March 9 - 13 Still in Hopetown

March 9, 2018 - Daughters birthday today
Thinking about Natalie and Nicole, my daughters, who are celebrating their 39th birthday today.  Happy Birthday girls. 

Natalie on her 1st Birthday

     Nicole on her 1st Birthday

We went for our morning walk on the beach after breakfast and got more sea glass.  The waves have tamed down a lot.

We found a squid on the beach.  Steve threw him back in the water. It was a beautiful morning. 

Squid on the beach

I wanted to mail a card at the Hopetown post office however there has been a sign stating for the past week: "Gone for a doctor's appointment.  If you need help, go to Marsh Harbor".  We found out afterwards from the teller at the liquor store that the post office lady has been sick and they do not replace her.  Same with the grocery stores.  They seem to make up their own hours.  Today they were opened at 2pm.  That is the Bahamian life.
Steve and I went for a Cappuccino and muffins which cost a total of $21.  They actually make a good cappuccino.
I went kayaking later in the afternoon.  It was so nice and calm in the Harbor.  Steve went for a dinghy ride.

5:30pm-  We were invited over Terry and John on Primera Vista boat for dinner.  What a fantastic meal they prepared.  They even had delicious carrot cake.  They are planning on going to the Eleuthera in a couple of weeks so we discussed the route we took.

9:00pm- Back at the boat we watched an episode Seven Seconds before going to bed.  It is chilly tonight.  Once that sun goes down, it gets cool lately.  Darn cold front.

March 10, 2018- Picking up proceeds today

After breakfast, Steve and I went for a long walk on the beach. We then stopped in the Art Gallery to pick up my proceeds for my paintings before going back to the boat. They donate 20% of what we make to the Hopetown school. 
10:30- We went to make water outside the Harbor.  On our way out, we noticed these young children sailing.  I would love to see my grandchildren sail like that some day.
 

 

We spent 3 hours at anchor making water.  During that time I painted and Steve read.  As we approached our mooring, we noticed a boat was hooked up to it.  We kindly asked them to leave since we paid for the mooring until the end of March.  It is unbelievable how nervy some people are since the name of our boat is clearly on the buoy. 
We went for another walk on the beach before having a late dinner.  I made chili earlier. 
Watched the end of season one of Seven Seconds.  It was a good series.
Steve adjusted the time  before going to bed since we move the time one hour tonight.

March 11, 2018 - Visit with Debra

With the time change, we got up later.
As usual, went for our daily walk on the beach after breakfast and managed to get a few sea glass.  Once we returned, I went to visit Debra from Mandalay boat near us and stayed for a visit while Steve stayed on the boat.  We had a nice visit.
After doing a bit of painting, Steve and I went for a dinghy ride.  I later kayaked when the wind died after dinner.  Steve barbecued some great pork chops.
We started watching a new series called "The Fall".  So far so good.

March 12, 2018
 

Today was laundry day since it was cloudy and heavy rain came in waves. First time we had thunder and lightning.  While we were leaving the laundry mat, Steve managed to buy Mahi Mahi from a guy who was filleting it.  He sold us enough fish to feed 8 meals for $25.  

Dinner tonight

At the boat, Steve read and I  practiced playing guitar and did some painting.  Some times it is nice to have a rainy day and watching the boats get tossed around by wind.

I prepared a great Mahi Mahi dinner.  It was SO good!  Nothing like fresh fish.

Cooked up a great Mahi dinner

Watch 3 more episodes of 'The Fall'.  It is a good series.

March 13, 2018
What a lovely day.  It was a little cool but still nice enough to walk the beach.  Debra, who live on Mandalay, told us about two other beaches to go sea glossing and shelling.  After breakfast, we headed out there.  She was right.  All kinds of sea glass and different type of shells.  Steve is going to have to rent a van to bring all my treasures home. 

On our way back, we actually ran into Debra who was headed to the Hope Town Primary School since she volunteers there. To my surprise, when I got back to the boat she left me a wonderful book written and illustrated by the students of Hopetown.  I will be able to read it to Lyla and Parker, my grand children, when they come on Friday.  

Came back to the boat awhile and then we headed back to the beach where Steve went snorkeling and I picked sea glass.  There was a young man spear fishing amongst the coral and who caught a yellow snapper.   It was the perfect day on the beach. 

When we got back, I took a shower while Steve went to fill up the tanks with fuel and water jugs.  We will be heading out to Marsh Harbour in preparation to receive Nicky, Brent, Lyla and Parker on Friday.  We are so excited. 

Steve took a well needed shower when he got back.  It is amazing how the salt just sticks to your skin after coming out of the ocean.  His skin was all powdery white.