Sitting at Anchor

We'll I've been here a week now, had a wonderful time over Christmas, we were invited to a home on Water Island for Christmas eve ( which happens to be the same place that Joe Bidden- US VP is currently holidaying on)  long walk up the hill from the dinghy dock, but wonderful hospitable  people with loads of food- including caviar, free booze and a great Christmas carol sing. Christmas day we shared with 2 other boats and had turkey and the fixins on " Dream Maker" owned by Bill and Cathy fom Vancouver.  Not the same as home and family but the next best thing, new friends in a tropical paradise.

Rocking to sleep tonight

Wow was it hot when I arrived.  It's taken a little time to get used to the heat, but it was nice to get rocked to sleep by the motion of the gentle waves and the slight swaying of the boat.

We started on installing the new Davits- now that's a challenge, but they're looking pretty good and it will be so nice to have the solar panels moved off the deck and also to get the dinghy out ofthe water at night, it makes for a cleaner bottom and way less scrubbing at the end of the season as well as protects it from theft, which can be prevalent in some areas.. As we were sitting in Lindburg Bay last night, enjoying a rum punch, the sun set spectaculariy over the water and the most gorgeously decorated sailboat came cruising thru the bay with christmas lights on just about every surface possible. It was spectacular.

Tonight there is a lovely cooler breeze so I know I'll sleep well.

Can't believe I'm on my way

Well its been 7 weeks now that Gord has been in the Virgin Islands while I worked away up here in the cold. My work is done, I've helped my daughter move and settle in, gathered hundreds of pounds of stuff to go to the boat from a grapefruit knife to 20 lbs of frozen steak. I've driven it to Florida, crashed at my Mom's for a week and managed to get it all shipped and on its way.
 I finally take off tomorrow.
I'll miss my daughter "Tiffany" and grandaughter "Sadie" at Christmas, but definitely will not miss the cold and snow, besides they're planning a trip in January to see this floating retirement for themselves.
Life is getting fun and adventurous again after many years of heartache.
If you're up there in the cold, just close your eyes and pretend you're sailing with us. I'll keep the blogs posted and will include pics when possible, you can feel like you're right there too.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, Fair skies to all!

The Launch

We're finally in the water. Extracted from the mud of the storage yard and sitting proudly in slip B7 with our newly painted hull, our sails in place and our new name and hailing port displayed on the stern.
There was defnitely that sigh of relief, she floats and she doesn't leak, so we're ready to push off in the moring and head cross to the US Virgins in pursuit of some packages containing some wonderful new instruments. Oh No more work! the rewarding kind that doesn't leave the muscles so sore. I can hardly wait.

The Change

Today was busy. The vinyl for our new name arrived by courier today so its out with the old and in with the new.

The sailing vessel "Furthur" is no longer.

As Gord says now she feels like "our" boat.

We have our summer wings and now have our winter wings.

And " Ocean Wings" is born

Rain, Rain go Away, come again some other day

Well today was to be launch day, worked and worked to get everything ready. the weatherman had other ideas and with a huge thunderstorm raging around us, we're in the hotel doing paperwork instead.  Does hurricane season follow the old saying of " In like a lamb, out like a lion"  if so we hope its it's last hurrah as we're ready for some of that famous caribbean weather with sunshine and steady breezes.   Maybe tomorrow??

Getting Her Ready

The fall has arrived and we've been planning all summer for our return to the BVI's and a little/ or a lot of work before we set sail and see the caribbean.
As luck would have it a friend , that we met last year in Nanny Cay, offered his assistance in getting the boat ready. And since Sue was still tied to home for all of November and couldn't accompany Gord it was an offer we couldn't refuse.
Gord and Irek are now in Tortola , blue as can be, covered in dust from sanding and bottom painting.
Meanwhile Sue is at home, packing up some necessary supplies and taking almost daily calls with additions to the growing list.  the shipping company will be "rubbing their hands with glee"