Still in Florida! Nov 16th - Nov 25th

We missed a few short  weather windows for our sail over to the    Bahamas  since our last post. It is all good as we have been keeping busy enjoying the weather, friends, events and simply getting accustomed to being on the boat while doing a few small maintenance jobs that are better done here in Florida at a dock as opposed to a mooring ball in the Bahamas. 

I had purchased a new lens from Amazon to take photos on my I phone before I left BC. Now it's time to practice!

It was a bit challenging trying to get the lens in the right position on the phone to get a decent photo, but after 20 or so shots I got these photos.

I never tire of watching these pre-historic looking Pelicans as they fly, float around in the water, or just hang around the dock. 

We look forward to going to The Fort Pierce Saturday Market. It has lots to offer, entertainment, amazing produce, cheese, fresh herbs, baked goods etc. etc.

Guy, especially likes to get a breakfast bowl. Roasted potatoes topped with a veggie filled omelet.

We had read about these Pom Pom mushroom and their medicinal properties while still in BC. To our surprise here they were. They are easy to cook and taste like scallops.

One of my favorite vendors is the Orchid Man. Since I am lacking space inside Miss Ellie, I purchased this small orchid! I could of bought larger exotic ones but I used my will power to walk away LOL! 

Then, there was The Bacon and BBQ Festival to attend! Wow what an eye opener that was! We are vegetarians so we just observed (even though I secretly would have enjoyed a small bite just for the taste) We eventually sat on a hill and  listened to the many talented musicians for a few hours The Heart attack dish was very popular! Yikes! 

We all had fun one evening visiting with John and Marlene and Bob on Miss Ellie. They came over with instruments in hand and played some familiar and new songs for a few hours. Talented guys!

Then there was Thanksgiving in the U.S on Thursday the 22nd.  We spent it in Jensen Beach with John, Debra and Willow. Not a traditional day, instead, we walked the beach with Willow, gathered trash and  found seabeans. Dinner was Sea Bass, asparagus, black beans and rice! Yum! Thanks Debra and John for having us over to share this day filled with gratitude.

This last weekend, we had Joe and Paula anchor in the basin of the Fort Peirce City Marina for a few nights! It was fun to catch up! We had lots of laughs and good food! We look forward to  seeing you again in Hope Town in the New Year! 

Likely going out to sea later this week! When we reach Memory Rock or West End, Bahamas any anxiety  built up from the crossing will vanish. Then, when we check in with customs and weather permitting we will sail/motor to  our winter destination for a few more days.  Our next post will be from Hope Town Bahamas! 

Have a great week......

Guy and Louise 

We are Blogging Again

                               
              Here's what we have been up to lately

                              October 21st - November 15th 2018

We left Vancouver Oct. 21st .....three and a half weeks ago!

Although we go on an amazing adventure, it is always difficult to leave as we sometimes feel we have just arrived.

The Fall colours in B.C. were spectacular!
and the weather was still summerlike!

Sloane was happy to pose for me at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody.
Pic taken October 19th 2018

First, we flew to Toronto to visit with Luc, Lena, Mike, Sandra, Stefanie, Matt, Ellis and to meet little almost-one-year-old Livia.

Hummmm...Kiddies were not happy when they were told we needed to pose for a pic instead of face timing with their nana and papa Andre and Susan. 
Thanks, Stef and Matt for having us all over for a feast! So delicious!
We had a fun time while staying at Mike and Sandra's place! 
Thank again you two! 
We also had a great visit with Luc and Lena! 
So nice to see you two!

Later that week we made our way to the Toronto airport with Mike and Sandra. They flew to New York to visit with Roger for a few days and we flew to Orlando airport to visit with Karin and Keith till the 27th.

Mid-afternoon, they picked us up at the airport in Orlando and drove us about an hour to their new home in Leesburg Fl. We had a fun few days filled with chatter and laughter!
Thanks again for having us!

Cheers, you two...till next time!

  We then rented a car from Leesburg and made our way to Fort Peirce Fl. where our S/V Miss Ellie is dry docked for the summer.

After 3 hours, we arrived at the marina to see how the boat fared!

At first glance....it was all good. Then we went inside only to find out our total battery bank was dead! Grrrr! We were to launch in two days.  A quick, reluctant change of plans needed to happen!

To make a long story short...we contacted the company that had installed the batteries a year ago. (Treasure Coast Batteries) They came over the next day, removed the 7  batteries from the engine room and took them to their shop to supercharge them. It took 6 days! The cost was only 100.00 

Since we now knew we could not move onboard till the boat was launched, we decided to stay at the Hutchinson Island Plaza for a week enjoying the air conditioning, the large TV and free breakfast. 

Once we launched on Nov 5th, we moved aboard and started provisioning. 

We missed Halloween with these four  🎃....but were happy to receive  pics of them via text before they set out for an evening of    trick or treating!

Kaleb and Teagan 

Sloane and Bridget 


So now it's Monday, November 5th   

In the morning, the batteries are re-installed in the boat! Felt so sorry for the guys working with them as they had to carry each battery up a steep ladder then onto the boat then into the engine room.  
In the afternoon at high tide (3:00 PM) the lift arrived and our vessel was lowered into the water. We jumped on, made sure no water was coming in, turned on the engine and motored to the next Marina where we have rented a slip till the end of November. 

 Captain Guy

Miss Ellie


Fort Peirce Fl. City Marina



So this is where we are for now waiting for a weather window to cross over to the Bahamas! Due to our battery issue, we missed a good window! Now we wait....it could take weeks! 
In the meantime, we have done most of our provisioning, checked all the systems, have been to a great farmer's market on Saturdays here, went to an Orchid show, Guy has gotten together with his  buddy Bob to play new tunes on his guitar, we have met up with fellow cruisers,  I have tried to get my daily steps in etc. etc.
The weather has been good but this last week and a few days it has been sooo hot and sooo humid!  Even the Floridians are complaining! LOL! 

Then I get these pics from Sandra  this morning!

So I guess I will stop whinning about the extreme heat and drink cold beer! LOL! Cheers!

We'll be back next week!