Valentines Gift For Sailors – Men:

1. A custom-made navigation chart: Surprise your partner with a handcrafted navigation chart that shows a special route or location that you both hold dear. It can be a cherished memory or a planned destination for the future.
2. A high-quality pocket knife: Every sailor needs a trusty pocket knife for everyday use, and it can also come in handy during emergency situations. Choose a durable and practical design, and don’t forget to add a personal touch with an engraving.
3. A waterproof camera: For the adventurous sailors who love to capture every moment, a waterproof camera is an excellent gift idea. Whether it’s for underwater photography or action shots on deck, it’s a great way to create lasting memories.
4. A personalized sail bag: A sailor’s sail bag is a precious and functional accessory, and personalizing it adds an extra touch of sentimental value. You can embroider your partner’s name, a special message, or a meaningful image.
5. A sailing-themed book: For the bookworm sailors, a sailing-themed book is a thoughtful and educational gift idea. You can choose from a variety of genres, from adventure stories to technical manuals, depending on your partner’s interests.
6. A romantic dinner under the stars: A romantic dinner is always a classic Valentine’s Day idea, but for passagemaking sailors, it can be elevated to the next level. Plan a special menu, set up a table on deck, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the starry sky.

Valentines Gift For Sailors – Women:

1. A stylish and practical sailing jacket: A good quality sailing jacket is essential for any sailor, and it’s also a fashion statement. Choose a design that suits your partner’s style and needs, and don’t forget to add a personalized touch with an embroidered name or message.
2. A set of high-quality sailing gloves: Sailing gloves are not only protective but also functional and comfortable. Invest in a durable and ergonomic design, and surprise your partner with a set of gloves in her favorite color.
3. A waterproof phone case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have accessory for any sailor, as it protects your device from water damage and allows you to take photos and videos in any weather condition. Choose a design that suits your partner’s phone model and personality.
4. A personalized sailing journal: For the creative and introspective sailors, a sailing journal is a thoughtful gift idea. You can customize the cover with your partner’s name, a special quote, or an inspiring image, and leave the rest for her to fill with her thoughts and experiences.
5. A sailing-themed necklace: A delicate and elegant necklace is a great way to express your love and appreciation for your partner. Choose a sailing-themed design, such as a sailboat or an anchor, and add a personal touch with a birthstone or an engraved message.
6. A spa treatment on board: A relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatment is a luxurious and romantic Valentine’s Day idea. You can create a spa ambiance on board, with scented candles, soothing music, and a professional masseuse, and let your partner unwind and recharge.

We do earn a small amount of revenue each time something is purchased through the referral links on Amazon.com in the post above. It helps fund our voyage while we are sailing around the world and enables content creation while aboard. Want to learn more about this voyaging sailing couple, and how we stay together through challenging conditions at sea? Follow us on our YouTube Channel or visit us on Patreon for behind the scenes details of our daily lives. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, what do you think the best valentines gift is for your significant other on board?

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Preface

Before reading on, regardless of your opinions about the virus, we decided we were going to be safe rather than sorry. We took what some might consider ‘extreme precautions’. I encourage you to keep an open mind while reading about this experience. 

During this pandemic, we have spent most of our time in the British and US Virgin Islands. Once we arrived back to the US Virgin Islands, our friends aboard SV Sargo recommended a provisioning company to us via a company called Stocked VI. We would place our order via email and expect delivery within a few days. The provisioning company covered our needs across multiple grocery stores and were very prompt. They would deliver just about anywhere in St. Thomas or St. John and all we had to do was drive the dinghy into shore and load up. So let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this process of transporting the groceries during the beginning of COVID-19.

The Groceries Arrive. The Fun Begins.

The provisioning company arrives at the previously agreed upon location with all of our goodies. We buy as much as possible to avoid having to go to the store. Only one of us goes to shore while the other prepares the cockpit with Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer. The shore-bound person arrives with large duffle bags to pack in as many groceries as possible. The sweltering sun beats down on our refrigerated items and our masked faces. The shore person, usually Curtis, tries to assemble the bags in our 8 ft dinghy so as to not smush too many items and to keep them as dry as possible. It’s an upwind ride back in the waves and salty droplets fly over the bow of the small vessel, spraying our groceries. This could be round one of two or three as the number of bags and the size of our dinghy limits our abilities. 

When the dinghy arrives, I tie it up to the stern as close as I can and begin the bucket brigade of groceries to the boat and out of the sun while wearing gloves. The difficulty is keeping my balance while both boats rock differently against each other. One moment Curtis is rocking towards me and the next away from me. He deadlifts the groceries up over his head and I try not to pull every lower muscle in my back reaching for them. Once the first load of very heavy and awkward duffle bags and backpacks makes it to the stern, I run them around our giant wheel to the cockpit, closer to the interior of the boat, to make room for the next round of groceries as Curtis grabs the empty bags and heads back to shore.

Curt removes cardboard packaging.

Refrigeration Station!

After we finish transporting the groceries to the boat from the dinghy to the stern around the wheel and to the cockpit, we begin the Lysol wiping of our items. Curtis uses sanitizer and gets a fresh set of gloves to begin the sanitation process. We discard as much cardboard as possible, for example, removing Wheat Thins from their box packaging to leave only the plastic bag. We do this normally as bugs are attracted to cardboard and we prefer to offload as much trash while we can. This effort is joined by Curtis and I both wiping down each grocery item as we can’t be sure how many hands it’s passed through before arriving at our boat. We begin with our already somewhat warm refrigerated items as I make my way down the cockpit stairs. The fridge is situated directly in front of the stairs so the bucket brigade continues as Curtis whips packets of lunch meat, cheese, veggies, and other chilled foods towards my face. If I’m not quick enough, I’ll take a peppered-turkey to the back of the head, unintentionally of course!

Placing the chilled items in the fridge is not a complacent task.  It requires much logic and planning as space is limited. Meats and other items that are temperature sensitive are placed as near to the cold plate as possible. To give you an idea, our fridge has two stories. It opens from the top for the second story and also has a door along the bottom for the first story. We organize things based on what must not be smushed with what must be eaten first with what must remain as cold as possible. Frustration ensues when an item cannot be found and cold air is released from the fridge and humid air enters and gathers on the cold plate creating a layer of insulating ice that later has to be thawed. 

The blue foam covers the fridge to keep cold air in and warm air out. Along the walkway is a side door with access to the bottom.

Pantry Tetris

Once items are “securely” in the fridge in a place we most certainly will have trouble finding later, we continue with pantry and dry storage items. I play a shuffling (or Tetris like) game to move older items out of the way and newer items further in the back. The items had currently lived in a refrigerated store and thus sweat out the rest of their chill and Lysol liquid as I pack them away in our unairconditioned boat. Provisioning becomes a workout as we carry the heavy bags and individual items throughout the boat to their resting places. I imagine I’m doing bicep curls as I move cans and bags of flour about. Curt finishes the sanitation process and takes the remaining cardboard back to shore to be tossed in a dumpster, recycling if we can find it (which is scarce on the island).  

What feels like a day took a matter of hours. I used to take about 45 minutes at the grocery store (shout out to all my Aldi loving fans) and maybe 10-15 minutes to put everything away. I probably did this about once a week. I suppose if I stretch that out to a month, the time adds up to about the same. But there is no sun-beating-down-on-my-cold-food timeline or pressure of organizing items in the fridge “just so”. Perhaps people with children don’t share the stress-free grocery shopping I used to.

Before the pandemic, provisioning was much the same. However, groceries were not delivered, but carried a mile or less on our backs as we walked and traded bags on our way back to the dinghy. When we arrived, we worried not about sanitizing, but simply discarding trash and packing away our refrigerated items. Since things have calmed down, I have returned to walking to the grocery store, dawning the required mask, and sanitizing my cart and items upon return. We have a solid base of food should we need to escape a hurricane or go offshore for a few weeks. 

Everyone is a Provisioner Now

I could write more about the types of items we purchase, but perhaps that will be for another blog. As I write this, I realize that grocery shopping, or provisioning, has been a likely unique experience for many during this pandemic. For example, during my first trip onshore in a month, the only masks we had were fiberglass masks. I wore this to the store and was both ridiculed and thanked during my shopping experience. Toilet paper did not run out, but we were limited to how much we could buy, along with a few other items, such as tuna cans? What fun toilet paper, limited items, or mask stories do you have to share about while grocery shopping, or provisioning!, for yourself and your family during the pandemic? Please share in the comments! Cheers!

Fiberglass masks. It is all we had!

Making all of our American friends jealous. Note: This was BVI pre-mask requirements.

Sharing a homemade pizza social-distancing style!

Brownies are a real treat when you are trying to conserve propane!

Loading the dinghy when you have a rental car makes life easier. The luxury!

I wish I had more provisioning photos, but in the meantime enjoy! Is anyone interested in more pictures of some of the dishes I’ve made? Let me know below!

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The dreaded sponge. If only the wolf could wash it for me.

Doing the dishes. Everyone has to do it. Is it so jarringly exciting? The sink is smaller, and there’s no dishwasher. The dishwasher has a name and two hands that get pruney three times a day. It’s ok, though. At times it’s exhausting and other times it’s calming. It’s a routine, after all. Sometimes it’s rushed and other times it’s thorough. Sometimes it’s on the transom releasing chunks into the ocean instead of down the drain- for the lack of that grinding that usually helps out the pipes. Sometimes it’s the many licks of a hungry dog’s tongue that gets the sticky syrup off the plates or the ranch dressing out of a bowl. (Dishes are rinsed with soapy water before being used again.) They sit on a towel to dry before they are inevitably used a few hours later. They are not fancy or special, but useful. Letting them build up dirty may attract unwanted flying creatures. Fortunately, that has not been an issue for us. The dishwater usually works really well. The faucet is on and off and on and off at an attempt to conserve freshwater. Cups become plates when the boat is sailing, and moving and balancing becomes a part of mealtime. Doing the dishes is not just doing the dishes. It’s maintaining this vessel.

Laundry. Turns out it’s as essential as bathing. Sometimes we combine the two. Two birds one stone? Quarters and detergent and long pants weigh heavy when the walking distance is no longer down the stairs, but down the street. Colder climates were harder as clothes weigh more. We attempt to wear little and re-wear as much as possible to save our time and efforts on this. There is no laundry machine on the boat. The washer and dryer have a name and two hands. Sometimes four if we work together. Sometimes four dirty paws come along curiously, checking out the wet items and spreading a bit of love via dog hair. Sometimes it’s a fully clothed shower. If it’s warm and a sunny day, this chore is not so bothersome. Can clothes dry in the cold on a clothesline? A special trip was made for a big orange bucket to help when the building up of clothes occurs.

Meals. It’s not exotic, and that’s ok with us. The best is experimenting with how to make something new with the same old ingredients. It’s been a hobby that we enjoy regardless if the outcome is tasty. Many of our “recipes” surprise us. Measuring and ingredient lists are often made up on the fly as we “compete” in our own episodes of “Chopped”. We try to cook quickly to conserve as much propane as possible. We factor cooking time when we buy things at the store. It’s been pushed to the limit with fewer trips to the grocery store since the pandemic. We by no means have a fancy recipe with organic ingredients and everything made from scratch. Our meals are not always complete or even the healthiest. But it is nourishment, and we experience a variety. Sometimes it’s a simple salad with a slew of chopped veggies. Sometimes that salad gets… raisins? Sometimes it’s figuring out a new way to eat a hotdog. Sometimes it’s pizza dough from scratch but with store-bought sauce. Sometimes it’s beans from a can. Sometimes its beans from a can multiple nights in a row. Sometimes it’s fresh fruit for the first time since…??? The fridge space is limited, but sufficient. Snacks are harder. In some places… a bag of chips $10? A jar of peanuts $12? Triscuits $7? Oranges $5 a lb? What will become of the types of snacks we have should we continue?

Sleep? Do you enjoy movement and constant sound while you’re sleeping? There are few calm anchorages with complete stillness and no clanging lines or squawking birds. For me, personally, it’s easier if there is less sound. Most nights are easy when there’s been a long day of work, or we can limit the clanging of lines. Sometimes the rocking is a bit disturbing as you rollover unwillingly. And I am referring to this “at anchorage”, not even moving the boat.

“Moving the boat sleeping” is another thing. I’ve yet to find a real rhythm to sleep at sea between shifts with my partner. He seems to fare better than me at this. Alarms are set for a few hours rest as waves punch the hull and you lock yourself into a space so you don’t unwillingly rollover. You experience cold and hot regardless of the temperature and feel hunger and thirst at odd times, IF you’ve been able to overcome seasickness. The grinding of sails or the rubbing of sheets on rigging echo throughout the vessel. Earplugs are nice if you can decipher your name being called for help or an emergency. When you awake from each shift you stumble to use the bathroom so you don’t need to do it on watch, regardless if you need to go. You inevitably hit your head and nearly fall over putting your foul weather gear on. Moments of calm and stars make it feel worthwhile until your heart races to make sure the wind hasn’t changed. The sails need to be adjusted while also looking at the radar to make sure you don’t hit anything while looking for buoys or looking at the screen to make sure you’re on course. Your brain wanders if your partner is getting their much-needed sleep. You see them still up after an hour off shift to get a snack and sigh to yourself. You feel sleepy yourself and wish they’d close their eyes to get reenergized. When the sun rises a sense of success washes over you and you feel energized for just a moment before you think a nap is already in order. Let’s recheck the weather and run some more routes. This could and will probably be a blog post in it’s own right someday soon.

Vinegar and H2O

Cleaning. A shop vac replaces a standard vacuum. Pipes are sensitive to chemicals as well as windows, and sensitive cleaners become the sanitation of choice. A broom mops up sand, dog hair, and crumbs. Toilets and showers request more attention for some reason. Green grass grows upside down on the hull instead of right side up in the yard. Earplugs are worn to make sure no critters make themselves a new home while the “mowing” takes place. Stainless steel and aluminum polishing become the new leaf raking or gutter cleaning or window spraying of this new home. Wood. We glance around us and wonder when we will decide to refinish the wood.

Waking up. Where am I? Oh, I’m on a boat. It’s calm. It’s noisy from the birds. It’s loud from the boat neighbors. It’s hot. It’s raining. It’s cool. Check the batteries. Is the fridge running? Will we get enough solar to balance out what we used? Check the weather. Look outside. Is it windy? Is it sunny? Did we move? Check the anchor alarm. I’m hungry. What’s for breakfast? Eggs again. Toast. Save the bread for lunch sandwiches. Just eggs. Eggs and bacon on pancakes? Do I have the energy? Do I have internet? Do the worm to crawl off the end of the bed. Don’t trip on the dog. Start a pot of water for the captain to get some coffee.

Going to sleep. Check the batteries. What are the amps? Remember where the batteries are when the sun goes down to see how much energy we burn. Check the anchor alarm. Look outside. Stars? New boat neighbors? Do we need fans tonight? Will it rain, and will we need to close the windows? Does the dog have water? Lock the dinghy. Recheck the batteries. Does the computer have enough battery for a movie? Check the anchor alarm. Is it rolly? Should we adjust the anchor? Am I hungry again? Charge the phones. Oh crap we need to run the water maker. Make water for an hour and prolong sleep. Eat a snack. Fall asleep.

Showering. Turn the water on and get wet. Turn the water off. Soap up. Turn the water on and rinse. End of shower. *Warm climate- Jump off the back of the boat. Climb out onto the boat. Soap up. Jump back in the water. Use the hose at the back of the yacht for a freshwater rinse. (Yes, salt builds up in the hair!)

There are more categories to add and much more about life that is difficult to portray in text or video! I hope this piqued your interest and shared a tiny wee bit about boat life.

The post A Little Bit of Boat Life appeared first on Sailing Sweet Ruca.

December, 2019, Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, Bahamas

Part 1a

We were making our way south down the western side of Eleuthera. We checked in at Spanish Wells, stayed a night at Meeks and then made it to Hatchet Bay for a few days. It was a well-protected hurricane hole with a few local “clubs”, which are more like hole-in-the-wall bars with music that will certainly ruin your eardrums. But before we knew that we anchored as close as we could to shore near a sign that we could just make out saying ‘convenience store’. Seemed like a place we could dinghy in so we dropped anchor and set it in reverse… oh shit. Our first big oops “we’re idiots” finally came into play. As we reversed I could hear this winding sound that was not usual to the motor. As I look back I notice the fishing reel tugging as though we had caught a fish! For a moment I felt excitement until actual horror set in, realizing we had run over our own line. 

We had sailed a good five hours and trolled the line during the beautiful sunny day, but the entrance to Hatchet Bay had distracted our focus with its narrow-hilly channel and no major signs of good spots to anchor. Keep in mind that we are also seeing places for the first time and are entering with the bare minimum of a road map which is our charts. Our charts show great detail regarding the water, but not lay of the land, so to speak.

As I pointed out to Curt our plunder he held back a bit of frustration and anger and turned off the engine. The anchor was not fully set and we were in about 25 ft of water. It seemed ok with the calm, but we needed to get that fishing line off of the propeller. The water was a bit murky and it did not seem appealing. However, it was hot and a swim seemed nice, and somebody had to do it, so I volunteered to jump in. I’m not so good at holding my breath for a long time, but I managed to get the line free… that is the lines as our line cutter had done its job and sliced the line in two. Only one cut seemed fine and we still had plenty of usable line left.

Just as I finished, I was sitting on the stern trying to make sense of the mess and Curtis had gone down below to set the anchor alarm or check our depth, a colorful handmade dinghy made its way directly towards our boat. Before I continue, I must fill you in with a story from a previous anchorage…

We had anchored in Spanish Wells right near the town dock. For all we knew this was the only place to anchor and probably the only place our draft could fit (although we found out later this was not the case). We had also thought docking was too expensive (also not the case), but the winds were blowing 20-30 and we needed to officially check into the country yet. Not sure where we could dock, we dropped anchor between the narrow channel and a mooring field. We stayed here for a couple days as the wind blew out of the east giving us just enough room to fit into the “anchorage”. A catamaran and ketch were moored and we didn’t think the other balls would be deep enough for our depth or far enough from the other boats. After the ketch left, we decided to take his mooring for the night as the wind was planning on shifting and would blow our stern directly in the way of the channel. It seems not but a half an hour went by before the mooring captain, famously known just as Bandit came and grabbed our davits and knocked on our hull. I came flying out of the cockpit to see him there as he had begun to quickly and somewhat angrily speak to me. Curtis quickly picked his head out of the cockpit as well as Bandit had scolded us for anchoring outside his mooring. He said the space outside his mooring field was not a permitted anchorage. We were unsure if this was true, but if that was actually the case, why did no one ask us to move? We became a little defensive as Curt and I made short choppy sentences explaining our situation of strong winds and areas of little protection to check in, which pretty much fell on deaf ears. Eventually he asked us how many nights we planned to stay and we definitely knew at that point it would be just the one. He collected his payment and asked how our day was going. It was an odd exchange, but we were relieved it was over. The next day, we were off the mooring and onto the next place.

With this story in mind, we were not at Hatchet Bay long before being approached by a couple in a colorful dinghy. Out on deck by myself I yelled quietly for Curt that we were once again being approached. “Another mooring captain out to tell us we could not anchor here!”, I thought. Thankfully I was wrong and it was longtime Hatchet Bay visitors, Sue and Earl, coming to be our official greeters. We soon learned that they had been coming to this same spot for 20 years as it was one of their favorites. They built their own boat from a kit and have sailed it all around the Caribbean and Latin America. They were on a mooring ball that some would say they wouldn’t trust to floss their teeth with, but the protective hills of Hatchet Bay made it fairly safe. An anchored boat next to them ended up floating away and washed ashore so the holding wasn’t too good. Where we were, with our half set anchor, turned out to be good holding for us and besides, the winds had lightened and the bay was well sheltered. They invited us over to see their boat and we were excited to see a boat that had been made by the owners and successfully sailing long distances for many years. Curt and I were amazed when they said they hove-to for 40 hours before entering the Bahamas banks. (There had been a solid week of strong winds and squalls rolling through). They didn’t squeeze into Spanish Wells mooring field as we had. Even though we were interested in checking it out, we thought we’d stay in Hatchet only for a night, so if we didn’t see their boat later that day, it probably wasn’t going to happen.

Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera Bahamas

Part 2

After our debacle with the fishing line and hot midday chat with the crew of  My Bonnie, Curt and I were very desperate for some cold, local beer. The two convenience stores we found did not carry any alcohol and we were pointed in the direction of the liquor store. Curt and I ventured mapless into the abyss of neighborhood/boarded up houses/clubs/small shops. If we had been in the United States, this neighborhood might have been home to a few restless and reckless souls, but this was the Bahamas. Still, we had both never been and this was not exactly a strong tourist spot. The liquor store had a loud gangly bunch hanging out in front, of what appeared more like someone’s house. We decided to bypass it and head to the beach. 

Our thirst continued however and right next to the beach was a white concrete building with two guys at the bar and music so loud a conversation was really inconceivable. We looked at each other for a bit before my adventurous side grabbed Curt’s hand and said: “Let’s go inside”. Da club had been painted above the door of the one-room, white, concrete building. As we approached, one man got up from his seat at the bar and went behind the bar and started fiddling with a few things. The room was nearly square-like with a long bar that opened up right at the front entrance and extended to the back wall. There were no other tables or chairs and the walls were covered with posters for calendars clad with women or rapper type musicians or advertisements of liquor from four or five years ago. Against the back wall were four large black speakers, two stacked on top of two, nearly as tall as the ceiling. A TV hung in the back corner behind the bar along with a top opening refrigerator. Youtube on the TV was connected to the speakers and playing the loud music. 

The speakers blared and Curt tried to order our beers. The man and Curt had to lean in towards each other to make out what was being said. Eventually, we learned it was 3 Khaliks for $10 so we agreed to that and began to enjoy the cold refreshing beer to the loud local music. A few more local men came in and sat near the other man at the open end of the bar by the door. The bartender changed the screen to a festival where bands played and men and women in hand-made sequins and feathered costumes danced the streets. After some discussion and watching, we asked the bartender about the festival. It had taken place Christmas night and into the morning. It was Boxing Day in the Bahamas and this festival was called Junkanoo. (We later googled the significance of Boxing Day and Junkanoo in the Bahamas). To find out more about Junkanoo click here.

Being the social butterfly that he is, Curt noticed the other “original” man sitting at the bar was nearly done with a fifth of Fireball. We had partaken in this popular college type drink of cinnamon whiskey at a few parties back home and thus Curt had complimented him on his drink of choice. He responded by offering us two of the three final shots in the bottle. We reciprocated with buying him another Khalik. Next he pulled out a few cigars, and having been to Cuba, Curt was quick to compliment him on those as well. Next thing we knew we were nearly best friends with the guy. Carey was the name he offered to us, as we later found out this was his last name as is custom to offer up when meeting a new person not from the islands. Carey and his younger brother and best friend Jack asked if we wanted to join them at the next bar. We were already in an adventurous mood and accepted. 

Before we left, Carey had mentioned an older couple that frequents they bay. He knew them well (as they had been coming here for 20 years). We shared that we had just met a couple in similar detail. Carey’s face filled with excitement as he said, “let’s make a stop at me mom’s”. As it turns out, Sue and Earl were just visiting there as they became near family to the locals. The house was just around the corner from Da club and we entered in Carey’s mom’s house where many women were sitting around sharing in talk. We had just missed Sue and Earl, so we decided to be off on our way. It was a holiday and it was midafternoon and there was still a lot of bar hopping to be had, little to our knowledge. Carey, Jack, and Carey’s brother took us to the next bar a few blocks down in the little brother’s car. Another concrete building that was more of a house with a second story on top. Just like the bartender at “Da Club”, RJ was another friend of Carey’s and as Carey explained, he tries to split his time equally between the two bars. 

As you walked into RJ’s Sports bar, there were two high top circular tables directly in front of you with a small bar directly behind them. A few TV’s hung above the bar and played basketball and other sports. To our right was a worn pool table with two large paper posters on the wall behind it. One of Lebron James and the other of Steph Curry. Carey quickly brought us over more Khaliks and Curt and I gave each other a look of trying to slow down. We are both lightweights and the night was young. It was still daytime! Carey offered to play Curt in a game of pool and warned Curt that he and RJ played in tournaments together. What Carey didn’t know, was that Curt’s parents’ had a pool table in their basement. Without too many details Curt won a close game and went on to play RJ. The table was fun like any other table in a small-town bar where there is not quite enough space on one side of the table and thus a short stick is needed at times to hit from that side. Even so, Curt went on to win the second game and then retired to yet another beer. I claimed Curt’s wins were beginner’s luck and RJ and Carey played a round as Jack made conversation with a man at the bar. After billiards was done and about three rounds of beer and another round of shots, Carey took us to another friend’s house. 

This time, it was not a bar, but a house. We drove miles and miles and Curt and I knew that if we weren’t getting a ride back, it was going to be a long walk back to the boat. A homemade barbeque had been slow-roasting some meat and vegetables all day as Carey introduced us to his old chums that were having a bit of a party. We got to meet one of the Bahama’s best softball players and a few others that told us about how they know Carey. Everyone assured us we were going to get to partake in the barbeque and we could not be more excited. More beers were brought to us and we stood alongside the house along the edge of the woods (which would later end up being some of the worst mosquito bites we’ve ever had to date). It was time to eat and the first dishes were given to Curtis and I. We were strangers showing up randomly to this party! We could not accept being given the first bits of food, but alas our cries were unheard and we were given chicken and pork and corn and a shrimp alfredo pasta from inside. It was one of the best meals we’d had and the smiles on everyone’s faces added to the enjoyment of the meal. We all finished eating and Carey loaded the five us up and headed to the house of his next friend. We had passed it on the way there and were technically on our way back now. 

This house was connected to a convenience store and auto shop. It was actually very well-to-do as we could tell this was one of the wealthier families on the island. The woman of the family, whose husband had passed, had a banner made with the family’s surname in the middle surrounded by the first names of everyone in the family. When introducing herself, she pointed to her name on the banner and asked if we could read what it said. She had chosen a strong cursive font and clearly and been given some criticisms earlier. Fortunately, as a teacher with skills in reading all sorts of handwriting, I could make out that her name was Sylvia. We were offered more beer to which I successfully declined, however, Curt was not so lucky. 

As it was night now and dinner was done, we were offered leftovers and desserts. We turned down the main meal, but Carey insisted we try the guava duff. Essentially, Curt and I had no idea what we were eating but knew it was to be sweet. A piece of cake was covered in a creamy colored sauce so much so we couldn’t make out what it was. We both gobbled it right up and later I googled that it’s made of pound cake with a guava swirl topped with a rum cream sauce. I can’t wait to try and make this myself someday. Curt and I listened to Sylvia and Carey catch up on gossip and reminisce in days of yore. Behind our round table was another round table in which children and young adults of all ages playing a rather heated game of Monopoly. You could tell that a few were more into it than others. Curt and I enjoyed watching the young banker excitedly take and hand out money. We learned that Carey lived in Ft. Lauderdale now with his wife, who was back there with her family for the holidays. A few family members of Sylvia also did not live in Eleuthera. Sylvia herself lived in Florida now and her daughter lived in Nassau. Her son ran the auto parts and convenience store here in Eleuthera, where they were all from. It was a family reunion of sorts. We hugged everyone we met and said our goodbyes before getting back in the car with Carey, Jack, and the little brother. They asked if we wanted a ride back which we surely accepted. We explained the best we could which dock we were anchored near, not knowing any street names. 

Of course, connected to the convenience store at the end of that dock was another little bar. Although Curt and I were already at the end of our energy ropes, we offered to buy them some final drinks for the night as a thank you. So after a couple of beers and a last round of shots we exchanged some info, took a group photo, and parted ways. Carey would be returning to Ft. Lauderdale and Jack would return to work. After they left, the bartender, son of the bar owner, seemed a bit lonely and engaged us in conversation. We sat with him for a while, although I could barely keep my eyes open at this point. Somehow Curt managed to pull through and we chatted for an extra five minutes before stumbling back to our dinghy and to Sweet Ruca. Roxy was happy with our return and I chugged a bottle of water before falling into bed on that calm starry night. 

Hatchet Bay

Part 1b

Earl and Sue

The calmness of the bay did attract us to do a little boat work and one night planned turned into three. Two days after our day with Carey, we motored our dinghy over to the handmade boat My Bonnie where Earl and Sue accepted our somewhat surprise visit. Sue did most of the talking, which was fine as she had plenty of stories to tell of their different adventures. They shared stories about the building of the boat and people they’ve met and places they’ve gone. Curt and I discussed interviewing them for a video, but time fell short and I only managed to see them off in the morning before they went to church. Sue explained to me that they were basically honorary members at this particular church as they made it a point to go whenever they were in Hatchet Bay, and they often stayed for weeks at a time. A snagged a quick picture with the couple before heading back to the boat with Curt to leave Hatchet Bay, and all it’s little clubs and houses.

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