In the early morning of October 17th, Guy and I left our new home, our kids and grand daughters,
in Vancouver for our yearly winter escape.......First, we flew to Toronto to attend our niece's much
anticipated wedding and visit with my four brothers and their families.....After 4 days there, we
rented a car and drove to Sarnia Ontario where we attended to some dental care etc.....we were
there for two weeks to visit with friends and family......
Thanks to all of you for the special dinners , laughs, catching up, etc....we measure our wealth
by the family and friends in our lives.....
On Monday Nov 4th, after a near "cancel of our flights" due to a sudden "extreme" back ache for Guy, we drove our rental car back to Toronto, stayed at the Sheraton at the airport and boarded the plane the next morning at 7:30 am. After a stop in Atlanta, to Guy's delight...(a good stretch for him), we arrived in Jacksonville Florida at about 1:00 pm.....rented a car and drove straight to Green Cove Springs marina. I could not believe he wanted to see his beloved Miss Ellie in the pain he was in not
mention the drugs he was on.....He is a guy.....no more needs to be said....
The boat was moved to a working yard within the hour, Guy hired "Bottom Dave" to sand an paint the bottom on Friday. We did not return to the boat for a few days.....instead Guy realized that x- rays for his back were necessary.....so he went to a Chiropractor and was diagnosed with a
slipped disc. After some rest and a few adjustments, he was feeling better .
So we went shopping......LOL....at Walmart......to pick up some provisions.......
As you can see in the pics below, Miss Ellie needed some scrubbing after spending 6 months
"on the hard"....Green mould, scum and dirt covered the top-sides........
The inside was spared and was in great shape...... Guy of course was disappointed but quickly
dragged up the hose, found his deck wash solution and started to scrub....(could not believe he was
attempting this) A possessed and determined sailor for sure............
Scum, mould and gunk on the stern side decks.....
My job is to get the inside re-organized....I am very happy that mould did not set in.........
Thrilled that I took the time to "summer proof" the inside before we left last April.......
I am sold on the vinegar and water solution I use to clean all surfaces throughout our stay on the boat and a special application before we close the hatches in the spring.
I opened up the ports and hatches and let some fresh air in....
Here Guy is greasing the prop and changing out the zincs while the "Bottom Dave" paints the bottom with an anti - fouling paint..........
it was dropped into the water.........
On Saturday, November 9th, Miss Elie was gently dropped into the water.....all was good...
On Nov 10th, the next day, we left Green Cove Spring marina to make a 2 day motoring trip.
(Sails are still too heavy for Guy or I to pull up by ourselves) Here we pass by Jacksonville in the St John River.
After an 8 hour motor ride, , we dropped the anchor in the Intercoastal Waterway for the night.
On Nov 11th, we motored 5 hours onto St. Augustine to meet our friends, George, Jackie on SV Heritage and Dan and Laurie on S/V Glory Days.
A happy Captain........(with a sore looking elbow) and the
beginning of his "MOVEMBER MOUSTACHE"
There are 6 bridges to pass in Jacksonville, on the St John River. 4 of them are fixed,
One of them is a RR bridge at less than 5 feet vertical height and the other at 47 ft....
(We need 57 ft in height for our mast and instruments)
Both these bridges stop traffic and raise every half hour to let boats pass.........
The container ships docked in Jacksonville are huge.....we think this is a car carrier.....?
It was docked in front of a huge Toyota plant.......
A beautiful bridge in Jacksonville
Monday Nov 11th after pleasant, sunny, warm, dolphin spotting motor ride from Green Cove Spring.
We will stay here till we get more organize, sails on, etc. etc. etc. etc.
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