Lady's Island, South Carolina

The transmission is here and what a beautiful thing she is. Waiting on a damper plate as all learned advice says we must remove the old one. But while we wait, I write, Jackson paints and we do other small boat chores. There is everything we need within easy walking distance, though there is a courtesy car and bicycles we can use. This is where we are Lady's Island Marina. Super pleasant folks, beautiful scenery, marshes, water, especially when the tide is high, lol and lots of birds, dolphins and one alligator.

We borrowed the courtesy car one morning and went out to Hunting Island, a very stunning barrier island. Great beaches, majestic trees on the Atlantic side, sweeping wetlands and waterways on the inland side. Wish I could have done it justice with my little camera, all I could get were vignettes. A very spirit renewing place.

One late afternoon, trying to capture the light as the sun was heading west, I managed to get these pictures, Too weird.

That's all for now. 

Down Again!

Waiting for the bridge in Saint Augustine.  "El Galeon"' the name of this Galleon. They struggled mightily to find just the right name. Little did they know what a wonderful perch it would be for the wondering/wandering osprey.

First an old world vessel from Spain, now a sleek young thing from Kiwi-land. Here's to my lovely family down under.

Beautiful

Fernandina Beach Marina. The guides say it's a wonderful place for cruisers. All you need, you can dock or take a mooring. The sunset was spectacular, but...........

we had to close the hatches from the sound and smells which were entirely obnoxious and noxious. This was to the south of us.

This was to the north of us. Our last stop in Florida.

Blessing the Fleet in Brunswick Georgia. 

not just for shrimp boats anymore

stopped in Kilkenny Marina, pretty laid back, but shrimp for 5 dollars a pound!

lots of Green Herons in this marshy place.

cats are pretty cool about it all now

20-26 knots of wind on our nose and the current keeping us broadside, in Bull Creek

rafts of weeds everywhere

"Pickle" met Ron waiting on the tide to get through Hell's Gate where the shoals shallowed up the channel to 3 feet in one spot at  MLW. He was anchored in Bull Creek the next day, so we chatted and got his picture. From the windy city of Winnipeg, he wasn't bothered.

We are now at Ladys Island Marina, Beaufort South Carolina, with transmission problems. Oh, and that's pronounced Bewfort. Beaufort is in North Carolina.

So send good vibes please, while it is nice here we'd like to be on our way closer to Canada. Specially since Isaac sent us the video sailing Bras D'Or Lakes

Mosquito Lagoon

We left Peck Lake reluctantly, but supplies were low, we'll return. Fort Pierce was our next port of call and much to our delight they had the best Farmer's Market ever. Loaded up with fresh fruit and vegies all at better prices than Publix and tried not to eat our way through every food booth. I did however indulge in the very best Jamaican Beef Patties and added two new scarves to my collection.

The first two pictures below are Andy, who was our next door neighbour. He's from Seattle, but seems to be coping with the Florida climate just fine.

We moved on to Vero Beach, sitting in a nice cove on a mooring, waiting for a break in the weather. Mostly rain but thunderstorms all over the place.

The weather relaxed a bit and we headed north again. Notice the dejected lad at the stern of the boat below. The next pictures tell the tale. The trawler came to his rescue and after much talking with the Coast Guard, someone came to fetch the poor lad and the trawler was released to go on his way. Not a pretty sight to see, I must say.

We found a lovely anchorage on Banana River, just above Dragon Point, in the Melbourne area. A very active rowing club, 6 boats, probably 100 members. Some single and double scull boats as well.

A rock garden I like.

Ann and John on Seahorse. We met them on our last night in Boot Key. They came up from the Caribbean via Isla Mujeres, taking the boat for haul out and over wintering around Titusville. Thanks to them we found Peck Lake. We found ourselves hopscotching with them but now we are on our own as we continue our journey. They are from Mystic so perhaps we'll see them again.

The Haulover Canal and bridge leading us to Mosquito Lagoon. Awesome place, with many islands suitable for overnight tenting/camping

Oak Hill, the first community we came to after the Lagoon. Quite charming really.

A rookery in New Symrna Beach. As crowded as this little island was with birds, so were some of the inlets around New Smyrna and Ponce De Leon with boats and people. 

fortunately one of those lovely people helped us save my hat when a gust blew it right off my head and into the water.