Farewell

The last minute preparations have started and on Thursday we will be moved off of New Horizon and deliver the boat to Man-O-War. We have had quite a time with many memories these past 10 1/2 years. However it's time for a change and a new chapter begins next season. Don't worry, this doesn't mean that the blog will end! I'm sure there will still be much to report and this is still a great way to keep everyone posted on our whereabouts and new adventures.

Another adventure is about to take place starting later on Thursday when we travel with Heinz and Jacqueline on board Ganesha, heading back to Florida. The weather will not be as calm as it was on the way over (definitely no coffee cups on the dash), but this boat can handle just about any conditions. I just hope WE can! Soon we will be back to cell phones, traffic, and fully stocked grocery stores....we are ready.

Farewell and thanks for the good times New Horizon!

All Together Now

This season has been a banner year for the Abaco Dinghies thanks to Heinz and his volunteers. The time has come to store them for the summer and a new storage rack has been made here at the marina. Now they can remain all together in the same spot. Next season Heinz is going to try and get even more of these gorgeous boats out sailing.

Making History

21 of the Hope Town Junior Sailors were invited for a day out on the Abaco Rage, and what a learning experience it was for all involved! 

We weren't directly involved in this event, but it was still quite the sight to see. 

 

Some of these kids were very young and I wonder what this little guy was thinking when he took the tiller.

 

The grown ups decided to really give them a thrill and started dunking their feet in the water.

This led to an intentional 'man overboard drill' so the kids could go swimming.

As proud as we are of the junior sailing program and kids, Dave was just glad that it was kind and patient Stafford as skipper, not him ;-)

 

 

Living In Chaos

We're starting to make some headway organizing and packing up to move off the boat. We can't do too much until the last minute though, because our storage locker isn't ready for all our stuff. Meanwhile we have been accumulating and filling bins, so the place looks a bit ramshackle. I hate having people come visit and see how disorderly everything is. At least the hard part of triaging what stays, what goes to the apartment, and what goes home, is over.

Full Moon Dinghy Drift

Tonight was a record breaking dinghy drift through the harbor with somewhere between 48-54 boats and 120 people!

 

It was the best drift ever, with food galore being passed around. 

Several people on the outside steered the group with their engines due to the wind having increased. They even managed to guide us to the mouth of the harbor....just as a large center console boat was speeding in. The skipper thought it was great we were doing this and he sounded like he was pretty drunk, yelling funny things as he maneuvered around us.

The group broke up before we headed out to sea, but some of us diehards went back in the lee and anchored up to watch an absolutely gorgeous moonrise.

This was an experience like many had never had before.

Thanks K.G. & Sue H. for the fantastic photos!

What Were You Doing A Year Ago Today?

Today is Dave's one year anniversary since his fall from the sailboat mast. There sure were lots of comments about that at the Commodore's Dinner, since it happened the day after he received the Press On Regardless Award at last year's dinner. That's pushing that award to the limits. Dave hasn't wanted to look at any of the crash photos until now. I found this one that I took right before the block broke so now you can see how far he fell.

My friend Carol D. got this photo of Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue putting Dave on a backboard.

What a year it has been since then!

The Big Event

Last night was the annual Hope Town Sailing Club Commodore's Dinner and what a grand event it was. 90 members attended all dressed up in their finest wear. There was good food, good music, entertaining speeches, group donations given out, and dancing. This year we didn't (couldn't) dance, but Dave said he could dance if he didn't have to move his legs much. Oh well, maybe next year!

The new commodore and first lady. "Behind every great man stands a great woman!"

 

The past and present leaders of the club, Stafford & Dave...

All hail the man with the microphone....

(Thanks once again Catherine for the photos!)

Venturing Out...

...Further on the Abaco Rage's pry.

Do We Have To Salute?!?!

All hail the Hope Town Sailing Club Commodore! Yesterday it was made official when the traditional gavel was turned over to Dave at the club's Annual General Meeting.

 

  

 

Immediately following this we headed over to the marina to have the luncheon given by the Commodore and First Lady (also now known as the Commodorable) for the executive committee. What a gorgeous setting and  the food was superb! Jacqueline (Ganesha) and Catherine (Solitaire 1) just love cooking and provided the menu and cooking for the 35 attendees...and boy were we all hungry after 3 hours of meetings!

Jacqueline had Chef Neil from the restaurant here, marinate and roast several pork tenderloins along with grilled chicken breasts. Then Catherine made Caesar salad and Ciabatta bread, and Jacqueline prepared another colorful salad that contained red potatoes, green beans, red onions, olives, and red and yellow cherry tomatoes.

The main course was followed by the most decadent chocolate dessert in a cup topped with real whipped cream, a strawberry quarter, and a sprig of mint. It even had it's own tiny little spoon to eat it with.

Since I needed to be at the meeting, we also had our next door neighbors George and Jacky (Heritage) help set up, and they continued helping throughout the afternoon. L to R... Jacky, Jacqueline, & George (Catherine is not in the photo because she was my photographer too).

We cannot thank them all enough for the outstanding result of all their efforts. We have had so many compliments today about the luncheon, and it definitely would not have been the same without them. What a great way to start Dave's two year tenure.