Wow! I've been negligent. Sorry for the lack of updates but time flies when you are in Grenada, enjoying island life and having fun! Hope I can get you all up to speed.
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| Jon and I dancing in the New Year at Whisper Cove Marina. YES... Jon was dancing!!! |
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| After Christmas and the New Year we decided to give Toi et Moi a present or two. We have been without shade since leaving our slip back at Curtis Marine in May, 2013. Jon rented a workshop and, with the help of a local, built a hardtop Bimini for our cockpit. The hard part came when it was time to move the top from the workshop to the boat. I ended up towing the top AND Jon to Toi et Moi at anchor, where we hoisted the top using muscles and a halyard. |
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| Performing routine dinghy maintenance and enjoying the beautiful water on Hog Island. |
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| Workboats practicing for Grenada Race Week. |
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| Toi et Moi getting ready for some more work. We hauled out at Spice Island Marina for a much needed bottom job and installation of supports for the hardtop. |
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We have always wondered how they get boats so close together in the boatyard. During hurricane season boats are practically rail to rail This handy gizmo is called a stacker. We were transferred from the lift to the stacker and driven to our parking place in the boatyard. Although the yard was not as crowded as it is in high season, this did allow the driver more maneuverability when placing us in our work spot.
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| My job was to sand and paint the bottom, centerboard and boot stripe of Toi et Moi. Jon was in charge of everything else! So, here I am ready for action. Mind you, it was in the high 80's while I was working my tail off in this very attractive jumpsuit. None the less, I got the job finished... and I did it ALL BY MYSELF! |
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| My reward for a job well done included a trip to Florida, where I was able to attend the Miami Boat Show and hang out with Ian and Maggy for a while. It had been at least a year since we were both in St. Pete at the same time! Despite the cooler temperatures, Ian braved the waters off Ft. Desoto to get in a little kiting. Unfortunately, after a few great rides his bar broke and he had to call it a day. |
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| Grenada is great but there is something to be said about a Florida sunset. |
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| We happened to time our Keys visit with the annual Buccaneer Blast youth regatta at the Upper Keys Sailing Club. We have seen this regatta grow from maybe 10 boats (when Ian sailed it my first year in the Keys) to 132 boats this year! It was so satisfying to see our little program grow up. Thanks, Andy, for taking us out and for your efforts in getting the youth sailing program back on track! |
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| I had a great time in Florida, visiting friends and family in both he Keys and St. Pete, but it was time to head home to Jon, Opti, and Toi et Moi. Jon had finished his work and we were now out of the boatyard and in the harbor. |
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| As you can see, the hardtop is in place and we are enjoying a lot more shade! We are now in the process of adding screens and vinyl to make our cockpit truly livable in all kinds of weather. |
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FINALLY!!! Our brand new sail has arrived, Jon and I have been sailing a total of 35 years and this is our first brand new sail! We are thrilled. Getting the wrap around sail rigged took some time and will need to be tweaked during a sea trial, but to hear the crinkle of the new sailcloth was music to our ears. (Even J
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