubWJJ3cUgxJHypSZ3bFQlEjIN62nKWPEi8Eie5AIpXSm8eKd5ag3yjadaZLN5hcR39dJVKQkqCgBYFZDfJ8ilcJ7nskU7M9XmN1pFA3njQ-kCD7-NfOzRK2xC/s200/IMG_3911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411248385369097218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The village was decorated for the Christmas Tree Lighting and Space Coast Boat Parade - elf houses, ice rink and all the trimmings.<br /><br />What an amazing day. “Our” space shuttle, Atlantis, flew over in the morning. In the afternoon a bouncy castle and fun slide appeared in the park. During the evening power boats turned into glittering beauties. Bands played. Choirs sang. The boys roasted marshmallows for Smoors over a bonfire. AND Father Christmas lit the tree before visiting the playground. (See previous Thanksgiving and Sonic Boom, blog entry.)<br /><br />The sun is shining. The temperature is rising. The foul weather gear is packed away. Shorts are replacing jeans. Seraphim is moored in Vero Beach , then we are taking a berth in Fort Lauderdale, whilst John’s mother joins us for Christmas.<br /><br />In the New Year? The Abacos in the northern Bahamas and maybe Cuba in February, but who knows, “there’s such a lot of world to see“.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJYX0niBvybtpkoj_zH9HqnDBIVtiujgwJkV1swvrcFIyVAOjH4T_MjV11wWwEJoonJVMUjdCwjDv_t8Be40PVLLLVMoFzI0oR6CYxltJrctizg43_UqorSpcnxKzowx-AmuyTRA72Oh5/s1600-h/IMG_3937.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJYX0niBvybtpkoj_zH9HqnDBIVtiujgwJkV1swvrcFIyVAOjH4T_MjV11wWwEJoonJVMUjdCwjDv_t8Be40PVLLLVMoFzI0oR6CYxltJrctizg43_UqorSpcnxKzowx-AmuyTRA72Oh5/s200/IMG_3937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411248393371734770" border="0" /></a>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397133578137176502.post-51246308554342976822009-11-27T15:48:00.012+00:002009-11-27T16:31:23.972+00:00Sonic Booms and Thanksgiving Gifts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BO0gx2-9lk7AH3O3BpbcuVgOT8z7Sy9L25ETiBtQp8nkLLIKwCK3wdBA0syBYdCAV1pFbDEEb5poM198XKoDYzKeQ-Dcpngzmk4qEJDM43dtwaaw3-OUrYSv0_4jWXkivnxLKa05ZcnM/s1600/407621main_image_1530_428-321.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BO0gx2-9lk7AH3O3BpbcuVgOT8z7Sy9L25ETiBtQp8nkLLIKwCK3wdBA0syBYdCAV1pFbDEEb5poM198XKoDYzKeQ-Dcpngzmk4qEJDM43dtwaaw3-OUrYSv0_4jWXkivnxLKa05ZcnM/s200/407621main_image_1530_428-321.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408811044209386402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br />Photo credit NASA<br /></span><br /><br />9.40am (EST) we heard the sonic boom from space shuttle Atlantis as it flew over the space coast to land in the Kennedy Space Centre. Atlantis, "our" shuttle which we saw take off on a previous mission in May. Although a small dot speeding across the clear blue sky, it was thrilling.<br /><br /><br />We had taken a berth in <a href="http://www.cocoavillagemarina.com/">Cocoa Village Marina</a>, near Cape Canaveral, because of bad weather, an epic laundry load and Thanksgiving shopping at Publix (my favourite supermarket.) However, we could only afford one night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH1hA5AHckZ5jwpNQz1Qe8hsjQiwjqDcNmsHrOAmTzjkZzp9OGrKnP5uurQx5_djHWh-fm6bLvLiL8oNjMVxUmlBMlCBvaEwH09LCOZITCZ7YeUUnd1ddbDLxXBWIQd0w5PymCxtIG4Jg/s1600/IMG_3897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH1hA5AHckZ5jwpNQz1Qe8hsjQiwjqDcNmsHrOAmTzjkZzp9OGrKnP5uurQx5_djHWh-fm6bLvLiL8oNjMVxUmlBMlCBvaEwH09LCOZITCZ7YeUUnd1ddbDLxXBWIQd0w5PymCxtIG4Jg/s200/IMG_3897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408811046343643554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As we watched Atlantis, enthralled, Cheryl who works at the marina waited on the dock with a message, a gift from berth holder John Wilson. Concerned that it was too cold to be on the hook, he paid for an extra night for us so we could watch the Christmas Boat Parade in comfort. This extra night was matched by the marina, two extra nights for free. Thanksgiving gifts and an indulgent treat which makes all the difference. John and I were deeply touched by such unexpected generosity. It brought a tear to my eye.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k9HYPYdKCYzrenClGyX7CT63BwuRAkaGWhuOHtxpGkMBROitjhQFakhLc1UnPLYwDJfhpIKMU8QmhCtYgAUKwsiOgCNxotMm5H4yTDn1vnOYN7-wISup1uWRr0xbsFo6erOtiyVR-Igm/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k9HYPYdKCYzrenClGyX7CT63BwuRAkaGWhuOHtxpGkMBROitjhQFakhLc1UnPLYwDJfhpIKMU8QmhCtYgAUKwsiOgCNxotMm5H4yTDn1vnOYN7-wISup1uWRr0xbsFo6erOtiyVR-Igm/s200/IMG_3909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408811053430740642" border="0" /></a>John Rodriguezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17358305103835043630noreply@blogger.com0